Ratings and Comments for Personalized Spanish
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Student ratings for Personalized Spanish
Overall Ratings:
Evaluation from marysalmon:
Evaluation from avoorhis:
I studied at Personalized Spanish for 2 months this past winter and it was the best experience I could have imagined. What sets this school apart from others is the personal interest they take in each student. The director, Gaby Cerrate and the other five profesoras made learning Spanish enjoyable. When the lessons got difficult they would take a break and try something lighter like cooking or dancing lessons. There are plenty of things to do around Tres Rios which is just outside of the capital city of San Jose. Each student is taken into the capital by one of the teachers and shown around to the various cultural sights and more importantly how to get in and out of San Jose using the excellent bus system. Gaby also is expert at recommending and setting up tours to the beaches or other tropical destinations for your weekend time. My homestay was also set up by Gaby who keeps a list of a few local families that she tries to match with each new student. Most of them are within walking distance to the school. Bottom Line: This is a great school with great and caring people. If you want to learn Spanish and have fun too, this is the place. Andy Voorhis
Evaluation from MicheleMD:
I attended Personalized Spanish a year ago (2012). I was about to spend several weeks in rural Honduras conducting research without the help of interpreters and needed to take my Spanish to the next level. Before I left, I researched several language schools in Costa Rica, and Personalized Spanish seemed to be the one that could give me the individualized instruction and attention I needed to meet my specific needs. I was right. By the end of the two weeks, not only had I reviewed and learned a broad spectrum of grammar and vocabulary, I had also received instruction in vocabulary and phrases that I woud need specifically for my research. PS tailored their teaching and curriculum to meet my needs. The school was located in a nice safe neighborhood and the staff were very friendly, even assisting me and rearranging my schedule slightly to help me enjoy all that Costa Rica has to offer. The other students and the afternoon cultural activities added to the learning experience. I stayed with a friend in San Jose as opposed to staying with a host family, but my classmates seemed to enjoy their host family experience and they're all located within walking distance of the school. Overall, I found the experience to be very enjoyable and worth my time and money.
Evaluation from sylvainlalonde:
Cet été, j’étais seul et j’étais à la recherche d’une façon originale et authentique de visiter le Costa-Rica. Je ne voulais pas faire un voyage organisé où j’allais dormir à l’hôtel et manger dans les restaurants. Je désirais connaître l’une des richesses du Costa-Rica: les gens. Il m’apparaissait évident que je devais m’inscrire à un séjour linguistique. Mais quelle école choisir dans ce pays qui en compte des centaines? J’ai entrepris des recherches et suite aux nombreuses recommandations, une école dans la région de San José semblait se démarquer : Personalized Spanish. Située à Tres Rios, à 25 minutes du centre-ville de la capitale, cette petite école offre un service très attentionné et un enseignement de très grande qualité. J’ai eu le privilège d’avoir un enseignement individualisé et rigoureux. J’ai fait de très beaux progrès en 2 semaines à peine. L’ambiance est sympathique et chaleureux. Sur place, les étudiants ont accèes èa une connexion Internet et une ligne téléphonique (SKYPE) où il est possible d’appeler nos proches à l’international. J’ai profité du programme HOMESTAY où les étudiants sont jumelés à une famille Ticos. J’habiatais dans une superbe résidence à 30 secondes de l’école. La famille ne parlant aucunement l’anglais, j’ai dû apprendre rapidement à communiquer avec eux en espagnol. La famille fournit une chambre, le petit-déjeuner et le dîner et fait le lavage pour environ 25$ US. C’est super! Je recommande fortement un séjour linguistique à l’école Personalized spanish.
