“I live in Mexico and the Spanish has helped me talk with plumbers, electricians,
(something in the apartment I rent always needs fixing), and sales people”
“I live in Mexico and the Spanish has helped me talk with plumbers, electricians, (something in the apartment I rent always needs fixing), and sales people.
I volunteer at a private school and help the students with their English. My Spanish helps me to understand their questions about English. It’s great fun.”
-Neil Ellson, USA
“Thanks for providing a breakthrough in my longtime wish to learn Spanish”
“I love your teaching materials. I practice with my co-workers at Disneyland all the time and hope to earn an “español” bilingual badge there a year from now.
Thanks for providing a breakthrough in my longtime wish to learn Spanish. Yours is the only course that I’ve been able to stick with and actually start using socially and professionally. You are brilliant.”
-Michael Pollock (California, USA)
“My speaking skills have increased 50 fold”
I Just returned from spending 10 days in Mexico and my speaking skills have increased 50 fold.
While having a conversation (in Mexico) with a waitress that we have known for several years, she asked me to please speak to her in Spanish so that she could better understand our conversation.
What a complement! Thanks to your course.
-Bill Gore (Maryland, USA)
“My Spanish fluidity has really improved and reached an all time high”
“My Spanish has improved greatly. I have gone from being a large dictionary of vocabulary words to actually being able to put that knowledge into action…!
My Spanish fluidity has really improved and reached an all time high, and is improving everyday. (Acabo de regresar de Panama y Costa Rica durante Las Pascuas…Tambien,espero ir a España en el verano que viene).
Muchas Gracias a usted, su esposa, Jose Luis, y todas las otras personas…
Estoy muy agradecido a usted y gracias a Dios por la oportunidad para aprender un nuevo idioma.”
-Kareem Cumberbatch (Bahamas)
“You are the best Spanish teacher in the world!“
“Great course. I love it. You are going at the right pace, it is perfect for me. You are the best Spanish teacher in the world!”
-Fred Strickland (Florida, USA)
“For the last forty years, on and off, I have been trying to learn this language. Fortunately, I have discovered your Synergy courses and things are starting to gel”
“Thanks for your Spanish courses – they are unique. They work! For the last forty years, on and off, I have been trying to learn this language. I have piles of books, tapes and disks to prove it. Yet, all I ever managed was some passive understanding of Spanish, I could not speak. Well, as you know well, there is not much opportunity to speak Spanish in Australian outback. Fortunately, I have discovered your Synergy courses and Apple iPod and things are starting to gel.
Last year we had a great holiday in Andalusia and finally I was able to speak “tourist” Spanish quite comfortably.
Once again thanks for your courses. There are the best in any language and I speak from experience (Czech, Russian, German, Spanish and finally English).”
-Jorge Tlaskal (Outback-Australia)
“I have longed to learn Spanish all my life and finally I can understand”
“I have longed to learn Spanish all my life and finally I can understand and say things in Spanish. This would not have been possible without Bola de Nieve. EXCELLENT!”
-Evelyn Cawthorn (UK)
“It just seem to flow and I am excited at my progress. I can now speak very well”
“I absolutely LOVE Bola de Nieve!!!!! I am sailing along great (I am amazing myself with how good I am going). I can now speak very well with Bola de Nieve. You have a really good idea of how to make it just seem to flow and I am excited at my progress!!
Please, please continue with the excellent course!!! Once again, I LOVE Bola de Nieve. THANKS”
-Nelia Handley (Australia)
“Everything that you have has helped me become almost bilingual in 2-3 years”
“Everything that you have done (Shortcut to Spanish 1 and 2, bola de Nieve, Spanish Ear Training etc) has helped me become almost bilingual in 2 – 3 years. Can’t thank you enough Marcus.”
-Dave Buckingham (UK)
“The teaching of colloquial expressions has greatly expanded my comprehension because these are difficult to locate in dictionaries or lists of idioms”
“This course is wonderful! Hearing the language spoken in conversational rhythm has helped my ability to distinguish words and common phrases the way they are blended together by native speakers of Spanish.
The teaching of colloquial expressions has greatly expanded my comprehension because these are difficult to locate in dictionaries or lists of idioms.”
