I've taken beginner classes and will be moving to intermediate with Live The Language. Nothing but good things to say about Deidre and Live The Language. She is a truly special teacher who you can tell loves language and knows so much about it's history (and film!). One time she taught our class with the begins of what turned out to be laryngitis (over Zoom of course) because she wanted to make sure we had class. And it was as perfect of a class as every night! So thoughtful of her students schedules. She's amazing and really makes for a joyful experience. It can be a bit intimidating, especially as a beginner, but the curriculum makes you feel comfortable! Doesn't throw you in the deep end too early. Classes right now are over Zoom which is perfect with Covid. I took a class previously with Deirde in person, pre covid, and I think the zooms today are just as good (and so much easier on working parents!) Also the class size is small (5‐6) so you get to know your classmates and lots of opportunity to pratice what you're learning. The class is structured to be lots of talking that is guided by Deidre and the written lessons. You do your reading and written work as homework every week on your own. One bonus is that she also gives you lots of fun recommendations of things to try in your spare time: games with music videos, other lessons to watch on youtube, things to listen to in your car if you're stuck in traffic. read more

I love Live the Language! Classes are capped at six students, so it's really personal. We spend a portion of each class just asking and discussing questions that are unknown to us before the start of class, so you get tons of time to practice talking on the fly. Plus, Deidre tailors the discussions to things she's learned about us personally, for instance asking how our dogs are, or whether a new job is interesting. Between classes, the written lessons introduce subjects at the perfect pace, and with explanations that only a native speaker or linguist can provide. Often, we learn how a word or phrase is different between different Spanish-speaking countries. This is something subtle that apps on your phone just can't do. Additional exercises are plentiful and well tuned to the week's subject. I've already recommended Live the Language to lots of people. It's smart, affordable, and personal. The format and instructor's attitude are perfect for folks with a job. Oh, and make sure to ask for a "guest lecture" from Deidre's mom, Kateri -- she's not afraid to tell you "how they actually say that." read more

Deidre is partial to children that don't mind sitting quietly for long stretches of time. If that is your child(ren), then she is a good fit. Our child likes to run and play and needs breaks. He also struggles with focusing. Deidre is not tolerant of that. If your child is not one of her favorites, she can/will use shaming methods. She also asked a group of parents and after school kids to sign contracts committing to finishing out the school year, but then she herself ended up cancelling the program, leaving many parents that work and had organized their schedules around her class stranded. read more

I'm so glad I found a Spanish "class" for adults that isn't part of a university. I took Spanish for several years back when I was in college but I was looking for something more inclusive, intimate and something that wasn't being graded. Plus, I'm at an age where I want to truly learn the language and be around others who want to learn too, rather than required to take it. I found all that and more working with Deidre. This is more of a group setting than a class setting. You speak in Spanish a lot which helps you get past that nervousness- the open and welcoming setting helps for you to speak the language in a more natural setting. You're given at home assignments to maintain your studies throughout the week. Deidre is patient and has a wealth of knowledge; not only with the Spanish language but also the culture and art. read more

I'd give 6 stars if I could! Learning Spanish with Deidre is great. You get right into conversational, useful everyday language right away. In months, I went from having virtually zero Spanish to being able to have conversations. It felt so empowering to vacation in Spain and be able to converse easily with the local people. My son took the immersive summer camp several times, and really loved it. The language he learned there really helped him once he started Spanish in middle school. Cannot recommend this teacher highly enough. The best! read more

I have learned so much since beginning my lessons. I started as a Beginner in 2020 and I am now taking the Intermediate class. We get a lot of time in class to practice speaking which helps me tremendously. The Zoom format makes it easy to attend class. Deidre is a kind and knowledgable teacher. She makes assignments clear and organized. AND it's fun! I highly recommend Live the Language. read more

So very grateful I found Deidre and Live the Language! She is a patient and knowledgeable instructor who doesn't hesitate to challenge you and make you work! These are good things! The meetings on Zoom are well-organized and the class sizes are small -- thus, plenty of time to practice speaking. There are weekly assignments, as well as lots of suggestions for supplemental learning. All fantastic and I can feel improvement in Spanish, my third language. I plan to continue to take classes with Deidre as long as possible. read more

