The Lake Chapala Society Spanish Program
16 de Septiembre 16-A, Ajijic, Jalisco, MX
spanishprogram@lakechapalasociety.org
Reba Berryman, Coordinator of Non-ESL Language Programs
We surveyed the LCS Spanish class participants in April to identify changes we could make to improve the program for our members. The quality of instruction brought a strong positive from participants due to our gifted teachers. Thank you, teachers! MON TUE WED THU FRI LEVEL 1 9:30-11 LEVEL 1 9:30-11 LEVEL 1 1-2:30 LEVEL 2 9:30-11 LEVEL 3 11:30-1 LEVEL 4 2-3:30 LEVEL 5 12-1:30 CONVERSATION LEVEL 1 ADVANCED INTRO @ 12-1:30 
See the 2008 Fall Schedule
We heard you! Some complaints or requests are not actionable at this time given LCS resources; however we will continue to check with students and make changes as they become feasible. There are some requests that we are able to implement with this next session.
The major changes are:
Sessions will be longer. Many members wanted more class meetings even with increased costs. Fall classes begin September 1 and meet until December 12. This will provide approximately 15 weeks of instruction, rather than the previous 11-12 weeks. The winter/spring session will begin January 12 and meet until May 1. These longer sessions should provide for more participation and learning. The summer session, normally meeting May-July has been suspended for 2009. Participation is normally very low due to fewer members in town, the heat and lack of space at Wilkes during July when children’s programs begin. THE EXCEPTION IS THE ONE MONTH INTRODUCTORY CLASSES OFFERED BY RICH PETERSEN. Those classes will continue on the old schedule because new members are moving into the community year round and need this “survival” class. This schedule for fall is September, October and November.
There will be more offerings of the classes in most demand. There is consistently more demand for lower level classes. Previously the LCS offered Levels 1, 2, “gap 2/3”, 3, “gap 3/4”, 4 and 5 with few or no students registering for 4/5. The “gaps” were confusing so future offerings will be Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, which will correspond roughly to the former 1 through 3/4. Another difficulty has been the recruitment and retention of certified teachers. More advanced classes may be added as demand increases if resources are available.
There will be an extra Level 1 session in the afternoon. Many members have been unable to participate in the program because they have morning commitments or the two available classes fill up early and many students are turned away every session.
There will be two separate conversation classes. The first conversation class will be for students who have completed Level 1 and have a good vocabulary. The advanced conversation class will be for students who have completed Level 3 (formerly Level 2/3 or “gap class”).
There are new books for all classes. The most consistent complaint was about the textbooks that have been used in LCS classes since the discovery of fire. After piloting a program during the summer session with Level 1 students, the LCS is adopting the workbooks and other teaching materials published by the Warren Hardy School in San Miguel Allende. The Warren Hardy program is specifically targeted to the adult learner of Mexican Spanish. LCS students were enthusiastic about the materials and demonstrated this by showing the lowest attrition rate ever noted for LCS Spanish classes. The materials will be available for purchase at the time and place of registration and are being sold to members at cost.
There will be refunds. Another change is clarification of questions about tuition refunds. Before my tenure, no refunds were given. Period. This policy has been replaced with a strict policy that does allow refund of tuition. However, the student MUST request the refund within one week after the first week of classes. One class should allow time for the student to determine if he/she will benefit from the class. There will be no pro-rationing of tuition. The cost of the LCS Spanish classes is well below market and a benefit of membership.
Fall Schedule
Registration will be for one week beginning August 25 and will include Monday – Saturday from 10am until 2 pm every day. If you are out of town and cannot register, email me and I will hold a space for you if possible. Locations of classes will be available at registration. Tuition cost is 500 pesos for the long session and 100 pesos for the one month introductory class.
Reba Berryman, Coordinator of Non-ESL Language Programs
LCS Spanish Class Schedule
CLASS
11:30-1
11:30-1
LCS GAZEBO