"Since taking this course I am able to carry on small conversations with some of my Spanish speaking friends and I never thought I would grasp so quickly the ability to hold conversations in Spanish. The approach Lisa takes is fun.”- Ramon Simon, Chief Cardiac Graphics, St. Mary’s Hospital.

This Spanish class, Awaken the Spanish Within®, was most interesting, and practical. You made speaking Spanish fun and realistic.”-Ada L. Wilson, Probation Officer Department of Juvenile Justice

“Awaken the Spanish Within® has great methodology and was relaxed but focused learning.”-Art McKinney, President, McKinney & Company Architectural Firm

“I liked the interaction between students and teachers. Awaken the Spanish Within® moves along well and the amount of learning in a short period of time is impressive.”
Jack Murphy, Lieutenant, Chesterfield Police Department.

“The variety of voice tones, role plays and humor engage the total person and accelerates learning, and it’s fun!”-Jane Conroy, Executive Director ,VACAP

“The children have an increased understanding of the Hispanic culture and an openness to learn more. With a growing Hispanic population in our school and community, this will be helpful building friendships and acceptance of others. Another wonderful benefit was the pride felt and demonstrated by our current Hispanic students as their culture and language was the focal point of the school.” John L. Harding, Principal Pemberton Elementary School

I listened to my cd‘s on my way home from work. I have a 45 minute drive so I am getting extra practice. Although everyone that saw me on the road thought I was crazy or in pain. I an not do the friendly tone, questioning tone and sexy tone unless I make facial expressions to go along with them. I guess that is why they starred…and the man in the car next to me winked at me! I was sitting at a stop light, had just done a sexy tone and then glanced around…and there he was! I had a blast on the way to work this morning and can’t wait for the ride home!”-Carol Hartsoe, Virginia Department of Health

“The time passed so quickly. I used a part of my brain that was dormant for many years! I will apply the Spanish that I learned in speaking with parents, guardians, and adult victims whose English is poor.” Judy Melchiorre, Intake Officer, Department of Juvenile Justice.

I truly believe that most management personnel in the service industry will need to have a basic command of Spanish within the next 5 to 7 years to succeed in both securing and communicating with Hispanic employees. Additionally, the sales/marketing efforts of the service industry will certainly benefit from Awaken the Spanish Within® and be focused on a rapidly growing Hispanic community.” Tim McFarlane, Holiday Inns

“Since taking this course I am more comfortable with speaking to Hispanics. The approach Lisa takes is fun and exciting. It sticks with you and you can remember it!”
Debra Clary, Customer Service Representative, Bon Secours Health Systems Customer Service Center

“The approach Lisa takes makes putting words and phrases together easy and the class is fun. I am thrilled to be learning Spanish that I can use immediately! Kaye Carrithers, Public Health Nurse, Virginia Department of Health

I never thought I would be able to understand and remember so many words in Spanish!”
Zeeba Bankley, Microbiologist, St. Mary’s Hospital

“The approach Lisa takes is all encompassing, suing multiple learning styles. Participants apply the Spanish language immediately in spoken and written forms. I feel well equipped with the appropriate Medical terminology in Spanish to assist patients. This has helped my career by providing me with the Spanish I need to assist nurses and therapists in communicating with Spanish speaking patients.”
Linda Hill, Speech Language Pathologist, Sheltering Arms Hospital

“We are proud of you, the hard work you have done, and your contribution to the economy of the Commonwealth. We value and appreciate your friendship and are extremely pleased to see the many programs and accomplishments that the Spanish Academy & Cultural Institute is being recognized for.” Governor Mark Warner, Governor of Virginia

“I’m happy to report I found the Awaken the Spanish Within® instruction not only interesting, but also practical and geared toward the needs of those who want to develop some facility with the language quickly. I was amazed to realize that by the third week I could actually put together sentences about the cars and people I saw as I drove to work. By the end of the entire course our entire class was able to make brief presentations in Spanish about our lives and work.” Barbara Homiller, Director of Better Business Bureau

“The informative and interactive nature of the training was well received. The activity on cultural sensitivity and tips for communicating effectively with students of the Hispanic population were extremely helpful.” Deborah S. Andrew M. Ed.,M.A. CCC-SLP, Senior Speech-Language Pathologist

“I very much wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you once again for the outstanding job you did in providing “Survival Skills in Spanish” to our MBA class bound for Mexico this spring. The students found your approach highly stimulating, fun, and extremely effective.” Jonathan B. Wright, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics and International Studies University of Richmond, Virginia.

“The extensive lists of basic word patterns included in your manual emphasize the similarity of many Spanish words to the English equivalents. The basic grammar and class conversation drills built confidence for beginning Spanish speakers like me. The well organized manual and CD recordings we took with us following the course will serve as ready references to correct grammar and pronunciation. Thank you for an exciting and informative experience in foreign language study!”-Robert W. Jones, Member, School of Continuing Studies Alumni Association Board of Directors, University of Richmond