This month we speak with Débora López Rodríguez, Spanish teacher and founder of the Haarlem language school Español Universal. Since 2009, this language school has been organizing Spanish courses for lovers of the Spanish language and culture.
Can you tell us more about the language school’s course offerings?
“We have a wide range of courses: group classes at all levels, private lessons, customized courses, Spanish for children, Business Spanish, crash courses, summer courses, workshops, etc. We adapt to the language needs and learning goals of our students. Spanish manners and culture are an essential part of all of Español Universal’s Spanish courses because language and culture are closely linked.”
Español Universal is based in Haarlem. Where else do you students come from?
“In 5 years, Español Universal has built an excellent reputation in Haarlem and the surrounding area. The language school is popular because of the personal approach to learning and the effectiveness of our Spanish courses. Our clients drive around for us! We have students from Haarlem itself but also from Amsterdam, Utrecht, Leiden, Zandvoort, Hoofddorp, Nieuw-Vennep, Aerdenhout, Heemstede, IJmuiden, Bloemendaal, Santpoort, Heemskerk and Zwanenburg, for example.”
We always ask for tips on how to practice Spanish outside of class. Do you have any suggestions?
“In addition to taking a Spanish course, it is important to get in touch with the Spanish language as much as possible through, for example, music, movies, newspapers, magazines, television, Spanish ‘tertulias,’ etc. From the moment you decide to take a Spanish course, the Spanish language should become a part of your life, so to speak!
Here are some more concrete tips:
– Useful Apps for on your smattphone or tablet to practice Spanish include: duolingo, verbforms, mitele, RTVE.es Tablet
– Follow as many Spanish people and companies on Twitter as possible to keep up to date on what’s going on in Spain right now while practicing your Spanish in 140 letters! Top twitterers and their followers who can make your TL more “Spanish” are, for example: @publico_es, @julia_otero, @RaulFernandezFM, @muyinteresante, @mariademadrid, @A3Noticias, etc.
– A great site to practice is www.ver-taal.com, with exercises, documentaries, trailers, commercials… Highly recommended!
– A fun and tasty way to practice your Spanish is to take a tapas workshop in Spanish: www.kokendspaansleren.nl
– Keep an eye on Español Universal’s Facebook page for helpful Spanish tips.
– Read more about Spanish culture and manners on this blog: http://spaansecultuurentaal.blogspot.nl”
Interested in Español Universal? Then read more about this language school in Haarlem on our website.