–Lavon Chorba
“I love the feeling of mastering Spanish!”
“I love the way its set up. I have always thought (and been told by others) that learning a new language was easy for me. Then I enrolled in a Spanish class, where my confidence suffered a blow! Residing verbs and learning grammar was really not my thing. In fact, I have never learned a language by learning the grammar first, I’ve always imitated native speakers which has been enough for me.
By following this course, my vocabulary builds up slowly but surely, and I love the feeling of mastering Spanish! Thanks for creating all your courses, they’re really appreciated.”
-Maggy Bjorgvinsdottir (Norway)
“I find this the best most immediately useful conversational course I’ve taken”
“I find this the best most immediately useful conversational course I’ve taken for practical Spanish. I’m always eager to receive the next installment.”
-Bill Montanary (California, USA)
“I communicate by email with Spanish speaking friends they have noticed a big difference in the way that I construct my sentences and my use of more everyday language”
Like all of your courses Marcus (and I have done all of them!) Bola de Nieve helps me with my fluency and sentence construction. I also find the level of language and the collocations for example very useful.
I communicate by email with Spanish speaking friends and I write in Spanish and they have noticed a big difference in the way that I construct my sentences and my use of more everyday language so please please keep it coming. Many thanks to you, Elena & Jose you are doing a great job!!
-Rachel (last name withheld as requested)
“Bola de Nieve in particular for me is like one of those books that once you start to can’t put down”
Thanks for creating this system of learning. I love it. What started out as an inquisitive “toe-dipping” into the Spanish language has now developed into what I know will be a lifelong learning quest!…
Not only with the language but with the culture and country of Spain; and is doesn’t stop with Spain there’s the a whole other continent across “the pond” to discover. Bola de Nieve in particular for me is like one of those books that once you start to can’t put down; admittedly I am running a little behind but that’s how things are with 3 young daughters a full time job AND a wife to keep happy!!
Thanks again for all your time and effort and PLEASE keep it going.
-Scott Hitchman (UK)
“Not only improving my fluency but is also a great confidence booster”
Loving the course Marcus, I like the fact that it is doled out in regular doses as this keeps me on my toes, making sure I keep up to date. All this regular practice is not only improving my fluency but is also a great confidence booster.
-Jo Madle (UK)
“I can now say just about any thing I want in Spanish”
I can now say just about any thing I want in Spanish.
-Jerroll Fry (USA)
“Bola de Nieve is the best Spanish course available. I have learnt so much better than the class I was attending”
I’m doing great; Bola de Nieve is the best Spanish course available. I have learnt so much better than the class I was attending. The way you present the work is exactly the best way that I learn. I look forward to studying my Spanish every day, it’s a pleasure to learn. Thanks so much to you and all involved in its creation.
-Alison (New Zealand)
“My wife and I have just moved to Costa Rica THE COURSE has helped me greatly”
My wife and I have just moved to Costa Rica and I am finally getting to practice my Spanish on a daily basis. I feel THE COURSE has helped me greatly.
The people in Costa Rica are very helpful and appreciate my efforts to speak to them in their own language. I have had numerous comments that I am speaking very well and my pronunciation is good! I am sure that is partly because the people here are very kind but also thanks to the excellent audio and practice provided by the course.
-Kenneth Spencer (Costa Rica)
“Without your method, I would have lost motivation due to the boredom and frustration built into traditional teaching methods”
This course is well thought out and practical. I appreciate your direct approach that focuses on conversation as opposed to language rules. Without your method of instruction, I would have lost the motivation to learn due to the boredom and frustration built into traditional teaching methods. Thanks for your assistance Marcus.
-John Knapp (Arizona, USA)
“I lost my confidence. Now, with Bola de Nieve, I am regaining the confidence I need to speak with my neighbours (I live in Spain)”
I love the course and have recommended it to my friends. I was getting nowhere fast at the local language school – that was all about conjugating verbs etc. There was a lot I didn’t understand but no-one answered my questions satisfactorily (not even about the personal ‘a’, which you explained in an instant). I lost my confidence. Now, with Bola de Nieve, I am enjoying learning and am regaining the confidence I need to speak with my neighbours (I live in Spain). I want to continue learning until I am mistaken for a Spaniard!
