The Importance of Methods
I cannot overstate the importance of methods. Methods are the key to your learning process. You
must understand what you are going to do before you start doing it. So, with that in mind, allow
me to introduce you to the importance of methods in Spanish training.
• A learning process is only as good as the methods that are implemented.
• A teacher is only as good as the system that he or she uses.
• A student will learn only as well as the teaching method allows.
If I bought a "Spanish Language Course" at my local book store that had dialogues of "Gabriel and
Andrea in a burrito shop," that is exactly how good a teacher I would be and that is exactly what
you would learn. You would be able to order burritos, but you would not be able to negotiate a
business deal in Latin America.
Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of choosing a school based on pricing, location or
social environment. In fact, the first question many people ask when considering a language school
is, "Where are you located, when are your classes and how much does it cost?"
Sorry, amigo, wrong questions! A school should be chosen based primarily on methods because the
method will determine the result.
Learning is primarily about what you do, not where you are or who you are with, certainly not how
beautiful or nice is your teacher! The fact is that most teachers are great people. The problem is that
being great people does not make for great results; great learning systems make for great results.
There are two types of methods used by schools. They are:
• Learning Methods
• Logistical Methods
Learning methods include things like:
• How are memory systems developed and implemented?
• How and when should pronunciation skills be taught?
• How do you develop speech flow?
• How is grammar and structure most easily and comprehensively learned?
• How is comprehension developed?
• Should you be introduced to native rate of speed immediately?
• Should you learn in a dialogue based, immersion method or through a bilingual approach? Is
there a balance? If so, what is it?
