What's so effective about Speak Our Language programs?

The experience.
How and what participants learn.
The ability to actually communicate in Spanish!

Just wanted you to know how much I enjoy class. Yesterday, I was dreading going because I was not prepared. I don't like not being prepared! But, as usual, class was fun and enjoyable. You are an integral part of that good feeling that I have. I always leave there feeling more refreshed than when I arrived... Today, someone asked me what I pretend -- I pretend that I am speaking Spanish fluently. It is my hope!
–Kathie C. (Level 2 Student) March, 2011

I did it!  I had to speak to a parent and she was speaking broken English.  I was able to communicate to her in Spanish where and the time to pick-up her daughter.  I wish it had been easier, but I am making progress! [On a side note, the parents did come to pick up their daughter in the correct location so Anita’s Spanish was spot-on!]
-Anita Collins, Hilliard City Schools Transportation Department Coordinator  January, 2011.

I was in Colombia. I can tell that my Spanish has improved from my last trip. I can talk on the phone now and make plans in Spanish. I couldn't do that before. Thanks so much for your help. The Halloween parties (rumbas) were a blast.
-Steve, aka "Esteban" Lieber (Intermediate 2 Student) via iPhone November, 2010.

Soy Feliz estar a mi casa. Costa rica es muy Bonita y muy divertido. Gracias por tu ayuda con mi espanol...It was awesome that I could help everyone on the trip... thanks so much, everything you have taught me made our trip loads better, and made me look cool.  Plus I was the one that got to talk to all the senoritas all the time!
-Dan, aka “Daniel” Malin (Intermediate Student) September, 2010

[My instructor] is a great tutor. I love her style and I actually think I'm getting better in speaking. She said I was anyway. Ella es muy amable. I'm a little more comfortable speaking than I was initially thanks to [her]. It's beginning to sink in what I was doing wrong. I'm learning to take baby steps in constructing sentences. She is very encouraging not to mention patient. Que tenga un buen fin de semana.
-Linda M. (Advanced Tutoring Student) March, 2010

"We are very much enjoying the lessons with [our tutor].  I think she is doing a good job of starting with where we are, which is in possession of much more vocabulary, grammar, etc. than we are able to use with fluency.  She provides a good mix of writing, speaking, listening.  She is challenging, and that’s what we need.  This is exactly what we have wanted to have for a number of years." 
 -Theresa Early. February 24, 2010

“The New York Times Company’s VOCES Latino Heritage Network’s partnership with Speak Our Language has been invaluable in bringing Spanish Language instruction and culture to the Company. Fallon Plazas and Tonya Tiggett are excellent facilitators who create a fun learning environment. Employees with little to no previous instruction were able to speak Spanish by the end of the first class.”
- Myra Limson (HR Specialist, The New York Times Company) December, 2009

Hola Tonya,

Muchas gracias para el clase de espanol de la escuela de Sedalia. Me has ayudado mucho.

From start to finish, this was a fantastic experience. I am so grateful for all you have taught us, for your great patience, and for your willingness to come all the way to our school. I know we all felt the same, that it was a really great class and an extremely positive experience. I cannot say enough about Speak Our Language. I've made different attempts to learn a few languages over the years, but this is the first time that I have come away from a class feeling confident that I have enough knowledge to hold a conversation. I am excited to have the opportunity to speak to parents in the fall when school starts. This has brought us a good step closer to bridging the gap that we know exists with many of our students' families. We are seriously wanting to continue on with the next class in the fall, and I know Dee is going to be in touch with you about that. I would love to see it through as far as I can go with it. My husband is a pastor at a church in Reynoldsburg, and my side goal is to be able help interpret with the free clinic that they run monthly, and at least at this point, I feel I can at least greet the families and help them feel more comfortable. And I'd really love to some day be able to hold a Bible study all in Spanish! (I know it's a bit ambitious at this point, but maybe one day!)

Again, many thanks for what you've done for us. I've told my husband, my parents, friends...anyone that I've talked to...in 4 years of undergrad and another 3 years of grad school, plus various other classes here and there, this is by far the best, most fun, and most productive one I've ever taken. Can't wait for the next one!Muchas gracias! Usted esta una profesora muy excelente!
- Kim Richardson (Sedalia Elementary School) June 18, 2009

“I highly recommend working with Tonya Stalnaker-Tiggett! She is a consummate professional and has built an outstanding company with boundless potential! I had the pleasure of receiving Spanish language refresher courses through her company. Working with Speak Our Language, LLC is an absolute must for anyone who is serious about learning, improving, and mastering Spanish! I trained with Speak Our Language, LLC and all expectations were consistently exceeded. The instructor I had was exceptional at gauging my abilities, capitalizing on my strengths, and helping me focus on where I need improvement. I also enjoyed the emphasis on conversation and practical use of Spanish which was very unique. This kept the courses exciting, challenging, and interesting. The customized approach was extremely beneficial and did an outstanding job in reigniting my passion for the Spanish language!”
- Mark McGrath. Investment Wholesale Banker. Tutoring Client.2008