-Aileen Jayes (Spain)
“Have improved considerably by following your “simple way” of doing it”
I joined your course as I hadn’t gained the fluency in speaking Spanish the way I would have liked it to be. Since joining I have improved considerably by following your “simple way” of doing it.
Felicitaciones con un curso que funciona tan bueno. ¡Qué tenga un buen verano!
-Ansgar Haakonsen (Norway)
“I like your step by step approach building on previous lessons”
“I’ve been studying Spanish for about 2 years now (I was 59 when I started), and very soon discovered your Shortcut to Spanish and Synergy courses, so of course I jumped at the chance to enroll on your Bola de Nieve! I like your step by step approach building on previous lessons and it’s very convenient on my MP3 player as I can dip into it at all sorts of odd times, but most of all I like the way you present the lessons sharing bits of your life with us.”
-Brian Heselden (Herne Bay, Kent UK)
“She speaks way fast but last time I was there she said she understood everything that I said to her”
It is helping me heaps. Living in a country where it is not easy to find Spanish speakers it isn’t always easy to practice. However, I now visit with my new friend, who is from Mexico, once a week usually and we speak Spanish.
She speaks way fast but last time I was there she said she understood everything that I said to her. I really appreciate what you are doing. Cheers and thanks again.
-Christine Buckley (NZ)
“I’ve tried other methods and they don’t work for me”
Bola de Nieve is great. I’ve tried other methods and they don’t work for me. Thanks!
-Cynthia Stemple (New Jersey, USA)
“I can communicate with my Peruvian friends fairly well, even by phone”
I really like to Bola de Nieve. I find it very easy to learn from this course. Right now I can communicate with my Peruvian friends fairly well, even by phone. I love it! Thanks.
-Debbie Blair (Washington, DC)
“I think the course is great”
I think the course is great.
-Dianne Dilnot (Canada)
“The course is excellent”
The course is excellent. Keep it up. Many Thanks.
-Jacqueline Walsh (Spain)
“I feel much more confident now. The ENTENSIVE Audio is my favourite part”
I am learning much more than ever I did with formal Spanish course and exam. I am very happy with this method. I feel much more confident now.
THE ENTENSIVE Audio is my favourite part as I feel this is very lacking in many other more courses. Please keep it up.
-John McKay (UK)
“I wasn’t afraid to use some of my new skills on my vacation in Mexico earlier this year”
It is so easy for me to learn in this format. Learning is such a pleasure with this teaching concept.
I wasn’t afraid to use some of my new skills on my vacation in Mexico earlier this year. I feel like I can actually communicate.
Please stay inspired to continue. Thanks.
-Mary Dailey (North Carolina, USA)
“My wife, a bi-lingual Mexicana commented, You are getting some great stuff”
I think it is the best course I’ve taken, and I taken several – both self-study and conversational. My wife, a bi-lingual Mexicana commented, “You are getting some great stuff.”
-Thomas McNear (Mexico)
“I wish I could go back to Peru again since my Spanish is so much better now”
The course has been great to keep talking and thinking in Spanish.
I wish I could go back to Peru again since my Spanish is so much better now – thanks to your courses. Now I could really have a true conversation with the family members, especially the little girl in the blue sweater who so much wanted to talk to me and get me dancing at the fiesta.
As I’ve told you in the past, getting the words from my brain to my mouth was a major barrier, not so much for fear of saying it wrong but the inability to string it all together. The combination of oral practice and reading the words plus your clear explanations has completely removed that obstacle and I really enjoy being able to chat with people on a wide variety of subjects.
-Helen Middleditch (Canada)
“Its helped tremendously. Your teaching method is so simple to follow”
Its helped tremendously. Your teaching method is so simple to follow. Each new module I think, ‘this is going to get beyond me’ and it doesn’t! Thank you.
-Lesley Kew (UK)
“I love your course very very much”
I love your course very very much.
-Pauline De Champlain
“Its helped tremendously. Your teaching method is so simple to follow”
What I have learned is phenomenal to say the least and native speakers are blown away that I speak with the degree of fluency I have achieved and speak “like them”.
The greatest compliment for me is are you from Panama, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and this from Central Americans…so thanks for getting me there / here.