Deidre is amazing! English is my 3rd language and I was so happy to have found a Spanish teacher who speaks multiple languages, including French to help me understand commonalities. I have been taking class since August 2022 and just graduated to intermediate level. I can already see a huge progress and confidence. Not only Deidre is great, but her home is incredible. From the minute you step in, you are in a Spanish immersion including the agua de Jamaica drink and different variety of teas and goodies she offers during class. Deidre has a big heart, she loves her culture and loves to share it with all of us. I'm happy to have found her class and all the incredible classmates. read more

Completed beginner and intermediate Spanish. Moving onto the next level. I'm able to keep up with a full time job and a new baby at home. It's definitely not easy but I'm learning a ton! read more

My husband and I have attended Spanish classes at Live the Language since February. Deidre is the best teacher one could ask for in a foreign language class. I have taken Japanese and Kiswahili in college, but by far she is the most patient and the most helpful teacher I've come across. She uses a textbook of her own, and she always corrects students' pronunciation and grammar in a warm, encouraging way. There is also a weekly happy hour time host by Deidre for students to practice hablando español. I highly recommend this class to people who'd love to learn Spanish. read more

I recently completed Intermediate I and plan to continue with Intermediate II. There's a lot of conversation in a small group setting, which really helps with learning and comprehension. read more

I've taken Deidre's classes for the past 3 years and absolutely love it. I've studied other languages in the past and her method is proven to work. She's very detailed and passionate about teaching. You won't be disappointed. She's extremely organized and very responsive. She offers many additional tools to help with the process and she definitely goes out of her way to ensure her students are getting what they need. -Antonia read more

I loved Deidre's Spanish classes, it was one of the best parts of living in Austin. My husband and I went every week for a year or so. The class size is small enough that you spend a lot of time speaking the language, but the small consistent group of people also makes it more fun and interesting (as we all know it isn't too enjoyable to have a conversation with yourself). Deidre is so knowledgeable of language acquisition that she creates her own curriculum and I found that very helpful. I've never been a text book person. This is a class where you can begin as a person who knows only common vocabulary words in Spanish and leave speaking sentences with ease and understanding the grammar. I would have continued until I felt like I was a fluent speaker but we had to relocate, and I haven't found anything comparable since. read more

Deidre is incredible. This is a great place to learn or improve your Spanish skills. She has created thoughtful content that challenges students while keeping it engaging and relevant. She knows how to evaluate your skill set and place you in a class of other similarly skilled students. I have really enjoyed my class mates and have made several new dear friends. Highly recommended. read more

Live the language is a great alternative to a classroom setting. Deidre and her family make you feel at home and strive to include all her students on as many activities as possible. I will say that since it is not a typical classroom/ test taking setting, it takes some self motivation to complete the homework and keep up with the lesson plans. If you follow the lesson plans then the class is really interactive and engaging. read more

This is a great language course!! I signed up for this class because I speak Spanish well, but over the years I have lost a lot of vocabulary and fallen out of practice. I found myself in situations where I understood everything but couldn't respond as quickly or as naturally as I used to. I've been in her class for 3 months and I'm already able to speak Spanish so much better. She is very organized and plans each lesson with a mix of vocab, reading comprehension, grammar drills, and discussion about current events, work, etc. Without this course having any sort of specific focus on my industry, I am better equipped to speak Spanish for my job. She's all around great and a wonderful teacher. I definitely recommend this class. read more

I love Deidre and feel so lucky to have found her program! I have taken a year of classes with her and have learned so much. Her curriculum is fast paced, but logical and steadily builds on itself so you have a solid foundation. The classes are entirely in Spanish and you get lots of practice speaking in small groups and mastering each topic and verb tense. I'm already looking forward to another year and proving that you can learn a new language at (almost) 50! My son also spent a couple of weeks with Deidre and her family in a summer camp this year. He had a wonderful time and a good introduction before he starts Spanish at school in the fall. Deidre made the environment fun and exciting with songs, yoga and food. He's a typical kid with lots of energy and we had no problems with him being able to participate and enjoy the classes. I loved the songs that were sent home with us to practice, along with daily lessons to keep. I would highly recommend Live the Language to anyone in Austin who is searching for a comprehensive immersion experience. If you want to love learning a new language and not feel like you are stuck in a class conjugating verbs under fluorescent lights, then this is the program for you. read more

