Q: What are the benefits of learning a foreign language?
An employee possessing a solid combination of language and business/managerial skills can have a competitive edge over others without language capability.
Q: What problems can result from not knowing a foreign language?
Managers admit that miscommunication occurs fairly frequently in international business settings. In business dealings, details and nuances of meaning are often missed or misinterpreted by individuals lacking real proficiency in the language being used. As a result, efficiency suffers, and decisions are often made on the basis of incomplete data. Managers also report difficulty in establishing rapport with their foreign counterparts, as well as limited opportunities for social interactions due to their lack of language proficiency. All parties believe that their overall business and daily operations run more smoothly with employees who are proficient in the foreign language.
Q: How can The Institute help your employees learn a foreign language?
The Latin American Institute is an School leader in providing Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, ESL and foreign languages training to corporate executives around Western New York. At The Institute we understand the more immediate, job specific needs of working adults and we tailor our courses to meet the widest variety of learning styles. Course content, schedule, and location are adapted to your requirements.
Q: When can I get started?
Immediately. After completing a needs assessment, we will create a language program that meets your professional goals and time constraints.
Q: Does The Institute offer group or individual programs?
The Institute offers both group and individual programs.Training is personalized and the instructor is entirely focused on the needs of the student/group, thereby monitoring the progress and adjusting the pace.
Q: How often do lessons take place?
All of our programs are customized to your schedule requirements. Lessons can take place in the mornings, afternoons or evenings. All courses last 12 weeks. Classes may be held once or twice weekly. See current Group Class Schedule.
Q: What kind of material do you use?
At The Institute we design the material to meet your specific needs. We incorporate the use of audio CDs, videos, and on-line material to create an interactive learning experience. All of our material is newly designed and related to your field of business or interests.
Q: Are you certfied to teach in New York State?
At The Institute we understand that credentials and experiences are the most important and valuable elements in any profession. The Director and Teacher of the Institute is a native speaker from Chile, US Citizen by naturalization and fully authorized/certified by NYS Dept. of Educacion to excercise the teaching profession in this country.
Q: What do you teach at Beginner Level?
The Latin American Institute offers 2 levels of beginner conversational Spanish at our Allentown location. You will learn to speak Spanish the easy way – through conversation, interaction and fun! We incorporate video, music, role-playing and news articles into conversation and provide a solid grounding in introductory grammar.
Spanish Beginner Level I ~ Greet and say good-bye. ~Introduce yourself and others. ~Ask questions about people, places and things. ~Use basic vocabulary: family, numbers, colors and directions. ~Tell time. ~Place an order in a restaurant and learn to shop. ~Master basic grammar and pronunciation. ~ Start to read and write. ~Ask for and give directions. ~Count to one million. ~Talk about the weather. ~Express likes and dislikes. ~Express daily routines ~Use Spanish verbs (To Be, To Have, To Go, To Like)
Beginners Spanish II ~Talk about and plan your vacation. ~Interact with vendors while out shopping. ~Speak with a landlord about renting an apartment. ~Visit a doctor and discuss simple medical conditions. ~Visit a bank and discuss money matters. ~Describe how people look and act. ~Identify dates and send invitations. ~Make future plans. ~Talk about past actions. ~Give instructions. ~Use different past tenses. ~Express yourself in the present and past tense.
Q: How long is each session?
Each class is 75 minutes in length (135 minutes for the most advanced level on Saturday morning) and each course lasts 6,10 or 12 weeks (6 weeks when you come twice a week).
Q: How many people are in a group lesson?
Our beginner, intermediate and advanced Spanish classes are small with no more than four to eight people.
Q: How do I know I am making progress ?
The Institute uses the NY State Standard "five level competency scale". The instructor conducts on-going evaluations after blocks of training. Students progress along a continum of language proficiency.
Q: What do you teach at Intermediate Level ?
You will continue learning, Practice & Speak Spanish at the Next Level! Continue honing your language skills using the Latin American Institute cultural approach; we offer three levels of intermediate Spanish lessons. Our Allentown-based conversational Spanish lessons will appeal to graduates of our beginners’ program and to new students with previous training.
Our Intermediate classes are designed to help you practice Spanish through conversation, interaction and fun! You’ll develop speaking and writing abilities, master the correct use of pronouns and prepositions, and use Spanish verbs in present, past and future tenses. Every class features Spanish songs, videos, readings, open conversations, and writing exercises.
Intermediate Spanish I
Upon completion Intermediate I you will be able to: ~Use the present perfect tense.~Use the preterite or simple past tense.~Use “para”, “por” and other prepositions.~Use the imperfect tense.~Give instructions in Spanish.~Use direct and indirect object pronouns.
Intermediate Spanish II “Susana y Javier en Sudamerica”
Students learn by presenting and discussing everyday stories, and following up with written exercises from the textbook /workbook. By the end of Intermediate II, you will have learned to: ~Master the three past tenses: preterit, imperfect, and present perfect.~Review the use of “para”, “por” and other prepositions.
Intermediate Spanish II – “Susana y Javier in Spain”
Students learn by presenting and discussing everyday stories, and following up with written exercises from the textbook and the Reading book, By the end of Intermediate II, you will have learned to: ~Master the three past tenses: preterite, imperfect, and present perfect.~Review the use of “para”, “por” and other prepositions.
Intermediate Spanish III
By the end of Intermediate III, you will have learned to: ~Talk about people in Spanish.~Review the preterite tenses.~Use “ser” and “estar” in the past tense.~Express obligation and give instructions~Use the subjunctive mood.~Learn to express probability and condition using the conditional tense.~Use direct and indirect object pronouns.
Q: Do I have to buy a book for each level?
No. You will receive one Text/Workbook for 2 courses at the Beginning level. For Intermediate level you will also receive one Text/Workbook for 3 courses. Advanced Students use also a Text/Workbook for three levels. Cost of one course, Text/Workbook and class materials are included in your registration fees.
Q: I am an advanced student, what I will be learning in your classes?
At the Advanced Spanish Courses you will Speak Spanish Fluently.Classes are 100% in Spanish. English conversation is not allow at this level. Latin American Institute’s advanced Spanish lessons provide the opportunity to enhance your speaking skills, practice grammar and develop new writing skills. Small group classes, videos, discussion, and songs create a relaxed atmosphere where learning is fun and easy. Classes are 100% conversational in Spanish.You can expect to learn fluent Spanish in our classes because we create a natural Spanish-speaking environment, where current issues of the Hispanic world are discussed. Every class incorporates three activities: Grammar topics at the most advanced level (Idiomatic expressions, Subjuntive, Double Object Pronouns.etc.) Introduction: ~A song, a video or a reading in Spanish Spanish conversation:~ Open discussion. Upon completion of this course you will be able to:~Speak Spanish with confidence.~Read and understand Spanish books.~Understand Spanish radio and television.~Write in Spanish.~ Absolutely love the Subjuntive Mood with all it's tenses. To meet the above goals we study different aspects of Hispanic culture including: History, Art, Geography, Music, Literature and Current Events.
To make sure you sign up for the correct level, your first class is always free. Our Education Director will be pleased to help you work out which course is best for you. Please call us at 716 553 7472.
