This page reproduces verbatim, without editing of any kind, the correspondance between a prospect, Martin M. and Alan Weiss who attended in January 2001 Dialogue's Idiomas, Spanish language school in Barcelona."

Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2001 11:11 PM
Subject: Dialogue Idiomas

Hi,

My name is Martin M. I am Canadian. Julian Melbourne has provided me with your e-mail addresses to help me in my quest for feedback from prior students of Dialogue Idiomas.

I am an "almost beginner" as far as Spanish is concerned and I am looking for an intense and effective experience this summer.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback to these main questions about your experience with this program:

1) How much Spanish did you know coming in and to what extent did you progress during your stay?
2) How would you describe the teaching methods used?
3) How would you characterize the overall experience? interaction with staff, interaction with other students, quality of food, ability to experience Spain during your stay?

Finally, what was the most important block you faced in terms of actual Spanish language acquisition?

I appreciate any feedback you are able to give me.
Thank you.

Martin

-----Mensaje original-----
De: Alan Weiss <Alan@alruns.com>
Fecha: lunes 21 de mayo de 2001 21:37
Asunto: Re: Dialogue Idiomas

Martin,

How I will envy you if you are able to attend Dialogue Idiomas this summer! If you select Dialogue, I am certain that you will be very pleased with your decision. Before I chose Dialogue, I did what you apparently are doing-which is to search Internet sites and then seek feedback from actual participants from myriad language schools. Based on the former students' comments, I felt confident that the course at Dialogue would be excellent. I had no idea, however, that the experience would be as effective, enjoyable and fulfilling as it ultimately proved to be.
Although I am sure that there are many fine programs throughout Spain and Latin America, I personally can't imagine that a better program than Dialogue's exists anywhere.

Of course each student has different goals, abilities and interests. I will therefore try to respond to each of your questions as best I can to give you a reasonable basis on which to make your ultimate decision.

1. I probably had a little more experience than you now have when I participated in the program in January 2001. I had studied Spanish for two years in high school, but as that was in the
early 1960s, my previous formal studies were of marginal value. For a little over a year before I studied in Spain, however, I had been taking adult classes consisting of four months of weekly group lessons at Berlitz and about nine months in one on one sessions with a native Spanish speaking instructor for two or three hours per week. My private Spanish instructor knows well grammar and general teaching techniques, but much as I like her, she is no match for Carmen and the other instructor with whom I studied at Dialogue, Montse. I attended two full weeks of study, including weekends (14 days total). Although my vocabulary certainly improved,
the results were not particularly dramatic. The areas where I experienced enormous progress, though, were proper use of the subjunctive, understanding pronouns, and correct usage of ser/estar, the preterit imperfect and preterit indicative. Additionally, my listening skills, by which I mean my ability to understand rapidly spoken Spanish, increased very substantially. I would estimate that in terms of grammar, usage and comprehension, my Spanish skills improved in two weeks more than they would have in one entire year of traditional university level language study.

2. Most important about the teaching methods was the total focus on me, at my level, with my interests, strengths and weaknesses. For a person with limited time and opportunity to participate in a language immersion program, private, one on one, study with experienced instructors is the most efficient use of time. Practically, it is unlikely any group class is going to have an assortment of students at the same level. Even if that were possible, each student would have different strengths, weaknesses and interests. Moreover, group sessions all but guarantee that you will listen to many mistakes from other novices as well as more poorly spoken Spanish. Don't doubt that group study can be enjoyable and very useful. But as I had only a short time to devote to an immersion program because of family and career obligations, I am convinced that the individual study of Dialogue was clearly the best way to go. You will also find that individual study allows your course work to concentrate on topics of particular interest to you, which
certainly increases the level of enjoyment.