I recently completed the adult "Beginner I" class session with Deidre and Live The Language and would highly recommend this program to others looking to learn Spanish. The live (virtual) classes provided great accountability and coaching from Deidre and enabled practice with others learning. In addition to weekly classes, Deidre provided lessons, exercises, and additional resources to support self-study. I finished the session with a strong foundation of Spanish grammar and vocabulary and look forward to completing future sessions to master fluency. read more

I am so glad I found LTL! The classes are sized small so you are able to get a lot of dialogue practice in and are able to easily ask questions as they come up. The classes are also very welcoming, no need to worry about feeling intimidated here! Deidre is an incredibly patient and kind teacher. No matter what level you are at, she will work with you to ensure you are digesting the lessons as you go. No one gets left behind in her classes! Def highly recommend! read more

Deidre is the best Spanish teacher! My two children have attended Deidre's summer camp for many years and they loved it. We where happy that she was able to do online Summer camp. I highly recommend Live The Language!!! read more

Being a little introverted, I was leery of a group class where I'd have to talk (ineptly!) in Spanish. But a few months ago, I took the plunge, and now I look forward to Deidre's class every week. She is patient, cheerful, and alert to each student's needs. She assigns a lot of homework (but doesn't flunk you if you don't complete it : )) . The homework is well-organized and clear. I'm having a wonderful time. read more

Deidre is an exceptionally gifted teacher and a warm, generous human being. If you are serious about learning to speak Spanish, her small classes are a great answer. Her focus is on conversational Spanish and she will have even the most novice student forming full sentences in no time at all. I just completed a 20-week course for Beginners and it was worth every penny and all the effort I put in. Knowing how to speak, listen to, and read Spanish is such a door opener and Deidre's positive, kind approach to teaching the language makes it possible to learn at a steady but advanced pace. Her immersive classes will keep you on your toes in the best of ways. I plan to return to Live the Language for more coursework in 2021 because I can see my future self speaking freely with friends in Mexico. This will take more dedication and practice from me, and more guidance from someone who genuinely loves teaching and helping her students share in the culture. read more

I've been learning Spanish for about two years, ever since I began seriously dating my now-husband from Peru. I initially started using private tutors but realized that I wasn't learning or getting the opportunity to practice speaking nearly as much as I'd like. I found Deidre's classes through Yelp and realized later that I have a friend who also took classes from her. And I'll tell you this - stop looking for anyone else now and sign up for one of Deidre's classes. She's incredible and in the six months I've spent with her, my speaking confidence and ability has increased tenfold. My husband loves that I come home each week knowing new phrases, idioms and vocabulary. He has remarked time and time again how much he has seen me grow since beginning to study with Deidre. Her classes are purposefully small and built of students at similar levels, which I appreciate as it makes me feel more comfortable speaking and learning how to listen. It's obvious Deidre has put a lot of time, effort and energy into building her curriculum and is very thoughtful about the way new concepts are introduced and practiced. She also clearly cares about her students and takes an active interest in their lives while finding ways to make the Spanish language applicable to them. She isn't going to be the most inexpensive option in town, but it is well worth it. You won't find another instructor that puts as much time, energy and care into teaching a language. read more

I started looking for a Spanish class a couple months ago because I work with children who are native Spanish speakers. I found Deidre at Live the Language after a few weeks of research. I'm so glad I decided to go with her! She was kind enough to let me try out a class to see if I would like it and I was pretty much sold. As a beginner, a lot of things are new to me and pretty challenging, some plain make no sense. However, Deidre is very patient and she takes the time to explain and answer any questions I have. I don't feel like a complete moron when I make a mistake either! She is very encouraging. The classes are pretty small so you get one-on-one time with her, which is really important to me. She makes her lessons fun, and this is the part I freakin' love - we get to practice what we've learned outside of class during Happy Hour! All her students (of various levels) gather at a restaurant and we speak Spanish the entire time; we order in Spanish too. I really love going to class, and amazingly, as hard-headed as I am, I've been able to use what I've learned so far and be understood by native speakers. read more

Thoroughly grounded and native fluent in both languages, including grammar; Diedre is dedicated to teaching. I feel my work in acquisition and comprehension is producing results. I always look forward to every class. read more

