Ratings and Comments for Habla Ya Spanish School, Boquete Campus
- More language schools in Panama
- Return to the Spanish Language Schools Directory
Student ratings for Habla Ya Spanish School, Boquete Campus
Overall Ratings:
Evaluation from rcouzens:
Evaluation from ebm1284:
I headed to Panama with two goals: to see a new part of the world and to improve my Spanish language skills. After two months I returned to California having gained much more than I anticipated. Like many of the students at Habla Ya language center, I considered my choice to study in Boquete fairly random – I searched “Latin America spanish school” and left the rest up to Google. However, the more students like myself I met, the more I realized that the decision was not random. We all chose Habla Ya because the high quality of the school becomes clear from the website. The professionalism of the site is backed up by the immediate response applicants receive from the staff, by the attention to detail of the directors, Julio and Carlos, and by the school’s great location and facilities. Having studied at other language schools in Panama, well as in intensive language courses in the US (at Cornell and Dartmouth), I can attest to the quality of Habla Ya’s teachers and methodology. My courses were always at the appropriate level of difficulty and focused around my priority of improved conversational skills. In addition to practicing Spanish, I climbed Panama’s highest mountain, rode horseback through Dolega farmland, relaxed in the waterfalls of Santa Fe, snorkeled in turquoise water in Bocas del Toro (not to mention the beaches and island nightlife…), and saw the sights of Panama City. Finally, as a young female traveling alone I felt comfortable and safe having Boquete as my home base while exploring the country. Panama is a beautiful place with so much to offer. Whether your goal is proficiency in Spanish or just a week of introductory classes I promise you will not regret including Boquete and Habla Ya in your travels!
Evaluation from CMDANIE100:
No question that spending 3 weeks over the summer of 2013 at Habla Ya was a GREAT investment - in me, my husband, and my kids. We all learned MUCHO espanol. Wonderful, funny teachers. They can help you find housing and activities in the area as well.
Evaluation from Francisco:
I spent two weeks at Habla Ya in Boquete, Panama in September 2010 during which time two teachers worked with me. Over the last several years I've spent some of my vacations at different language schools in various Central American countries. I found Habla Ya and its teachers to be one of the best, if not the best language school, I've attended. The facilities are attractive but for me the high point has been the teachers who are well qualified and experienced. Also worth mentioning, I was the only student at my level at Habla Ya and they provided me with one-on-one instruction at the group price rate. I enjoyed the school, the excellent teachers, and Boquete. Frank
Evaluation from beachmt010:
I studied at Habla Ya for 11 weeks and I can't explain how much it helped me with my Spanish. I had taken 2 years of Spanish in college but had lost most of it over the past year. I can honestly say that I learned more in 11 weeks at Habla Ya than I did in 2 years of University Spanish. The teachers were wonderful, positive, supportive, and patient. The staff is very helpful and they are almost looking out for your best interest. I do not have other language schools in Central America to compare it to but I do believe it is probably one of, or if not, the best!
Evaluation from doedae:
I can only recommend the Habla Ya school. I had a great time and improved my Spanish a lot. Everyone at the school is very friendly and helpful. Especially the private lesson helped me a lot to improve my language skills.
Evaluation from crystalth0mas:
Hi everyone! If you are thinking of going to Habla YA! in Boquete, stop thinking and just go! It was an incredible experience for me. I was in the beginner four hour/day classes with an awesome teacher Araliz. She was always well prepared and helped me achieve my language goals in the short period of time I had. I was scheduled to stay in Boquete two weeks, but I was having such a great time and learning so much I stayed an extra 10 days. Not only do you get to learn Spanish, but you make friends right away. The school also has planned events such as island boat trips and dinner with the students. If you are travelling alone, you will never feel lonely as all the teachers and students are so friendly and nice. I can't wait to go back for a visit!
Evaluation from Brendan:
I studied Pimsluer for about a year and when I got to Panama I could hardly say a word in Spanish. After a month in Habla Ya to my amazement I was able to speak and have a conversation!!! I loved the school. The people at the front desk are warm and really helpful and they always made me feel at home. My teacher Janeth, Arelis and Erica were fun, funny, kind, interesting and always inspired me. Carlos at the front does a great job of being a friend in a true sense and organizing event. I was there alone and there was always plenty to do at night and on the weekends. In short Habla Ya was one of the most amazing learning experiences of my life. Brendan Roberts L.Ac.
Evaluation from amberlaw4:
I studied at Habla Ya for 2 weeks during the summer of 2010. My teacher, Araliz, made me feel very comfortable and pushed me to learn the vocabulary quickly. Even after two weeks I felt comfortable having a basic conversation with people and could conjugate comfortably in the present and past.
Evaluation from michaelvsteijn:
¡My Habla Ya Experience! When i arrived at Spanish school Habla Ya i immediately knew, this is great! After I had passed the oral test with results as conversational level B1 i went looking for my classroom, my Spanish teacher and my new classmates. Ismenia Perez, my teacher for the first weeks of my group 4 course, had a very professional and motivating way of teaching, alongside a piece of essential grammar we mainly played a lot of games and we held many conversations to not only learn Spanish but to actually use it. My second teacher Arelis Mendoza has also become a good friend, I have had several Spanish teachers in the past but the personal attention and the way of teaching from the teachers at Habla Ya have an unprecedented level, i never expected to develop my Spanish as quickly as i did in just a couple of weeks. In addition, this small town is THE place to practice your Spanish, you'll have to because few people will understand your English, add a stay with a local host family and an immersion in the Spanish language is complete. Now anything other than Spanish lessons ,...... Boquete! Imagine a small, lovely and cozy town, hidden high in the mountains of Panama with an eternal spring climate that makes everybody smile, greener than green, an oasis of peace while an adrenalinebomb for those seeking an Eco-adventure. People that welcome you with arms wide open, world-class coffee hand-picked by Ngöbe Bugle Indians in the cool mountains in the area, the chance to spot the resplendent Quetzal and to meet friends for life make it the perfect Spanish study location for me. During the Spanish classes, the traditional Panamanian dinners, the hikes through the mysterious mountains, lazing on the most tropical islands, gliding through the treetops, rafting Panama's wildest rivers, (made possible thanks to the organizational skills of Habla Ya's tour department), I often realized what a privilege it was to be able to study with this excellent Spanish school, and I wondered whether there might exist a better place to learn Spanish in Latin America.
Evaluation from arenita12:
Best Spanish Language School in the World! I loved every minute of my time at Habla Ya! and I miss it every day!
Evaluation from quercusagrifolia:
I am having a wonderful time at Habla Ya Spanish School and in the beautiful town of Boquete! I traveled to Panama with the intention of learning Spanish, for personal reasons and to prepare for graduate school where two languages are required. I have been extremely satisfied with the classes and the preparation that Habla Ya has provided. Currently I am in my third month at the school. I was at the school for two months, left, and then decided to return again because I enjoyed it so much. Having taken private and group of 4 classes my abilities with the language have increased exponentially. This is in no small part due to the professional curriculum and to the skilled teachers. During my time here I’ve had the privilege to have Gustavo, Yaira, Malkidia and Leydis as my professors. Each one of them has been an excellent teacher. Qualities that they have all shared are patience, kindness, good humor and a wonderful ability to get me speaking and writing Spanish correctly! Thank you so much teachers! The Habla Ya community is a pleasure to experience. Everyone who works there is quite amiable and incredibly helpful! Any time myself or other students I was with needed assistance with anything, whether regarding school or not, someone has been there to help us, many times going out of their way to do so. If you are looking for a big city experience I wouldn’t recommend Boquete. If you are looking for a beautiful location in nature, smaller town experience, and the ability to feel like you are in community, than I would recommend Habla Ya and Boquete to you. The schools many social activities and excursions into the beautiful surrounds help to provide for an abundance of things to do. Staying with a local family also helps to build friendships and learn the language. My host family is wonderful people and now good friends. If you get a chance to go, I whole heartedly recommend Habla Ya! I hope this review helps. Good luck finding the right place for you ☺
Evaluation from valerie:
Cuando llegué a Boquete a Habla Ya me sentía como en mi casa, porque las personas son muy amables y abiertas. Aquí podemos hablar de todo con todas las personas porque son sociables. En la escuela, cada semana hay diferentes actividades para los estudiantes, y para descubrir la provincia de Chiriquí. El clima es siempre bonito por la mañana, y algunas veces por la tarde llueve. En Boquete por la noche está Zanzibar, un bar donde los estudiantes se reúnen y pueden disfrutar juntos. En mi clase somos solo 2 estudiantes, y estudiamos con el profesor Christopher C. con él aprendo bien con facilidad porque su manera de dar el curso es chevere. me encantan sus clases . estoy feliz con habla ya .