Evaluation from nancyh:
I graduated from medical school this spring and since there are many Spanish speaking patients in Minnesota, I wanted to begin learning Spanish. Initially, I chose Personalized Spanish because I only had two weeks in Costa Rica and wanted a school that would be effective and responsive to my learning needs as a non-traditional student. I couldn’t have been happier with my choice. I was very impressed by my experiences at Personalized Spanish from the beginning. The professors know how to teach, and engage students in a variety of interactive activities that got us speaking Spanish from the first day. Class sizes are small, so students get lots of individual attention. The professors pay careful attention to the needs of the students and adjust lessons accordingly. The written materials/text book that the school provided was an excellent resource for our lessons. I brought my twin daughters with me and they also had a very positive experience. One of my daughters had no prior Spanish experience and was able to do a 5 minute presentation on Costa Rican food, in Spanish, for the whole school, on our last day. In the afternoons there were opportunities to go on field trips, attend cultural events and attend dancing classes. My daughters and I had fun learning to salsa dance, and we still joke about how they are much better at it than I am. In the afternoon I took private lessons in medical Spanish, which I would highly recommend to anyone in the medical field wanting to improve their Spanish. While in Costa Rica we stayed with a Tico family who were wonderful. They welcomed us into their home and made us feel like part of the family. On the weekends my daughters and I spent time traveling to other parts of the country, and the school was wonderful about providing recommendations and helping us arrange accommodations. I would highly recommend Personalized Spanish to anyone considering studying Spanish in Costa Rica. The school was an excellent value for the tuition and I gained a strong foundation for my continuing Spanish studies. And after returning home, I realized that two weeks at Personalized Spanish translated to almost two months of classroom Spanish study back home for my daughter who is taking Spanish at her middle school this year.
Evaluation from einstein:
Evaluation from bluseptember22:
I have been to Personalized Spanish two years in a row now and plan on going back asap!! I had been studying Spanish for 18 months before going the first time and felt I wanted an immersion experience to give me a boost. I also knew I wanted a school that would be for people serious about learning (like it says on Personalized's web site lol)! I totally got what I paid for! Although on the pricy side, it is totally worth it. I am in grad school to be a psychologist so how I spend my money is important lol... but the school made sure it was money well spent! Not only was everyone super friendly and helpful (planning weekend trips or answering questions about the country), but Gaby also arranged for me to meet with a psychologist at a child community residence and visit an education/nutrition school for children. Also, my teacher catered what I learned to my field. Even when I did have a problem, it was quickly taken care of so that I was comfortable. The teachers are professional and experienced, and it really is personalized. There were also cooking, dance, and jewelry making classes, as well as great tours of San Jose! This past summer was just as good as last! And the best part of the experience is the homestay. I requested to stay with the same family because I loved them sooo much! You learn so much from them and they are soo helpful and interested in helping you learn. I even exchange emails and keep in contact during the year. I am definitely going back as soon as I can. You won't be disappointed!
Evaluation from David-Colorado:
I highly recommend this school as they live up to their name "Personalized," and more. The difference in this school is that they cater to those that are serious about their Spanish learning goals. It is not a school that simply reviews grammar rules, the teachers show you how to live Spanish and they do it in such a way that the rules of grammar seem to just fall into place. I have studied at Personalized Spanish on three different occasions, and have been extremely pleased with the results every time. The teachers and owner, Gaby, insure that each student receives 100% individualized attention according to the personal needs and desires of the student. I have not figured out how exactly they do this, but I do know from experience at the school that this is the school to attend if you want to really excel in your Spanish. If you want home accommodations that are rewarding (I have stayed with the same family each time, and we stay in touch via phone, email and Facebook), a learning experience that is catered to your individualized needs, afternoon learning excursions that will compliment your time in class and some fantastic weekend get-a-ways to visit other areas of Costa Rica with all the arrangements handled for you, then Personalized Spanish is definitely the school for you. David Martin Tucker Arvada, Colorado
Evaluation from jhu317:
If you are an adult learner, a child or teen, think you can't learn another language, never took a day of foreign language in your life, you don't remember a thing from high school, know some Spanish but want to be better; whatever you level may be, and you want to go to Costa Rica, seriously consider Personalized Spanish. I was a student there in May 2010 for five weeks and here is my take on the experience. From my first contact with the administrator Amanda, to the director Gaby, to my wonderful professors Alejandro and Sergio, to the head of school operations Noemi; all are professional experts who are nice, easy to get along with, easy to get to know, super supportive, and really do everything to help you improve your language skills. The faculty and staff truly provide a personalized experience, where they drill down quickly to see what your needs are and completely give you what you need and more. They answered my million and one questions before my arrival, matched me with a great host family, provided first class learning material (which is always fresh and exciting and make you want to learn), planned activities and excursions, exposed me to food and culture, and of course got me to speak Spanish in a short amount of time. I went there with a hazy memory of my high school Spanish, and after two weeks I was rolling my "R's" like I was born and raised there. At the end of my five weeks, I was watching AND UNDERSTANDING telenovelas and other TV programs with my awesome host mother, reading books, and negotiating in the market like a pro. Would I go back? MOST DEFINITELY! My host experience was top notch. My host family were warm and inviting, the house was lovely- bright and clean, my host mother was the best cook ever (and only my mom ever got that distinction before this trip), plus living in Spanish helped with the learning process as well. The school is located near the bus stop where you can catch buses to the San Jose city center or to Cartago and other destinations. It’s about 2 hours by bus to the beach so weekends trips to the sea are recommended. The school itself is located in a really safe neighborhood with 24 hour guards in booths located in the community so adults, teens travelling alone are as safe as can be. What would I change? I wish I had more time there. But just to let you know you don't need to invest a ton of time there in order to see results. If you are there for even one week, you will be surprised at how much you will learn.
Evaluation from Michael:
I spent 6 weeks at a language school in Cuernavaca, Mexico, two years ago. I spent 6 weeks at Personalized Spanish this summer. It was much harder for me to leave San Jose than Cuernavaca. I loved Cuernavaca, but I felt some powerful emotions (I'm a guy, so I can't admit to crying) leaving my friends and family in San Jose. This is entirely due to Personalized Spanish. Dona Gaby, the director, made sure that I had a top-flight experience. I am an advanced Spanish learner, but there were students of all levels. Due to the nature of the school, I was able to learn according to my previous level while also not having to disassociate myself from the other students. There were countless occasions provided to socialize with all of the other students. I could glow on and on about the various teachers I had, my fellow students, my host family, the food, and my overall happiness with the program. Please feel free to contact me with questions: Mike Doyne: mdoyne@comcast.net (I'm a parent coordinator in a middle school in suburban Atlanta).
Evaluation from JSchwindt:
I, like many of you, spent countless hours researching schools all over Costa Rica trying to find the institution that was just right for me. I wanted a school that had small class sizes, flexible start dates, a location that was conducive to practicing speaking outside of the classroom, safe and, most importantly, was worth my time and money. When I first started exchanging e-mails with the staff at Personalized Spanish, they immediately eased my nerves. They understood that studying so far from home is a major commitment. They were extremely patient with my millions of questions and countless e-mails. They provided me with contact information for multiple references and never once pressured me to enroll. The school is a short walk from all homestay families through a safe, beautiful neighborhood. With a home-like feel, the classrooms, grounds and study area were all very comfortable. On the first day (and everyday!) the teachers and staff at Personalized Spanish were so welcoming. I had the pleasure of studying at the school for 5 weeks and took classes with 4 of the 5 teachers who were always prepared and their patients and understanding helped me to immediately jump into conversations and practice my new Spanish skills. They had different teaching styles, but they all had the same goal in mind, my Spanish. I loved going on the cultural fieldtrips twice a week, the daily ‘pausa’ with great conversation, Noemi’s yummy fruit drinks and my afternoon ‘cafecito’ with Gaby. I can honestly say that not only did I leave Personalized Spanish with a deeper knowledge of the Spanish language and a great confidence in my ability to speak, but I also left with a new family. I would highly recommend them to everyone!
Evaluation from cwells:
Our family of 7 studied for 4 weeks this winter at Personalized Spanish. We range from beginner to intermediate and in age from 4-years to 39. Gaby didn't even hesitate to welcome us into their program and arranged classes appropriate for each of us. The kids felt safe in the small environment, and we learned so much and also made life-long friends! SO grateful for our experience with Gaby and all the staff at Personalized Spanish who go out of their way to care for their students in every way! HIGHLY recommend!!!