-M Anderson (USA)
“When I go to Mexico, I know that I will be able to fully communicate”
Your program is an awesome one and I have learned so much.
I have taken so many courses and have always walked away more confused than before I walked in. With your course, I have been able to learn far more than I ever expected.
It is far easier than I ever expected and owe it all to you. When I go to Mexico, I know that with your course I will be able to fully communicate. Thank you so much!
– Lori-Ann Wojcik
“Best way to learn Spanish out there!”
I LOVE YOUR COURSES! They are the best way to learn Spanish out there! And I have tried many.
– Linda Sappington (California, USA)
“Your system works!”
I just returned from Honduras where I provide technical support to a medical mission team. After using your courses for the past few months I was hoping that my Spanish would be better than last year and after a few hours of getting used to the Honduran way of speaking I was delighted to find that I could communicate with our Spanish only drivers and others, at the stores, restaurants, and churches where we worked. (Your system works!)
I am now the guy who rides up front in the “micro bus” since “I speak Spanish” better than other team members. I have found your approach to be very effective. (Bola de Neive) I will continue to study in anticipation of another trip later this year. Thanks!
-Arnold LeMay (Kentucky, USA)
“I’ve never had such a dramatic success in my life”
My Spanish lessons are an important part of my day–we live in Costa Rica for 3 months of the year, and I am now able to communicate in an area where little English is spoken. I’ve never had such a dramatic success in my life. Thank you so much!
-Helene Hauser (Costa Rica)
“Your course has given me more confidence to speak the Spanish”
I now live in Spain for most of the time, and your course has given me more confidence to speak the Spanish. I realize your work is a labour of love, so please, please keep up the good work!!
-Barbara Deards (Spain)
“The Advanced Concepts puts the course way over the top”
I think the sequence of Bola de Nieve is outstanding, and the Advanced Concepts puts the course way over the top. Great Job!!!
-Eamon McColgan
“I studied several other courses and have found this is the only one that has helped me to actually communicate”
I live in Panama. I studied several other courses and have found this is the only one that has helped me to actually communicate, so thank you!
-Harreson Mayers (Panama)
“Bola de Nieve is by far the best Spanish learning method I’ve experienced”
Bola de Nieve is by far the best Spanish learning method I’ve experienced.
-Reg Jackson (UK)
“Our architect walked off the job and I was able to take it over right to the finished casa”
I love it I love it I love it, we just built a house in Mexico I would have been lost without your course our architect walked off the job and I was able to take it over right to the finished casa.
-Carol Romain (Mexico)
“It feels so good to understand and be understood”
When I came to Honduras to teach at a bilingual school, I didn’t speak any Spanish. I was very uncomfortable when I would go to town to go shopping. The language barrier really prevented me from having an impact in the lives of the people around me. But, after about a year of studying under you, I can communicate quite comfortably in this Spanish culture.
A turning point for me was conducting my 2nd quarter report card meetings with the parents of my 23 2nd grade students all in Spanish. It feels so good to understand and be understood.
-Golden Preciado (Honduras)
“Bola de Nieve is the best course I have ever found”
Bola de Nieve is the best course I have ever found, and I’m doing extremely well.
-Mikael Eriksson (Sweden)
“It doesn’t matter how old you are, with your method, any one of any age
can learn a language”
This course is helping me enormously. Learning another language was something I had always wanted to do, and even though we moved to Spain, I still didn’t think I could at my age. But with your method it doesn’t matter how old you are, any one of any age can learn a language.
I love how it makes Spanish so much easier to learn, I can at last go out with confidence and speak to my neighbours in Spain. Thank you.
-Sandra Mitchell (UK)
“Words or phrases in Spanish – are becoming instinctive”
Bola de Nieve has helped me to react quicker in Spanish. I often do not have to consciously think of the words or phrases in Spanish – many of them are becoming instinctive.
-Brian Murray (UK)
“Thank you for giving me the confidence to just go for it!”
I have been going to Tenerife on holiday for many years but have never really had much knowledge or confidence to try speaking Spanish. After completing Synergy Spanish and now working through Bola de Nieve I was eager to put my Spanish to the test!
