Spanish Language Center – Downtown

I’ve been taking classes at SLC’s downtown location since Feb 2014. I can truly say I’ve learned so much during my time there. I’ve enjoyed the instructors I’ve had (Jose T and Adan). I have only missed a few classes and hate that I missed those. The way the program is laid out makes it easy for you to learn if you stay committed. Would recommend to anyone trying to learn!

I was asked if I could provide a review, but I wish I could provide even more. The Spanish Language Center simplifies learning spanish. I had a phenomenal experience when I attended the program. The teachers are superb. The lessons are well planned. The pace is perfect and customized. For many years I struggled to understand spanish grammar and never really comprehended any of the lessons in high school or college. SLC uses the innovative Cortez method, which is both logical and easy to master. In a mere 8 weeks, I became comfortably proficient in spanish and have had plenty of opportunity to use my new skills. I cannot thank SLC enough. Muchas gracias! Hablo español ahora!

Terribly disappointed & pissed! I spoke with LIlly and made an appointment for the offered complimentary class before signing up for the full week session. During our booking, I relayed my excitement to her to start which was met with equal excitement and encouragement…“People who begin excited usually follow through completing the program pleased” she says. Well when I arrive, the instructor was not there! After an unanswered text and an unanswered phone call, she said that she must have scheduled me on the wrong day & apologized. REALLY?! I paid for a cab ride and a baby sitter and that’s all you offer? Maybe if she didn’t have Facebook pulled up on her phone and her paypal account up on her computer screen, she would have scheduled me properly! The lack of professionalism left a nasty taste and I will not be returning! Now, if any one reading has a better recommendation for private or semi private/​at my home preferably, please forward! How do these types of businesses stay in business with these careless (she could care less) employees?

The Cortez Method taught here… works.
I «studied» Spanish albeit half heartedly at another Spanish school in Chicago and worked with Rosetta stone audio etc. to no avail but upon the prompting of a Spanish speaking client I started with the Spanish Language Center a few months ago and I am slowing but steadily becoming functional in Spanish! It is extremely rewarding to be able to understand and communicate in Spanish. The curriculum is unique and progressively constructive. It is nothing short of brilliant if you work it. This is not some magic formula program but if you are willing to put in a daily homework session then you will get it. My instructor Jose Tuesta is fantastic. The instructors here will provide you with just enough push to keep you going. This is a professional language school and really the pre-​eminent program in Chicago.

Background:
I’ve now taken classes at Cervantes, UNAM, Spanish Language Center and Spanish Lessons Chicago /​Latin American Language Center, so I have seen a decent cross section of what is available here in Chicago.
In my opinion, SLC is definitely worth trying and can be a very good value if you do the membership deal ($ 600 for 6 months all the classes you can take model). I took Beginner 0, 1 and 2 this Jan — June. Could have taken Beg 3, too, but got pretty busy at work and needed to take a break. I would also suggest that SLC is most useful for learning the basics and rules of the language, but it’s not (at least not yet) been a great place for practicing much conversational spanish. This could be a function of my still being pretty early in the progression (Beginner 2) or the nature of the classes, where you’ve got 7 — 10 classmates and you go around the table taking turns translating examples and asking simple questions. So, it can be a help to start learning but you will definitely want to do other things to practice outside of the weekly class time.
What I like:
* The curriculum is clear.
You know what you will be covering in each section (e.g. Beg 1, Beg 2) and in each specific class (e.g. class 1 of Beg 2, class 2 of Beg 2). I can’t say the same of the other places I have studied.
* The text /​materials are clear, straightforward and useful.
I have also purchased a number of general spanish exercise books online and prefer the workbooks that SLC has put together to complement their classes (Note: these materials do cost extra, but are pretty reasonable. ~$ 35 or so per class, I think).
* They seem to draw a consistent mix of people who want to learn and consistently show up. So as you track through their levels you can be taking classes with familiar faces, which can be comfortable.
What could be better:
* Consistency of student levels
This is a challenge everywhere I’ve taken classes. Not sure it can be solved. Seems you’re always destined to have some folks who are in a bit over their head and others who maybe should be in the next class up. This mix can make some lessons a bit choppy. But I’ve seen this everywhere.
* Consistency of the teachers
I have had classes with 3 or 4 different teachers now, sometimes within the same track (e.g first 3 or 4 classes of Beg 2 started with one teacher, last 3 classes have been with another). Styles vary and just when you really start to click with one teacher he might be be gone without explanation. All of the teachers I’ve had have been pretty good, so it’s not an awful drop off. But just know you should expect this kind of variety. The materials are the constant, the teachers may vary.