Evaluation from JimTh:
I just returned from Costa Rica where I studied at the best Spanish school, Personalized Spanish, near San Jose. (In 2009, I also studied at a very good school in Guatemala, and Personalized Spanish was clearly the better.) Here is why I think the school is so good. I received a level of instruction that was perfect for my level of Spanish understanding. Unlike other schools, this school tested me before I even arrived. It then matched instructors and instruction to my background in the language. All instructors were native speakers, I believe with a university level of education themselves. I received 6 hours of individual instruction a day over a two week (10 day) period. Four different instructors taught me during that time, two each week (one for the morning and one for the afternoon). In the morning, we work on foundational materials to make sure that I had a firm grasp of grammar, vocabulary, and verb endings and tenses. In the afternoon, the second instructor for the week took a different tack, one day carrying on a conversation in a park, another day in a local bar over a few beers, a third day practicing material that I had studied earlier. After classes on three days each week, the school offered a number of activities, including lectures on cultural topics, dance and cooking lessons, and tours of San Jose and Catago. An extremely important complement to the formal training was how well the school choose families with whom the students lived. I lived with a family who made me a real part of their lives, inviting me to the market, the tailor (in a very small house), to the church, to the Walmart, to the cinema, and to the Taco Bell and Chinese restaurant. Plus the school was an easy bus ride to San Jose and elsewhere in the country. I looked throughout Central America for a good school and concluded this is the best. I am more persuaded than ever that I made the right choice. Jim
Evaluation from 19jim400:
I attended in February of 2010. I attended a different school in 1984 and felt like a two week structured refresher course to go along with another visit to San Jose would be just the thing. I decided against the previous school just because. I'm glad that I did. Read the next 10 or 12 comments and you will get my meaning. Middle February was perfect. Hardly no other students. Never more than one other student in class and nearly a week of essentially private lessons, with the owner, Gaby. In my opinion you must stay with a "Tico" family when you attend any of the many spanish schools available. I did in 1984 and we are personal friends today. I stayed with them on this trip. The whole experience so impressed me that when we returned in February of 2011 I took my wife to see the school and to meet the staff. We, my wife and I and a couple who were traveling with us and Gaby and her husband and daughter went to a wonderful Peruvian restaurant for dinner. You can't get more "Personalized" than that. I recommend this school with all my heart. I promised my grand daughter a trip to a Spanish speaking country and 4-5 weeks of school if she would study at least 2 years of Spanish in high school. She just started high school last week and it looks as though I may have to pay-up. I hope that she will go to "Personalized Spanish"
Evaluation from Denton:
I, together with the wife and son (age 12), spent a week at Personalized Spanish. Each of us thoroughly enjoyed it. The Tico family with whom we stayed was delightful--great food and conversation, with a free education on Costa Rican history, politics and culture. The one-week course put the boy over the top in his speaking skills. Although he had a pretty good vocabulary prior to the course he didn't feel comfortable in actually speaking and possibly making a fool of himself. Personalized Spanish gave him the confidence to take a risk. He actively seeks out native spanish speakers, tries to learn idioms, and has insisted that we spend our vacations in Latin America so that he can continue to practice the language. (This Thanksgiving will be Oaxaca.) It was money very well spent. The instructors were gifted and patient, and the instructional material was well developed and professionally presented. I hope to return next summer for another week or two of courses. Pura Vida!