On holiday in Tenerife earlier this month, I was delighted that I could order food and drinks in restaurants and converse with the locals, asking them questions about their lives and answering questions about my life. I even asked a local man for directions one day in the street – and was able to understand the reply!
I was complimented many times by Spanish-speaking people on my ability to speak Spanish! The Spanish people were delighted that I was making an effort to talk to them in their language and were eager to offer me advice when I went wrong.
In return, they were grateful to learn some Scottish colloquialisms which they could use to impress in their English conversations! Thank you for giving me the confidence to just go for it! Muchas gracias.
-Rhona McWalter (Scotland)
“I’m able to respond 85% quicker”
The methodology must have recoded my brain. I’m hearing and decoding the Spanish – and able to respond 85% quicker than I could at the beginning of December. Now, January 28, I converse with my Mexican neighbors and friends. By the end of March, I expect to be fluent enough to join Spanish speaking organizations, clubs and a Fashion Design Course. You have a terrific system that works.
-Luiza en La Paz (Baja California Sur, Mexico)
“I cannot believe how much Spanish I can now speak!”
Bola de Nieve is a great course and I am not only enjoying it, but cannot believe how much Spanish I can now speak! Thanks again!
-Aundria Humphrey (NY, USA)
“Don’t let anyone think age is any sort of a barrier to learning another language”
Me gustaría decir que he disfrutado de sus cursos muchísimo; Mi español se ha mejorado enormemente, gracias a ellos y usted. Ahora puedo visitar a mis amigos en Costa Rica, y sentirme mucho más confiado en mis conversaciones con ellos.
I would like to say that I have enjoyed your courses very much. Mi Spanish has improved enormously. Now I can visit my friends in Costa Rica, and feel much more confident in my conversations with them.
Eddie later added
I would also like to say that in a couple of weeks I shall be 74 years old…so don’t let anyone think age is any sort of a barrier to learning another language….especially with your unique method of teaching.
Many, many years ago I left grammar school with a GCE certificate “O” level in French, but I have never been able to hold a conversation in French; ….. as I now can in Spanish!!
-Eddie Simpson (UK)
“My Spanish tutor is amazed at how my command of spoken Spanish has come on in leaps and bounds”
My Spanish tutor is amazed at how my command of spoken Spanish has come on in leaps and bounds ( I have kept you a secret )and I thoroughly enjoy the confidence the course has given me.
-Charlotte Hodgson (UK)
“I’m 78. I hadn’t heard a word of Spanish until I turned 75”
I had been learning Spanish online for a year; I had even walked the Camino de Santiago for two months in Spain. My survival Spanish served me well and I could make myself understood, but I couldn’t TALK Spanish.
That’s when I discovered Synergy Spanish. It was a refreshing new window on learning. I worked my way through, I think, all the Synergy products and onto Bola de Nieve. I thank you for how you taught me to speak.
By the way, I’m 78. I hadn’t heard a word of Spanish until I turned 75. I could have, should have written this in Spanish. But it is, after all, our mutual idioma materna and I wanted to be sure that you understood just how happy I have been with all you have done for me.
-Barry Seedsman (Australia)
“Thank you for you fantastic methods”
Thank you for you fantastic methods. I haven’t gone wrong since I started.
-Lawrie Norton (UK)
“I can understand more and more when I listen to the radio”
Me encanta las lecciones de español.
Todos los días, paso 1 hora aprendiendo con Marcus. Las lecciones son muy interesantes. Cada mes es muy agradable recibir nuevas lecciones. También me gusta el precio, es justo.
Solo tengo 5 meses y ahora puedo hablar, leer el periódico y comprender más y más cuando escucho la radio.
Estoy muy contenta con este curso. El método de enseñanza de Marcus es definitivamente superior a cualquier otro.
Everyday I spend 1 hour learning with Marcus. The lessons are very interesting. Each month it is very enjoyable to receive new lessons. Also, I like the price, it is very fair.
I only have 5 months(studying) and now I can speak, read the newspaper and understand more and more when I listen to the radio.
I am very happy with this course. Marcus’ teaching method is superior to any other. Muchas gracias Marcus.
-Daniella Kennedy (Canada)
“I’ve had my mother in law home with us from Colombia and unlike last time she was here, we are communicating and laughing together!”
