Is there an application fee?

There is no application fee; you pay for the course tuition, which includes all instruction, texts and other materials.

Do you have adult class sessions that are less than 3 hours long?

Three hours has been found to be optimal for learning under suggestopedic conditions. Most students report that after a three hour session (1.5 hours of class, half an hour break, and another 1.5 hours of instruction) they feel mentally and physically fresh and alert. Under some conditions, slightly shorter or longer class sessions may be offered.

Are there homework assignments?

There are no homework assignments required. In fact, extensive outside work during the early part of the course can actually be counter-productive. As the course progresses, students begin to appreciate new ways to enhance their own learning outside the classroom. In the beginning, any outside work we do is heavily conditioned by study habits we have picked up in previous schooling. These habits, though perhaps effective in those old school contexts, often create additional stress and are generally oriented toward short term memory. And in all of our programs, we are targeting long term memory. Prior to the class, you will be given additional information on homework.

How many students are there in the class?

Class size ranges from 6 to 16 students in the beginning courses. A suggestopedic class requires a group of sufficient size to allow spontaneous interactions among group members, without placing too heavy a performance burden on individual students. And, if the class size grows too large, individual students get too few opportunities to actively speak the new language.

Is one to one tutoring the best method to learn a language?

One-to-one tutoring provides complete attention from a trained instructor, who can offer immediate and frequent correction of pronunciation and grammar. However, this unnatural communication style puts a heavy burden on both instructor and student. The student is always on the spot; he feels impelled to stay alert and consciously focused throughout the lesson. This style of teaching attempts to channel all the learning through the conscious mind and ignores other levels of the mind.

Compare this to how a child learns her first language. A child is surrounded by older children and adults, all speaking and understanding a language. Even though the child is not consciously focused on 'learning' her new language, she picks it up rapidly, and seemingly with little or no effort as she seeks to become more integrated with the others around her. Dr. Lozanov's research shows that adults can learn languages more quickly in a(n organized) social setting where there are interesting and emotionally stimulating interactions among group members.

Of course, conventional group classes usually have none of the benefits of one-to-one tutoring, but are often tiring and boring just the same. The best conventional group classes can be interesting and stimulating; they differ from suggestopedic classes, mainly, in that they do not reach for the reserve capacities. A suggestopedic instructor is trained to orchestrate the dynamics of a small group of students so as to accelerate the learning process and make it a joyful experience at the same time.

In the past, when studying another language, I found myself easily embarrassed and reticent to speak. How can I overcome this?

We all have experienced moments of embarrassment which are always accompanied by stress. Probably the most effective thing we can do as individuals to lessen our embarrassment is to place ourselves in situations where we will be encouraged or required to speak the new language. Eventually, the embarrassment wears away as we gain confidence.

But, the suggestopedic view is that embarrassment, anxiety and reticence are significant (and universal) barriers to learning and that it is the teacher's responsibility to create conditions for their reduction. Students find, even during the first class session, that they feel relaxed and engaged. Even shy students find themselves communicating in their new language with greater and greater confidence after only a few sessions.

How can I continue to learn after the course is over?

Upon the completion of the Foundation Course, there is the Proficiency Course for continued learning.

What should I do to get the most out of class?

The most important thing you can do is to be punctual and attend all the class sessions. Since there is little or no outside work (homework), it is during the class sessions themselves that you will be learning. It is not a particularly good idea to study in any way prior to the start of the course. In addition, you will be presented with specific guidelines at the first class session to help you get the most from the course.

What if I haven't been successful at learning languages in the past?

It doesn't matter whether you've already tried to learn a second language, and "failed." In fact, many of our students come to us to learn conversational skills after having spent two or more years in conventional language classes-representing 400 to 600 grueling hours of study, drills, homework and exams. Usually they have painstakingly memorized long lists of vocabulary words and endless rules of grammar, only to discover that the ultimate prize of actually speaking the language has somehow managed to elude them. Worst of all, this lack of success may have nearly convinced them that they are unable to learn a second language. Remember, this approach is a 180 degree turn from conventional teaching methods. Just as you were able to learn your first language, there is no reason you cannot learn a second or a third. In almost all cases, students' perception of past learning failure arises from the failure of the teaching method and has nothing to do with their ability to learn.

How well will I know Spanish at the end of the 72 hour Foundation Course?

You will have a basic use of the grammatical structure of the language that is taught within the context of a highly functional 2,000 word vocabulary. You will be using present, past and future tenses. By the end of the course, you can expect to enjoy an active use of between 1,200 and 1,500 vocabulary words and passively comprehend between 1,500 and 2,000.

At the end of the Foundation Course, you are able to comfortably discuss a full range of everyday topics: your profession, a trip you've recently taken, selecting and discussing food, making reservations and handling arrangements in a hotel, finding your way in an unfamiliar place, making introductions, sharing important events in your life, carrying on conversations in Spanish about most every-day subjects and even about many professional and specialized subjects at a basic level, within the framework of vocabulary and grammar of the course.