Spanish Language Center – Lakeview

I would (and have) recommend the Spanish Language Center to anyone who wants to learn to speak Spanish!
I originally bought a groupon for 4 weeks of classes and was thrilled to start — I’m a nurse who really needed some Spanish skills at work. I loved my intro course and quickly purchased a black friday deal for a bunch of classes. I ended up starting from the very first class and took (over the course of about a year) about 35 classes.
I am still amazed at how much Spanish I am able to speak with my patients — and very conversationally. I didn’t know a single word in Spanish before starting here, other than what I had picked up at work, and now I am able to carry on full conversations — I can even make a joke here and there!
The SpanishLC uses the Cortez method which was developed by the guy who started the school. It is an excellent, easy to follow method which helped me become conversational quickly. I also really enjoyed the format of the class — you get many chances to speak aloud in class and it’s truly interactive. One word of advice — you get out what you put in, of course. If you don’t do the assigned homework and a bit of studying vocab in between courses, you won’t have as good of an experience.
One last bit — Jose is the BEST teacher! I had a few different teachers throughout my learning that were all excellent, but Jose is a very talented teacher.
Sadly, I had to stop taking Spanish because I started graduate school (9 hours of grad school classes, full time job, and Spanish was a lot to balance!). But, as soon as my schedule allows, I will be enrolling again!
Bottom line: Learn Spanish here! It’s worth every penny!

Even though the instructor of my class was very pleasant, this school is not organized and getting anything done is almost impossible. Nobody knows anything, I was told class was 8 weeks, then to realize it’s 4 and next program is already full… so even though my groupon is for 6 months, I really can’t take the next class.
The person on the phone was not informative nor helpful.
Groupon was a good deal but I am wondering if lack of professionalism is worth the savings.

I have to say I was really put off by our maestra’s comment on day one «you’re all groupon customers, so I dont know how serious you are». Way to go getting folks to pay in full for another class! Also, we moved far too quickly through the material, 22 pp. on day one. I think they should give the printed handbook not just a pdf too. Best instruction given was to associate a picture with each vocabulary word. Beyond this, I think ill be better off with self study and practice with friends.

I took the advanced course and was quite pleased. It is a good way to brush up on conversational Spanish. The instructor was knowledgeable and patient. Keep in mind though that this is a principally conversation class; do not expect to cover the finer points of grammar or literature.

I had spanish training from other schools in the past, well to be precise when I lived in Boston I took classes similar to this one and they failed miserably
When i signed up for this class I thought well lets see what the school is about and if they do a better job.
I must admit my skepticism was much surprised and I liked the school so much I am going to be here for a while, took two beginners classes and now I am taking a break for 2 months then I’am going back to take more lessons.
highly recommended, very good teachers and tutors.

Best Spanish classes I have ever taken. Gladys is a remarkable teacher, classes are really informative an fun.

I’ve learned a great deal in eight sessions. I’ve worked with three instructors and each were excellent instructors: knowledgeable, able to impart information well, professional, yet personable. The business seems to be well-​managed: Alex has gone out of his way to schedule me for make-​up classes. The format and workbook are organized very logically.

I just completed a two day intensive course. I love that it was a small group (about 10 people) and the instructor was fantastic. The teacher was able to easily explain some of the more tricky things to remember, such as when to use por vs. para. We used the Cortez method book, which is given to the students as an e-​book or available printed. Although we reviewed the text, we spent a good amount of time generally conversing, which was really helpful. The class I took was for those that have a basic knowledge of the language, but they offer other levels.

There are a few boo-​boos, but overall it’s been pleasant.
I can’t complain about the service — one of their group courses was full, so they cut me a deal and gave me individual lessons at a group rate (yes!)
My maestra, Gladys, is so nice and very informative. Even when I found some things to be too easy, she moved me right along to the next course materials (yes!)
The materials need to be spell-​checked and there were a few things in the exercises (tarea) that made me wonder «Why is that even in here?» I found it could be more challenging (no!)
What they offer here is not what they will teach you at a university; having taken college-​level Spanish (years ago; I didn’t want to pay the hefty fee), I found this to be much less comprehensive — less homework, less reading, and less writing (no!). But, no one is forcing you to take exams/​do the homework and so you learn at your own discretion (yes!).
So with all this said, know what you want to get out of this; it’s sort of what you make of it. Their services are more so for the person who wants to speak, rather than read and write. It’s useful if you want to learn very quickly and have other Spanish-​speakers around you to practice with (please let me emphasize that — I wouldn’t have been as sharp without my bilingual friends!).

Lourdes Is an awesome teacher wonderful with kids also.

This place is the bomb! Before I signed up for my Spanish class here, I considered Instituto Cervantes as well. The website of Spanish Learning Center attracted me more because it was very simply laid out and easy to navigate. It turns out that my entire experience is that way too.
They have a online system for you to contact the Center for making any changes, download materials, or email messages to your teacher and fellow student. The rules of rescheduling and basic structure are clearly posted. Their prices are slightly lower than Instituto Cervantes too. They also have multiple meeting locations, Lakeview, the Loop, Lincoln Park and Palatine.
And I have had the best teacher! Lourdes Salazar! She has been so great that I have signed up for my next class. They do not use a standard Spanish learning book, they give you a 40+ page pdf lesson plan that they created themselves along with answer key for practice. When I took French in Alliance Francaise, I had to pay extra to buy an expensive work book to follow along the class.
So all and all, I love them!

My husband and I are in the middle of taking our second course here. It’s convenient and affordable, and they are very flexible with days and times for the classes. We’ve done private lessons with just the 2 of us as well as a group of 5 – 7 friends. Our teacher is very good. She makes everything clear and understandable and is extremely patient. I’ve had a few years of Spanish back in high school and college, but we also have some first timers too; and it has been a great and equal learning experience for all. Highly recommended!