Online Mexican Spanish Classes: A Review
I was offered a course of online Spanish classes in exchange for a review. As ever, I only write truthfully. If you choose to take classes through Lengua Y Cultura I will not receive any money or favours.
I moved to Mexico in 2016 barely speaking a word of Spanish. I took classes in Oaxaca, in Tulum and in Mérida because I was determined to learn to speak Spanish. It is so obvious to me that if I live in a country I must make every effort to learn the language. It’s also obvious to me that I must set the example for my kids. If I want them to love languages, to value knowledge and respect the country in which they live, I must model that for them.
Anyway, my kids have long since overtaken me in Spanish ability. While I may have a better vocabulary, just as I still do in English, they speak Spanish naturally, fluidly and deliciously and they regularly laugh at me or correct me (little fuckers).
My Spanish reached a level where I can do everything I need to do, I can manage interactions with school, I can deal with day-to-day life, I can just about joke and I can follow lectures in Spanish if they’re about subjects I care about. But there remain plenty of errors and while I’ve technically learned tons of grammar, of course, I’m not using it all. I could be better.
Enter a Mexico City-based language school, Lengua Y Cultura. In normal times these guys offer both in-person and online Spanish classes.
Actually, as I write I see they have just reopened their in-person classes, very exciting!
Obviously, with 2020 being what it is (sigh), online classes have become everything and those language schools that were already set up for online classes are the way forward since they’re the ones who didn’t have to scramble to action.
Related: My Corona Virus Quarantine Diary series
Online teaching is not the same as in-person teaching. I see it in adult classes and I see it now with my kids’ schooling. We are super lucky because their school takes their responsibilities very seriously and has made sure the teachers really know what they’re doing but we have absolutely also had some shocking experiences with people who claim they know how to teach online when they really don’t.
Anyway, a small group online is working great for me. I join my fellow students (most of us happen to be in Mexico but we are from all over the world) for a few hours four times a week. We talk, study grammar and discuss Mexican culture. The small group is great, it means chatterboxes like me have plenty of opportunity to speak but also quieter people can’t hide.
As far as I can tell, every learning style is covered: we listen to songs, we read texts, we use pictures. We write our answers, we are put on the spot to read out and to answer questions (gulp, hahah). Every Thursday they host an evening conversation class – I haven’t been able to attend this yet but I hear it’s a lot of fun.
Related: Are you considering moving to Mexico? Use my handy guide to help you figure things out.
For me, as a Mexicophile and a huge reader, I knew I had found my place when, in my first class, we launched into a discussion as to why we should be reading Spanish literature and were sent a list of suggested Mexican (and Latin American) novels to read. I’ve written before about the Mexican literature that captured my heart but I admit that I tend to read translations because I’ve been lazy thus far. Well, no more. Begone lazy-Cassie. Enter newly re enthused-Cassie.
I am having an absolute blast learning Spanish with Lengua Y Cultura and highly recommend the school as a great option for anyone looking to learn Spanish, no matter what level you are. I’m not surprised they won an award for being the ‘best Spanish school in Mexico’ in 2019 and the North America Business Award as Best Spanish Language School in 2020.
Details:
Website: https://lenguaycultura.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LenguayCulturaMX
Actual in-person address: Condesa, CDMX
Don’t forget to order your copy of my new book, Moving To Mérida, How To Successfully Move To Mexico As A Family, part ‘how-to’ guide, part my story.
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