There are a many options for learning and practicing Spanish around NW Indiana. When you make the brave step to begin using Spanish with native speakers, you'll get lots of chances to use the language in the local community. Speaking in a real life context is the fastest way to become fluent. Grammar and vocabulary in a classroom can boost your confidence and help you become easier to converse with in Spanish. Think of classes as a courtesy to your real teachers in the world around you: your Latino friends and neighbors. Your language skills will improve fast when you practice with others in the community, and others will really appreciate your help in communicating as you practice with recent immigrants and Spanish-speakers living in the area.
I am not currently teaching Spanish in private classes and lessons. A couple years ago I started teaching at the university part-time, and now full-time, so I don't have time for tutorials. I do miss working with individual students----that is a good way to learn. Classes are excellent tools for learners of all levels, especially to study the formal grammatical structures, the syntax, vocabulary in context, an introduction into cultural topics, in-depth study of literature and history, and regular, scheduled practice and evaluation.
Some employers pay for classes in Spanish, so ask if your HR department will fund this venture! The investment in employees and in the community is worth the cost to many companies!
I have a few ideas for you around the area. These suggestions are geared for working adults. I have other suggestions for children who wish to learn Spanish. I will post those later.
Classes at Valparaiso University this summer are in the evenings. There are Spanish 101 and 102 classes four nights per week beginning in May. You would go through the admissions office for taking one continuing education course.
IUN classes meet 2 or 3 days per week. Lots of evening options are available. The professors and instructors are very good. Summer classes begin in May or July. Call and talk to admissions or the registrar and let them know you want to take one class.
Ivy Tech classes are taught one day per week for a 4-hour class, at Valpo and Gary campuses. You can also take a class online, but for speaking practice I recommend you take a classroom class. Several of the instructors are native speakers. Eight week classes are given every semester, as well as the traditional 16 week classes. Summer classes begin in May.
The Valparaiso International Center is a nonprofit here in Valparaiso on Lincolnway. They will set up private tutoring for you: http://www.valpovic.org/contact-us
They have a conversation group and salsa dance lessons in the evenings.
The communities I know best are Hobart and Valparaiso. Please share more recommedations in the "comments" section. A few good places to practice Spanish while eating out or shopping include: La Rancherita Bakery / El Ranchero Restaurant in New Chicago, off route 6 in Hobart by the Red Rooster. El Salto in Valparaiso, Chesterton and Munster. El Amigo in Valparaiso. El Charro en Valparaiso.
Grocery stores are: Tarimoro Guanajuato I and II, two grocery stores in Lake Station where you can buy produce at good prices. La Discoteca Morelia in Valparaiso on Billings Street (a tiny place run by a nice family). The grocery stores are a good cultural experience.
You might find a recent immigrant family willing to tutor you for conversation for a really good price. You could probably post a sign in the local Hispanic grocery store to ask for people to contact you about that. People love to share what they know, and right now immigrants are more affected than anyone by the economy, so they are willing to work really hard.
Attending worship services in Spanish is a good way to learn language in context and to meet friends. Gloria Dei Mission meets at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Valparaiso and is very welcoming to visitors. Worship services are at 11 AM on Sundays in All Saints Chapel at Immanuel. http://www.nwilutheranhispanicmissionsociety.org/
You can practice Spanish online if you want to do some listening practice, once you acquire some grammar and vocabulary lessons. Two listening activity websites that I highly recommend are:
http://www.laits.utexas.edu/spe/ Here are some listening activities for various levels, with transcripts so you can see what they say.
http://www.notesinspanish.com/ This is a listening website with a couple from England and Spain. You can pick up some vocabulary and listening practice there.
Tutors can be hired for a reasonable price for conversation classes, formal lessons over chat or Skype, and individual tutorials at http://www.edufire.com/ and http://www.italki.com/. Edufire tends to be classes and formal tutoring. Italki seems more like a dating website but there is certainly the option to be "taken" (whether or not one really is) and to be selective about the language exchange partners that one selects. (I ought not be so pessimistic. Who knows? For single language-learners, there may be your wedding bells jingling in the distance....) I belong to these websites but have not found classes in the less-commonly-taught languages that I want to study (indiginous languages of Mexican, and Catalan and Galician). These websites have been recommended to me by friends who use them and love them.
If you are interested in an individual tutor for specialized vocabulary, prices range from $30 to $60 per hour for individual tutoring. I am not taking on any weekly tutoring commitments of my own right now. There are local tutors in Northwest Indiana.
Best wishes. Please stay in touch with questions as you learn the language. Let me know if you have questions or if you find a great teacher, class, conversation group, cultural immersion experience, or website that I should know about. If you're motivated and willing to practice with native speakers in the community, you'll become fluent over time, you'll make friends, and you will be able to help and be helped by a lot of people.
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