Reviews
Peter White, Financial Controller at Anglo American Copper (Australia)
“With Andes Smart Spanish, the style is much more aligned with my needs, and I have progressed much further and quicker than before.”
I have been doing classes with Español Andes Santiago for six months and my Spanish has really improved, especially my spoken Spanish. Previously, I had many lessons with other language schools, but the methodology did not really suit me. With Andes Smart Spanish, the style is much more aligned with my needs, and I have progressed much further and quicker than before. I am also enjoying my classes more and find that I actually look forward to my class as opposed to them being a chore.
The classes are dynamic, and I have had the opportunity to talk more while my teacher corrects my mistakes and provides simple explanations that are easy to remember. I highly recommend Andes Smart Spanish to whoever wants to learn Spanish and to other intermediate students who would like to push their skills to the next level.
Katherine Ehle, Bachelor of Arts (USA)
“There are no textbooks involved, only exercises and a writing blog that are available to you the moment you get started.”
I would like to highly recommend a wonderful Spanish teaching program that I have been a part of for almost a year now. I came to Español Andes Santiago, with a not-so-solid base of Spanish, and I must say that within the first few weeks of classes, my teacher was definitely able to take what little Spanish skills I had completely to the next level.
Andes Smart Spanish has an entertaining and exciting teaching method that conveys the Spanish you need to know and understand, NOW. There are no textbooks involved, only exercises and a writing blog that are available to you the moment you get started. I can happily say that my Spanish has immensely improved since being with Andes Smart Spanish, and my Chilean friends and pololo have also realized a big improvement in my progress as well.
Toshihiro Kawashima,
Chief Management Advisor, SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile (Japan)
“I have learned the reality of how to use the Spanish for daily life. For example how to differentiate between “ser and estar” or “por and para” is very complex, but now I am used to it by learning a lot of real examples.”
I arrived in Santiago two months ago, and I had to brush up my Spanish language skills as soon as possible. My boss suggested Andes Smart Spanish because he has several friends from Canada, the USA, and Australia who recommended the school.
The lesson is a sort of Fast Track. I have learned the reality of how to use the Spanish for daily life. For example how to differentiate between “ser and estar” or “por and para” is very complex, but now I am used to it by learning a lot of real examples. My teacher is professional and enthusiastic. She is always adjusting her approach based on my learning curve.
Eden Parris, Lawyer and Community Development Worker (Australia)
“With Andes Smart Spanish, the style is much more aligned with my needs, and I have progressed much further and quicker than before.”
I have been studying with Andes Smart Spanish for three months and it has been an excellent experience. Having tried both language school and private lessons previously, I had hit a ‘rut’ with my Spanish learning. I knew a lot of grammar in theory, but my fluency was non-existent. However, as soon as I started with Andes Santiago, my teacher was able to identify my weaknesses and bad habits… Now, after only three months, I am able to have lengthy conversations with people from all walks of life, on the street and in my field of work.
Ditte Maria Skovbo, Bachelor of Arts in the study of Religions (Denmark)
“Today I am much more confident with my Spanish; I now manage the daily written and spoken communication in Spanish that I need for living in Chile.”
I have been taking classes with Andes Smart Spanish twice a week for eight months, with two different teachers. The classes are private and intensive, and the teachers are very nice, professional, and devoted to teaching you Spanish. During classes the teachers combine dialogue and correction with small writing assignments and grammar explained in a light and understandable way.
Today I am much more confident with my Spanish; I now manage the daily written and spoken communication in Spanish that I need for living in Chile – and all without taking painful grammar lessons or long days in a classroom.
Isao Funaki, Mitsui Chile
I arrived in Santiago four months ago from Brazil. Before I came to Santiago, I had 50 hours of Spanish lessons, but I was frustrated because the teacher tried to start my learning process with basic grammar, which I already knew, thanks to the similarities to the Portuguese I had learned in Brazil. However, with Andes Smart Spanish, my teacher speaks Portuguese and she adapts the lessons to focus on differences between the two languages, which is like a short-cut for me. From my past experience learning a foreign language, some teachers talk too much during the lessons without leaving space for the student to talk. The instructors with Andes Smart Spanish listen carefully to the students and ask relevant, appropriately-timed questions to stimulate natural conversation.
Isabel Theilgaard, Nurse (Denmark)
Since I first started my Spanish classes, I have learned so much! All of my classes have been very interesting and educational. What I have enjoyed the most, is the hands-on method, which identified my biggest problems right away and immediately addressed them. Also, the use of charts and tips and “do’s and don’t’s” have been very useful, especially combined with the personalized explanation. This approach has been just what I needed to learn the different tenses and terms.
