I have a basic knowledge of Spanish having taken classes for years, on and off, at different institutions. I wanted to up my game and really nail Spanish! I signed up for Spanish Over Coffee in January 2014 and have been faithfully attending classes, finding native speakers to talk to each week, and reading books or watching Spanish TV too. Now, a year later, I'm in the graduating class! I love the progress I've made and it's been relatively easy and certainly fun! My instructor, Odile, is a phenomenal teacher! She has great ways to remember things -- when to use "por" vs "para" and preterit vs imperfect. She makes each class fun! And the owner of Spanish Over Coffee, Gena, sets up "experiences" that help us interact with each other and with native speakers outside the classroom. Going to the market is AWESOME! How fantastic it is! I highly recommend this course so long as you are committed to really learning real Spanish. You get out of it what you put into it. So sign up and get started!! (below I wrote my review in spanish!!) Tengo comprensión básica de español habiendo tomado clases por años, de cuando en cuando, en instituciones diferentes. Quería mejorar mi nivel y convertirme a un experto! Me inscribí en Spanish Over Coffee en enero 2014 y he estado asistiendo a clase, encontrando personas de Mexico, y también leyendo libros y viendo la tele en español. Ahora, hace un año, estoy en la clase graduada! Me encanta el progreso que he hecho y ha sido relativamente fácil y divertido! Mi maestra, Odile, es una maestra fenomenal! Tiene maneras muy efectivas para hacernos recordar cosas españoles -- cuando usar las preposiciones "por" vs "para" y el pretérito vs imperfecto. Y la dueña, Gena, crea "experiencias" para ayudarnos a interactuar una con el otro y con hispano hablantes afuera del cuarto de clase. Ir el mercado es impresionante! Que padre! Lo recomiendo Spanish Over Coffee cuando estes comprometido a aprender español autentico. Salir todo lo que pones. Regístrate y empieza! read more

I began Spanish Over Coffee with the intention of just learning rules and vocabulary to speak better Spanish. However, it was evident from the interview and placement session that this course would take a decidedly more aggressive direction. Spanish Over Coffee forces you to step outside of your comfort zone in learning a language - you can't simply read a book or use a computer program - you have to step into the culture of a new language by talking to those who speak it. There are cultural ideas and idiosyncrasies that shape how language is used; there are dialects and intonations that you can only hear by listening to another person. It took me a while to shake off the insecurity of talking to strangers in a new language. However, I feel confident in using the tools I learned from the class and now I'm okay with asking for help. People love to help you learn their language, and I've found that this applies outside of language as well. It's easier now for me to open up to strangers and colleagues and ask them about their history and background - most people are more than willing to share. Since the program I have found many new shops, foods, and Spanish activities that had previously been 'off limits' in my head. I feel more comfortable speaking and have been told that I speak very good Spanish by native speakers. I'm not fluent yet, but now I've found that I have formal teachers in Spanish Over Coffee and informal teachers everywhere in the world. read more

I started this class brand new to Spanish and I am so thrilled at how amazing Spanish Over Coffee is at making the Spanish language so accessible. After going to the first information session I was hooked. The teacher, Gena, is so vibrant and makes coming to class feel like I am getting together with old friends. Her system of teaching is centered around not only learning Spanish is the classroom, but bringing it into your daily life. Gina provides her tools (or herramientas in Spanish) to used daily. She is understanding of a busy schedule but will also push you to try your hardest to succeed in the goals you set. After finishing my first 10 week beginner round of classes I was so proud of my progress. I went backpacking in Costa Rica and was ordering food, buying souvenirs, asking directions, even talking to a police officer at a highway check stop - All in Spanish! I already registered for the next intermediate class. I highly recommend this program. Go now to sign up for the next information session. There are classes for any level of Spanish speaker, whether you are like me and never took a class in your life or you just need the added confidence to bring your Spanish knowledge to your daily life. Join Spanish Over Coffee TODAY! read more

My time in Spanish Over Coffee (SoC) has been invaluable. I entered with an introductory to intermediate level of reading and writing, a novice level of speaking, and an almost nonexistent level of understanding spoken Spanish. By the time I reached the 8th week of my first semester with SoC, I had a Venezuelan coworker refer to me as bilingual. I hadn't even finished the class yet! One of the main tools of SoC is "creating" language, which encourages you to create opportunities to speak. Because of this, I've created a Spanish Lunch at work for native speakers and people learning Spanish to eat together, build new relationships, and develop our language skills. Speaking Spanish at work and in my everyday life has opened up a whole new world of people, places, and opportunities, which allow me to experience a new culture and even parts of of my own hometown that I've never had the chance to interact with before. SoC has given me the tools, confidence, and energy to continue to learn and speak Spanish throughout the rest of my life. read more

Two month after my husband, Shoichiro, started learning Spanish from Gena at Spanish over Coffee, we made a trip to Argentina. Thanks to him who spoke wonderful Spanish, the trip was just fantastic! Actually I was very surprised to see him actively communicating with Argentineans in Spanish. He used to be shy and never dare to talk to people on the street. And I supposed he would hesitate to speak Spanish until he would become confident in his Spanish. So, I felt like I was witnessing new version of my husband. The most wonderful thing was he obviously enjoyed chatting with people in Spanish! Although he struggled to understand what they said and to make himself understood, he seemed to enjoy getting over the difficulties!! Every time I witnessed such impressive scenes during the trip, I said "thank you Gena!" hoping that she could hear me. She taught him not only Spanish, but also the way of connecting people. read more

My experience at Spanish Over Coffee has been wonderful. Prior to enrolling, I had wanted to start the journey to learning Spanish for years. I am a lawyer and many of my clients speak Spanish as their primary language. I wanted to be able to communicate directly with my clients and other Spanish speakers I meet in everyday life. I am so glad that I found Spanish Over Coffee. Gena creates a fun, positive and comfortable environment that encourages participation and engages her students. I am currently enrolled in my third 10-week session and am amazed at the progress I have made. This is a great way to learn Spanish. I've spent a lot of money and this is truly some of the best money I've spent. read more

Spanish over Coffee is a strong compliment for anyone wanting to learn or enhance their conversational spanish. The class inspires you and persuades you to embrace the language. The class offers great tools for any beginner or someone who has had any intro to spanish. I highly recommend the school. I work in an environment where many employees speak spanish, and they have asked me where I am learning my conversational skills, and I tell them it's called "SPANISH OVER COFFEE!" One of my non-speaking spanish colleagues is even considering joining the sessions.. Very Worth it if you are needing to learn or brush up on your spanish for quick results. read more

I was pleasantly surprised by the warm atmosphere & familial bonds that were created during this class. Unlike most languages courses, Spanish Over Coffee was filled with organic conversations and an teaching that meets the needs of individuals. Gena is fabulous and knows how to bring clarity to different language barriers- both grammatically and personally. She challenges you to step out of your comfort zone and grow confidently in your speaking ability. You are guaranteed to leave with a better understanding of yourself and a great improvement in your own personal Spanish. I would recommend it to anyone who asked for an impactful Spanish experience! read more

Great instructor with a very positive approach to learning Spanish. Gena is at her best when the class becomes a guided conversation with students using their language tools to ask for prompts when needed to communicate. I joined the intermediate class after a nearly 20 year break from studying Spanish. This was the perfect way to refresh, but I can imagine the approach also being great for a beginner committed to doing the outside conjugation/vocab study. For the intermediate level, Gena moves fast enough to keep higher performing students engaged, but also provides the support necessary to keep other students moving in the right direction. read more

I wanted to learn how to "speak" Spanish and not just re-learn the things I learned in Spanish class in high school! I found Spanish Over Coffee and at first I thought - what an odd name for Spanish lessons. IT'S PERFECT! What better way to SPEAK Spanish than at a coffee shop! It was a learning experience that brings the language to life and allows me to use it every day. Learning in life rather than just a classroom has made all the difference for me. If you want to really SPEAK SPANISH, I highly recommend this refreshing approach to learning. read more

I cannot emphasize enough how effectively Ms. Scurry's methodology is at absorbing Spanish. The algorithmic rules of language learning are subtly instilled with this approach to produce a rapid and firm foundation in Spanish. After spending a year in Mexico, I can tell you, the Latinos by and large LOVE IT if you make a go at talking to them in their language. I have not attended the course because I live in the wild, but utilizing the Spanish Over Coffee kit with friends is most effective and considerable fun. This is as good as it gets! read more

Gena and her program are fabulous! Love her energy and passion for the Spanish language, as well as for teaching others! In her classes you will learn some awesome tools that will really take your knowledge to the next level (no matter what level you are on to start) and help you develop even after the classes end. My Spanish knowledge grew considerably after just a few classes. On top of the learning you will have so much fun with Gena and other classmates! So worth it! read more

This is an excellent program for someone who is already almost fluent in Spanish or for someone like me, who was not. I wanted to learn to speak Spanish and am on my way to doing so. The instructor, Gena, is wonderful and actually makes learning Spanish fun. Her enthusiasm and positive outlook helped me get over the frustration of learning a new language. read more

The teachers at Spanish over coffee have been wonderful. They assess your level of ability and then group you with similar people. I have become friends with my classmates and my proficiency has improved by leaps and bounds! read more

Gena is a totally dedicated, experienced teacher with a hands-on, immediately productive approach accessible to everyone. She makes language learning fun and motivating every step of the way. read more