Private Classes
in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, in the location of your choice
Victoria Taft Priani has lived in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico, for 30 years. During that time, she has established herself as a patient yet challenging teacher for those wishing to improve their Spanish language skills. She accepts students at all levels, from beginners wanting to learn a few key phrases to make their vacation more enjoyable, to practiced students wanting to advance their conversational skills and cultural understanding.
By meeting individually with each student, Victoria can customize her classes and pace both the lesson and the coursework according to the student's needs, capabilities and time restraints. For long-term lessons, reference and workbooks may be recommended to provide a framework for the language studies. Regardless of the duration of the lessons, conversation is the cornerstone and most important part of the class so expect to be speaking -- and listening -- a lot! Classes are priced according to length and frequency but generally begin around $20 USD per hour.
A few more notes from Victoria about how she designs her lesson plans and why she prefers private one-on-one language classes:
When more than one person is in a class, the least experienced person dictates the pace. In addition, multiple students limit my ability to customize a lesson to a person's understanding, best method of learning and/or desired outcome. However, it should be noted that one-on-one classes are not for everyone. As my sole student, you are my sole focus. This forces you to concentrate more than if you are one of a group.
Everyone learns differently and feels comfortable in distinct situations. For this reason, I work to be flexible. Many people prefer that I go to them, others are fine coming to my house. Still others prefer to move around to experience language out in the community with classes in the market, street cafes or even on the beach. While location is not important, timing is. I like to work with people when they are fresh, not after a couple of beers and a few hours on the beach. To that end, most of my classes are held earlier in the day. (Note: any classes after 6:00 pm will be held at my home in Ixtapa.)
While there is a great deal of information on the internet (perhaps too much!), learning via software programs has a huge disadvantage: no one is actually there to hear you. No one can hear your pronunciation to correct mistakes. Having a trained ear, a teacher, listening to your progress will help you identify patterns, both helpful and hurtful in your learning. A teacher can also give you access to the small tricks and mnemonic devices that are keys to understanding the complexities of a new language. Communication needs to be up close and personal. Language is about people and thus, should be learned in the company of others, first a teacher and then out in the community.
Victoria's Teaching Philosophy
I believe that language is culture. So when people tell me that they don't understand certain attitudes or customs of Mexican society, I tell them that learning how to speak Spanish helps to understand the differences and likenesses of their own culture and those of Mexico and Mexicans.
In this global world, there is such a great need to communicate --- it gives me pleasure to help others say what they mean and be understood. Knowledge of others gives meaning to and deeper knowledge of ourselves. And in a world in which we are isolated from so many forms of contact and exchange of ideas, learning Spanish gives people focus and diversion from what they already know, and helps them to grow intellectually and spiritually.
Translation & Interpretation
In addition to her private Spanish language classes, Victoria works with individuals and businesses needing document translation and person-to-person interpretation. She has provided these services in legal, immigration, medical, real estate and many other matters. Her work is highly regarded among the local notaries, government officials, doctors, real estate agents and other persons who routinely find themselves in bilingual conversations. Please contact Victoria for more information on how she can assist you.
Note: Victoria is not a government-licensed translator and cannot provide certified translations for legal documents. However, she is very useful in providing English translations of said documents to ensure comprehension for all parties.
Student Testimonials
"I met Victoria in 2002, through a referral from a local Mexican friend who empathized with my struggle to communicate more openly with my Mexican friends and colleagues. With Victoria's easy style and support, over the next 2 years of weekly classes my vocabulary, grammar and my grasp of the language as a whole improved greatly and with surprising speed. Even my Spanish accent became more pronounced and made it easier for friends to understand me! The improvement in knowledge, fluency and speed of interpretation enabled me to form authentic relationships with confidence within the Zihuatanejo community." -- Barry Thomson, Dunedin, NZ
"Victoria is an absolutely wonderful Spanish teacher! I studied with her for two years and learned a great deal, not only about speaking Spanish but about Mexico in general and about Zihuatanejo in particular. Because she has lived in Zihuatanejo for so long, I benefited from the fact that she has become bi-cultural as well as bilingual. I cannot recommend her highly enough and I think you'll be pleased with the rapid progress you'll make working with her, especially if you make the commitment to meet with her two or three times a week." -- Cindy Lowe, part-time Zihuatanejo resident
"Victoria Taft Priani is a clever and witty woman who is completely at ease in both English and Mexican Spanish. In addition she is a terrific teacher! I met and worked with Victoria during a six-week stay in Zihuatenejo in Spring 2011. She is a superb communicator with an excellent knowledge of Mexican Spanish, including colloquial language that can so often stump a newcomer. Not only did I vastly improve my vocabulary and speaking ability under Victoria's tutelage, but I also learned a tremendous amount about Zihuatenejo and the surrounding area. Anyone who has the privilege of studying with Victoria will learn a good deal about both the language and the culture." -- Louise Leclair, Vancouver, BC
"I have worked with Victoria Priani continuously over the past five years during which she has served as an interpreter, translator and administrator for many personal, business and legal tasks. This has included one-on-one conversational interpretation, document translation and assistance in meetings. In what were often challenging situations, she was able to quickly adapt to the setting and help me obtain the results I desired. She is capable, thorough, professional, friendly and highly regarded." -- William Jansen, San Francisco, CA
We had the pleasure of studying Spanish with Victoria for a year. We looked forward to the lessons every week. It was a pleasure learning to speak Spanish in the informal atmosphere, with interesting lessons and practical everyday applications for what we were learning. We laughed a lot, learned a lot, and in the process became dear friends." -- Steve and Claudia Johnson, San Diego, CA
Victoria taught me beginner Spanish for two years, but I learned so much more from her than the language. She gave me valuable insight into the local culture, introduced me to the markets and other cornerstones of the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo community scene and she even accompanied me to the police station to assist with translation services to deal with a traffic accident. Along the way she became a good friend, as well! Her intelligence and wit made any conversation, in Spanish or English, a delight. -- Nan Lux, Green Valley, AZ