Evaluation from santojack:
Only had 4 hours available, but Minerva made sure that it was a full 4 hours and that I got what I wanted out of the session. The school is very professionally run and Minerva was fantastic. I can't wait to come back.
Evaluation from heytess:
Wow, looking at these six things : Value for the money, facilities, accommodations, program quality, student friendly, and fun factor, I could not give any less than five stars on all of them! I had such a great time in Boquete. It was my first time outside of the United States. Although I was scared, I would not trade my experiences for anything!! I had a great Panamanian family, and a great teacher, Minerva while I was there. The classes are small, mine was only two people, and Minerva was very helpful and patient, and always so much fun. Habla Ya is one of the best experiences I have ever had, and Panama is a great place to visit. I would encourage anyone learning a language or just vacationing to go to Panama!
Evaluation from panamahog:
My overall experience has been entirely positive. Over the past year I have had 6 different teachers all of whom have been professional and friendly. I especially have benefitted from my recent teacher la Senora Minerva. Habla Ya provides not only a wonderful encounter with the spanish language but also with the local culture and area of Boquete. Sincerely, Smitty
Evaluation from Makarena:
I studied Spanish at the Habla Ya Language Center during one month and all I can say is that it was AMAZING! The teachers are all professional and very motivating. They know how to mix education and fun. I felt completely comfortable from the very first day. Before I went to Habla Ya, I was always scared to speak Spanish in public, but now I have the confidence to speak it all the time. I would definitely recommend this school to anyone that wants to learn Spanish in an exciting atmosphere in the beautiful city of Boquete in Panama!
Evaluation from trikepilotlance:
I just finished a 60 hour course, 2 hours a day, three days a week at HablaYa. I am a new arival to Boquete and want to be able to converse with the locals as a matter of respect and facillity of needs. I can not speak to the schools living accomodations, as I had my own arrangements. Every person I encountered at Habla Ya, whether teaching staff or otherwise could not have been any friendlier or helpful. They also offer many social activities to enhance and expedite the classroom learning experience. I would like to especially give a shout out to my professora, Ismenia Perez, for her dedication and patience and her constantly adapting teaching skills that cater to the needs of all students and their different language skills level!
Evaluation from Chara:
I have been having lessons at Habla Ya for a few weeks now and I was quite impressed with the school organization and how professional and friendly the employees are. Teachers are easily approachable and provide students with the right level of motivation. Minerva was one to make a lasting impression with her experience and easiness to meet specific students needs.
Evaluation from LMW009:
This is a great school to take a foreign language, everyone including teachers and staff are great. LMW
Evaluation from ArcoIris173241:
I studied Spanish at Habla Ya for three months and the entire experience was fantastic! All the staff are extremely professional, skilled, and friendly. Habla Ya arranged my pick up at the airport, found great accommodation for me, and made sure that I was happy with all aspects of my life in Boquete. Lorena, the school’s director and Guadalupe always offered me assistance to ensure that my learning experience and my entire stay in Boquete were a success. I signed up for three months of group classes (four hours a day, five days a week) but was fortunate enough to enjoy six weeks of private classes, since Habla Ya only matches students who share exactly the same language level. I greatly enjoyed my language classes. There was always a perfect balance between grammar, written practices, conversation and interesting reading. All my teachers were extremely skilled and knowledgeable about language instruction and always created a light environment conducive to learning a language in an enjoyable manner. I studied with profesora Yaira for four weeks and I had great fun during our classes. Yaira has a great sense of humor and always keeps classes light and playful. Every day she would bring a new text or newspaper article and allow me to summarize the content and then discuss the subject – a great way of reinforcing new vocabulary. I also greatly enjoyed the games we played that encouraged me to discuss different topics and express my opinions regarding any subject. I studied with profesora Mónica for seven weeks and she is just such a gifted instructor. Mónica is funny, kindhearted, extremely patient and simply an amazing teacher. She kept me motivated throughout, tirelessly corrected mistakes that I kept making over and over again, and explained complex grammatical structures in the most straightforward and understandable way. I especially enjoyed the practices she used to reinforce the grammar, since those practices always included useful new vocabulary and taught me to express myself in both formal and informal ways. I arrived in Panama with some knowledge of the Spanish language and by the time I left I was able to have meaningful conversations with my Panamanian friends, discuss any topic from global warming to equal rights and read newspapers and magazines. I can highly recommend Habla Ya to anyone who would like to learn Spanish in a fun environment with excellent teachers and great learning tools!
Evaluation from felixbremen:
I had a fantastic time at Habla Ya in Boquete in march 2010. I was there for 2 weeks, which was way too short :) I stayed at Rosmarie's family during my time there. That was the perfect combination of learning spanish in school and having some chats at home with the lovely family. I made two spanish courses in Germany, but you can't compare that with an spanish school in a spanish speeking land. I had a great time at Habla Ya! In the first week my teacher was Ismenia. That was great fun, because she is very funny person and she allways combines learning from books with talking about private stuff. And there is no better way to learn with some fun. In the second week my teacher was Araliz. Unfortunately it was semana santa and we just had three days together. I really enjoyed the time with Araliz. I was her only student in that week and so she spend some time with teaching me vocabulary that i could use especially for my job. My company exports tools to latin america and so she showed me a catalog from a building center in David. That was really helpfull for me and it was great to get such an individual program. I spend only 2 weeks at Habla Ya and i learned so much there. The vocabulary i learned there is still in my head and i can use the word pool i learned anytime. I can really recommend Habla Ya and also Panama as a country. I will come back to Panama for sure!
Evaluation from linsimpson:
After a few weeks at Habla Ya Spanish School, I feel confident and very courageous. Feeling comfortable when speaking to people in country is important when traveling. The staff and teachers at Habla Ya are professional, caring and dedicated to helping students learn Spanish. My teacher, Minerva, has a big smile and always has fun, interesting lessons. Terrific experience! Linda S.
Evaluation from tylerx2:
Habla Ya makes learning spanish a joy. Our teacher Minerva is THE best teacher I've ever had
Evaluation from Becky7474:
Our teacher Malkidia Garcia was so patient and so fun. It was a joy to learn with her. All the staff is friendly and helpful. We live here in Boquete and will be going back next year.
Evaluation from Dorkboy1:
I would like to thank my profesora, Malkidia. She had the patience with the entire class, to get us the knowledge that we required to advance our Spanish abilities. Thanks to her, I can now communicate with others, in Spanish. ( I'll beit, a little crudely ) I have found that the most important thing I have learned is the Spanish alphabet. Once you know the pronunciation of the letters of the alphbet, pronouncing and reading words is so much easier. Also, oral comprhension is increased. ( I think this was the key to learning more ) Malkidia, kept the class involved and didn't let anyone fall behind. The class was fun as well as informative. She gave us free reign to take our conversations to where we wanted to go. This kept our interest and involvement in the subjects that we covered. All in all, I enjoyed my expierience in Habla Ya, and will return for an advanced class, later on. Once again, my thanks to Malkidia Garcia and Christopher Clark. ( Muchos gracias, mis profesores ) Ken Campeau
Evaluation from cruzdancerz:
As new residents of Boquete, we wanted to immerse ourselves in learning the local language. HablaYa has been the perfect place! It is challenging up to our personal limits, yet the feeling of accomplishment is very rewarding. Instructor Rubén has adapted our classes to meet our learning styles, and provides us a wealth of information on the local culture. He patiently explains the nuances of the Spanish language, and doesn’t laugh too loudly when we butcher his language! :-) There are myriad activities available to the students, from hikes to hot springs to movies to salsa classes. HablaYa values the needs of its students, has a stable of caring instructors, and carries out its mission with dignity. We’re glad we signed up for the experience.
Evaluation from hanna_123:
My experience at Habla Ya Spanish School was great! I came to Panama to learn a little bit Spanish but it turned out to be so much more than that. Not only was my host family great and the town Boquete amazingly beautiful but also the teachers at Habla Ya were awesome. The teacher that I ha most classes with was Minerva. Her classes were always so much fun. As one oft he more experienced teachers at Habla Ya, Minerva has great teaching skills and is at the same time such a nice person. Personally, I was never bored or felt pressure in class. Whenever I didnt feel like doing a lot of grammar we would just talk about privat life or een go and have coffee. And she never lost her patience with me so I could take my time and study at my own pace. During my time at Habla Ya we became close friends. Whenever I needed help with something she and the other teachers were always there for me. It was not unusual that students and teachers would also spend time together after school. Minerva took me and my classmate to watch a movie, or go and take a walk around town for instance. What amazes me still is that at the same time she could be so professional, and such a good teacher. I improved my Spanish skills a lot while I was at Habla Ya Spanish School – more that I thought I would. And even today, over half a year later, I am still in touch with Minerva and others from Boquete and Habla Ya and I know that they will welcome me back at any time! I can only recommend Hably Ya Spanish School to anyone who is thinking about learning Spanish in a beautiful country such as Panama.