Your Synergy Spanish and Bola de Nieve systems have been Godsends. I’ve had my mother in law home with us from Colombia and unlike last time she was here, we are communicating and laughing together! Muchas Gracias mi amigo! Tu eres el mejor!
-Dr Tom Rifai (Michigan, USA)
“I am already speaking much more Spanish then many people who have been here for years”
I’ve been living in Spain now for 18 months albeit in a area populated by British ex-pats so don’t get to hear Spanish consistently as I would like. But I am already speaking much more Spanish then many people who have been here for many years. The course not only makes Spanish much easier but it is enjoyable as well.
-Derek Blevins (Spain)
“I had some Spanish speaking friends over this past weekendI was amazed at my ability to communicate with them”
I want to use this opportunity to tell you how very much I LOVE this program. I had some Spanish speaking friends over this past weekend and I was amazed at my ability to communicate with them.
-Carole Liantonio (USA)
“Thanks for rescuing us ordinary people”
Your system is amazing! It is so wonderful to be able to ENJOY Spanish, and not have to keep trying to wade through every fine point of the grammar, and pages and pages of verbs and tenses that are just totally overwhelming. Many thanks for rescuing us ordinary people who just want to speak the language fluently, – not do a university degree on the finer points of it!
-Yvonne
“Thanks for opening a world to me”
Today I had to call my phone company. The woman who responded began speaking to me in Spanish. I was able to keep up for awhile, and then told her I was still learning. She was amazed that I had no accent and that I had learned off of the net.
Marcus, I can’t tell you the thrill it gave me. And her assessment that I was correct and without noticeable accent is a tribute to your method. Thanks, for opening a world to me, and for making it possible for me to let others know that some Americans want to share their Hispanic language and heritage.
-Bob Carnes (New York, USA)
“After ten years – your course is the only one that has enabled me to speak with some confidence”
After ten years of lessons with many different teachers and twelve years of living in Spain, your course is the only one that has enabled me to speak with some confidence. I am very much looking forward to starting Advanced Concepts Intensive after completing Bola de Nieve.
-Alison Morgans (Spain)
“I couldn’t put a sentence together. Then I discovered your course”
I have been living in Mexico for a while now, but I am very house bound looking after young children. for months I was studying grammar grammar grammar… verbs verbs verbs… had a good list of vocabulary in my head…………… but I couldn’t put a sentence together. Then I discovered your course………. now its all coming together… many thanks…..
-Richard Waring (UK (living in Mexico))
“I just returned from two weeks in Cuba”
I just returned from two weeks in Cuba. I spent one week with my boyfriend’s family (none of which speak English) and they all told me that my Spanish was much improved from last year. They said I spoke and understood a lot more. That is all due to Bola de Nieve so thank you for that.
-Kathy Hogarth (Canada)
“Nobody can even come close to me in speaking Spanish”
I started Spanish with 24 other people in a one night per week class maybe 4 months ago and nobody can even come close to me in speaking Spanish because of your course, well done marcus and keep up the work your doing.
-Dara Keogh (Dublin, Ireland)
“The Advanced lessons are really, really good. Useful real world stuff, not textbook trips to the zoo etc”
The Advanced lessons are really, really good. Useful real world stuff, not textbook trips to the zoo etc
-Edward Moran (Arizona, USA)
“I THINK IN SPANISH””
I just finished the Bola de Nieve!!
I loved it and definitely have learned how to speak spanish faster and better than i expected.
It is actually other people who comment on my improvements in a very genuine and very surprised way :)))
By the way, one thing which is happening to me is that since the last 5-6 lessons on the course my interest in studying went way high 🙂
While I always was interested and always enjoyed the lessons, the compound effect of the ability to speak and to assimilate the data towards the end of the course really excites me, and I want to keep studying more than ever .
So, in basically 6 month, with a slow start , and being 60 years old, I now have no problem having conversations with people far above the level of just ordering coffee. While I make many, many, many mistakes for sure, people actually have long and meaningful conversations with me – I love it :))))
The thing which I think is most remarkable and supper important is , that no matter how bad I speak – most of the time I do NOT translate from English to Spanish – I THINK IN SPANISH –
Personally I suppose I will start dreaming in spanish after this next course :)) Who knows ??