Evaluation from pjgator:
i studied at personailzed spanish for four weeks in february/march 2011. We visited several schools in San Jose before we selected our school. The selection was easy. I am in my 60's and had recently retired. Learning Spanish was on my "bucket list". My friend and I studied for 6 hours per day and were rewarded with a major improvement in our proficiency. The approach was a good complement to the computer study we used before our trip. As you know the computer only takes you so far... the other aspects of the program were also great ...homestay - excellent (we considered staying in an apartment that would have been a mistake...the family was a big part of the learning). To enhance the learning all of the instructors included many cultural elements in the program. The optional afternoon activities were all good and not to be missed. For me an initial program of 4 weeks was about right, although I plan to return once a year to continue my learning. This school is a great choice for all levels and ages of learners
Evaluation from b-rad-en:
Personalized Spanish is an incredibly helpful school that has helped me get by my extremely difficult AP Spanish IV class. The teachers there are very, very patient and the school is a quaint 2-story house that has a friendly atmosphere. Classes can be held outside which is especially nice when it's a sunny day out. It doesn't feel like a normal school environment at all- it was much more free and didn't have the strictness of an ordered school day which I enjoyed immensely and which also helped me to learn quicker and easier. You will make friends there, with the teachers, students and with the host-family (if you choose to stay with one) that will last a lifetime. This school is the best choice for anyone who wants to learn Spanish and it comes with a reasonable price.
Evaluation from carlal:
Evaluation from sarahinthesprings:
I have been to 3 different language schools in Central America and this was the best! Everyone was professional yet friendly. I feel like they really kept my goals in mind and made learning fun!
Evaluation from Helenh:
My husband and I and my 82 year old mother in law attended "Personalized Spanish" for 3 weeks over Christmas/New Years 2011/2012. The school was excellent. We found the professors to be knowledgeable, experienced, and helpful. The staff was friendly and helped us make arrangements for special activities. The instruction materials were very well done and easy to understand and use. The day-to-day oversight to ensure consistency and quality in the delivery of instruction was very good as well. The host family was marvelous. We hope we can return again to this school in the future.
Evaluation from covingtonjenn:
I cannot speak highly enough about Personalized Spanish. I had exactly 4 weeks inbetween semesters in my graduate school program so I researched Spanish schools for months to try and find a school that would give me the best bang for my buck. My following semester coursework/practicum was going to be determined based on my level of spanish after returning from a spansh school so it was imperative that I choose my school wisely. After consistenly reading positive reviews about Personalized Spanish, I decided on them. They definitely lived up to their excellent reviews! Attending this school improved my spanish by leaps and bounds! I stayed for 4 weeks and it was worth every penny! In fact, I am already planning my next trip to return to the school to keep working on my spanish. I was so impressed with how professional the staff and teachers were and how they do everything in their power to keep you happy and to cater to your needs. The school itself is beautiful. The host family I stayed with was amazing and it provided me with amplíe opportunities to practice my spanish. The school also helps you organize weekend excursions if you are interested. I highly recommend this because they are relatively cheap and a ton of fun! The professors I had were all amazing. I had the pleasure of working with several different professors and every single one of them was outstanding. I never once felt embarrassed for making a mistake and they were all so patient! The biggest complement I can pay this school is that they provide such a positive encouraging atmosphere for their students. Everyone is so friendly, they all seem to really love their jobs, and it's just such an upbeat friendly environment; all very conduce for the stressful exercise of learning a new language. They really do a good job of putting you at ease, making you feel at home, and valuing your happiness. if you are REALLY looking to learn spanish then this is the school for you.
Evaluation from dyoung289:
Evaluation from ShradEHS:
This is a great school! We participated in the small group classes , the home-stay program, and the cultural activities. The home-stay was excellent. The family was very friendly and accommodated our dietary needs. The conversation and food were excellent. The school adjusted their classes to our needs. The lessons were varied and interesting. The "coffee" breaks were a great time to practice Spanish informally and to meet the other students. The afternoon cultural activities varied weekly and were all excellent. This is a great way to improve (or start) your Spanish!