Evaluation from janisB:
hola. en octubre estudié en la mejor escuela la atencion a las personas el hospedaje estuvo muy bonito. agredezco mucho mi profesor christopher clark en dos semanas de clases aprendí mucho español el fue muy atento mucha paciencia y sus clases fueron muy divertidas con mucho entusismo. habla ya es una escuela muy completa puedes hacer muchas actividades excelentes conocer muchos lugares muy lindos en boquete su animalia su vegetación el clima muy encantador. voy a regresar y a estudiar en habla ya porque para mi es una excelente escuela. Saludos y muchas gracias ¡ I RECOMMEND ¡
Evaluation from Carole:
A "must do" for traveling and living in Latin America. They have a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere, and a terrific staff. My teacher was Malkidia Garcia, and she was wonderful. We talked about things we were interested in, and she helped us structure our sentences, syntax, and pronunciation. Sounds dull? It wasn't for a minute; we all had fun, and came away with a broader vocabulary and a little more confidence. They have free conversational Spanish and dance lessons on Saturday. A good time to visit.
Evaluation from caredmond:
I loved my 2 weeks at Habla Ya. The teachers, especially Ismenia, were fantastic and enthusiastic. They seemed to have endless patience and really wanted to help the students. I stayed in a local home and loved my "Panamanian mama". She told everyone I was her new sister. It was all a fabulous experience and I would love to go back. I learned a lot of spanish and plan to continue studying now that I am back home. The town of Boquete is charming and has everything you need to make your stay enjoyable. I recommend this school to everyone!
Evaluation from lalawilson:
I really enjoyed my time at Habla Ya. Boquete is beautiful. All of the teachers I had (in private and group lessons) were very patient and obviously have lots of experience. I learned more than I thought I would in two weeks (though I wish I could have stayed longer).
Evaluation from CherylinPanama:
I am a Canadian living in Panama and had taken a Spanish internet course before moving here in 2008. I did pretty well on paper but discovered that was only half the battle. I found that I was at a loss when trying to have a conversation with someone that knew little or no English and I became so flustered I had no idea what the other person was saying! This is where Habla Ya came in. There is a curriculum that is cutting edge, but my biggest goal was to develop my ear and learn how to ask a Spanish speaker the right questions so I could understand what was said to me. This is one of the true strengths of Habla Ya and the instructors, they help you achieve YOUR goals. This is where my instructor, Ismenia Perez came in. With her patience, humor, and professionalism she led me to that goal. I was amazed at how far I progressed in my 60 hours of classes. Ismenia was key in helping me build my skills and confidence so I could speak with my Panamanian friends and neighbors without having a panic attack! Ismenia shared many stories of her family and her life and took a great interest in learning about what my life was like in Canada….at one point she put together a lesson involving MY hometown! There was never a class in which we didn't laugh, A LOT! My husband was in the class as well and we were perfectly matched with another couple to share this great experience with. Our little class of 4 gained so much more than just Spanish at Habla Ya. We made friends and great memories that will last a lifetime. I am going back for more classes this fall, I never really thought I would, (I am a fifty-something that hated school) but it is such a rewarding and fun experience, I would be crazy not to. Thank you to ALL the wonderful staff at Habla Ya, and a special thank-you to Ismenia. You are such a special person! Cheryl K.
Evaluation from mooseheadmama:
I spent three weeks this past January in Boquete with my 15 year old son. We studied at Habla Ya and stayed with a family for the three weeks that we were there. The trip was such a great experience for us both ... we loved it! Yaira taught our group lessons and Ruben was Garrick's teacher for private lessons. Both were terrific! Not only did we learn A LOT but we really had fun while in class. We did a lot of speaking and writing and came home knowing so much more than I could ever have anticipated. Garrick's high school Spanish teacher was very impressed and Garrick feels so much more comfortable speaking in Spanish now. He is already talking about his plans for going back next year! Thank you Habla Ya, Yaira, and Ruben for making such a difference!
Evaluation from kellysd200:
My Teacher Christopher was fantastic , he really took his time with me so that I could understand and I feel that learn´t loads .
Evaluation from wendykelly200:
My husband and I decided to take some Spanish classes whilst in Central America. We found Habla Ya on the internet and we are so happy that we picked this school. Everyone was extremely friendly and very helpful. Unfortunately we could only do 2 weeks of schooling as we had to meet our friend in Costa Rica but all the teachers that I had were brilliant and really took there time to explain things to me. It has helped a great deal as we will be able to talk to more people on the rest of our journey. The school is in a great location and is really well set out. Boquete is a lovely place and one day I really hope I will be able to return. Thank you soooo much!
Evaluation from lindasimpson:
My husband and I are in our 5 month of Spanish lessons at Habla Ya! We are having so much fun using our skills that we want to continue learning at this wonderful language school. The staff is so accommodating and our teacher, Minerva, is bilingual, intelligent and kind. Plus we have fun while learning! A great way to learn Spanish - Habla Ya is the school for you!!
Evaluation from miclarso:
Habla Ya is a first class, organized, and established school. You can't go wrong here. They had lots of students when I was there, which made accommodation a bit difficult, but they worked with me to find something acceptable. My teacher Araliz was very knowledgeable and I definitely recommend her has a teacher.
Evaluation from BarbaraB:
I studied at Habla Ya from mid-January to late March. From my first online contact with the school, Lorena and the other administrators were very responsive and enthusiastic about explaining school policies, preparing me for my stay in Boquete, and making me feel welcome. I was not disappointed! I had ideas about what I wanted and didn't want, since I'd previously studied Spanish in Antigua, Guatemala; Salamanca, Spain; San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; and Cuenca, Ecuador. Habla Ya definitely ranks in the top category in terms of quality instruction, smooth organization, and overall good vibes. The teachers are all very friendly and seem to enjoy a sense of family. It's easy to socialize with teachers and students in the cafeteria, where a sleek machine makes free fresh-ground coffee from Boquete beans at the push of a button. I spent lots of time there doing homework and using my iPad in the afternoons, since my host family's house didn't have good lighting or wifi, and their TV was usually on. Homestays are always a wild card, and I had hoped for a more interactive Panamanian family. But with hot water and OK meals and not too many barking dogs at night, I really couldn't complain. Since my written and oral evaluations placed me at Level B2, I spent most of my time slogging through the subjunctive (once again). I took 4 hours of private instruction for 8 weeks, and then 2 hours a day for 2 weeks. There were only a few mornings when 12:15 was slow to come. My first teacher was Malkidia--brilliant, sweet, funny, and wise beyond her years. She was great at providing clear examples instead of long explanations. She also had a knack for spotting my weaknesses and helping me nip bad habits in the bud. Since we had such lively conversations and I enjoyed her company so much, I was a bit apprehensive about changing teachers when Malkidia stayed home with a bad cold. I shouldn't have worried! Monica was every bit as professional and enthusiastic--a skilled and dedicated teacher who uses positive reinforcement well. Malkidia and Monica are two of the very best Spanish teachers I have ever had. Both of them helped me stay motivated to work hard at Habla Ya, because they have such a genuine love for teaching language, learning about cultural differences, and getting to know their students.
Evaluation from Loutom:
Habla Ya was everything we wanted it to be: an opportunity to learn Spanish in a pleasant and relaxing environment with opportunities for eco-tourism. The Habla Ya staff were very helpful and efficient and always pleasant and accommodating. The language instruction was fast-moving and rewarding. Our expectations were surpassed.
Evaluation from traverel:
I spent only one week at Habla Ya, but I had a great time. I really enjoyed the professionalism and enthusiasm of my instructor Araliz! Considering I had only one week, I feel like we covered lots of material and got to talk and practice. The other students were fun to talk with and came from lots of different places. I also enjoyed my host family, and Boquete is a lovely town. The fresh air and lovely environment around the area were terrific. I highly recommend Habla Ya for language classes, and they have connections to many of the best activities in the area as well.