Deidre's Spanish classes are the highlight of my week. Deidre offers a highly interactive and well prepared lesson plan, with the perfect balance of free conversation, vocabulary expansion, and grammar. Additionally, Deidre loves to share her beautiful and fascinating Mexican heritage with us. I truly enjoy expanding my knowledge of Latin American and Mexican culture through reading famous Latin American authors together, discussing current events, and learning about the diverse customs throughout the region. I can't imagine a more fun and interesting way to improve my Spanish! read more

I've been taking "Live the Language" Spanish with Deidre for the past 8 months. It's been a great experience. There's nothing like learning a language in a small group in someone's home -- NOT in a large, sterile classroom where you don't get individual attention. Classes are difficult and there's a lot of homework (sometimes TOO much:)), but it's worth it. Two months after starting class I landed in a hospital in Peru (long story) where no one spoke English. I was able to converse and communicate thanks to what I learned at LTL, and am grateful I'm continuing to learn more!!! read more

Deidre is the best Spanish teach en todo el mundo! You can tell right away that she genuinely LOVES what she does and she truly cares about her students! I was scared and apprehensive about taking the classes at first, but so glad I finally decided to give them a chance. One of the best decisions I have ever made. I'm shy about speaking in front of people I don't know, but Deidre made it easy and makes everyone feel comfortable. The classes are worth every penny. I can now communicate with my fiancee's grandmother and that's something you can't put a price on. Learning Spanish and being bilingual has always been a dream of mine and because of Live the Language, I know that is going to happen now. read more

I've been learning Spanish for a little over a year now, and I have taken classes with 4 different teachers. Deidre's classes have been the most fun because her class sizes are small, focused on conversational Spanish and also because she is a super interesting person who has a lot of interesting experiences to share. She also organizes socializing events for her Spanish students - happy hours and movie nights , which are good opportunities to make some new friends to practice your Spanish skills on. In my opinion, Live the Language is the best Spanish learning program in Austin. read more

Deidre is truly a gifted teacher. She loves her work and is endlessly patient, yet gently and effectively challenges her students to understand and conversationally use verb forms, sentence structure, a naturally expanding vocabulary, and highly useful idioms. I have been a student of Live The Language for most of 2012, and both my speaking and writing skills have increased enormously. Deidre is also a warm and fascinating person, whose grandparents were friends of Frida Kahlo and Diego Riviera in Mexico City during the 1940s and 50s. Her bright and delightful husband Marshall is an author and chef, whose presence contributes to the lively and genial nature of the classes. From time to time, he creates and serves an astonishing gourmet meal to those of us laboring over the Spanish language. Live The Language deserves and receives my highest recommendation, read more

I love Live The Language so much. Deidre is an intelligent and patient teacher. The reason I love her classes so much is because she teaches you not just language, but culture as well. She teaches you common idioms and phrases that immerse you more into the Spanish language. She lets you know certain differences in words and phrases across different Spanish-speaking countries as well. Also, she gives you a wealth of outside TV shows, podcasts, and reading materials to help you ignite your passion for learning. I saw my Spanish improve drastically in just a couple of months. The classes are small and intimate so you have more one on one time, and you do not get lost in a sea of students. Outside of class, you get the opportunity to speak Spanish in a more casual restaurant setting with the hora feliz! So fun :) I cannot recommend Deidre and Live The Language enough! These classes changed my life. read more

I signed up for the first level of classes with Deidre to try and learn Spanish for the hundredth time. I've tried a lot of different things to learn Spanish from vocabulary apps and Spanish books to Rosetta Stone. Nothing left as big of an impression on me and improvement to my skills as Deidre did. (I was able to have entire conversations in Spanish with my parents for the first time!) I am grateful for Deidre's patience and kindness as a teacher. The holistic approach she has in unmatched and I was able to build structures in my head that made sense as an adult to begin re-learning the language. The class size, homework, and all the extras (Netflix recommendations/happy hours) made all the difference. I had to push the pause button on classes, but I am looking forward to the day I get to rejoin her program and continue on the Spanish language journey. read more

A fun class in a charming house filled with beautiful Mexican folkart! Live the Language teaches language in context while studying intense grammar and vocabulary. But the best part is getting out of one's comfort zone and speaking a lot of Spanish with an expert guide to encourage and guide you. I feel like I am totally getting my money's worth! She also serves delicious tea and has little nibbles out to add to the social atmosphere of the class. Just try it! read more

