Join us for small group Spanish classes!

We provide fun, interactive, research based Spanish language instruction. Virtual and in-person options are available.

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Foundations

Mission

Our mission is to empower learners of all ages to achieve their language goals by providing a dynamic, passion-driven, play-based, and research-based Spanish language learning experience. We strive to create a learning environment that encourages exploration, experimentation, and creativity, and that supports learners in identifying their personal passions and integrating those passions into their language learning journey, whether they are children or adults.

For our child learners, we recognize that play-based learning is especially important to foster engagement and motivation. We aim to create a safe and supportive learning environment where our young students can develop their language skills through interactive and fun activities that are designed to stimulate their curiosity and creativity. Our approach to teaching Spanish to children also emphasizes building cultural awareness and appreciation, helping our young learners to connect with the Spanish-speaking world and its rich diversity of people, customs, and traditions.

Through our commitment to evidence-based teaching strategies and ongoing feedback and evaluation, we aim to provide the highest quality Spanish language education that fosters a lifelong love of learning and a deep appreciation for language and culture. Our goal is to inspire and empower our learners to become confident and effective communicators in Spanish, and to facilitate their growth and success both personally and professionally, now and in the future.

Courses Develop Practical Spanish Competencies That Lead to Lifelong Advantages

Multilingualism is the ability to speak more than one language. Studies show that multilingualism is associated with lifelong benefits including better performance on cognitive tests, the ability to communicate across cultures, a competitive edge in the job market, and may have a protective affect against some neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimers. Research also clearly shows that acquiring a new language is easiest while young, and that children acquire language best through social interaction in the target language.

Conversational Skills

At TCLA we embrace a learning environment that will offer today's students the opportunity to acquire the competitive advantages of multilingualism. Our classes place a special focus on the development of practical conversational Spanish competencies. Our research informed, play based approach draws from children's culture in both the US and other Spanish speaking countries to foster cultural awareness and the conversational skills necessary to play and form friendships with other Spanish speaking children. We also discuss and foster an awareness of regional variations of Spanish and compare that to more formal school-variety Spanish.

Experienced in Homeschool Education

Our founder Nicole Horton is a local homeschool graduate who went on to obtain degrees in teaching, language studies, and sociology. She has lived, studied, world schooled, and homeschooled her own child both abroad and locally, and she brings passion and enthusiasm to her classroom. She has developed a research-based Spanish program that promotes passion-driven education, social learning, and draws on her degrees and experience teaching in formal and informal homeschool and public school settings. She is also an approved vendor with charter schools across California!

Teaching Philosophy

As an educator of Spanish as a foreign language, my teaching philosophy centers on empowering learners through passion-driven, play-based learning that is grounded in research-based strategies. I believe that people learn best when they are intrinsically motivated, actively engaged, and have the opportunity to explore their own interests and goals within the context of learning the Spanish language.

Passion-driven learning is particularly important when teaching a foreign language, as learners are more likely to be motivated to learn when they have a personal connection to the material. As an instructor, I strive to create a learning environment that supports learners in identifying their passions and integrating those passions into their language learning experiences. I encourage learners to explore their interests and to use those interests as a way to deepen their understanding of Spanish language and culture.

Play-based learning is also essential to my teaching philosophy. I believe that people learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning process, and play-based activities provide a fun and engaging way to achieve this. I strive to create a safe and supportive learning environment that encourages experimentation, risk-taking, and creativity in language learning. By incorporating interactive games and activities into my teaching, I can create a dynamic and engaging learning experience that fosters a sense of curiosity and wonder while practicing language skills.

Finally, I am committed to using research-based strategies to inform my teaching practice. I stay up-to-date with the latest research in language acquisition and adult learning and incorporate evidence-based strategies into my teaching whenever possible. I also seek feedback from my learners and use that feedback to continually refine and improve my teaching practice.

In summary, my teaching philosophy for teaching the Spanish language is centered on empowering learners through passion-driven, play-based learning that is grounded in research-based strategies. By creating a learning environment that supports exploration, experimentation, and creativity within the context of Spanish language and culture, I can help my learners achieve their language goals and reach their full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at nmhorton303@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What are your qualifications?

I hold a BA in language studies with a concentration in Spanish from the University of California - San Diego. I have taken specialized courses in topics like child language acquisition, allowing me to incorporate research on optimal language learning for children into my teaching style. I also have an AA in teaching from Delta College and a master's degree in sociology from the University of Toronto. I have practical experience raising my child to be fluent in Spanish despite that we are the only two Spanish speakers in our family, and I work with children from dual language immersion schools, in an advanced, full-immersion class. Additionally, I have lived, studied, and worked in Argentina, regularly visit Mexico, and immerse myself in the culture during extended stays. As a former homeschooled student myself, I currently homeschool my own son and have founded an educational non-profit for home-educating families. I have long term and varied experience with teaching, starting in 2009 when I taught in an after school program in k-5 schools in low income neighborhoods. I have also have experience as a private tutor for homeschool and public school students where I have taught pre-k through 12th grade students across all core subjects. I have also taught university undergraduates in sociology.

Are you a native speaker?

I am not a native speaker, but I do incorporate materials from native speakers in my classes. There is a widespread misconception that native speakers are always the best choice for teaching children their language. However, that's not necessarily true. Many families with native-speaker parents struggle to teach their children Spanish, not because they don't want to, but because speaking a language doesn't automatically make someone an effective teacher. In fact, learning a language from a non-native speaker can have numerous benefits, including:

Pronunciation: Non-native speakers often possess a deep understanding of the challenges and nuances of pronunciation. They can share insights into the difficulties they faced while learning and offer strategies to overcome those challenges.
Cultural insights: Non-native speakers bring unique cultural perspectives that may not be readily available from native speakers. They can offer personal experiences and provide a different lens through which to view the language and its associated culture.
Relatable learning journey: Non-native speakers can empathize with the struggles and frustrations learners face because they have experienced similar obstacles. This empathy makes the learning process feel less intimidating and more relatable.
Language learning tips: Non-native speakers have often navigated the learning process themselves and can share effective strategies, resources, and techniques they found helpful. They can provide specific advice tailored to the needs and challenges of non-native learners.

Where do you hold your classes?

I hold virtual classes via Zoom as well as in-person classes at an indoor location in Galt and an outdoor location in Lodi. Please message me for more specific details.

What types of language courses are available at The Chrysalis Language Academy?

We offer a variety of language courses, including intensive courses, group courses, private lessons, and online and in-person courses.

Join us for small group Spanish classes!

About Me