Why Aren’t Conversational Spanish Classes Free?

 

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If you know anything about the PVLA, it may be that the classes we offer are free. Which means it may come as a surprise to see that there is a fee associated with the conversational Spanish classes.

Keep reading to find out why we charge for this particular class.

Languages Spoken in the U.S.

English is the most prominent language spoken in the U.S. In an article from the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2019, 241 million people spoke English, while 67.8 million spoke another language.

Spanish is the second-most spoken language in America, with an estimated 42 million people speaking this language.

Other languages spoken in the U.S. include Chinese (3+ million), Tagalog (2 million), Vietnamese (2 million), and Arabic (1+ million). There are, of course, other languages spoken, but these are the most prominent—although they are not as widely spoken as English or Spanish.

Learning Another Language is a Luxury

There may be other languages spoken in the U.S., but there is an expectation that once someone moves here, they will integrate and learn how to speak English.

Immigrants are expected to adapt to the established ways of life in this country, so learning how to speak the most populous language becomes survival. That’s why we offer ESL classes for free—we want to ensure New Americans have the skills and knowledge they need to thrive and survive in their new home.

Of course, knowing how to speak another language is incredibly beneficial. Having Spanish-speaking (or other language) skills can be super helpful when dealing with all members of the community, but it’s not a necessity.

As harsh as it sounds, it’s a luxury to learn another language. Being bilingual is a superpower, but knowing English is a requirement. That’s why we charge for our conversational Spanish classes.

Where Does the Money Go?

In addition to wondering why the conversational Spanish classes cost, you may be curious where the money goes. The fee that is charged for tutoring sessions is used to pay the tutor. 

Here at the PVLA, we feel that not only is your time valuable, but so is our Spanish tutors’. We want to make sure they are being compensated for passing on their knowledge and skills to members of the community.

The PVLA does not make any profit from what it charges for the conversational Spanish sessions. All of the money goes directly to the instructors.

Learn Spanish on Your Schedule

Making the decision to learn another language is advantageous, and it ensures that you’ll be able to communicate with a wide range of community members in the Columbus area. Whether you’re a business owner or just really like people, there is something to be gained from working with a PVLA Spanish tutor.

If you’re ready to sign up for classes or have more questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.