Spanish Centre

With the help of these guys, I managed to learn Spanish in two years. The teachers are pretty nice and friendly. Just keep in mind that learning a language and improving requires a bit of self-practice as well. I didn't expect them to teach me everything in detail in the limited time of the classes, I expected them to help me and give me insights so that I know the basics and rules with appropriate methods and techniques, and that's exactly what they did, and they did it pretty well. Highly recommended!

I am a Spanish speaker but always seek ways to practice and improve my Spanish because my social network has very few Spanish speakers. I joined a series or Almodovar film screenings offered by the centre and had an amazing experience. I was given an opportunity to listen to more advanced Spanish speakers and learn about the films and history involved. I was also able to partake in exercises to reflect on various themes and David was incredibly thorough, organized and full of insight to help direct the group discussions after each screening. He also made each session accessible to new participants and those well versed with the selection of films. I would 100% attend a future film screening series and highly recommend it for anyone who would like to engage in cultural events that will also assist in expanding your knowledge and Spanish vocabulary.

Convenient location, beautiful building and small pleasant classrooms could truly make this Centre the IT place for learning Spanish in Toronto.However, there is a sense of malaise on the main floor, where the reception area is locked and dark within the supposed hours of operation.Same sense of malaise is also represented by the second floor bathroom, recently not operational for two weeks and then not repaired sufficiently.While I had two outstanding teachers in the two classes, not all the teachers hired by the Centre have a teaching background and can be hired solely because they are native speakers but in fact they have no idea how to teach.I wasted my time in one class with such a clueless teacher. The Centre provides a beautifully printed booklet for each course. The booklet contains 5 chapters, supposedly corresponding with 5 sessions of each course (recently the Saturday morning course , up to now consisting of 5 two hours sessions was compressed into 4 sessions , each being two and half hours long.Although the number of hours stays the same, the decision could not have been made by a person with a teaching experience. Much less can be taught/learned in this shortened course). Moreover,these booklets are containing too much information for the length of the course and thus each course ends at the beginning of the 4th chapter.The teachers usually inform the students at the beginning of each course that it will not be possible to finish the 5 chapters. Therefore, a student goes into the next level, which is build on the students' knowledge of the previous 5 chapters.This discrepancy between the materials and the time to process them is a build-in frustration for teachers and students alike. Last year , about this time, excellent one - time workshops for an overview of materials were offered to students for a minimal payment, this year the offer is not repeated. Furthermore,the teachers and students are informed only very shortly before the beginning of the course, who will teach it. I was told at the reception desk that the teachers' names will be posted on the web closer to the start of the course but the names are never posted there. To conclude, while the building itself is conducive to welcoming the students, this Centre needs to be transformed from the money-making machine into a true educational environment, led by experienced educators.A high turnover of staff suggests that all is not well also regarding the work conditions there. The transformation is needed so the place and its students could thrive.

It's an excellent resource to improve the level of Spanish of my son who is a native Canadian and usually comunicates with me in English. I enjoy his progress experienced in my mother tongue Spanish. I highly recommend Spanish Centre!!

I started learning Spanish at this Institue 5 years ago. I took part time classes here for 2 years and then I moved to New York. Thanks to what I have learned, I was able to get a job at a Spanish bank.Only con I can think of is that this centre’s Standardization of levels in Spanish aren’t equivalent to more renowned global standards and that affects teaching content of each teacher but it does produce results.

I had two different class cycles here. Already arriving with an advanced level in Spanish and only looking to maintain/practice, I registered in the highest level offered. The classes were still too much of a beginner level for me and I found the teacher had to keep switching into English to be understood. The classes themselves had mixed level students but I would totally recommend the school for beginners or those looking to learn Spanish.

I signed up in February as a beginner and kept coming twice a week until July. So did most of the other students who began at the same time I did. Overall, an excellent experience. We moved quickly through the bulk of Spanish grammar and, even in a small group, had extensive opportunities to speak and write the new vocabulary and grammar we were learning. The fees were reasonable and the location convenient. Our instructor, Patricia, was fabulous -- always fully prepared; has a profound knowledge of languages; brings great, uninterrupted energy to every class; and laughs a lot. All of us enjoyed the classes. Recommended.

Very positive experience. Carla is a wonderful, cheerful, and very good teacher. The pace and progression are quick, but complimenting it with the Duolingo App and flash-cards really help. The class is very friendly, supportive and 'sympatico'. The staff at the front desk is helpful and attentive - go the extra leg to help. Overall a very positive learning experience over the first four months and I will continue to go.

You will learn the bare basics for what you pay. They make you rush through a five chapter booklet in five weeks (2 hours a week for 5 weeks). They rush through it and you don't even finish. I've been there for a year and have yet to finish a book in one 5 week period class. I had to repeat a couple of classes. In order to understand the course properly you have to repeat it. They should have the classes running for three hours and spend the entire 10 weeks going over the 5 chapter book. This will give time to learn the material fresh and then review it on the next week. The whole program is rush rush rush.