Evaluation from LaurenceSchmitz:
REVIEW OF HABLA YA SPANISH LANGUAGE SCHOOL Between January and April 2011 I spent 12 weeks intensively studying Spanish. My experience was unforgettable, all my four teachers did their utmost to help me learn and I did: my Spanish has improved tremendously so 6 hours daily of intensive tuition has paid off. The entire school is of a high standard, I found all teachers and those in the administration to be of the utmost help and I am proud to say I have made new friends there in the school in Boquete. Especial thanks to my teacher Leidys whose pacience and help has forged a new friendship. I will definitely return, I can strongly recommend this school for those who wish to learn Spanish, whether beginners or advanced. Thankyou all. Laurence Schmitz
Evaluation from finessable:
The program here is excellent!!! If I could give it 10 stars I would. The office staff is wonderful & cannot do enough for the students....and the Profesoras are fantastic. Well, if you think I just loved it here, you're right. I will be returning..... As far as the facilities, they are very nice & Boquete is an "extranjero" friendly town with good restaurants & travel companies happy to help you have fun. The school does not provide computers for use by the students although wi-fi is accessable anywhere in the building. Many of the classes are in adjacent buildings and all "salons" are bright and comfortable. The home-stay program is good, although students should be sure to ask for "agua caliente" and wi-fi internet access. Meals are provided & you should not hesitate to talk to the staff or your home-stay family if you have any requests (or questions/complaints) about your expectations vs what you get. A few homes are within walking distance of the school, but many are a distance away & you should expect to have to use a taxi every day. (not expensive...under $2.00 per day) The school tries very hard to get the students involved in many extra activities...and it's worth it to join in! Come here, have fun and learn to speak Spanish with that beautiful Panamanian accent! One last note: In Panama you are expected to dress appropriately for school. Certainly "casual" is fine, however "beach casual" is not. The weather changes quickly & it rains frequently.
Evaluation from kellw:
En diciembre de 2010 me dirigi a Panama para tener unas excelentes vacaciones pero fueron mejores que yo pensé. tuve una excelente experiencia en boquete y en habla ya porque su staff, su atención a nosotros y la preocupacion de cada uno de nosostros fue bueno. agradezco muy especialmente a mi profesor christopher clark que el tiene mucha paciencia y sus clases son muy divertidas y puede aprender mucho español que yo pienso mucha paciencia mucho organizacion. el clima es espectacular y las personas son muy amables puedes conocer diferentes personas y diferentes lugares para hacer turismo la experiencia es maravillosa. espero que yo puedo regresar muy pronto. es la mejor
Evaluation from natalie:
estudiamos en la escuela por dos semanas y tuvimos una excelente experiencia muy divertida. porque pudimos parender mucha informaci{on necesaria para poder sobrevivir en nuestro gran recorrido por nuestro paseo. agradezco a mi profesora ella fue tan paciente con nosotras y muy dulce la extrañamos mucho. Irasema es la mejor profesora y gracias a tods en habla ya. los paseos son muy divertidos y el clima es encantador pudimos ver diferentes pajaros y disfrutas de algunas comidas muy buenas y todas las personas de este lugar fueron muy encantadoras
Evaluation from Worthyone:
If you want a good experience and a friendly learning atmosphere, then go to Habla Ya. If you want to have a pleasant learning experience and friendly teacher, ask to be hooked up with Leidys Pitti because she is a good teacher, very friendly, and a master of teaching technique. Also have in mond that the staff there is friendly, courteous and gives very good service to all who attend. Habla Ya was a pleasant experience. I highly reccommend this to anyone who is serious about learning Spanish.
Evaluation from thetravelersjjc:
Sé que es una palabra a veces usado en exceso, sino que simplemente describe mi experiencia en Habla ya Mis profesor Christopher Clark, era un maestro calificados, los oyentes excelente, y refuerza positivamente mi español a través de la corrección positiva. Fui a dar un curso de 2 semanas del accidente, con 4 horas por día, pero mi profesor de mantenerse fresco mediante la ampliación de mis horizontes mucho más rápido de lo que yo pensaba que era posible. Sinceramente aprendido más en 2 semanas a 2 años en una universidad. christopher fue mi maestro es experto en gramática y literatura española.También proporciona un interesante comentario sobre los hechos cotidianos e históricos. Agradezco su ayuda y paciencia, ya que con mi nivel de habilidad, no siempre siguen el plan de la lección 100%. El siempre fue capaz de responder a mis preguntas sin perder el ritmo y nos hizo volver a la pista. es enérgico y me llevó alrededor de la ciudad el 1 a 1 recorridos a pie para poder salir del aula y en realidad sólo charlar como amigos, a la vez que refuerza mis habilidades de conversación El nivel de talento de los maestros es insuperable, y los precios por una semana de 4 horas por día es como tener 2 horas con un tutor privado en los EE.UU.. 1-a-1 de aprendizaje es realmente la mejor manera si usted desea aprender. Esto realmente le permite centrarse en la comprensión de todos los aspectos de la gramática española y la comprensión. Al sumergirse por completo, se obtiene la lectura, comprensión auditiva, conversación y las habilidades que usted nunca recibirá sin la experiencia de 1 a 1. En cada comida la familia se nos hablan de una gran variedad de temas, y muy a menudo, la conversación interesante. Si te gustan las frutas tropicales y comida latina, que estará en el cielo. Mis favoritos fueron el pepino / Ensalada de Mango (fue increíble!) Y la zanahoria / Ensalada de piña. Soy un fanático de plátano, así que obviamente era capaz de comer a los contenidos de mi corazón. Boquete es un pueblo encantador e histórico, y caja fuerte 1. Si quieres aprender español ir a Boquete 2. Si desea ver un histórica de Panamá{a ir a Boquete 3. Si quieres la mejor experiencia de aprendizaje de español en Panamá , ir a la Habla ya Spanish School La gente era cálida y acogedora, la ciudad era encantador y encantador, y la experiencia de aprendizaje fue el mejor! Gracias.. J.J.C
Evaluation from enaj-usa:
My teacher, Christopher Clark, and “Habla Ya” were amazing! I spent two weeks studying Spanish at “Habla Ya” in Boquete, Panama, in May, 2011. My group class during those two weeks was taught by Christopher Clark, a 21-year-old teacher from David, Panama. I studied Spanish when I was in college (many years ago), and I have been trying to improve my Spanish during the last 4-5 years in various language courses taught here in Atlanta, Georgia. Many people in the States have a desire to learn Spanish, so these types of courses are popular. The problem with them is usually that there is no logical starting point (students are at different levels in their language ability), and so there is no step-by-step plan to learn the language. Another problem that I see, since studying at “Habla Ya”, is that the teachers here in Atlanta aren’t really trained to teach language. Most of the teachers that I have had here were native speakers, but they were not taught how to teach Spanish. I was so very impressed with my teacher at Habla Ya (Christopher Clark). In fact, I was shocked that his classes were so clear, organized, and easy to understand. I jumped in at a high intermediate level, and I began to wish that I had started with Christopher from lesson 1 because everything that he taught was taught so well and so clearly that it seemed worth starting over. One of the issues with Spanish classes here in Atlanta is that many Americans (younger Americans especially) don’t know the parts of speech in English or Spanish, so it is difficult to teach some aspects of grammar. When this came up in Christopher’s class, he backtracked and gave a really clear discussion of “what is an adverb and what is an adjective”, to give just one example. All of his explanations, of the different tenses, of the use of subjunctive, etc., were extremely clear and useful. Our class of 4 students included one Swiss girl who had just started to learn Spanish a few weeks before I arrived . She began studying Spanish in Christopher’s class, and then she continued in the same class that I attended. Her first language was German, so we had a crazy time with the German-English-Spanish triangle. The funniest thing in the world was listening to Christopher pretend to “read” her German dictionary definitions of certain Spanish words. But watching Salome, the Swiss student, continue with Spanish using the lessons that Christopher had taught her was amazing. She had a very good basis for the language, after only 2 weeks of study, and she continued at what I would consider a high-intermediate level for two more weeks. Another impressive aspect of Christopher’s class was the manner in which he handled the challenges of 4 students with differing language abilities and personalities. My 23-year-old daughter was also in the class, and she was the most advanced student. She had very high expectations of “Habla Ya”, and she really liked Christopher’s class. He responded very well to the day-to-day challenges: when our brains were too tired to say one more thing in Spanish, we moved class outside or went on a field trip; when one of us was especially talkative, he let that person talk; if one of us was frustrated, he continued with great aplomb with whatever lesson plan seemed right for that moment and the frustration eased. The combination of warm personality, poise, and a highly-developed and organized skill for teaching Spanish made Christopher a superb teacher.
Evaluation from RPhilpot:
Habla Ya is great value for money. I took classes last June (2010) and returned this June (2011) for more instruction. My teacher was Yaira Munoz. She is wonderful. She really knows her stuff and is great at teaching. Each day we reviewed what I had learned and she introduced new information in a clear and sequential manner. Course is set up at different levels and instruction is sequential. At Habla Ya you both learn and live Spanish. I lived with a host family both years which gives you lots of opportunity to speak Spanish and great home cooked meals. Explore Ya, Habla Ya's tour companies has daily tours to area hot spots. Another great way to practice your Spanish. I recommend Habla Ya and their homestay. I teach and hooked up with one of the local schools. One day I took part in a school led band and procession that went through town. Through Habla Ya you really get to be a part of the community. Can't wait for next year.
Evaluation from RTorres:
Boquete is a very nice language school where you can have fun while learning Spanish. to learn Spanish. Habla Ya's staff and teachers are cordial, helpful, and give great attention to detail. in particular, I would recommend taking Spanish classes with Leidys Pitti because she will take care of you and, most importantly, you will learn. Ms. Pitti will assure that you learn and advance in your knowledge of Spanish regardless of your level. She is nice, charismatic, and friendly. She is an asset to Habla Ya.
Evaluation from echto:
I recommend the Spanish classes at Habla Ya. The town of Boquete is an ideal location. There are many activities to do during your free time and the area is beautiful. The local people are friendly and seem to cater to the gringos to a large extent. I walked most of the time but taking a taxi now and then could be difficult. Some drivers were great and others not so much. There is a set fee so don’t let the bad ones charge you more. I really enjoyed the home stay part of my visit. I couldn’t have asked for a better family to live with. I will keep in touch with my Boquete family in the future. I ate most of my meals with them but there are several places to eat with a variety of food. The numerous fruits and vegetables in the markets were very good and cheap. My professor was totally competent and had the patience required to teach absolute beginners Spanish. I had no previous Spanish but after my six weeks of instruction I came away with a much better understanding of the grammar and acquired many more words in my vocabulary. I’d like to say I can now speak Spanish but I still struggle with that and hearing it spoken is still difficult. However I now have to basics to practice and teach myself so I can get better. As my teacher always said; practice, practice, practice. There was a wide variety of students from all over the world. I enjoyed my classmates and we all laughed often. It was a fun atmosphere to learn in. There wasn’t the stress involved as there is in a college setting. It’s up to you as to what you get out of it. If you want to learn Spanish and have some fun you couldn’t go wrong in choosing Habla Ya. Andy Echtermeyer
Evaluation from bredr1214:
Hola, yo me quedo en la Escuela de Habla Ya Escuela de Español para algunas semanas. Yo tenía algunas semanas de cursos de español en esta escuela, y realmente disfrutar de la vida en la ciudad. La escuela no es pequeña, pero muy concurrida. es un buen punto, porque todos los niveles de clases diferentes se abren y puedes conocer a mucha gente. La mayoría de los profesores son divertidos, en especial mi profesora irasema que hace que las lecciones agradable. La ciudad también es absolutamente encantador y pequeño. El promedio de edad de los estudiantes es, probablemente, más de 20, Usted puede visitar muchos lugares, y conocer diferentes lugares. Hay muchas cosas que hacer, y restaurantes que están en una distancia a pie. Si te gusta la atmósfera tranquila, se puede caminar a lo largo del hermoso río o ir en una de las muchas zonas verdes. ojala se pueda regresar pronto a estudiar mas....
Evaluation from ttkatz:
estudiè en la escuela por muy pocos dias, pero fui muy divertido en mis clases porque pude aprender diferentes cosas útiles para mis viajes por todo centro amèrica. pienso que habla ya es una escuela muy organizada sus profesores su atenciòn al cliente y demás superaron las espectativas de las cuales yo espero. las clases fueron muy organizadas y muy divertidas gracias a mi profesor christopher clark que siempre tenia una broma para nosotros con enseñanzas fantasticas. agradesco a habla ya por dar una buen ricibimiento a todas las cosas que yo necesitaba. Blees you...
Evaluation from sophieb1405:
To anyone who want's to learn spanish well and fast I highly recomend nothing else but Habla Ya. Very profesional and patient teachers, a long list of choices of non-expensive activities to do every day, and very kind and welcoming families. After just two weeks in Habla Ya I learned more then what I would have learned in 3 months in my country.
Evaluation from kmburton1:
Habla Ya is a great choice for anyone looking for an excellent language school in a beautiful setting. The school is wonderful. I have been a student at other language schools in the region, and they do not compare to what you will receive at Habla Ya. The school is professionally run and is well organized in their curriculum and lessons. Great care is taken to ensure that you are placed at the correct level, with placement tests that measure your written and oral proficiencies. Teachers are held to a high standard. I had the pleasure of having two weeks of private lessons with Leidys, who brought interesting activities to each of my lessons. Leidys quickly met me at my own level, and helped me progress rapidly through my two week stay at the school. She was quite skilled at getting any and all conversation started, focusing in on areas of grammar that needed reinforcement. Habla Ya is much more than just a school - the partnership with Explora Ya helps you to create a well-rounded vacation. Habla Ya also provides multiple evening events that cater to the interests of the students. I completely recommend Habla Ya as a language learning experience.
Evaluation from EvanLutomski:
Habla Ya was everything I could have asked for in a Spanish school. I spent eight weeks in Boquete, taking 5-6 hours of Spanish a day. After my time in Habla Ya, I feel comfortable speaking Spanish with anyone I encounter. The classroom instruction was superb and in my opinion second to none. I had three teachers during my stay in Boquete: Irasema, Yaira, and Monica. Each one brought something different to the curriculum in ways that made it fun to learn. The most important of all, though, was the clear fact that they wanted us to learn. Some days everything clicked and others it was more difficult, but I could always count on my teacher taking me aside to ask what was wrong or how she could better instruct me to get the most out of the lesson. For this, I am extremely grateful. Habla Ya employs educated, patient, and professional teachers, all of whom I became very close with during my stay. The classroom was not the only learning opportunity. What I loved about this school is that each Friday we would leave the classroom and apply our language skills in the real world. Whether is was walking through Bajo Boquete or heading to David, myself and the other students were able to put our lessons to use. Opportunities like these are ones you will not find many other places. It is one thing to learn curriculum, but it is another to learn the environment and be able to put your knowledge to practical use. Outside of the school, everything I learned was concreted each night as I returned to my wonderful host family. Habla Ya has a variety of wonderful families that are specifically paired with students. This was not only my experience, but also the experience of all the students. I made many friends during my stay and each one would agree with my sentiments regarding the host families. If ever a student did have a problem, Habla Ya made it their job to remedy the problem. In each one of these cases it turned out positive. I look forward to staying in touch with my family who treated me as one of their own while I lived under their roof. Personally, I believe the host family portion is vital to the entire learning experience. I plan on returning to Habla Ya in the future and I would whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone. --Evan G. Lutomski
Evaluation from OliverNNN:
Unfortunately we only spent one week at Habla Ya but if I could, I would have stayed as long as polssible! First of all you have to mention the great environments: Boquete is located in the middle of the cloud forest, surrounded by an untuched nature. The school itself is modern, light-flooded and well looked after. I think comparing the special atmosphere is impossible. A friend and me, we had a fantastic teacher, Minerva. I could never attend such a professional edication. When I came to habla ya, I've been learning spanish for 3 years but during this time i learnd more than in a few months at home. There was not a bit of pressure, It was more than talking to a friend that talking to a teacher. Minerva was able to explain us even the hardest grammar things faster than I thought it could be possible. Thanks a lot Minerva you're the greatest! I can recommend this school to anyone and I'm looking forward to my next visit!!
Evaluation from jeanette:
He viajado a Boquete y asistió a clases de español en Habla Ya a finales de junio en julio de 2011. Elegí las 2 horas de clases particulares y 4 horas de clases de grupo, ya que yo estaba allí sólo por una semana. La escuela fue muy divertido y siempre materiales agradables para sus estudiantes. Me gustó que no había tanta flexibilidad en la selección de las clases que usted desea. Algunos estudiantes estaban tomando sólo clases particulares, un grupo único, y otros una mezcla. La escuela le permite una gran flexibilidad de horario para satisfacer sus necesidades. También me gustó que el rango de edades de los estudiantes variada como lo hicieron los países de los que los estudiantes procedían. Había estudiantes universitarios, profesionales jóvenes, de mediana edad las personas, familias, e incluso profesores de las universidades que asisten Habla Ya, lo que hizo para una mezcla interesante y ecléctica. He elegido quedarme con una familia durante mi estadía, que recomiendo encarecidamente, ya que te obliga a interactuar y utilizar sus habilidades en español más. Mi familia era de aproximadamente una media hora andando a clase, pero me gustó mucho caminar por la ciudad ... y que estaba completamente seguro caminar por mí mismo. La elección de la persona, más lecciones en grupo era una situación ideal para mí. Mi instructor privado, Christopher, siempre y cuando la instrucción en el aula, así como en la ciudad. Fuimos a diferentes mercados, parques, etc, para practicar el uso de español en situaciones del mundo real. Me gustó mucho el toque personal proporcionada por Christopher, para que mis clases se adaptan a mis necesidades específicas. Mi instructor del grupo, Arelis, era también excelente. Ella era carismático, divertido y muy profesional. En general, tuvimos una gran experiencia en Boquete. Espero que a cambio de un período de tiempo más largo en el futuro.
