spanish@mesoamerica.org

Our Students:

"I have taken Spanish classes at JCs, evening classes at the local high school, and Berlitz Language Center. At these location, I found that large classes where teachers could not work with you one on one, higher levels of  students made beginners feel lost, and  sales managers do pressure you to sign up for more classes".

"At Mesoamerica, I found small classes where teachers can give one on one attention but large enough for group participation. The teachers understand adult learners, make learning Spanish enjoyable and not a flash back to Catholic Grade School". 

"I started taking the classes because I vacation a lot in Mexico and Central America and hope to retire there. However, at the same time it has helped me to communicate with a large part of the workforce opening a new world for me".

George Tate
Employee Relation Mgr.
TBS Courier

"I came to the Mesoamerica Institute hoping to salvage my very rusty Spanish skills, which had lain unused for almost twenty-five years.  My primary goal was to get into the habit of speaking Spanish again, as fast as possible.  Although I had once spoken Spanish moderately well, I had forgotten basic vocabulary and grammar; creating a situation whereby any regular Spanish classes would be both too basic and too advanced for me. The private instruction offered by the Mesoamerica Institute was the perfect solution: a first-rate teacher who was able to gear the lessons to my needs and abilities, allowing me to quickly relearn what I had forgotten and move on – without waiting for beginners or holding back more fluent speakers.  My classes at the Mesoamerica Institute helped me start speaking Spanish again as quickly and skillfully as my abilities allowed".

                                                                              U.S. Department of Labor Investigator

"I have taken many Spanish classes at many different types of institutions
but none have been as effective and practical as those that I have taken at
the Mesoamerican Institute. My instructor, Arturo Sosa, is extremely
knowledgeable about the Spanish language and knows precisely how to teach to
every level of ability. As a young professional working in international
sustainable development, my lessons with Arturo proved to be the key to
getting the type of job I wanted and having the language proficiency to
support my work".

Christopher A. King
Investigator
San Francisco District Office

 
Mara Guccione

 

"The Mesoamerican Institute has helped us in the creation of communication products for Kaiser Permanente members and the community.  Arturo's Spanish language expertise is evident; perhaps even more valuable is his cultural and historic understanding of the Latino community.  In order to communicate effectively with a specific audience, one must understand the audience.  The Latino community is a diverse audience based on country of origin, years of assimilation, age, religion and education.  Arturo understands these elements and brings them all to bear when we call him for translation and interpretation services".

"We have used Arturo Sosa's services in the video arena on field shoots, script review and working with Spanish-speaking talent.  He is an expert in interpreting, translation and transcultural issues.  He is easy to work with, reasonably priced and brings added value to every project he works on.  The Mesoamerican Institute is a community treasure.  I recommend Arturo and Mesoamerica without reservation".

Toni Casal
Director, Multimedia Communication
Kaiser Permanente

 

"Mesoamerica uses a teaching methodology that enhances the abilities for students to learn Spanish fluently. In just a few months, Mesoamerica had taught me Spanish conversationally, grammatically, and analytically. Now I am able to communicate confidently with Spanish-speaking friends and family".

Chancey Sweeney
Occupation: City analyst
City of San Pablo
Added on May 5, 2006

The conversational course I am attending at
Mesoamerica offers a broad base of culturally
interesting topics which the students discuss in a
comfortable environment. 

Arturo's handouts are helpful, as is his flexibility
with scheduling. This is a wonderful way to learn
about Latin America from someone who was born and
raised in Mexico.

Nine years ago, when I began taking an Advanced Beginner class at Mesoamerica, I could barely get a word out in Spanish. Nonetheless, within a couple of years I found that visiting Mexico had become much more rewarding, because now I was able to go places and do things beyond the reach of English-only travellers. When I retired from my electrical contracting business, my work at Mesoamerica gave me the confidence to return to school to finish a B.A. as a Spanish major. Today my Spanish-speaking adult ESL students tell me they understand better and progress faster because I can switch back and forth between languages.

    I continue to take a class at Mesoamerica, not only because it gives me the opportunity to go deeper into the language but also because the program offers such wonderful cultural and social content. There are many Spanish schools in the East Bay, but the individual attention I have received makes Mesoamerica unique.
    My Spanish language ability has opened innumerable doors for me and has enriched my life in countless ways, and the time I have spent in classes at Mesoamerica Institute have been a critical factor in that success. Mil gracias, Arturo!