Why Aren’t Conversational Spanish Classes Free?

 

Photo by Pixabay

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.

Conversational Spanish on Your Schedule

This fall, the PVLA will be offering a new way for people to learn conversational Spanish. Instead of attending a set number of classes at a specific time for a certain number of weeks, you’ll be able to access a Conversational Spanish Tutor and learn on your own terms!

The only thing that’s “set in stone” is the number of weeks and the number of hours per week. Otherwise, you choose the day and time that works best for you.

The number of hours per week that you’ll need to commit to is 2, and the packages you can choose from include the following:

• 4 weeks (2 hours each week for a total of 8 hours of instruction) = $174
• 6 weeks (2 hours each week for a total of 12 hours of instruction) = $261
• 8 weeks (2 hours each week for a total of 16 hours of instruction) = $348
• 12 weeks (2 hours each week for a total of 24 hours of instruction) = $522

How Does the Process Work?

You’ll contact the executive director of the PVLA and let her know which package you would prefer, along with some times during the week you’d like to meet for instruction. She’ll send you an invoice, then find a tutor that can accommodate your learning needs.

Once payment has been received and a tutor has been found, you’ll be contacted with a start date.

Please note: class sessions can be taken at days/times that are convenient for you; however, they are nontransferable/nonrefundable and have to be used within a calendar year of purchase.

Who Will be the Tutors?

You can rest assured knowing that the tutors for this class will be native Spanish speakers. They will include members of the community, as well as current students. 

Whether you have no Spanish-speaking experience or know some words and phrases, you’ll get a tutor that can help you improve your abilities and feel more confident when it comes to speaking to employees, clients, or members of the community.

Got questions? Ready to sign up? Contact Jessica at pvlacolumbusne @ yahoo.com (don't forget to remove the spaces!) or 402-562-1474.

New Year, New Language

If you’re like most people, at the end of this month, you’re going to put together some resolutions. If one of the things you want to learn is a new language—in particular, Spanish—we can help you.

The PVLA will be offering a 12-week Conversational Spanish class beginning in January. We need a minimum of 10 students to sign up, and registration closes on December 31, 2023.

Whether you want to communicate with employees, clients, or individuals in the community, this class introduces you to some basic conversational topics, including how to introduce yourself and talking about places around town, among others.

You can register for the class by filling out the online form.

You can also pay for the class in advance by going to our online site, or you can pay in cash or check the first day of class.

The New Year is full of possibilities, and learning a new language can be incredibly beneficial. Sign up for Conversational Spanish class today!

Upcoming Fall Classes at the PVLA

Here at the PVLA, we are excited to announce that we have TWO upcoming classes. One is a quick, 7-week Conversational Spanish class, and the other is a 6-week American Sign Language class.

There is a cost associated with the Conversational Spanish class, and we will need a minimum of 10 students to register for this class to be a go. If the end of the year doesn’t work for you, don’t fret! We’ll be offering a longer (12-weeks) class after the New Year.

We’re super excited to be able to bring you the American Sign Language class. There is no minimum number of students for this class, and we only ask that you consider donating $20 to attend. There are multiple ways to pay, including bringing cash or a check to the first class, or by going to our online donation site.

We can’t wait to see you in class!

Clearing Up Confusion About PVLA Classes

Many of the classes offered at the PVLA are directed toward a specific audience. ESL, Conversational English, and Citizenship classes are geared toward students who don’t have English as their first language and want to become citizens of the U.S.

However, there are other classes offered at the PVLA that are open to everyone within the community, including the following:

GED

When it comes to GED classes, anyone and everyone can sign up. GED® Preparation classes are aligned with the GED® 2022 test. Four individual tests must be passed to receive a GED® diploma: Reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Social Studies, and Science. Our in-person classes meet twice a week, with both morning and evening classes offered.

Whether you’re hoping to move on to college-level courses or just want a basic education, our GED classes are for you. This class is free.

One-on-One Employment Skills Training

One-on-one employment skills training is open to anyone who needs a little extra help when it comes to applying for a job. Whether you’re re-entering the workforce after a break or a lay-off or you need some help with online application forms or creating a resume, we’ve got you covered. We can even help you prepare for the interview.

The one-on-one instruction focuses on what you need to be successful in your job search. The sessions are limited to 2 hours, but you can sign up for as many as you need. We even provide a laptop if you don’t have one of your own.

To sign up for employment skills training, all you have to do is call to make an appointment.

Conversational Spanish

Conversational Spanish classes are for anyone who wants to improve communication with employees, coworkers, or clients. Several classes are offered throughout the year. There is a cost associated with this class, and you’ll need to contact the PVLA to find out when each session starts and ends.

If you’re interested in joining the summer session, you can sign up here. Registration closes on May 30, 2023.

Creative Writing

The creative writing class will be offered over the summer on Wednesday nights from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. It is free and open to anyone in the community who is 13 and older. No matter what genre you write in or what length (short story, novel, epic, etc.), this class is meant to be fun and get your creative juices flowing.

Whether you have writing experience or have never created a story before, this class is for you. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, you can sign up here. Registration closes on May 30, 2023.

Our goal at the PVLA is to provide services and classes that benefit the entire community. Some of our classes are geared toward a specific audience, but others are open to everyone. Find the class that most appeals to you!

Got questions? Fill out the form on the right or send an email to pvlacolumbusne @ yahoo.com.