Evaluation from lbronco:
I studied at Habla Ya for the second summer in a row and will likely make this spot an annual destination. I had private classes with Irasema at Habla Ya for two weeks and she was a top notch teacher. She is a kind and approachable individual who sincerely loves teaching. She was patient and encouraged me to select the class material to match what I wanted to learn. My classes were also tailored to my profession, per my request. Irasema’s teaching style was creative and she always made sure that I was learning the language in a way that was practical and applicable – she wanted me to be able to converse rather than simply focus on a limited grammatical approach. Grammar is just as important, but the Spanish at Habla Ya and my experience with Irasema, is taught in a way that allows students to feel more comfortable speaking right away. Habla Ya is a fantastic and well-organized Spanish school in the heart of a magical town with loads of world class outdoor activities. The outdoor/adventure arm of Habla Ya is known as Explora Ya, which boasts an abundance of professionally guided outdoor adventures ranging from rock climbing to river rafting. These places are sought out from all over the world, and rightly so. I highly recommend both! Thanks Habla Ya and Explora Ya!
Evaluation from Arianne:
Fantastic school! I've been to alot of Spanish schools in Latin America and this is by far the best. Excellent teachers and great learning material. Bouquete is a lovely place to study, lots of activities and a great social environment.
Evaluation from boquetejeff:
Great school, great location right in the heart of Boquete. The staff is helpful and friendly, and my teacher, Minerva, was excellent. Jeff
Evaluation from TonyLouis:
I attended Habla Ya for the first two weeks of September, 2011. I had signed up for 4 hours of class and 2 hours of private lessons daily. There were no other students at my level, so I ended up with 6 hours daily of one-to-one lessons. My brain was a bit fried at the end of the day, but it was worth it. The teachers were excellent. They were clearly very well trained and enthusiastic. I liked that they compared notes on my progress and tailored the teaching to my needs. Unfortunately, both teachers (Christopher and Araliz) got sick and were absent at the end of my stay, so I never received final feedback about my progress and what I needed to focus on when I left. It was also a bit sad not to be able to say goodbye after working so closely with them for 2 weeks. The problem may have been that I went during the rainly season and it rained a lot. Many people seemed to get sick at this time. The frequent rain also limited my ability to do outdoor activities in my free time. If I return, it will not be during the rainy season. There was an interesting mix of students at the school, many from the USA but several from other countries. I enjoyed my interactions with them. Boquete is a charming little town in the mountains. The inhabitants are friendly and honest. I really enjoyed my family stay, but I think I was allergic to one of their cats who liked to sleep on my bed. It took a couple days to get used to the cool to lukewarm shower. One problem is that there seems to be an influx of people from the USA who are residing or perhaps retiring in Boquete. They are buying up the land and driving up prices so that the local Panamanians are having a hard time being able to afford to live there. The are also introducing a lot of US culture (bars, McMansions, etc.), which to my mind detract from the atmosphere I was seeking in a quaint Panamanian town. In 5 to 10 years it will probably resemble Fort Lauderdale rather that a peaceful Panamanian village in the mountains. Overall, it was an excellent experience. I learned a lot. A drawback is that it took me 2 days to travel from my home in Connecticut through Miami to Panama City and then to David and finally to Boquete. The issue was connecting flights.
Evaluation from Brando9L:
Before attending Habla Ya I had taken plenty of Spanish classes and studied the language throughout high school and college, but my mission during my trip to Panama was to become as close to fluent as possible. Before arriving, I was skeptical of any Spanish school because I believed that it would not benefit me to take even more "classroom" Spanish. The school totally disproved my assumption. The teachers are friendly and talkative so I received a ton of conversational practice, which is what I needed to boost my confidence in speaking with native speakers. Because I already knew a lot of the grammar, I was able to learn many of the idioms and phrases that took my Spanish speaking from a level of Good to Great in just 3 weeks. All of the staff was personable and the facilities were inviting and allowed for a social atmosphere that encouraged Spanish speaking among other students, teachers, and staff as well. Living in Boquete was also a plus for Habla Ya because it allowed me to actually make friends with some of the local people to practice my Spanish with, as well as the numerous adventure tours that the town offers. Some of the teachers (Gracias a Minerva y Chris) were even gracious enough to invite me to their house for salsa lessons, cook me dinner, and then go out with their friends to try out my new moves!! I was also fortunate enough to teach English classes as a volunteer at night, which was yet another opportunity for me to get to know the people of Boquete, and other volunteers as well. There is a genuine sense of community at this school and I would recommend it first above all others if you want to learn fast, and also have great long-lasting memories while learning Spanish. Brandon L
Evaluation from Luv2Trvl:
I studied for 1 week in July, 2011. This was the third time my teenage daughter and I spent a week taking private Spanish lessons in Central America (first in Copan, Honduras, then Flores Guatemala, and now Boquete, Panama). Though Habla Ya is significantly more expensive than the other schools we studied in, I found it to be extremely well organized, and I'm hoping/assuming that the higher charges allow the staff to be paid better. Within days of emailing them to register for our classes we received multiple emails regarding every aspect of our stay--one person helped organize discounted accommodations, and another got the ball rolling for two volunteer opportunities (at an orphanage and an animal preserve). We didn't sign up for any additional activities such as whitewater rafting or hiking trips, but someone would have taken care of that as well. In fact I was a little concerned that the whole operation would be "too slick" to feel like a real central american adventure. In the end the school struck a good balance (well organized, but charming enough). My instructor (Irasema) was a very effective teacher. I so appreciated her patience, continual encouragement, and her ability to repeat and restate anything that I found confusing. I truly enjoyed the 20 hours we spent together, and would highly recommend her!
Evaluation from davis:
hola despues de estudiar por dos semanas en habla ya estoy muy conteto por aprendi mucho y pude compartir con diferentes gentes y todas fueron muy amables. estudie en una clase grupo donde todos mis compañeros fueron muy divertidos y las clases eran muy dinamicas gracias a mi profesor christopher que siempre tuvo unos juegos muy divertidos para aprebder los dieferentes que necesitamos en las clases. tuve clases muy completas y aunque no me gustan mucho escribir las historias aprendi la diferencia entre el preterito y el imperfecto para poder tener una conversiacion bueno con otras personas. naturamelnte disfrute mucho de mi paseo por boquete y por habla ya muy agradecido por toda la informacion muy importante espero regresar pronto. Gracias habla ya y a christopher excelente experiencia.
Evaluation from Dassi7owens:
HOLA! my name is Dassi and for my summer i spent it in Boquete Panama going to the the spanish school, Habla ya! I lived with a host family that Habla Ya set up and i volunteered at la Jungla and Josefa the school. I met so many friendly people and people that i will keep in touch with for the rest of my life. Everyone at Habla Ya were very sweet and helpful. I stayed in Boquete for ten weeks and took classes for nine, so i had a pretty mixed teaching experience. All of my teachers were amazing, they were all so helpful and they mixed it up a bit. We would sometimes have class outside or walk around boquete and learn names of fruits. We once took a bus to David (which is a city close to Boquete) and watched the Harry Potter Movie with spanish subtitles. Also with one of my teachers Christopher Clark we listened to songs in espanol and it really helped us on our listening skills. On this trip i got the chance to go white water rafting, zip lining, horse back ridding, hikes, an awesome swimming hole, and a weekend trip to Bocas Del Toro. All these tours were amazing and all my tour guides really knew their stuff about panama also they were all so much fun to talk to and get to know. I highly recommend taking a trip to Panama and take classes or even take tours with Habla Ya. You will probably have the time of you life!
Evaluation from edlondon11:
I have now been home from Boquete, Panama for 2 months My four week trip to Boquete was beyond unbelievable, thanks to the amazing Habla Ya Spanish School! I was a bit nervous but the faculty worked together to place me in the right class with Minerva where i instantly felt at ease! I had 1.5 weeks in a group class with 4 other students, and the other 2.5 weeks were spent with just my friend Miranda and I. Minerva was absolutely fabulous, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. She worked well to discover our weaknesses, and then found ways for us both to improve upon them. Minerva was absolutely hilarious and we were constantly laughing, while learning! I was shocked that I could be in a class for 4 hours everyday and never hear Minerva speak English, but still understand everything that was going on! She also made class extremely fun, we took a trip to Mi Jardin es su Jardin, to the visitor center, we walked around Central Park and the Bridge another day, and sat outside for class multiple times, which makes learning all the much better, thanks to Boquete's beautiful weather. Since I have been home I have had several conversations via facebook with Minerva and love being able to continue my spanish while i'm home in the United States. All of the faculty members at Habla Ya are so helpful and friendly, you feel at home the moment classes start! Everyone is like a little family, from all across the world, it's unbelievable. I would definitely recommend Habla Ya to everyone of all ages! We met 10 year olds and 70 year olds that both had wonderful things to say about their time with Habla Ya! In addition to the Language Center, Habla Ya has a partnership with Explora Ya that made our trip even more enjoyable. The possibilities are endless in Boquete, thanks to the professionalism and excitement of everyone working. I am already trying to plan my return trip! Thank you to everyone at Habla Ya, especially Minerva! Te extrano!
Evaluation from mirandac:
I attended Habla Ya with my best friend for four weeks starting at the end of July. It was the best experience i have ever had. I have taken spanish for a total of four years but I learned so much more in those 4 weeks than all those years combined. I absolutely would go back to Boquete any day I loved every second of my trip. None of it would have been possible without the incredible staff at Habla Ya especially my AMAZING teacher Minerva. She was great, I never liked to talk in Spanish because i always felt self-conscious but she made me feel so comfortable and helped me learn so much not only about the grammar and vocabulary but also Panamanian culture. I also was lucky enough to have most of the other teachers as well and they were all so nice and helpful. I cannot express how much I love the staff at Habla Ya, they are all amazing and by the end of the trip I felt so comfortable with all of them, which was really great knowing if I needed anything at all they would be there to help me. Not only were the teachers and staff amazing during my time in Boquete but now that I am home they have made an effort to keep in touch and practice Spanish every so often which I really enjoy. I would love to go back to Habla Ya either in Boquete or in Bocas, I loved everything about my trip and reminiscent with my best friend every day on the memories we had and things we did while in Panama. The location was optimal, the town being so small gave us a chance to meet so many amazing people. I remember walking down the street and seeing at least 2 or 3 people we knew each time. My parents were nervous about me going to another country by myself but I have never felt so safe, it was perfect. I could go on all day about everything I loved about Boquete, Habla Ya, and the people I met. It was the best experience I have ever had and I will never forget it. I LOVE HABLA YA!!!! and miss it so much! <3
Evaluation from worenfroe:
I studied at HablaYa for 3 weeks this Fall and I believe it made a significant difference in my ability to speak Spanish. I was not a complete beginner, but I needed a lot of practice as well as a better understanding of grammar, and I believe my time at the school helped meet my learning objectives. My home stay was a good experience, and gave me a better view of the culture than I would have had otherwise. My teacher, Leidys, was knowledgeable and consistently well prepared for our classes. I recommend that students who plan to go to HablaYa make arrangements far enough in advance to be able to schedule afternoon classes since most of the extra-curricular options are in the morning. I took 1 star off of the "fun factor" primarily since morning classes limited recreational opportunities during the rainy season. Boquete is a lovely town, but afternoons during October do not always offer much opportunity to play outdoors. I liked my home stay, and the family was great, but I am hesitant to give a "5 star" rating because I think that might confuse some readers. Home stays in Panama do not offer all the comforts of home. People who live with Panamanian families need to be flexible about some creature comforts. My only regret is that I only had 3 weeks available; I wish I could have spent more time there.
Evaluation from Simba:
I studied in Habla Ya for almost 4months. Initially I planned to do 6weeks and later I extended another 9weeks. I went to Habla Ya with minimal Spanish knowledge and my teacher Katterina prepared me to successfully pass my DELE B2 exams that I also took in the school. I had a wonderful experience. Habla Ya is a fantastic school! It delivers everything is promises! Katterina is an amazing teacher! She is enthusiastic and lively in class! Everyone in Habla Ya are helpful and caring! I had a great experience in Habla Ya Spanish school and highly recommend both Habla Ya and Katterina as a teacher.
Evaluation from charlessmithson:
Studying Spanish at Habla Ya in Boquete, Panama was a wonderful experience. I was lucky enough to have Leidys as teacher. As I had arranged to take private lessons she was able to concentrate fully on the points I needed and she provided me with all the explanations to help me improve on the less well-developed aspects of my knowledge. The entire month of September was a very fruitful time for me, not only for learning Spanish but also for the experience of being in a Latin American country. All the staff at Habla Ya are extremely helpful in personal needs, show a great dedication to their students and they make sure that everyone feels welcome. No surprise therefore that many students were there for the second or third time, I will return again next year.
Evaluation from malana16:
I only have good things to say about my six weeks of online Spanish lessons with Leidys. Her lessons were always clear, and she clearly made an effort to tailor them to my specific level. Leidys is extremely patient, funny, and all around a wonderful teacher. Due to her lessons, I am much more confident when I speak Spanish. I hope one day to visit the actual school in Panama so I can hang out with Leidys and her fellow teachers in person. Gracias, Habla Ya!
Evaluation from DanielMc:
I spent little over three months at Habla Ya, studying Spanish and teaching English. When I think of my teachers and students I miss the place dearly. I spent time with several of the teachers; Mónica Vargas, Malkidia García, Minerva Rodríguez, Aráliz Veliz, Christopher Clark, and Yaira Muñoz—all of them were terrific. The teachers and the rest of the Habla Ya staff were very professional, welcoming, fun, and enthusiastic, which created the perfect atmosphere for learning. Needless to say, my Spanish improved dramatically over my stay. I encourage anyone looking for a Spanish language school to go to Habla Ya.
Evaluation from Arianner:
I studied in Habla Ya, Bouquete this summer and recently at Habla Ya, Bocas Del Toro. I had a wonderful experience at both schools. The Bocas school was new and therefore fairly quiet when I was there but it has the same excellent teaching standards as Bouquete. As there was no one else at my level, I had private lessons for the same price as group lessons. My most recent teacher, Christopher was enthusiastic and provided fun but challenging lessons. I highly recommend Habla Ya.
Evaluation from aastella:
Hi, I'm miss Stella,I have just got through your profile,Well according to your profile, I think I have picked interest on it. We can get to know each other better through this way, my email is ... (stelladesmond55@hotmail.com) Hope to hear from you. Thanks, stella.
Evaluation from JessicaNoel:
Last year I had the amazing opportunity to spend 7 weeks with HablaYa taking classes, volunteering and living with a panamanian host family (3 weeks in Boquete and 4 weeks in Bocas del Toro). I am not kidding when I say it was the most amazing seven weeks of my life. I have been gone for almost three months now and i can not wait to go back this summer and visit all my friends there. HablaYa is am amazing program that has the most wonderful people working there. My three main professors were Christopher, Irasema, and Yaira. I have taken spanish 5 years in public schools and two different universities in the USA and my 3 panamanian were hands down the best spanish teachers I have ever had. For the first time in all my schooling I was excited to go to classes and everyday was fun and exciting. Not only are all the employees and administrators at Hablaya great at what they, but every single one that I met was an exceptional person. My 7 weeks with HablaYa made an enormous impact on my spanish and my life. I was 19 when I studied there but it is amazing place for students of all ages. I would 100% recommend them to anyone who asked me.
Evaluation from 123sj:
My Spanish classes were Leidys were great. Her lessons were always clear and we laughed a lot. She also went the extra mile by preparing special lessons to accommodate my particular needs. Thanks, Leidys and Habla Ya!