Evaluation from WC_musicman:
I finished two weeks at the Personalized Spanish school at the end of May 2011 and I highly recommend it. The teachers were engaging, informative and very entertaining. They had specific lesson plans and homework, all of which help you advance very quickly. Almost all communications at the school are done in spanish. This helps you get into the proper mindset for speaking and thinking spanish all the time. . At least 3 days a week they schedule additional activities, tours, movies etc which serve to further reinforce all that you have been learning. They will also help you book weekend activities such as volcano tours, coffee plantations, etc. The family I stayed with was wonderful and they spoke spanish almost exclusively with me. They also invited me to join in with some of their daily activities if I had the time. It's difficult to express how friendly they were and all the efforts they made to make me feel at home . The meals were delicious and the house I stayed at had Wi-Fi so I could also skype home to my family and keep them updated as well as do homework research. I studied for two weeks and traveled for two weeks. I should say that I have been studying spanish on my own for almost 3 years so my vocabulary was pretty good but I lacked the confidence to speak to others in spanish. My goal was to somehow gain that confidence and try to speak even if I knew that my spanish might be incorrect. I have to say, that everyone I spoke to seemed really pleased that I was trying and did everything they could to help me speak properly and with confidence. People on the street, in the buses, tiendas, sodas, tours, everywhere!! The people of Costa Rica are some of the kindest, friendliest and helpful folks you will ever meet. I could go on and on but suffice it to say that my month in Costa Rica will always have a special place in my heart, not just because of the beautiful sights, and the excellent school, but because of the people I met there who were so welcoming and friendly. Pura Vida!
Evaluation from MollyS:
Personalized Spanish language school was perfect for me, an intermediate-level student very serious about improving my fluency and conversational skills. As the name suggests, the program is individualized to meet each student’s language goals at all levels. In addition to the excellent professors, two additional attributes set this program above other language immersion schools that I have attended in Central and South America. The first was the complete involvement and interest of the owner/director, Gaby Cerrate, in the daily conversations and activities of each student. She set a high standard for all of the employees there. The second was the exceptional support and assistance by the administrative assistant, Dayla Arias, in coordinating plans for individual weekend excursions as desired by the students. She helped me with all arrangements, including interbus reservations, hotel reservations, and tour reservations for a long weekend in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Personalized Spanish offers a warm and professional ambiance for the serious Spanish student who also wants to experience the joyful Costa Rican culture and country.
Evaluation from yesdahc:
I am a big fan of PERSONALIZED SPANISH. I studied there for one week my first time, found it was so great that I returned six months later for two weeks, I’m looking forward to third visit. My criteria for a school to study Spanish were the quality of education, small classes, the responsiveness to my individual needs, as well as a convenient and safe location. At PERSONAL SPANISH I found all of them and more. The School. I like that Personal Spanish is very flexible in terms of grouping students, and if necessary, creating customized curricula. The school does an excellent job of grouping students of similar abilities and all the instructors are terrific. On my second visit (knowing my strengths and weaknesses) the school created a specific program to meet my needs and requests which consisted of group and private lessons. Classes are small with never more than 5 students (frequently fewer) which allows for a lot of practice, which is which to me. It also allows the teachers (who are all great) to hone in on the specific needs of the students. There were mid-morning breaks where the students can get to know one another as well as other staff members. This creates a very congenial atmosphere. Location. PERSONALIZED SPANISH is located in a suburb of San Jose, Costa Rica with easy access to downtown. The school will arrange transportation from and to the airport (at the student’s expense) which works very well. Many afternoons there are trips, usually with the instructors as guides to explore the sights of San Jose and nearby attractions. Home Stay. I also wanted home stay. As a part of a gated community the school has arrangements with many residents for home stay for its students-which is great if you, like me, prefer the immersion experience that this provides. My experiences with my two host families were terrific. I ate breakfast and dinner with them--enjoying great typical Costa Rican food—and had many opportunities to interact with the family, and occasionally was asked to participate in some of their social activities. At the same time I had my own room and was able to be alone to do homework, study, read etc. PERSONALIZED SPANISH does a great job matching the preferences of the students and families. Cost Rica is a very interesting country with many fascinating places to visit. It is known for its Eco-tourism- with rain forests, mountains, beaches, volcanoes, and much more. The school is very helpful in suggesting trips to these areas and will help with arrangements. ( Zip-lining was my thing.) The weekend is a good time for this and I suggest trying to incorporate this in your schedule. Also, San Jose is very accessible. PERSONALIZED SPANISH is the ideal school for students who want a solid teaching program and excellent professors. It’s location in a suburb of San Jose allows for a broad exposure to local culture and the willingness of staff to help plan trips makes it an ideal vacation spot before as well.
