Se Habla La Paz (Mexico)

Spanish language immersion school

Name of school: 

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My Review 

I've attended Se Habla La Paz a number of times. I am a 60-something-year-old and interested in learning Spanish. At one time or another I've had virtually every instructor at the school and have found them all to be excellent. With some hard work on my part, I've moved from "cerveza por favor" to the Spanish subjunctive (which I will not claim to have mastered yet, but I will ... eventually). I frequently work with the instructors online using Skype, which allows some continuity in my learning. The school has small classes and is in the owner's beautiful home. It is a large, large house. Students are divided into classes according to their ability, etc. Classes are small and students get lots of time to interact with each other and the instructor in español. Frequently I have had a class to myself. They have a curriculum that seems well thought out, beginning with the present tense and moving forward to more complicated concepts. Let me go further and say that this isn't the easiest thing that I have ever done. I don't have a "gift" for languages. But I am gradually gaining understanding and fluency and am pleased with my progress. I have other tools that I use as well. Books, online information, various things that give me understanding and different explanations of various concepts so that I can understand. But Se Habla "ties it all together."

La Paz is a beautiful city with lots to do. It has its own airport, but it is frequently easier or cheaper to fly into Cabo San Lucas. From there it is possible to either rent a car or take the bus to La Paz. I have "home stayed" with one person and all went well. Well enough that I home stayed with her two additional times. If anything I gained weight! Se Habla also does speciality Spanish working with attorneys, nurses, doctors, etc.

Again, La Paz is a beautiful city. I've wandered all over town at various times of the day and never felt concerned. Want to swim, there are beautiful beaches. Want to see marine life, don't miss Espiritu Santos. Great food. Shops. Friendly people. I highly recommend the school and the city. Look up their web site, give them a call, I think you'll be pleased.

Quality of instruction 

Level of Spanish before attending 

Did the school accurately represent its program to you? 

Were school employees helpful outside of the classroom? 

What are some pros and cons of the school's location? 

The main pros are the ease of getting to La Paz. It is relatively inexpensive to fly into Cabo and simple to either rent a car to take the bus to La Paz. So it is quick and easy to get to. Yet you can still feel that you are "immersed" in español.

Rate the quality of your home stay 

Personal security 

What did you most like about attending this school? 

They were willing to take a beginner and work with me with patience.

What did you most dislike about attending this school? 

Frankly, I don't have any negatives.

Whom would this school be best suited for? 

thhey have speciality courses for attorneys, nurses, doctors. But I think this is an excellent school for beginners. Small classes. Ability to set up schedules using Skype. I kind of consider myself intermediate now (don't laugh!) and Se Habla got me there.

Would you recommend this to a friend? 

Gerald Erichsen, Spanish Language Guide, says: