Escuela Amistad
¡BIENVENID@! WELCOME!
At the Escuela Amistad you can learn to speak Spanish and make new friends across borders and cultures. Research shows that making friends with native speakers is the most effective way to truly learn a second language. At every step along the way you will be supporting language teachers and tutors working in Tijuana, Mexico. Questions? Live chat with us (M-F, 8 - 11 am) or email us at cafe@viainternational.org.
CLASSES / “CHARLAMIGOS” / TESTIMONIES
This class will help you build confidence and fluency through active practice and conversation. Classes run Mon-Thurs, 10 - 11 am (PST), but recordings allow you to stay connected by catching up if you miss a class. Sign up for one week at $50 or sign up for 3 weeks or 9 weeks to receive deeper and deeper discounts! Each week our bilingual Instructors will introduce you to native Spanish-speakers, so get ready to CONVERSAR EN ESPAÑOL!
INTERMEDIATE ESPAÑOL
9-WEEK SEMESTER STARTS JANUARY 11, 2021 - SIGN UP NOW!
Intermediate classes are for you if you know some Spanish but need to build your speaking skills. Classes run Mon-Thurs, 5 - 6 pm (PST), but recordings allow you to stay connected if you miss a class. Nine weeks will prepare you to develop authentic Spanish-language friendships in your school, work-place, neighborhood or church. Teacher Dan Watman will get your tongue moving as we have fun and SPEAK ESPAÑOL!
BEGINNING SPANISH
9-WEEK SEMESTER STARTS JANUARY 11, 2021 - SIGN UP NOW!
Beginning level classes are for you if you are new to learning Spanish, or if you perhaps perhaps studied the language long ago. Classes run Mon-Thurs, 10 - 11 am (PST), but recordings allow you to stay connected if you miss a class. Three 3-week sessions will prepare you to begin making Spanish-speaking friends. Not sure if you are ready to jump in at the intermediate level? Drop in for a chat at the Via Cafe for a free assessment and friendly conversation (M-F, 8 - 11 am).
“CHARLAMIGOS” - Language Partners
MEET THE “CHARLAMIGOS”
"Charlamigos" are one-on-one language learning partners based in Tijuana, Mexico. 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.”
TEACHERS
Director / Instructor : 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: 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.
Instructor: 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.
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."