Through my classes with Andes Smart Spanish, I have learned to read and write in Spanish, as well as to correctly use present, past, and subjunctive. I can translate and summarize books and films. Most importantly, I can communicate in Spanish and engage in conversations and daily life in Chile and other Spanish speaking countries, which was exactly the purpose of taking classes.
“What I have enjoyed the most, is the hands-on method, which identified my biggest problems right away and immediately addressed them. Also, the use of charts and tips and “do’s and don’t’s” have been very useful, especially combined with the personalized explanation.”
Alice Elman and Bob Zarrow (USA)
We learned a tremendous amount in three weeks through our teacher’s one-on-one tutorials. Step by step he gave us the essential building blocks for constructing and understanding sentences. It is obvious that he has given his clear and simple method a lot of thought. We are very glad we took these lessons. Now all we need to do is practice!
Kosuke Tanaka, Deputy Interface Coordinator, Caitan.
I have been in Santiago three months, and this is my first time in a Spanish-speaking country. In order to use Spanish at the office, I needed to develop Spanish skill from scratch as soon as possible. I have been taking classes with Andes Smart Spanish 2-4 hours everyday for 3 months. Now, after only three months, I am able to have general conversations with people and use some Spanish in my work.
The methodology of this approach is simple. They teach you key concepts of grammar and real phrases that a native speaker would use, and they help you avoid the most common errors. Then you practice using what you have learned and the teacher corrects you in the moment. This structure was perfect for me, and I learned so much more effectively. I highly recommend Andes Smart Spanish to anyone wants to learn Spanish quickly.
Beth Parris, Psychologist (England)
“The teachers from Andes Smart Spanish have been fantastic. They are very thorough and have a refreshing way of teaching tenses and principles, which helps you remember what you learn more easily.”
I have been having Spanish lessons with Andes Smart Spanish for almost 6 months.
I transferred from a language school because I realized I needed one-on-one private lessons to make sure I was having my mistakes corrected. In group lessons, often your Spanish isn’t corrected and so it’s easy to get into bad habits.
The teachers from Andes Smart Spanish have been fantastic. They are very thorough and have a refreshing way of teaching tenses and principles, which helps you remember what you learn more easily.
Also, my teachers taught Spanish in a practical way to ensure your speaking and verbal skills are at the same level as your grammar and written skills. Lessons can be taught in your own home, office or a public coffee shop, which is also convenient. I can´t recommended them highly enough.
Lindsay Rose, Expat Wife (USA)
I have been a student of Andes Smart Spanish for about 9 months and I enjoy my classes immensely! Marcelo and his team of professors create a personalized curriculum and adjust it as my language skills improve. My classes are diverse – conversational practice, reading current articles, learning key phrases, and of course, grammar.
When I arrived in Santiago, I spoke “vacation Spanish” (ordering beers, asking where the bathroom is, etc). Now, I have confidence to begin conversations and speak with whomever I encounter. My quality of life has greatly improved!
Marianne Ampiainen-Riedel,
Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration (Finland)
I moved 2,5 months ago to Santiago and didn’t have any knowledge of Spanish language.
Thanks to the practical approach of Andes Smart Spanish I’m already able to communicate in Spanish in everyday situations! My Spanish lessons with Marcelo and his colleague have been very efficient and full of interesting conversations in Spanish. Andes Smart Spanish also places a great value on learning the Spanish grammar easily by means of useful tips and mnemonics. I’m confident that with the help of Andes Smart Spanish I will also be able to work in Spanish after taking a couple of lessons more.
Tim Appleton, CFO at Soprole (New Zealand)
You can have someone teach you the rules of football, but it doesn´t mean you know how to play – you can only get that from experience. For me, learning a language is similar. You can´t get that experience just from a book or being forced to only communicate in a language you are still struggling to understand. You need to know the what, the how, the when and the why. That is, the real life experience. You need tools, tips, tricks and methodologies that give you the understanding to communicate quickly and efficiently -and that´s primarily verbal communication.
Andes Smart Spanish offers one-on-one instruction, relevant exercises (not the ones about some random historical event that you have never heard of), a personalized blog and tips/tricks that actually get you speaking Spanish in all types of situations.
Lauren Hand, Geographer
and Wine Enthusiast (USA)
Andes Smart Spanish is a great Spanish language school for anyone serious about learning Spanish in Chile. The instructors are extremely knowledgeable and they use a teaching methodology which allows their students to really grasp the concepts easily. The classes are not “by the book,” which is a big difference and what sets them apart from many other schools. Instead, the classes are geared toward the interests of each student, in an effort to focus their learning experience on what matters most to them. They also share tips that help students correct some of our most commonly-made mistakes.
Personally, I have taken classes for almost a year and can happily say that my speaking, writing, and reading skills have improved immensely. Thank you Andes Smart Spanish, and keep up the good work!