I am just over 1 year into my studies at California Bilingüe and it feels great! What I have gained is exactly what I was hoping to be able to do. To ask someone how they are feeling, or to ask how their weekend was or what their kids are up to. For me, as a construction business owner taking these classes, it’s always been about strengthening the connection between our management and our employees that are mostly Spanish speaking and starting to build a new culture at the company that is more inclusive and welcoming. So, it’s been a really great experience and I’m shocked at how much I have learned over the time I’ve been taking classes. I take classes with Zoë and she does such a great job of using my personal interests and tying them into the academic plan to make studying and assignments easier to remain focused on. Well done California Bilingüe and your team - the concept and execution is fantastic!
— Mitch, Construction Business Owner
California Bilingüe is a fantastic environment (albeit at this moment in time a virtual environment) that tailors my learning Spanish to my needs and abilities. I came here not knowing any Spanish at all and it’s been a fantastic tool for learning. There is a mix of media (text book, workbook, podcasts and on-line fotonovelas and homework) that make the class delightfully interesting. I have been encouraged to meet with native speakers and meet with two people a week which has been hugely rewarding. My relationship with my teacher is wonderful...her patience and encouragement have helped get me through difficult moments.
My teacher Emilie Thomas has been fun, prepared, flexible and always answers my questions thoroughly. I never feel rushed. I have been studying for a year and want to continue with California Bilingüe because I feel my progress is undeniable. I can read, write and slowly am feeling more comfortable with actual speaking in Spanish. I would enthusiastically recommend California Bilingüe for anyone interested in learning Spanish.
— Nan, Retired California Park Ranger
Emilie and the community she’s cultivated through California Bilingüe have been instrumental in improving my Spanish. I initially went to Emilie in an effort to be able to have basic conversations with my mother-in-law, who only speaks Spanish. I can now do that, and much much more. I’m a firefighter and have an often difficult schedule, but Emilie always does an excellent job of working with my schedule and crafting our time together, as well as the homework she assigns me, to ensure that I continue progressing in my learning. Emilie’s approach to learning Spanish relies on a diverse set of different mediums (textbook, podcast, storytelling, conversation, etc.) and is so much more engaging than the basic memorization approach most of us experienced in High School. When COVID19 hit, Emilie effortlessly pivoted her operation online to Zoom, where her lessons continue to offer the same level of impact and engagement. I can’t recommend Emilie highly enough to anyone looking to learn or improve their Spanish!
— Jonah, Firefighter
Emilie, at California Bilingüe, has guided me (at my own pace) on a Spanish language adventure. The experience has enriched my life and sparked new brain cells that I thought had been lost forever.
— Sue, Retired Founder of Cowgirl Creamery
As a teacher, I endorse this school wholeheartedly. The instruction demonstrates a sophisticated array of current, research-based strategies, and is highly individualized. The staff is bright and cordial, making learning a joyful experience. The curriculum is up to date and varied depending on your learning style. The environment is pleasing and comfortable. The California Bilingüe school includes local language immersion opportunities which accelerate learning considerably, and provide the pleasure of connecting with neighbors in a new language!
This is an extraordinary school, heart-centered and consistently meeting a standard of excellence. I strongly recommend California Bilingüe for anyone serious about learning Spanish.
— Sally, Reading Education Specialist
Learning Spanish at California Bilingüe has completely changed my life. I came to private tutoring with Emilie as a brand new mom earnest to advance my language skills so I could raise my daughter to be bilingual and so I could could connect more deeply with the members of my family who only speak Spanish. Emilie met me exactly where I was and created a customized program that allowed me to achieve (even exceed!) my goals. The tutoring relationship felt professional, meaningly, culturally relevant and supportive on all fronts. I am eternally grateful for Emilie’s willingness to be creative and adjust her teaching format to help me stay committed even during the craziness of my daughter’s first year of life. We explored in person classes, classes in the park and virtual class formats and all were terrific. Emilie is truly an exceptional and gifted language and cultural mentor. I now can have rich conversations with my family in Spanish and my daughter just started saying her first words, which are both in English and in Spanish!
— Casey, Marketing Consultant
I started taking private lessons from California Bilingüe about 9 months ago. And I am so glad I did! I was a bit worried about trying to start learning Spanish as an adult, but the energy and personal attention I have encountered from California Bilingüe drew me right in. At first I was working with Brent Wexler, who was so inspiring and enthusiastic, I just started learning so much, so quickly. When Brent moved on I started working with Emilie. She is also such an amazing teacher. She really cares and is so thorough in her methods. I feel that her many years of being a teacher have given her a great sense of what works. It’s really exciting to me to be studying Spanish every day and feeling like I am beginning to understand so much! It is opening up a whole new world. I am very grateful to Emilie for her unwavering support. If you are really serious about learning Spanish, you can do no better than to sign up with California Bilingüe! Five Stars!
— Jackie, Jazz Singer