You have come to learn Spanish and we are here to teach you. But we won’t kid you: Learning any new language is hard work and Spanish is no exception. And often our students are so aware of the climb that they miss the view. That is, they feel the great effort of learning but lose touch with how much they have actually learned along the way. It is part of our job to help you see what you have accomplished so that you can celebrate your great success.

As children, we did not memorize verb conjugations or speak only in the ‘Present Tense’ before graduating to ‘Past’ or ‘Future’. We didn’t memorize isolated lists of words or expressions which we tucked away in our little brains for safe keeping until we by chance stumbled upon a reason to use them. Rather, as children we learned to speak and improve our language skills according to our need. So here is an important tip to learning well and quickly. Make it relevant.

My students begin speaking on the first day of class and continue to speak in ever more sophisticated ways, in every class that follows. I begin with simple phrases but with those that have the flexibility to be used in multiple situations that come up naturally in a daily life. Then I help the student internalize the language by guiding them to apply it in the context of their particular life. I ask them, “¿Qué estás haciendo, con quién, dónde, por qué? I ask them “¿Qué vas a hacer mañana.” I ask them “¿Qué hiciste ayer?” etc. I help them with my pointed questions to access the genuine context of their life which in turn gives them legitimate meaning to this new language.

As children we had needs and we learned to communicate according to those needs. Our parents taught us by asking us questions and by providing us with words and concepts where we lacked them and helped us pronounce these words well when we used them. Communicating about real life situations and needs makes the communication relevant and useful and we are more likely to remember something that has meaning to us.

I apply this philosophy through all of our programs; in my Online Video program, in my Podcast, in the Magazine and in my Classroom.

Welcome to Rojas Spanish Language. I invite you to join me on an amazing journey that is guaranteed to give you access to a whole new world.

Nos vemos pronto,

Luis Rojas