Background and Methodology
"I was impressed at the effort Veronica had put into preparing her lessons, I was impressed how, when she found out I already had more Spanish than most of her students, she was quickly able to adapt her lessons to the level I needed;. I not only gained a level of Spanish I had never managed in any previous school, my wife and I gained two very good friends." - Les & Marg Desfosses, BC, Canada
Before Spanish in Bariloche was established, I was teaching small groups of foreign students in the comfortable setting of my own home. These students lived in my home as a homestay and together we developed a close friendship as I lived with and taught these first groups of students. My ongoing relationship with these student-guests allowed me to develop a true understanding of the needs and preferences of language learners, not just from the student’s point of view but also from the personal perspective.
This personal approach taught me to recognize the most important problems and frustrations that non native speakers encounter. Thus I developed tailor made lessons to cater to each student’s personal needs. However, soon enough so many students wanted to take my courses that I had to develop a larger program.
Now with 6 instructors teaching students from around the world we have retained that intimate tailor made approach to teaching that allows the student to dictate the style of his/her classes based his/her skills, abilities and needs. We understand that not all students have the same reasons for wanting to learn Spanish nor the same learning style, therefore our individualized approach allows us to follow the direction of the student rather than conforming to a standardized lesson plan.
| "My experience working with Veronica was amazing. Her accommodating and facilitating teaching style allowed me to feel comfortable learning on every level" |  |
This same philosophy applies to our group lessons. We are very careful about placing our students in appropriate groups with those who have similar interests, learning styles, and levels of proficiency. However, if a student does not feel that he/she fits in a certain group, we are always ready to change the group composition or switch to individual lessons to best help our students truly develop their language abilities. Although my lessons are based upon international accreditation requirements so that students may easily transfer to courses in other cities both within Argentina (from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia) and abroad, the individual or small-group lessons are still taught according to your preference. Our approach to teaching focuses on developing proficiency in the four basic communication skills (speaking, listening reading, and writing) and allows for emphasis on any one of these skills to meet each student's needs. By keeping my classes to small-group lessons (maximum 4 students) or individual training, we avoid the problems of large group settings that students often experience in regular schools. This allows students to feel free to ask questions at any time thus increasing communication and enhancing your learning experience. "A personal approach constructed around the student" Spanish School in Bariloche is located in a quiet spot, but in the heart of the city, near internet cafes, restaurants, bus stops, pubs, and all the services you might need.
Students have plenty of time to communicate amongst themselves and often enjoy going out into the town together to practice their language skills. Whether its during one of the school activities or on their own amongst the friendly local people, students at Spanish in Bariloche will always find it easy to use the skills they have developed in the classroom.
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Background 