Thanks for such a great product.
-Helmut Falsch (California, USA)
“It really works”
I am so happy with your course! It really works. Thank you!!
-Ray Andrews (New York, USA)
“Living in Mexico full time and so pleased to have your course”
Greatly enjoying Bola Nieve, learning a lot. Living in Mexico full time and so pleased to have your course monthly.
Thanks for this great learning experience, I love your teaching method.
-‘Jose’ Stevens, M.D. (San Miguel de Allende, Mexico)
“I was provided with extra food, free of charge!”
Having worked through several of your Spanish courses I am currently three quarters of the way through your Bola De Nieve programme. I wake up each day eager to learn more.
I am continuing to achieve my personal goals each day and this includes; daily practice, completing courses, speaking with native Spanish speakers (face to face and via the telephone), writing letters and e-mails, reading (hard copy and on-line material) watching and listening to on line multi media.
My original goal for wanting to learn Spanish was achieved in September 2013 when I visited the people who invited me to to contribute to a professional conference in Pamplona, Spain in 1998. This year I met with some of the people that orgnaised this conference. In addition my wife and I enjoyed celebrating our 40th wedding anniverssary whilst there. I was able to order food, buy tickets, ask for directions and converse with people in a multitude of public arenas. Even at our hotel next to Manchester airport (England) I was able to converse with the young waitress who came from the Nevarra region of Spain. Several time when discussing food, in Manchester and Spain I was provided with extra food, free of charge!
When I returned from my visit in 1998 I felt frustrated at not being able to communicate freely with the very friendly and interesting people I met. This time I felt really pleased and much more content. My wife and I are already planning to re-visit next year with a view to meeting up with more of the people I met back in 1998.
So thank you for your knowledge, skill and understanding that you have of the culture, language and of teaching people of all ages and from all walks of life. Throughout all of your courses I have not experienced the curse of procrastination and I am looking forward to undertaking your course for developing listening skills in Spanish after I complete Bola De Nieve in about four or five months time.
-Colin Westerman (UK)
“¡Creo que el sistema funciona muy bien! I think the system works very well”
Muchas personas me preguntan cómo aprendí español. Aquí está mi respuesta:
Empecé a aprender español hace dieciocho meses. Cada mes recibo lecciones por internet de un hombre australiano que enseña inglés y español.
Él vino a México para ensenar inglés. Conoció a su esposa allí (¡Ella es mexicana!). Él trató de aprender español de la manera tradicional con la conjugación de verbos y la gramática. Pensó que debía haber una mejor manera de aprender y enseñar español. De su frustración, creó el método que él llama “sinergia español”
¡Creo que el sistema funciona muy bien! ¡Estoy muy contenta con los resultados!
Muchas gracias, Nancy Neal
A lot of people ask me how I learned Spanish. Here is my answer.
I started to learn Spanish 18 months ago. Each month I receive lessons by Internet from an Australian man who teaches English and Spanish.
He came to Mexico to teach English. He met his wife there. (She is Mexican!) He tried to learn Spanish in the traditional way with verb conjugations and grammar. He thought there must be a better way to learn and teach Spanish. From his frustration, he created his method that he calls Synergy Spanish.
I think that the system works very well! I am very happy with the results!
-Nancy Neal (Texas, USA)
“They allow me to live in Spain, talk to the Spanish, converse with Doctors, Garages, Shops etc”
Your whole approach to teaching Spanish is quite simply ground breakingly wonderful – even if you have been going for some time. I have done the Synergy Spanish, Short Cut to Spanish, Bola de Nieve, Conversations etc. Found them all wonderful and they allow me to live in Spain, talk to the Spanish, converse with Doctors, Garages, Shops etc etc. The greatest bonus is the reaction of the Spanish to an Englishman speaking to them in their own language. It is friendly helpful and you can make new friends very quickly.
Quite simply – for the money (and even at any price) a wonderful tool to learn Spanish.
-Weeshus (Canary Islands, Spain)
“After ten years – your course is the only one that has enabled me to speak with some confidence”
After ten years of lessons with many different teachers and twelve years of living in Spain, your course is the only one that has enabled me to speak with some confidence. I am very much looking forward to starting Advanced Concepts Intensive after completing Bola de Nieve.