3. Overall, as is clear from the above, I loved my experience. Julian and Carmen are wonderful hosts who made my stay a marvellous vacation. There children are a delight and absolutely never a bother or unwanted intrusion. When I decided to attend Dialogue, I knew that I would work very hard. I expected the program to be valuable, but frankly thought that it would be much less relaxing and entertaining. During my stay, Conchi was the cook who made most of the meals. Mealtime was actually an important educational component of the experience, with a variety of authentic native dishes, all delicious, served throughout the two-week period. Before I arrived in Spain, I assumed that I would want to eat a number of meals in local restaurants and travel throughout the Barcelona area. In fact, however, I literally ate every meal in the house with the sole exception of the final Saturday evening when I met the daughter of a good friend for dinner in downtown Barcelona. You may well choose to experience more of the country, but I quickly decided that to get the very most out of my limited time, I was better off taking classes, doing homework and speaking with Carmen, Julian, their children, Conchi and Montse rather than going the tourist routine. My Spanish is still sufficiently weak and I am sufficiently timid, that when I traveled in Spain, I spoke as little as possible to get around. I would never use English, but I would generally not initiate conversations with strangers unless I needed directions or specific information. As for accommodations, they were wonderful. My room was comfortable with a queen size bed, a private bathroom (shower though, no bathtub), a television with VCR, desk with chair, and magnificent view of Montserrat. I also had access to the family room adjoining the hallway outside my room where I could relax, read local newspapers and magazines as well as listen to music. In addition, Carmen, Julian and their housekeeper were always willing to help make my stay more comfortable and enjoyable. Every evening Carmen, Julian and I ate dinner together, discussed politics and watched the evening news. One evening we played scrabble, with modified rules that permitted me to use the dictionary before I selected my words. Accordingly, I found myself using far more Spanish while in the house with Carmen and Julian than while touring the country. If you wish to travel into Barcelona, the train station is only a ten minute walk away, although Carmen or Julian were always willing to drive me to and pick me up from the station. The trains run regularly, are always on time, and take only about forty-five minutes to reach the center of Barcelona. There is also a quaint pueblo with many shops, cafes, and local residents located next to the train station that provided me with a daily diversion in the late afternoon. In addition, there is a large modern shopping mall less than two miles from
the house, although I found the pueblo much more appealing. The area surrounding the home is beautiful, with miles of trails extending through vineyards and scenic country landscapes. While I attended Dialogue, there was not another student in the house. To be honest, I would have preferred speaking with someone else who was going through the same experience. I would not want to change in any way the totally private class method that distinguishes Dialogue, but I think I would have liked a chance at mealtime and breaks to compare notes with a fellow student.

4. I don't feel that a have a particular facility for languages. Even when I studied Spanish in high school, I felt that I had to put in more time and effort reach the same level of proficiency as many of my classmates. Now that I am in my mid 50s, I find that learning new vocabulary takes even more effort. There are some verbs and other words that I have read or heard many times, yet I can't seem to remember their meaning, even after looking them up in the dictionary repeatedly. I am generally resigned to the fact that it is going to take me longer to master this language than other students who have more of a natural ability.

I hope that my rambling thoughts will be somewhat helpful to you in making your decision about furthering your language studies. If advancing your language skills in the quickest way possible is your primary goal, then Dialogue Idiomas is a superb choice. Certainly you
can find less costly alternatives, but there are always tradeoffs. The traditional immersion programs which supplement class work by placing students in the homes of Spanish speaking families is fine, but obviously dependent in large measure on the ability and willingness of the family to work with their houseguests. Some certainly participate in the program because of a
genuine interest in meeting and talking with foreign visitors, while others may have no such interest, but rather are primarily looking for additional income. Few, if any, of the members of these families will have the type of interest, background and training in language studies that
Carmen possesses.
In the home of Julian and Carmen, however, every meal and every break will be in many ways a continuation of your class study, being lead by a women who's life has been devoted to the study of Spanish.

It must be obvious that I strongly recommend Dialogue Idiomas. But I know that intense, totally private tutoring is not meant for everyone, especially when you take into account the added costs for such a program compared the larger group format. Whatever your decision, I would like to hear what you decide and what your impressions are after you complete the course. In the meantime, if you have any additional questions, don't hesitate to write.

Alan Weiss