Para mi cuadringentésimo comentario, yo quiero tratar de escribir mi comentario para Spanish Language Center en Unilocal en español. ¿Crees que lo puedo hacer? Vamos a ver… :)
Acabo de terminar treinta y ocho clases con Spanish Language Center, y todavía estoy continuando con mis clases. Usualmente yo compro ocho clases a la vez, pero compré ciento veinte horas durante el viernes negro.
Compré mi primera clase en Groupon. Ronald me enseñó en mis primeras nueve clases, pero José y Juan son mis maestros ahora. Todos los maestros son muy pacientes y amables. Me han enseñado mucho. José es muy alentador. Siempre me dice, «Tu puedes!» Y Juan es excelente cuando está ayudandome para revisar mi español.
Ahora, ves que puedo escribir mi comentario en español!
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English translation:
For my 400^th review, I want to try to write my review for the Spanish Language Center on Unilocal in Spanish. Do you think I can do it? We’ll see…
I just finished 38 classes with SLC, and I am still continuing with my classes. Usually I buy eight classes at a time, but recently I purchased 120 more hours on Black Friday.
I purchased my first class from Groupon. Ronald taught my first nine classes, but José and Juan are my instructors now. All of the instructors are very patient and friendly. They’ve taught me a lot. José is very encouraging. He always tells me, «You can do it!» And Juan is excellent when helping me review my Spanish.
Now, look at me write my review in Spanish!
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I initially thought I’d try to write my entire review in Spanish, but I ended up looking up a lot of words and grammar usages that I haven’t learned so I’m going to write the rest in English. (Thanks Anna E. for helping out a bit with the above!).
I’m glad that José is my primary instructor and that he and I can set the pace for the class. Juan’s schedule is a bit inconsistent, and he warned me so on the first day of class with him. Let me explain a little bit further on what I wrote above: Ronald abruptly left to return back to Peru (or so we were told), so José took over his classes. I had several more group-​session classes with José until my classmates started dropping the class one after another. They left for various reasons – one said that the class was too expensive, but at under $ 40 per hour, I disagreed; another wanted to try something else like Rosetta Stone so that he could learn at his own pace rather than trying to keep up with the class; and another two wanted to take a break before resuming their studies. When I purchased their Black Friday deal, I decided that I wanted to have classes three times a week. Unfortunately, José was not available on Monday evenings at the downtown location, but Juan was free. As he is aware that his schedule may be a bit inconsistent, Juan said that he’d let José and I set the pace for the class. I’m glad that he let me know this upfront. If you’ve read my review for Spanish Circle, you’ll understand why. I’m happy to know that Juan and José are in communication. SLC has made my transition from having one instructor to two instructors easy and painless.
I also enjoy my classes with José because he and I sometimes have some funny exchanges. During our last class, we went over «I get happy/​nervous/​sad…» He’d then ask me questions like «When do you get happy/​nervous/​sad?»
On answering the nervous question, I said: Yo me pongo nerviosa cuando me preguntas… (I get nervous when you ask me questions)
José: Oh no, lo siento! ¿Por que? (Oh no! I’m sorry! Why?)
Me: Porque es difícil pensar en español. (Because it’s difficult to think in Spanish)
José: Tú puedes! (You can do it!)
Ha! As mentioned above, he’s so encouraging! :)
I also mentioned that the classes were affordable. I still stand by this even though my classes became slightly more expensive (I’m looking at you, Donny J!). You see, after my classmates dropped out, my 1.5-hour classes became one-​hour classes. That brought my class rate up from roughly $ 27 to $ 41 per class. With my Black Friday purchase of 120 hours of classes, with a 6-​payment installment, my classes come out to $ 21.50 per class. It was the reason why I jumped on that offer. Though, had I chosen to do a full payment at the time, I’d have ended up paying $ 21 per class and saved $ 60. BTW, the books are included in the prices above, but only in PDF form… A bound book would cost you roughly $ 30+ more.
You’d easily end up paying $ 20 – 30 for dinner when you dine out with friends. Why not use that money to invest in yourself? I highly recommend giving SLC a chance as Spanish is one of the most useful languages you’d learn.
P. S. I received this email from Juan:
«Anyone you refer to the SLC, we will offer a $ 100 discount. This offer is only for first-​time students, and they must register by January 15, 2012. Just ask them to mention your name and this promotion.»
So act quickly!

I’ve taken Spanish classes at SLC for almost a year now and I can’t believe how much I’ve learned. My instructor José is very experienced and most of all PATIENT! SLC is well worth the investment.

I did a lot of research on Spanish language programs before deciding on Spanish Language Center’s Loop location. Their program seemed more comprehensive than Berlitz or Rosetta Stone, and the classes are reasonably priced. They were also very helpful when I called with questions.
I am enrolled in Introductory 1 with instructor Helena, and I am very pleased. It is a challenging course, but Helena is patient and thorough– I feel very comfortable in class when I need to ask questions. I plan to do the entire course series.