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Dear Gents:
After a long time lurking on the WSG Forum, I have decided to take a trip to Argentina.
I would like to combine our mutual hobby with some Spanish language learning. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good, legitimate Spanish language school in Buenos Aires or elsewhere in Argentina?
Thank you in advance for any recommendations. I need to learn Spanish, plus I need a little "plausible deniality" -- however slight -- for the Thai wife.
Traveling J
If you want inexpensive, try "I.E.S. Lenguas Vivas" at Carlos Pellegrini 1515 in BsAs, phone 54 11 4322 3992. I cannot speak about the school from personal experience, but a friend told me the classes are "okay" and cost $400 pesos for 4 weeks, 4 hours per day, 5 days per week. Compared to other schools with high internet visibility, that is an excellent price point. The last time I checked, I.L.E.E. in BsAs was charging U$D 200 per week for the same number of hours of instruction.
University of Buenos Aires also has a really good program for foreigners. In fact, it's called "Espanol para Extranjeros".
Cost is about the same as Lenguas Vivas: 570 pesos per class, whether it's the normal class (4-hrs weekly for 4 months), the semi-intensive class (8-hrs weekly for 8 weeks), or the intensive class (16-hrs weekly for 4 weeks).
You can get more info at the school's web site:
[url]http://www.uba.ar/internacionales/est_extranjeros/idioma.php[/url]
good luck...
Yos
Thanks, guys! Both of your posts were very helpful.
or in any Spanish speaking country, I found this website to be an excellent resource: [url]http://www.123teachme.com/[/url]
I thought I knew most of the language schools in Buenos Aires until I looked at this website. Students rate the schools and the ratings seem fair and objective. I've attended schools in Spain and Peru and I agree with the rating of those schools on this website.
I attended IBL located on Florida St. It's a small school and a good value with good instructors.
I attended ILLE last August for three weeks. The classes were four hours a day and I found them to be both educational and intense. The instructors were all well qualified and I had three different ones over the time I was there. They will not speak any English to you or allow you to speak English unless it is the only way to communicate the point. There was some homework (written) as well. There were a number of college students attending in different classes, but I had no more than two other people in my class. The price was about $200 US per week, but I don't know how much the other schools charge. I will probably go back this August for another three weeks or so unless I find a better deal. I tried to return for two weeks in Feb, but it was last minute and they didn't have my level class available. They did give me a certificate for a free week when I paid in advance, but asked me to not broadcast that to the other students.
I attended ILEE for four weeks earlier this year and had a similar experience. Class sizes were 4, 2, 1, and 1. Two weeks of a private class have sold me on the benefits of personal instruction so I'm going to to just do private lessons next time. One drawback to ILEE is that private classes are only offered in the afternoon.
I'd really like is to be able to take lessons over the Internet from somebody in BA using Skype. The classes were good but the minute I got home, I started to forget what I had learned.
I assume the Argentine Spanish schools teach "vos" instead of "tu." The vos form threw me a bit when I was in BA since that was not what I had studied or used in other countries. In addition to vos and using a J sound for LL instead of a Y sound, what other Argentine Spanish differences are there?
[blue]Hi Felipe,
I thought the double "LL" in Argentina was pronounced like an "S"?
Thanks,
Jackson[/blue]
[QUOTE=Felipe]I assume the Argentine Spanish schools teach "vos" instead of "tu." The vos form threw me a bit when I was in BA since that was not what I had studied or used in other countries. In addition to vos and using a J sound for LL instead of a Y sound, what other Argentine Spanish differences are there?
[blue]Hi Felipe,
I thought the double "LL" in Argentina was pronounced like an "S"?
Thanks,
Jackson[/blue][/QUOTE]Not exactly a J or an S, I guess. More like the sound of the "su" in pleasure. Maye a slushy J or SH.
"Vos" is actually "you" in latin not Catellano or Espana. Although I sure as hell am not a linguistic expert. Not to disagree with Jackson, but "ll" and "y" are pronounced like "sh". I know this because the accent is difficult and not to sound ignorant, but almost annoying, because it is different from Latin America and Espana, thus difficult for learning purposes. Chau.
But is exactly like the su, actually more like just the s, in pleasure not like sh in shyster at all.
zh not sh. Zho may zhamo el Toro Rrrro-ho.
The Argentines do not use vosotros as well. Every where I have been in Argentina they understand "tu" as well as "vos", but you are correct it really gets some interesting looks when you use it in other Spanish speaking countries. One thing is for sure, I sound like a 4 yr.old when I try to speak Spanish, but at least I am trying.
ZH is a good way to write it I think. And they do use "vos" in place of "tu" for the familiar second person singular in Argentina. Vos tenes (accent over the second e) instead of tu tienes. It confused me when I was there a while back. "Vosotros" is the familiar second person plural and is hardly ever used anywhere (except maybe in parts of Spain).