What I’ve found is way too boring and too classroom and corporate looking. We need something modern, hip that resembles our philosophy and the Spanish classes ambient: fun, relaxed and participative.

Another key quality that we are looking for is location. I do like Birmingham for several reasons but mainly because it is in the center of Oakland county, bordering Royal Oak, Troy, Bloomfield Hills, Clawson.

The last piece of the puzzle is a contract that is fair, including price…

Maybe I am looking for something impossible but if you know of a site that has this attributes, I’d appreciate an email or phone call.  Gracias.

Sent: Monday, July 26, 2010 11:46 AM
To: ‘Cari Lamb’
Subject: RE: Spanish Language instructor

Hello Cari.

Prior to the recession, my company (Dura Automotive) held a series of Spanish classes on-site at our office in Rochester Hills.  Joaquin was our instructor and I could not say enough positive things about him/ his teaching ability.  First, since Spanish is his native tongue, he is more than qualified.  Next, he promoted a working environment where the entire class was engaged and actively participated.  Since the majority of the class was introverted mechanical engineers, this was no easy feat.  Overall, I would recommend Joaquin to anyone who would consider him for hire.  Please feel free to contact me direct if you have further questions.

Thank You,

J. S.

Product Engineering Manager

Dura Automotive Systems

——————

Hello Joaquin,  Absolutely, you may use us for a reference.

Good luck, and I hope everything is going well for you.

Regards,

Rick

Walbridge

——————

But of course, amigo!!!

W. Buesser

Buesser & Buesser PC

Conversational Spanish

An introduction to the Spanish language

through real life conversations.

Lessons will be taught through speaking, listening,

reading and writing. Text: “Easy Spanish Step-by-Step” by Barbara

Bregstein available at most popular bookstores.

Joaquin Frias, MBA, from Madrid, Spain, is the founder of Spanish

International, which works with companies and professionals

interested in learning Spanish.

TUESDAY, July 6th from 7:30-9:00 pm

8 sessions $145 (ends 8/24)

380 South Bates Street,   Birmingham, MI 48009

Registration: 248 644 5832

Questions about the course? write below or

email us at info@spanishinternational.com

Customized Programs to Accommodate Your Specific Language Needs

Private and Semi-Private Tutoring is available for individuals (private) or in pairs (semi – private).  All tutoring sessions are tailored to meet the students’ goals and level.  Time, frequency and location will be determined between the student(s) and the instructor.

One-on-one language instruction is an excellent and often a necessary choice for many student.  You may want to consider Private Instruction if you wish to:

• Schedule your lessons around your schedule
• Work at your own pace
• Have personalized & content-specific instruction

Once you’ve decided to begin we’ll arrange your schedule and set you up with one of our instructors. Private Instruction gives you the ultimate in personal attention and practice.  The prices include materials, which will vary according to the level and the length of the course.

For Your Group of Three or More

We offer special customized programs for small groups for business, social, religious and educational groups of all kinds. These programs function much like our Private Instruction Programs in that the participants may select the day, time and frequency of class meetings. This is the easiest and most convenient way to provide Spanish language instruction for your group or organization. Lessons can be conducted at our facilities or at your location.

We are currently developing a special programs for children.  Please contact us for prices on our customized small group classes and children’s program.

To learn Spanish is to open the door to a whole new world.   It is not only to be able to communicate in the native language of more than 400 million people worldwide, but to see the world in a different, multicolor light.  Spanish culture is difficult to understand without speaking Spanish.

Maybe you want to travel to Mexico, South or Central America, or Spain during your summer break, or prepare yourself for study in a Spanish-speaking country. Maybe a Spanish-speaking exchange student sparked your interest, or you have a friend who recommended it, or you just like the way the language sounds.

Spanish is currently the 2^nd in the world not including Chinese and Indian. Geographically, Spanish is the primary language in Spain, Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Equatorial Guinea, the Philippines, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, Colombia, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Speaking Spanish opens the door for you to communicate with 1/3 of a billion speakers worldwide!

Within the US, it is possible to maintain almost daily contact with native Spanish speakers in many cities or even in rural areas. This is certainly the case in the many states bordering Mexico, or such states as Florida and New York where many immigrants of Cuban ancestry reside. Even if your home state is not located in one of these areas, there is still a great likelihood of finding Spanish-speakers close to where you live. As of 1995, 10% of all people living in the US were of Hispanic descent. In the past 10 years, this number has continued to increase. 

Perhaps this is why 53% of students learning languages in US colleges and universities are learning Spanish over languages. You have the opportunity to use your language skills right at home.

To travel to one of these countries and to speak Spanish is a completely different experience if you speak Spanish.  If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting far-off, exotic, tropical places, you don’t have far to look when you consider the great number of Spanish-speaking countries that fit this description. Wherever you decide to go, be it to Central America, or to Spain, the mother-country of the Spanish language, knowing the language will get you far.

 Knowing the language and culture of the land you visit will give you insights into the people and culture that a non-Spanish speaker would never have access to. Knowing even a little Spanish ahead of time helps travelers communicate more successfully, especially considering that a great number of Spanish speakers do not know English. Whether giving an address in a taxi, making reservations in a hotel, ordering food or drinks in a restaurant, or meeting the locals at the main hang-out, your travel experience will be much smoother and more enjoyable when you can communicate.

 If you take a little time to learn some of the Spanish language before heading off to distant lands, your understanding and appreciation for the places you visit will be improved tremendously.

For business purposes, to Speak Spanish is a key asset that you can offer to your employer. If you have proven yourself to be a capable employee with just the right job skills and you speak a foreign language such as Spanish, you are much more likely to land that job of your dreams than if you are monolingual. In fact, many jobs today require a minimum of basic proficiency in another language.

 With the world becoming ever more global, contact with people of other countries has increased tremendously in recent decades. Just having a basic knowledge may be all it takes to separate yourself from the crowd of applicants for the job you are pursuing. With the rapidly increasing Hispanic population, there are a multitude of career fields in the US that need Spanish speakers. Among them are nurses, social workers, teachers, salespeople, translators, and many more. 

Internationally, people who speak Spanish often have opportunities to work in trade or business fields. Other options include diplomacy, interpretation, and security applications, which all require a sensitivity and proficiency of another language. And did you know that bilingual employees often receive a larger salary than their non-Spanish speaking counterparts? 

If the chance to show off your skills and be more competitive on the job market doesn’t interest you in studying Spanish, perhaps the extra cash will.

In summary, for personal and business purposes to speak Spanish can enhance your life and let you see the world in a multitude of colors.  This is what we do at Spanish International with our students.  We work with them to help them have a conversation in Spanish.  Our methodology is conversational Spanish.  Give us a try and if you will not be disappointed.  If not now, when?  Hasta la vista!  www.spanishinternational.com

You have already taken the biggest step into the life-learning process of learning Spanish. I hope you are as motivated as I am to get started. As we discussed in class, please buy the Easy Spanish Step by Step, Barbara Bregstein book and a dictionary.

Read the first chapter of the book (not too exciting but important) and learn the subjuct pronouns- Yo, Tu, El, Ella, Nosotros, Vosotros, Ellos… on page 14. Also print the following 2 attached documents for class.

Remember that it is a process, so let’s take it easy and enjoy it.
Muchas gracias y hasta la vista,

Joaquin

Another reason to start learning Spanish is: Jobs.  Spanish is the most demanded language by employers, but this is a topic for our next post.