Patricio Tapia is an excellent and responsive teacher. He has developed a methodology which eschews text books while concentrating on encouraging conversational Spanish. read more
The grammar exercises are understandable and effective. I came to Patricio with virtually no ability to speak Spanish. Now I'm comfortable with the language, enjoying conversations and especially traveling in Spanish speaking countries. In particular, I look forward to attending our weekly class as I have for the last seven years. - close
I began taking Spanish lessons with Patricio in April of 2005. 3 and 1/2 years later, although I am not fluent, I feel comfortable speaking Spanish in any situation. I can understand more than I can speak, read more
but my range of verbs and vocabulary are extensive. Patricio's style of teaching is to introduce as many verbs as possible to the new learner, and slowly add nouns, adjectives and adverbs to the mix. Consequently, one is able to compose a sentence within the first few weeks of lessons. This ability empowers the student and gives confidence to speak a foreign language without having studied a long time.
Patricio's classes are fun: everyone gets a turn telling about something that has happened to them during the week and hearing everyone else's stories. Patricio will also give us a story in Spanish to read, ask questions about and discuss in class. This is the most intelligent manner of learning I have ever experienced. Gracias a ti, Patricio! - close
Four years of Adult Ed Spanish left me hungry but unsatisfied with my progress - the cause: a $100 college textbook that drove the weekly lesson plan and little conversation. A class with Patricio soon changed that - read more
- out with the textbook, in with his engaging method. Get me speaking Spanish. Building confidence. Infused with humor and grounded in the basics, Patricio's classes are fun. Indirect object pronouns no longer scare me - now that I understand how to use them in conversation. It's not the rules you need to learn, but the usage and context. Está bien. - close
I have been studying Spanish with Patricio for over 10 years. When I began I was barely intermediate and now I am nearly fluent. Along the way, I have had alot of fun and met some great people.read more
I would highly reccommend his classes to anyone interested in learning Spanish in a fun, non-threatening environment. - close
I have always been amazed at the ease with which the best stage actors are able to play the same role, month after month, with undiminished finesse and passion. In the same way, Patricio Tapia - read more
after more than 18 years as a Spanish instructor in Marin County - always seems delighted with each piece of learning material (no matter how many times he has used it), and each step of his students' progress (no matter how halting).
With his wit and animation (think of a Charlie Chaplin from Chile), his contagious enthusiasm for the language and its nuances, and his patience and support that motivate students of every level to aspire toward ever-greater mastery, he has been an inspiration. Just ask those who know me about my nightly dreams in Spanish, or my using the slightest excuse to converse - whether or not I use the correct vocabulary or verb tense in each sentence. There is no finer professor to be found, and I'm just one of the many, many fans of this "maestro un poco loco". - close
As an ESL teacher taking Spanish classes I can say that these classes are great; the curriculum is meaningful, and the teaching is excellent. The higher level teacher, Solveig, is challenging read more
and keeps her students
learning all the time. She has encouraged me to speak in class, which has been so good for me. - close