-Alison Morgans (Spain)
“The words just come out of my mouth without doubt or hesitation”
I had become very discouraged before I found your courses, because although the months of study went by, my ability to speak was not progressing. Now I’ve totally absorbed Module 1 and I’m looking forward to Module 2 and the rest of the course.
What I really like about your course that is so different from the other approaches I had tried is that I find that I can really use the Spanish that I’ve learned from you. In conversations with my Spanish-speaking friends, the words just come out of my mouth without doubt or hesitation.
In the week leading up to Thanksgiving it was really exciting to have real, complete conversations about how we each planned to celebrate Thanksgiving, where we were going, who was cooking, etc. That’s the first time that has ever happened in my life and it was quite thrilling.
Thanks for sharing your excellent methods.
Kathleen added these comments after completing module 4
“I remain energized and excited”
Here I go with Modulo 4 – Synergy Spanish 2 – Bola de Nieve. I remain as energized and excited as I was with the first free sample lesson where I encountered your wonderful teaching method.
-Kathleen Spracklen (Oregon, USA)
“The results are astounding! No bells and whistles,- just a simple , well crafted learning system that works for me!”
I live permanently in the Dominican republic and the need to learn this language is compelling! I reviewed all resourses included a live teacher here in the DR, and decided to try B de N mostly because of my good results with Shortcut. The results are astounding! No bells and whistles,- just a simple , well crafted learning system that works for me!
-Myrna Michon (Dominican Republic)
“I found myself discussing topics with them that I never thought I’d be able to discuss in Spanish”
I’d like to tell you about my experience speaking Spanish in Guatemala after studying two of your courses.
I started Synergy Spanish at the beginning of last April and then went on to Bola de Nieve. I completed both courses in ten months
I stayed with a family in Antigua, Guatemala, for six weeks.
For the first three days I wasn’t very fluent as these were my first face to face conversations in Spanish. However, on day four something just clicked and I started making very rapid progress. A few days later I found myself discussing topics with them that I never thought I’d be able to discuss in Spanish on this visit.
I was in Guatemala to help out at two school projects for kids from some of the poorest families in the country. At one school I was given the job of helping out with a survey of the school students being conducted by the school. I ended up interviewing 200 of the school students in Spanish and writing down their answers.
At the other school I was given the job of helping very small children whose first language was Kaqchikel and for whom Spanish was a second language. Some of them were struggling with reading, writing and arithmetic and I gave half a dozen children one-to-one tuition in Spanish.
-Ian Swindale (UK)
“Synergy Spanish has helped me beyond my wildest dreams. Now, I can talk to my Mexican friends, the gardener and my housekeepers”
About two weeks ago I decided to purchase the entire Bola de Nieve 1 mainly because I could not wait for a month to receive the next module. It has been one of my best life decisions to date and has also stemmed a frustrating series of attempts to learn Spanish as a retirement hobby. I started just over a year ago and began naturally with the community college courses, a few tutors and some week long intensives – the community college was a disaster and made me seriously question my ability to do this. I felt just plain stupid and considered packing it in (understand I have had three very accomplished successful careers) but this brought me to my knees. The tutors were marginally better (except some serious attitude problems “my way or the highway”) and the intensives were fun but everything I tried was based on the same model of language study. This is a good time to tell you how much I appreciate your rant in one of the email blasts about “traditional” language study. After a little more than a year at it, I still could not talk.
Synergy Spanish has helped me beyond my wildest dreams. Now, I can talk to my Mexican friends, the gardener and my housekeepers. I’ve received many compliments and my confidence is high (not afraid to make a mistake). And, it is just plain fun!
Synergy Spanish has helped me beyond my wildest dreams. Now, I can talk to my Mexican friends, the gardener and my housekeepers.
-Alison Morgans (Spain)
“Invaluable for reinforcing the memory”
A splendid course. I agree with others; I’ve tried various courses but yours is definitely the best.
The design of the course is particularly well thought out. What’s especially important is that themes, words and phrases are repeated from time to time, which is invaluable for reinforcing the memory.
-David Burnett (UK)
