You know it’s really hard to stay on a track when creating a Spanish course
There’s always a niggling little voice…
I remember when I created Synergy Spanish… I always heard the voice of a language coordinator that I worked with ringing in my head.
She was a grammar fanatic and as I was writing the course I would imagine her saying,
“But you haven’t taught the subjunctive yet.”
or
“What about the past perfect? You have to teach the past perfect.”
Fortunately, I fought off those imaginary voices, and was able to follow my instincts and create the course that I knew was the best path.
The feedback has been beyond my wildest dreams.
You know… I’ve been delighted to notice something in common with many of the success stories. They come from people living in, traveling to or interacting frequently in Spanish speaking communities.
https://synergyspanish.com/newsuccessstories.html
Many others come from people using their new found skills with Spanish speaking friends, workers or relatives.
https://synergyspanish.com/successstories.html
You’d think after all those great comments, I’d be more confident and just go full blast ahead…
But the doubts creep in and I hear voices… (Should I really admit that?)
Again, with the follow up to Synergy Spanish I have the similar voices…
This time they arrive in emails…
Will you be teaching the subjunctive?
What about por vs para ser vs estar?
Then I start second guessing myself, “well maybe I could sneak a lesson on subjunctive in here, or a por vs para there.”
But it just doesn’t feel right…
That’s because the timing isn’t right for you.
You see the way Spanish is usually taught is really well…STUPID
The sequence of learning has nothing to do with how your mind actually works.
Just because a student is in second year Spanish, she’s supposed to learn the subjunctive and the imperfect tense or some other grammatical label. It doesn’t matter that the student can’t string a simple sentence together. Let alone have anything resembling a conversation.
What’s the point of learning these new LABELS, if you haven’t mastered the structures that allow you to communicate?
Fortunately, in Bola de Nieve we are not bound by constraints of a curriculum that mostly fails in teaching anything useful…
We are free to beat a new path.
And the mandate for that path is a very simple one…
Teach in the order that allows you to communicate the most.
That way, you’ll make more friends, do more business, and communicate better with workers, patients and clients…
If you like, you can travel in a completely different and much more enriching way. You’ll go places others don’t (dare) go and meet the people where they really live and experience the true culture.
And best off all, you’ll mix even more freely with Spanish speakers.
So, if you are looking for the typical grammatical sequence…Bola de Nieve may not be for you.
That’s ok,
We only have limited positions.
All the better if those positions go to the people who resonate most with this style of learning.
For those of you who do find this style of learning is for you… I can’t wait to hear what you do, once you roll this Bola de Nieve.
By the way, I’m still not sure of the new release date… I apologize for the delay, it won’t be much longer.
Marcus Santamaria
Just an aside for you hearing voices–I saw a sign once that read: “You’re just jealous because the voiaes don’t speak to you!!!” Thought you’d get a kick our of that–you might make a T-shirt and make it bilingual…??Pat
Hello Marcus
Your approach is terrific and unique.Makes the learning process real easy.Congratulation and thanks
Dear Marcus, Don’t ever doubt that you have a God given gift in teaching. I for one, have found your method wonderful. It is the most effective I have ever tried. I think I’ve done the rounds of Language courses.
I have become addicted. Need my 2 daily “shot”, plus wearing the MP4 on my walks and doing the house cleaning/gardening.
So “Go Baby Go”. Regards, Maree
oops! I pressed submit before i proof read.
MARCUS,
I enjoy your courses because I learn to SPEAK and UNDERSTAND during a spanish converstation. I really dont care at this point in my life if my grammar is well schooled.
Just keep the flow, it works! Dont fix it!
Carl
Marcus,
Please continue to ignore that “niggling” little voice…your system is sooooooooo super perfect (at least for me) that if you dare niggle with it I’ll come out to Southern Cal and “whup your arse” personally. LOL! What you have is gold and so much so that I am prepared to make you richer by the day for all things Synery, Ear Training / Master Class, and now Bola…I am there!
Your system(s) changed my Spanish by leaps and bounds…only a few short hours ago I was speaking to a friend in both English and Spanish who commented out of the blue, “man your Spanish has gotten good.” –I might add that I spend about two hours daily (most days) speaking and / or studying the language.– Know that my friend’s observation is as much of a compliment for me as it is for you, Elena and Jose Luis.
Yet again, I say thanks. You rock!
i no puedo esperar por Bola de Nieve ! I’m not sure what my Spanish will be like ‘out there’ but I can’t wait to ‘get bold’ in Spain………….i el proximo ano !
mucho gracias, su amigo, Ian
I am waiting in anticipation of the bola de nieve. I have completed the part 1 and 2 and the
synergy series and have been relistening to the audio to keep fresh. I notice the difference
while at work and hear my co workers talk and customers who speakl spanish.I am not
fluent—yet but I will get there and with your system I know it will be faster and more useful
than other programs available. Thanks and keep up the good work.