Due to Covid-19 we now offer online classes via zoom or facetime. We are now getting ready for the summer session. Please contact us to reserve a seat online or in-person if you’d like.

DESCRIPTION OF LEVELS IN OUR CLASSES

DESCRIPTION OF LEVELS IN OUR CLASSES

Following is an overview of the material covered in each of our classes. The descriptions are based on grammatical terminology. However, during our classes we try to use the verb forms and vocabulary as much as it is possible avoiding too much emphasis on “grammar.” Our explanations are more of a logical way of using verb forms and vocabulary. If we need to use grammar terminology, we will explain it first. Our motto is: 10% explanations, 90% practice.

Language is a skill (playing the piano, learning to ski, etc.) where, after learning the basics you need to practice until it becomes (almost) automatic. To learn to speak a foreign language you need to repeat and repeat and use what you know in conversation and in context.

For your study at home, we provide copies of the visual aids we use in class. Later on, we will recommend a text that you can obtain at Amazon.com.

BEGINNING I:

1. Basic vocabulary. The uses of the articles (“the, a, etc.”). Masculine vs feminine use of nouns and words that express possession (“my, yours, etc.”).
2. Regular verbs: caminar, necesitar, viajar, comer, creer, vivir, etc.
3. Irregular verbs: querer, poder, hacer, venir, ser and estar, etc.
4. Important irregular verbs: tener, ir, gustar, etc.

(This is not a complete list, we study many other regular and irregular verbs).

BEGINNING II:

1. Commands (formal and informal): venga, dígame, llámeme,.
2. Reflexive verbs (yo me divierto, tú te quedas, él se llama, etc.).
3. Use of object pronouns: Mary tells him = Maria le dice, etc.

ADVANCED BEGINNING:

1. The past tenses: the preterite for the immediate past; and the imperfect for the a long duration in the past and a repeated action.
2. The future tense.
3. The conditional tense.

INTERMEDIATE:

1. The compound tenses: Have you seen John? (¿Ha visto a Juan?); What have you been doing lately? (¿Qué has estado hacienda ultimamente?).
2. The present subjunctive.
3. The past subjunctive.

CONVERSATION:

1. As the title implies, the group engages in conversations about spontaneous or previously chosen subjects. There will be occasional interruptions to suggest correct uses of the verb tenses or new vocabulary.