Spanish Learning Center Reviews

I have taken many beginning and advanced beginning classes over the last
several years. It wasn't until I found Brenda and the Spanish Learning
Center that I really began to progress. The small class size, interesting
conversation, and -- most importantly -- Brenda's patient and light-hearted
approach make learning Spanish a pure joy.
Kay. (April 2011)

Whether you want to start to learn Spanish or improve on what you already
know, The Spanish Learning Center is the place for you. Small classes, no tests,
and just the right balance of conversation, grammar and vocabulary make this
the perfect setting for enjoying as much learning as you want. Brenda, a
native Spanish speaker from Guatemala, conducts the classes with curriculum in
mind and patience in her heart. The pace is always geared and adapted to the
students before her. This is a real find!
Diane Duffy (April 2011)

Learning a language has defiantly been a real challenge for me but
working with Brenda at the Spanish Learning Center has been a real treat.
She is very patient, supportive and cheerful. Before working with Brenda, I was
always afraid to practice my Spanish with native speakers because I was afraid
that my accent, pronunciation and word choice would cause me to be
misunderstood or worse, make me look foolish! Since studying with Brenda who is
both a native Spanish speaker and an excellent English speaker, I have now
found the confidence to speak Spanish to native speakers while on trips into
Mexico and absolutely love it! I look forward to class every week and now also
go out of my way to look for opportunities to practice my Spanish with native
speakers whenever I can. I definitely recommend this school to anyone who is
interested in learning and improving their Spanish at any level.
Dave Sloan (April 2011)

I have gained an appreciation and knowledge of the Spanish Language while
attending the Spanish Learning Center. Brenda Saenz Alvarado, our teacher, is
very thorough and spends much time with each individual student on a
one-to-one basis. She has a sincere interest and is patient with the students
by helping them to learn to converse. I highly recommend her School and
classes. I have had two years of instruction in Spanish and have benefited
greatly.
Paul Bott (April 2011)

I have been attending the Spanish Learning Center for two full years. I have
searched for a class like this one for many years.
A native Spanish speaker who is also an excellent teacher, Brenda is
patient, understanding and makes learning an enjoyable experience. She
understands completely how to teach non Spanish speakers and follows a
complete sequence of instruction from the very beginning stage to the more
advanced stage using a professional and knowledgeable teaching technique
The Spanish Learning Center offers different levels of classes made up of
excellent grammar sessions and interesting, informative conversational classes.
To have a complete Spanish experience a student should experience both the
grammar sessions along with the conversation sessions.
Sandra Sanders. (April 2011)

The Spanish Learning Center has it all.Brenda is an excellent teacher. Her
patience and methodology are her strong points. In the advanced class, having
the other students there to discuss profound subjects helps my spanish to
improve in ways I've always wanted. What a gem of a school!
-Tony Lee- (2010)

The Spanish Learning Center is the place to go if your goal in studying Spanish is
to learn to speak. It combines all the elements that are important in learning the
language. Instructors are native speakers, classes are small, and there are lots
of opportunities to practice speaking in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
Conversations center on current events and cultural issues creating an
interesting atmosphere in which to learn the language and to learn about Latin
American culture. Brenda is an excellent teacher, with a real knack for
conveying the complexities of grammar in easy to understand ways. The classes
offer practice in reading and writing, as well as speaking, for a comprehensive
learning experience. The Spanish Learning Center is a real find!
-Sara Gutierres- Professor Emerita, Social & Behavioral Sciences Dept., ASU.
(2010)

I am exceptionally pleased with the classes at SLC, the atmosphere and
instruction is really supportive, and I am thrilled with the progress I have made
over the last year.
-John M. Johnson, Professor, School of Justice, ASU- (2010)

While I have taken Spanish classes at numerous locals (both in the US and
abroad) I feel that the Spanish Learning Center has really helped me to improve
my conversational Spanish. Brenda is a wonderful teacher who makes learning
Spanish fun in a casual and friendly atmosphere. She also has the unique ability
to make complex concepts (i.e., the treaded grammatical rules) seem simple. Her
teaching methods are designed to be flexible so as to accommodate the
particular needs and interests of the individual students. Equally important she
teaches you how culture intertwines with the language. I would highly
recommend the Spanish Learning Center to anyone interested in learning
Spanish. -Linda Redman- (2010)

The Spanish Learning Center nicely combines formal language instruction with a
relaxed, friendly atmosphere. The classes are structured so as to provide
students with the skills necessary to acquire the technical aspects of the
language in a way that is interesting and informative about current issues as well
as cultural aspects of some Spanish speaking countries. Classes facilitate
conversation on various topics of interest to the students. I llook forward to my
7AM classes and always feel comfortable even when I make lots of mistakes.
Brenda is a great teacher and I have learned so much from her classes.
-Roxanne Doty, Associate Professor, Dept. of Political Science, ASU- (2010)

After years of traveling to Latin America and living in Arizona, it only made sense
for me to learn Spanish. I have tried learning useful phrases only to not
understand the responses. I have also attended Spanish classes at Maricopa
Community Colleges. This was very slow paced and I felt I was studying for
exams instead of learning to communicate in another language. Audio tapes are
helpful but there is nobody to answer questions. Several years ago, while
staying in Guatemala for a few weeks, I discovered "one-on-one" Spanish
immersion classes. The teachers did not speak any English so I really had no
choice but to learn and speak Spanish. This was a great experience!
The Spanish Learning Center is very similar offering very small classrooms and a
native Spanish speaker. If you really want to learn to understand and speak
Spanish, this school is the best! ...and you don't have to travel all the way to
Guatemala! -Troy Bogden- (2010)

I am currently enrolled in a conversation class with Ms. Saenz Alvarado. This
class offers more than conversation. We do homework in which we practice
writing in Spanish, for example. The instruction style is flexible and friendly. I
have learned a lot and am eager to continue with this class. The cost is
reasonable. I can recommend this class to other people who want to improve
their skills in Spanish in a supportive atmosphere.
-Dr. Doris Marie Provine. Professor, School of Justice & Social Inquiry, ASU-
(2010)

Brenda has provided a 'segundo hogar' (second home) for those of us who are
struggling to learn spanish. We are developing friendships and learning
together under the capable direction of our 'buena maestra (good
teacher)'. -Jackie Christensen- (2010)