Ana Ruiz and Toni Edwards
24 April 2014
Spanish from Spain or Latin America?
A question we are often asked is "Do you teach Spanish from Spain or Latin America?" Although this is a big concern for some, we feel that the worry is a bit exaggerated and unnecessary. We think it is more important in a course that the teachers are qualified and the course programmes are well written.
At El Patio, the Spanish you are going to learn will enable you to understand and be understood in whatever context or country. Of course, you are welcome to use your own pronunciation preference if you already have one. For example, you might have a Mexican partner, or are learning tango, which includes trips to Argentina to practise!
Variations of the Spanish of different countries are usually learned as you progress with your studies, with exposure to those variations. Hispanic America has 19 countries and these all vary slightly. Did you know that the Spanish from the south of Spain is the basis of Hispanic American Spanish? So the pronunciation in southern Spain and especially the Canary Islands is quite similar to that of Hispanic America.
Major variations include vocabulary (especially of food, transport and slang), and pronunciation differences. It is usually influenced by any indigenous language that has enriched the Spanish (Quechua, Guaraní, Nahuatl ...), as well as the variations of the language of the groups of Spaniards who settled there over the centuries (the areas they came from in Spain).
So at El Patio we have a wealth of different Spanishes, as our teachers come from a variety of countries - Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, and Australia. All are qualified language teachers, not just native speakers - we think this is very important to be able to help you understand what you're learning. Naturally their own accents, cultural experience and stories will vary according to where they are from!
Some of El Patio's teaching and administrative people: Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Poland, Spain, Australia
Take our course matching quiz
Not sure which course is right for you? We’ve got you – answer a few questions to find the right class for you. Select the option that’s closest to your level of experience.
What's your experience with learning Spanish?
None, I'm brand new to Spanish
We heart absolute beginners. No matter the reason for wanting to learn, we have a class style for you.
A little, I can speak some
Let’s build on those fundamentals! Progressing focuses on increasing grammar and vocabulary while building your speaking confidence.
Experienced, keen to improve
Here’s where you learn to become fluent and begin to build natural interactions.
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You can't do better than this school! It's a very well organised school. They have so many levels you will find the right class for you. Great teachers, fun and just the right amount of challenge.
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After becoming frustrated at my lack of progress with their competitor, I received a recommendation for the classes at El Patio. Since enrolling I have never looked back.
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I never shut up about how much I like my classes, pretty sure my colleagues and all my friends are getting sick of hearing about it.
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After finding another company frustrating and unenthusiastic, El Patio has reinvigorated my excitement for learning Spanish...
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The teachers are welcoming and seem to love what they do, which brings passion to each class. The homework and resources are highly organised and professional. I would highly recommend El Patio Spanish
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As a retired teacher, I know good teaching when I see it, and the teachers at El Patio are absolutely wonderful - caring, professional and fun.