¡BIENVENID@! WELCOME!

At the Escuela Amistad you can learn to speak Spanish and make new friends across borders and cultures. At every step along the way you will be supporting language teachers and tutors working in Tijuana, Mexico. 

Classes in the Escuela Amistad place special emphasis on the Spanish that is spoken along and across the US-Mexico border. Wherever you live, immersion in the culture of the borderlands will help you to make friends with native Spanish speakers in your workplace, neighborhood, travel or volunteer site. 

Research shows that making friends with native speakers is the most effective way to truly learn a second language. Follow these links to learn more about the Escuela Amistad ... then sign up today!

CLASSES

CONVERSACIÓN AVANZADA 

This ongoing class is for people who speak  Spanish, but need to build confidence and fluency through conversational practice. Classes run Monday thru Thursday, 10 am - 11 am (PST), but recordings are distributed after each session, allowing students to stay connected by catching up Sign up for one week at $50 or sign up for 3 weeks or 9 weeks to receive deeper and deeper discounts! Come prepared to meet native speakers of the Spanish language, and get ready to CONVERSAR EN ESPAÑOL!

JOIN THIS CLASS ANY MONDAY - SIGN UP NOW!

INTERMEDIATE ESPAÑOL 

Intermediate classes are for people who speak a little Spanish, but need to practice their skills.  A 9-week immersion will give you all the tools you need to develop authentic relationships of friendship with Spanish-speakers in your school, work-place, neighborhood or church. Jump in any Monday with a three week trimester or a one-week trial-run Be prepared to get your tongue as we have fun together and learn to SPEAK ESPAÑOL!

SEMESTER STARTS SEPTEMBER 20 - SIGN UP NOW!

BEGINNING SPANISH 

Beginning level classes are for students who are new to learning Spanish, or for adults who perhaps studied long ago.  Three 3-week sessions will prepare you to start conversations in Spanish and begin making Spanish-speaking friends.  Have you already studied Spanish, but just want a refresher at the beginning level?  Talk to our instructors and jump in at Beginning Level 2 or Beginning Level 3!  

SEMESTER STARTS SEPTEMBER 20 - SIGN UP NOW!

“CHARLAMIGOS” - Language Partners 

In Spanish, “charlar” means “to chat” and “amigos” means friends so a “Charlamigo” is like a “penpal” except you actually get to chat and become friends! As you and your new Spanish-speaking friend become “charlamigos,” you get to practice your Spanish through informal conversation and you both get to learn a new perspective on life by making friends with someone from a different culture. Your subscription to the Charlamigo service helps support working people in Tijuana. Choose someone from our roster of “Charlamigos” and our Coordinators will introduce you to them so you can arrange an initial, 30-minute conversation one-on-one. You can then sign up for more 30-minute sessions, or ask to be introduced to another “Charlamigo.”

MEET THE “CHARLAMIGOS”

TEACHERS

Instructor/Coordinator: DANIEL WATMAN

Dan Watman has worked as a Spanish instructor for over 20 years. A longtime resident of Tijuana, Mexico, Dan sees the purpose of language instruction as helping students establish meaningful friendships with native speakers.

Instructor/Coordinator: JOHN FANESTIL

John Fanestil learned to speak French through an immersive language program in college. Having worked on the US-Mexico border for over 20 years, he considers himself a “forever student” of the Spanish language.

Coordinator: ROBERT VIVAR

Robert Vivar was deported to Mexico in 2013 after living in the USA since the age of six. Since his deportation he has dedicated his life to helping others in need, such as deported U.S. military veterans, deported mothers of U.S. citizen children, and separated families.

WHAT SATISFIED STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE ESCUELA AMISTAD

“This is good for people who have some language training. It's fun, you get to meet new friends, and it's for a good cause too!”

“Great facilitator, evidence-based approach to learning the language in a contextualized way. The most relevant course I've found.”

“This is an excellent course for someone who has some background in Spanish who wants to now put the language to use! The approach is immersive and the emphasis is on the spoken language. The class is engaging and interactive. I highly recommend it.”

“Centering on the common language used when we meet Mexican people at the border was especially meaningful to me. The repetitive nature of common phrases and encouragement of the teacher, all in Spanish, is the most effective way I've seen to improve on Spanish speaking.”

"The classes at the Escuela Amistad have an appropriate and effective learning strategy for adult learners. The dialogues acquaint people with the social justice activities of Via International on the USA border with Mexico. Students learn to relax their expectations to become fluent in a short period and to have a perfect accent, and heighten their expectations to have fun making new friends and learning about another culture made possible with a basic foundation in Spanish."