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Our
levels
 Our
program is composed of 9 conversational belt levels
ranging from white (complete beginner) to black
(ultimate Spanish master). The ranks are useful
for monitoring progress and matching you with students
of comparable ability.
A
brief evaluation, completed within the first three
sessions, ensures that you are assigned the correct
belt level. After the first three sessions you are
ratified on your belt level or recommended a change
to a different level. When you surpass the minimum
standards assigned to the next belt level on all
variables considered, congratulations! You are granted
a new color belt.
Language
delivery requirements
The
following table lists the standard minimum language
delivery requirements to assign each of our conversational
color belt levels:
Language
Delivery Requirements for
Beginner Spanish Belt Levels
|
| |
White
Belts |
Yellow
Belts |
Orange
Belts |
| Command
of Spanish speaking dynamics |
None |
Speaks
with script in front. Needs
prior preparation. |
Speaks
going back and forth to script. Needs prior
preparation. |
| Spanish
Verb usage while speaking |
None |
Knows
and uses well phrases such as Yo como
(I eat), Yo estoy comiendo
(I am eating), and Yo voy a comer
(I am going to eat). |
Knows
and uses well phrases such as Yo comí
(I ate) and Yo comía
(I used to eat), along other phrases from prior
levels. |
| spanish
Vocabulary usage while speaking |
None |
Limited
to most common verbs, nouns and adjectives. |
Limited
to common verbs, nouns, adjectives and most
common adverbs. |
| Spanish
Pronunciation |
Non-Spanish
accent |
Good
pronunciation of vowels. |
Good
pronunciation of syllables. |
| Understanding
of others' speeches while listening |
None |
Limited
understanding of slow-paced
speech. |
Good
understanding of slow-paced
speech. Limited understanding
of regular-paced speech. |
| Speed
of conversation |
N/A |
Very slow. |
Slow. |
| Command
and usage of Spanish grammar rules while speaking |
None |
Sentences
use subject, verb and object, and time expression |
Sentences
use up to two verbs and two clauses. |
Language
Delivery Requirements for
Intermediate Spanish Belt Levels |
| |
Green
Belts |
Light
Blue Belts |
Navy
Blue Belts |
|
Command of Spanish speaking dynamics |
Speaks
without looking at script. Needs prior written
preparation. |
Is
able to improvise. Establishes good
eye contact during entire conversation. |
Is
able to improvise. Establishes very
good eye contact during entire conversation. |
| Spanish
verb usage while speaking |
Knows
and uses well phrases such as Yo comeré
(I will eat), and Yo he comido
(I have eaten), along other phrases
from prior levels. |
Knows
and uses well phrases such as Yo había
comido (I had eaten), Yo habré
comido (I will have eaten), Yo
estuve comiendo and Yo estaba
comiendo (I was eating), and Yo
estaré comiendo (I will be eating),
along other phrases from prior levels. |
Knows
and uses well Spanish phrases such as Dudo
que el coma (I doubt that he would
eat) and Dude que el comiera
(I doubted that we would eat), Si yo
fuera,... (If I were ...),
Yo comería (I would eat), along
other phrases from prior levels. |
| Spanish
vocabulary usage while speaking |
Includes a good balance of
verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs. |
Includes a very good balance
of verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs. |
Includes an excellent balance
of verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs. |
| Pronunciation |
Good
intonation. |
Very
good intonation. |
Excellent
intonation. |
| Understanding
of others' speeches while listening |
Excellent
understanding of slow-paced
speech. Good understanding
of regular-paced speech. |
Good understanding of regular-paced
speech. Limited understanding
of fast -paced speech. |
Excellent
understanding of regular-paced
speech. Limited understanding
of fast -paced speech. |
| Speed
of conversation |
Medium-low. |
Medium. |
Medium-high. |
| Command
and usage of Spanish grammar rules while speaking |
Uses
well indirect object pronouns. |
Uses
well direct object pronouns. |
Uses
well reflexible pronouns. |
Language
Delivery Requirements for
Advanced Spanish Belt Levels |
| |
Purple
Belts |
Brown
Belts |
Black
Belts |
|
Command of Spanish speaking dynamics |
Is
able to improvise. Establishes excellent
eye contact during entire conversation. Observes
good command of facial expressions
and body language. |
Is
able to improvise. Establishes excellent
eye contact during entire conversation. Observes
very good command of facial
expressions and body language. |
Is
able to improvise. Establishes excellent
eye contact during entire conversation.
Observes excellent command
of facial expressions and body language. |
| Spanish
verb knowledge and usage while speaking |
Knows
and uses well Spanish phrases such as Dudo
que el este comiendo (I doubt that
he is eating), Dude que el estuviera
comiendo (I doubted that he was eating),
and Yo estaría comiendo
(I would be eating), along other phrases from
prior levels. |
Knows
and uses well Spanish phrases such as Dudo
que el haya comido (I doubt that he
had eaten), Dude que el hubiera comido
(I doubted that we had eaten) and Si el hubiera...,
yo habría comido... (If he had...,I
would have eaten....) along other phrases from
prior levels. |
Knows
and uses well Spanish phrases such as he
estado comiendo (I have been eating),
había estado comiendo
(I had been eating) and habré
estado comiendo (I will have been eating)
along other phrases from prior levels. |
| Spanish
vocabulary usage while speaking |
Includes an excellent balance
of verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs. |
Includes
industry or activity-specific jargon. |
Observes
high command of country-specific jargon. |
| Pronunciation |
Excellent
intonation. |
Excellent
intonation. |
Excellent
intonation. |
| Understanding
of others' speeches while listening |
Excellent
understanding of regular-paced
speech. Limited understanding
of fast -paced speech. |
Excellent
understanding of regular-paced
speech. Good understanding
of fast -paced speech. |
Excellent
understanding of regular-paced
speech. Very good understanding
of fast -paced speech. |
| Speed
of conversation |
Medium-high. |
High. |
Very
high. |
| Command
and usage of Spanish grammar rules while speaking |
Medium-high. |
High. |
Very
high. |
Ascending
through the belts requires accumulating Spanish
tutoring session time to hone your skills. Purple
Belt, for example, requires the successful completion
of 16 hours. In addition to successfully completing
the required hours you will need to pass an examination
and meet minimum score requirements to move up to
the next belt. Six tracks of varying weekly hours
are available to help you gather tutoring session
experience at the pace most comfortable for you.
LEARN
ABOUT OUR SPANISH EMPHASES
Washington
DC, Maryland, Baltimore, Virginia, Bethesda, Rockville,
White Flint, Silver Spring, Fairfax, Falls Church,
Vienna, Baileys Crossroads, Alexandria, Frederick,
Ellicott City, Columbia, Bowie, Annapolis, Crofton,
Richmond, McLean, Denver CO
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