What are our classes like?
Module 2 is still focused on the 24 highest frequency verbs in Spanish. Lots of repetition in a variety of contexts make the content comprehensible and easy to recall. A chat box with definitions and accompanying readings continue to reinforce new vocabulary. The pre-reader Isabela quiere un mono is included within this course. Students who participate live also have access to a Señor Wooly account with songs, graphic novels and activities.
About the Instructor
Karen Rowan, a leader in the field of rapid language acquisition specializing in teaching adults in the workplace through storytelling. She has been teaching Spanish since 1995 and has written short novels for language learners and several instructional books for language teachers. Las aventuras de Isabela, Isabela captura un congo, Carl no quiere ir a México, Don Quijote, el último caballero, El callejón de beso. Some titles translated into English, French, Latin and Russian.
Also The Guide to Reader's Theater, published by Teacher's Discovery. TPR Stories for Paso a paso and Realidades published by Prentice Hall. The Fluency Fast Guide to Self-Coaching, published by Fluency Fast.
Her newest novel, Yo sé cómo hacerlo, co-authored with Joan Soriano, is about a Bachata musician in the Dominican Republic.
She has been training teachers in TPR Storytelling, Total Physical Response and other Comprehension-Based methods for more than 25 years.
Testimonial
"You can feel it working in your brain"
If you’ve “always been meaning to learn Spanish”, this is the teaching method I’ve been looking for my entire life.
I am a language fanatic and can be very picky about what I want from a teacher. I’ve always felt that there must be better and magical ways that languages could be taught, ways that would be both fun and efficient, taking advantage of our natural ability to just pick stuff up.
But this sweet spot has often proved elusive.
Fluency Fast has found the sweet spot.
It’s based on the “comprehensible input” theory, which builds from years of studies about how the brain works. Basically, if you’re comprehending, you’re learning.
Honestly, you can feel it working in your brain.
Fluency Fast understands we are all born with the ability to learn languages. So if you’ve been waiting for a class that will get you over the hump, this is it.
James Laurie, The Flobots
Testimonial
It’s great how you keep it so upbeat and build people up…not allowing any negativity.
“The whole experience was fantastic. We love your teaching style. It’s great how you keep it so upbeat and build people up…not allowing any negativity. And we both will never forget your ‘muy bien’ with the large ‘sonrie’ and thumbs-up when someone does well. The whole thing is definitely the best learning experience we have had. The last year trying to learn Spanish had been difficult at times. There had been times when we both were ready to stop. It had become so overwhelming trying to get it into our brains that it wasn’t fun anymore. Even being around Spanish speakers three times each week for a total of 5 hours wasn’t making a dent in what we needed to know. We know at least eight people that are interested in the class and after they hear our experience I believe they will be anxious to come. And I already know our teacher on Saturday is interested in coming to a training class to learn the TPRS method. Many, many ‘thank you’s’ for a job well done and all the encouragement. We are ready to get back to the Salon del Reino and start talking with our friends.”
– Bruce & Cynthia
Testimonial
"I tested out of three semesters of (college) Spanish"
“My wife and I took Karen’s Spanish class last September and not only did we improve our Spanish quickly, but I literally laughed so hard I cried.”
– John Daugherty, DC, Colorado Springs, Colorado
“I tested into fourth year college Spanish. I didn’t know any Spanish before yet was at an advanced college level after just one week. I would never have believed it.”
“I tested out of three semesters of Spanish at MTSU and missed the fourth semester by just one point. I think I was an average student in the class. I learned an astounding amount during this class. I had no idea until I learned another language myself in this way just how good it was. I was amazed by the success of the entire group. This class was a good example of how students of many different levels can work to their own capacity in the same class.”
Module 2 Curriculum
- What do you do in your free time? habla, está, lleva 2 minutes (1:59)
- What do you do for exercise? hace ejercicio, va, monta a caballo, monta a bicicleta 4:38 (4:38)
- Do you eat in restaurants or stay home? Se queda / va 2:48 (2:47)
- What do you do? Do you go to the beach? What do you do in your free time? Vas a la playa? 2:34 (2:34)
- El banco de Colorado Springs (written story --read this) with vocabulary at the bottom
- Karen reading the story aloud on video 6 minutes 56 seconds (6:56)
- Downloadable audio 6 minutes, 56 seconds
- El fin del cuento. Tres versiones. Video. Maria la Jubilada, Richard el Jubilado, Nora la Mentirosa 3 min 23 seconds (3:23)
- El banco de Colorado Springs (written story with 3 endings)
- 3 endings Downloadable audio 3 minutes 23 seconds