I had the pleasure of taking Deidre's spanish class for the past 3 years with Live the Language. The class is perfect for all levels of Spanish fluency and allows for personalized attention. The class is structured so that everyone has ample opportunity to practice their Spanish skills thoroughly. Deidre is patient, fun and intelligent. You will love the stories you share in her class and learning the Spanish language and culture. I highly recommend this class for everyone. - Veronica Jaime :) read more

My daughter has attended the Live the Language Spanish immersion camp every summer for the last 5 years. She loves this camp. In fact, she says it is her favorite summer camp! Deidre and Marshall make learning the language natural, relaxing, and fun. And my daughter raves about the food they make for second breakfast and lunch -- ¡qué rico! read more

I would recommend this class to people who are interested in an in-depth, grammar focused, college level program that moves at an accelerated pace. Lots of outside written homework to complete. read more

This Spanish school is one of the great treasures of Austin! Deidre's advanced class has helped me gain fluency in conversation, improved my vocabulary, fixed my grammar, introduced me to new Spanish authors and newspapers, and deepened my knowledge of Latin American and Spanish culture. A typical class starts with Spanish conversation, which is usually very fun as friendships develop in such a small class of only 3-4 people. Deidre, very helpfully, stops conversation to correct our mistakes and review a rule, or explain a piece of vocabulary (I have never had a teacher who does this so effectively). After conversation, we review the week's lesson, and practice using the rules contained therein. Then we discuss whatever literature or newspaper article we were assigned to read for homework. On top of that, Deidre incorporates fun (usually food-related) activities throughout the course-for example, a gourmet Mexican dinner. I was a language teacher myself for a few years, so I appreciate the fine pedagogy Deidre employs. But, the best part of the course is having contact with such a brilliant, knowledgeable (Deidre is a native Spanish speaker, and also fluent in at least four other languages), passionate, kind, and interesting teacher. I now look forward to Thursday nights just as much as the weekend because the lessons are so fun, interesting, and engaging. I can't recommend this school enough (and I tried others before I found this one). It is truly a cut above the rest. read more

An advert on KUT led me to Live the Language and to Deidre. My friends and I tried her introductory offer for a free class and we were very impressed. We continued as a Spanish class for over one year and we learned more than I ever could have imagined. Deidre is a natural teacher. Her enthusiasm is contagious and she immerses you in both the language and the culture. She is the best prepared teacher I have had, and I came to her after trying 3 other teachers who were not as prepared or as challenging. Deidre is both challenging and patient. My progress with Deidre as my teacher was way beyond my previous attempts to tackle Spanish. I will definitely take class with Deidre again. Live the Language is a family business that includes the extra added bonus of her husband Marshall's cooking, and her mother's cultural expertise. I give Live the Language 5 stars. read more

Woohoo! As good as it gets! as Yelp would say. My wife and I just completed our first semester with Deidre, and as someone with a background in adult education and instructional design, I could not be more impressed or pleased with the course. Deidre structures the course around adult learning principles, focusing on our need to learn things logically as opposed to the way children learn language. That in and of itself is valuable, but on top of that, the material is well-organized, the instructor (Deidre) is always well-prepared, and it strikes a perfect balance of challenge (not too difficult, not too easy-- WAY not too easy if you slack on your homework!). Possibly the best element of the course is its flexibility; I got the sense that Deidre accelerated or slowed down the learning curve based on her sense of how quickly or slowly we were absorbing the lessons. She's a talented teacher and I would recommend this course (any of her courses) to anyone looking to expand their linguistic horizons. PS she taught me at least one swear word, that was pretty cool read more

I learned of Live the Language on the high recommendation of a friend. I have taken Spanish lessons for about 12 years from a variety of instructors, and Live the Language is the BEST. The first meeting with Deidre where she assesses your level is free, and for me, this was about an hour. This attention to detail & dedication is evident in all of Deidre's teaching. Deidre's preparation, materials, energy & teaching style are just wonderful. She makes learning Spanish fun. Her homework assignments are just enough to keep me learning, but not so much I get discouraged. She is fluent in both Spanish & English, and in addition to grammar, I have learned a lot about the culture of Spanish speaking countries. Deidre is patient & thorough. She makes an effort to pair up students according to interests and ability. I feel very lucky to have found Live the Language! I look forward to every lesson. read more