Evaluation from rwardcorrigan:
I spent eight weeks in Costa Rica studying Spanish and learning about the culture of Costa Rica at Personalized Spanish in Tres Rios. Despite studying in Dominican Republic for 4 weeks and a week in Mexico seven years ago, as well as listening to a decent amount of Spanish in my job, I arrived with a few common phrases and having a working knowledge of only a few common regular verbs in the present tense. In other words, not much! I was hopeful but a bit leery of the progress I might make given achievement thus far. I registered for the mini-group program which guarantees no more than 3 students in a class. Out of eight weeks my classes consisted of two weeks with one other student, one week with two other students, and the remaining five weeks were private sessions! Talk about personalized! Each day was individualized and flexible. I counted at least 25 topics that were covered during my lessons in addition to cultural information and conversational Spanish, as well as reading and writing. Homework was given on a daily basis and at times on weekends (ugh!) AND it was taken seriously. This program was work and fun at the same time! Imagine that in a school! All the teachers were professional and skilled and also speak English, although very little was used. This is a total immersion program! Although all the teachers were wonderful, I do admit to having favorites! If you are not comfortable with a situation, grouping or what you are learning, you can express your thoughts to the director who takes them into serious consideration. I could not be happier with the progress I have made! Although I need a great deal more experience listening and understanding native speakers I am able to carry on a conversation that is understandable and people noticed my improvement within the first week. For this reason I would not hesitate to return to Personalized Spanish in the future and look forward to planning my return sooner rather than later. If you want a school where you know you will make substantial progress in a short period of time this is the place to go! Highly Recommended
Evaluation from francesho:
I spent 3 weeks at Personalized Spanish in the summer of 2014. I am an adult learner and have been taking Spanish for over 4 years. However, I found it difficult to speak the language fluently in the US and wanted to go abroad. I am glad I did! The teachers are excellent (they know their stuff). Class size is small and it was usually between 1-3 people. You think, speak Spanish as soon as you wake up in the morning until you finish school. The program was intense but after a few days immersed in the culture, my Spanish just clicked and I started to speak pretty well. I've regressed since I've been back to the US, but I liked the teacher so much that I signed up for online courses with him. I have taken online classes for a few months and so far it's good. I feel there's a continuity. I get to speak one-on-one. I highly recommend the school.
Popular Phrase: saber vs. conocer | Conjugated Verb: distribuir - to distribute, hand out, send out, give out [ click for full conjugation ]
This school is incredible! I am a nontraditional student (not in my 20's). I am a physical therapist with the goal of being able to treat my hispanic non-English speaking patients without an interpreter. I had taken 3 semesters of Spanish at the local community college and wanted to build on that as well as work on medical Spanish. My program was tailored to my goals and needs. When I wanted a shift in the focus to conversational spanish only with two weeks until my reurn to the US because I wasn't where I wanted to be, Gaby, the director of the school put her schedule on hold and worked with me personally. I talked for 4 hours every morning for 2 weeks with pauses to correct my grammar. This is not a party school. We had fun and they arranged whatever activities we wanted to do on the weekends as well as provided us with lots of cultural activities. They even got me tickets to the Maná (a fantastic rock group from Mexico) concert and sent a staff member with me. If you are a serious student that wants to improve your Spanish as well as be exposed to the culture and foods of Latin America, this is the school for you. It is a small school and all the professors are native Spanish speakers. They all love to teach and listen to your concerns. My homestay was with a great family in a beautiful home within walking distance to the school. Tres Ríos is just outside of San José and is a great location for weekend trips to see other parts of Costa Rica on the weekends. My immersion experience was fantastic and Personalized Spanish is the main reason I am so happy. My goals were not only met but surpassed and I made a lot of great new friends at the school. I have no complaints!