Evaluation from brian47price:
My three-week experience at the Habla Ya! School in Boquete, Panama, was a delight from beginning to end. The mountain environment, the friendly little town, the well-run school and well-organized program combined to make our time there both educational and enjoyable. Boquete is full of very open and friendly people who generally do not speak English, and who cheerfully suffered my attempts to share in Spanish. We met and are exchanging emails with several especially interesting townspeople. The climate in February was breezy and very mild, never hot and never cold, sometimes misty but with bright sunshine every day. We enjoyed several great hikes and excursions with Habla Ya!, Explora Ya!, and other guides, and learned a great deal about the mountain environment, coffee farming, and regional history. The school activities were abundant and well-run, and did not interfere with our study schedule, although we had enough homework to occupy most of our weekday time. We stayed at the Isla Verde Resort, in a separate “roundhouse” surrounded by flowering shrubs and greenery. This did not give us the homestay experience, but we were a 5-minute walk from the school in a very comfortable setting for study and relaxation. Isla Verde is a sure bet for a good experience. It also is close to most of the restaurants, shops, and the town square. Our friends in homestays gave us mixed reports, of successful and unsuccessful homestay arrangements. In the negative cases I heard about, the school worked with each student to find a more suitable set-up. It seems that lots of the homestays are pretty far from the school, and often do not have hot water. Habla Ya! is exceptionally well-organized, and communicated promptly before, during, and after our visit. I got great support and information in setting up the trip. The school facility is new, semi-enclosed in a courtyard, and it made for a lot of mixing and sharing among the students. The non-teaching staff are energetic and attentive. Swan, Sol, Julio and others are a constant, cheerful presence, and they really do make sure your needs are met and your opportunities are maximized. Lorena Pitti does a great job of directing the educational program, which means content, class composition, and teacher scheduling. There was an abundance of well-educated teachers, for about 40 students in February from all over the world, and of all ages. The teachers apparently have received extensive training on the school’s curriculum, materials, and classroom approach, because there was a noticeable consistency among the teachers in my classes. The substantial student population meant they could organize more than one class at each level, in order to group students of similar age, interests, and training needs. No class of mine had more than 4 students. Most had fewer. I also took one hour per day of private lessons for two weeks. These one-on-one sessions were responsive to my particular needs. The teachers never spoke English to me, in class or out, but the school staff employed English when necessary to clarify points of confusion. My teachers all had the ability to gear their vocabulary and syntax to the level of the class, whatever level that might be. In general, I think the quality of teachers is very high, and together with the administrative staff they generate an upbeat atmosphere that permeates the place. I gained a lot from the 4-5 hours per day of structured training. My Group 4 teacher for all three weeks was Leidys Pitti. I was very pleased to be in her classes. Leidys was very organized, starting each day with a review of planned activities, but also shifting gears when learning opportunities and good conversations came up. Leidys is a storehouse of grammatical and cultural knowledge, which she shared judiciously, while continuing a patient effort to encourage us to converse in the tenses and moods under study. She was expert at defusing any nervousness and encouraging our speaking. Each day included at least two hours of conversation and two hours of instruction, games, activities, and in-class exercises. She achieved a helpful balance between just letting us talk, and offering key corrections along the way. Leidys was unfailingly patient, cheerful, and funny while also being very effective. We shared many good laughs in her classroom, and I learned a lot. Most of my 10 hours of private lessons were taught by Mitzila Vega. It seems that Mitzila is in high demand at Habla Ya! for her clarity and her ability to explain important concepts (in Spanish, of course). I couldn’t agree more. My hours with her were made especially valuable because she kept me talking about subjects that I personally care about, and guided me past errors and gaps in a way that didn’t intimidate me or inhibit my speaking. My only regret about this trip was limiting our stay to three weeks. I moved up a level in that time, but know that in 6-8 weeks I would really make a leap forward in Spanish. I can recommend Habla Ya! without any reservations.
Evaluation from alpinewolfman:
I spent 10 wonderful weeks at Habla Ya and would highly recommend it to anyone who seriously wants to improve their grasp on the Spanish language. At least when you enrol in group lessons(1-6 people) you will change teachers every few weeks to keep things fresh and experience conversing with different people. All the teachers I had - Malkidia, Mitzila, Leidys and Araliz were excellent and I owe them my improved ability to speak listen and write Spanish. Classes are conducted only in Spanish which for me, already knowing the basics, was perfect. I also liked the variety in lessons with some grammar, some conversations and some games to keep the mind fresh. In our conversations we covered everything from niceities to full-blown controversial issues and now I can throw my opinions about in a different language. Brilliant!
Evaluation from rmfishman:
I have been taking an online Spanish class with Donain at the Habla Ya Spanish School for the last couple of months and been having a wonderful experience. He has a lot of patience, a sense of humor and speaks slowly, simply, and clearly. I also do not feel bad about making mistakes (which I make many) when talking with him. The grammar is presented in a very orderly way with many examples that makes it understandable. There is also flexibility which I appreciate. The school on the whole is easy to deal with and it seems concerned about the student’s satisfaction. I highly recommend Habla Ya for anyone trying to learn Spanish.
Evaluation from melosa007:
That was a very good stay in Boquete with habla Ya ! I would like to thank my spanish teacher Leydis for the courses, advices...She is very patient and atentive with students and all the activities in class were very interesting. Moreover, all the staff of the school are very available. It is a really good place to study and learn spanish and a lot of activities are proposed (panamean dinner, salsa, conversation, movies...). I recommend the hikes in Explora Ya near from the school or the weekend trip. I wish I came back soon !
Evaluation from JaredBen:
What a wonderful experience. If I could I would return every year! Great teachers... Great learning... Great Hospitality... What are you waiting for??!!?
Evaluation from ancientone:
Evaluation from bstevenson:
Evaluation from Jake1970:
I took 30 hours of Habla Ya on-line Spanish instruction from september until november 2012. My experience was very good and i have learned more Spanish vocabulary and grammar in such a short time than i could have ever done on my own:) My instructor - Leidys was fantastic! She was very patient with me when i was lost in conversation (which happened frequently!~) She always had a good lesson plan ready for each of my two hour sessions and kept me very challenged. If i could have done anything differently, i would have preferred to actually have gone to the school in Panama. however, I could not due to time constraints. I highly recommend this school, the school staff is very friendly and very professional! If you want to learn Spanish, Go for it at Habla Ya!!
Evaluation from kristc99:
I've been taking classes by internet for about 6 months, and I have been very impressed with this school. I love my teacher and the school in general is very professional. I know they give their teachers training and support and it shows. Now that I am actually in Panama, I am looking forward to getting involved with their field trips and other activities. My experience here is already so much easier and more enriched because of the Spanish I know, and I'm looking forward to learning more so I can have even better conversations with my new friends and neighbors.
Evaluation from mashman:
I took Spanish classes at Habla Ya in Boquete for three weeks in January 2013--four hours a day for five days a week. From my first inquiry by e-mail through and beyond my last day of instruction, the staff at Habla Ya were always responsive, helpful, and friendly. I particularly commend my teacher, Leidys. I learned so much from her, and my Spanish improved immensely. Leidys explained things very clearly, was really patient, and with her delightful sense of humor, she made learning Spanish a lot of fun. I highly recommend Habla Ya!
Evaluation from lecross:
I took 4 weeks of Spanish instruction at Habla Ya in Boquete, and I had such a great experience. My teacher Ivonne was very patient with me, she challenged me just the right amount, and I felt like I left Panama at a "conversational" level in my Spanish (and I started with just one semester of college Spanish under my belt, which I took 9 years ago). I was very lucky and got one-on-one instruction for three weeks and only had the price of group lessons (there just happened to be no other students at my level at the time). So I ended up having more of a private lesson experience -- 4 hours of one-on-one instruction each day. I loved working with my teacher Ivonne-- she led the class in a very conversational manner. She delivered direct instruction, but the greatest lessons I learned were from our conversations. The school also set me up with a family, who I absolutely adored. I think if you're going to try to become proficient in a foreign language in a short period of time, it's very important that you live with a family who speaks the foreign language only. I was very blessed to get to know the amazing people of Panama through my experience at the school and in my home stay. I will say the one major drawback of the school is the volunteer component. I didn't go there to volunteer, but three people I met through the program wanted to volunteer and were led to think they would get to take part in volunteering each day, and the volunteering experience seemed very inconsistent and disorganized. Personally, though, I wouldn't change a single thing about my own experience. Thank you, Habla Ya!
Evaluation from Larry16:
As a student of Habla Ya two times, I can recommend it to anyone of any age or level of Spanish who wants to learn Spanish. The host family made me feel welcome and comfortable. Be sure to ask for Leidys to be your teacher because she is excellent. The school also provides opportunities for eco-adventures such as rock climbing, horse back riding, etc.
Evaluation from CynthiaGould:
I moved to Boquete 4 years ago and immediately began taking private lessons at Habla Ya...I have spent the last 3 years twice a week learning and speaking Spanish with an amazing teacher, Araliz Veliz....Araliz is very professional and yet the learning experience is quite fun & enjoyable...I always look forward to spending the time with her...She has inspired me to learn the language and now I feel very confident communicating and living in a foreign country. Thank you Araliz for being an amazing teacher...Un Abrazo, Cynthia Gould
Evaluation from Nidieux:
I finished a six-week group Spanish class at Boquete Habla Ya on May 31, 2013, and had a wonderful experience. The class size varied from four to six people. The professor, Ms. Leidys Pitti, was personable and professional and did a great job keeping the class interesting and engaging. I particularly appreciated her willingness to answer my frequent questions regarding Panamanian idioms and culture. All school personnel with whom I interacted were friendly and helpful. I without reservation recommend Habla Ya to anyone who wants to learn Spanish.
Evaluation from nicho524:
I have had an outstanding opportunity to work with Araliz of Habla Ya for the past three months of my online courses. As a student of many language schools and a future teacher, Habla Ya’s ability to engage and efficiently instruct students through online courses never ceases to amaze me. Habla Ya is certainly a pioneer in the field of online language courses but they also stand alone in the extreme dedication of their teachers to student learning. Despite being thousands of miles away, each class Araliz was able to provide me with an immersion experience that made me feel as if I was in a classroom in Boquete! I wish Habla Ya and their teaching family all the best and intend to return for even more online courses in the future! Their online instruction is second to none and is amplified by the expertise of teachers such as Araliz. I would recommend their online courses as a flexible and inexpensive alternative to anyone interested in improving their Spanish without leaving the comfort of their own home.
Evaluation from jbbotti:
I want to thank Habla Ya Panama for an excellent course of study. I have three reasons for loving, and wanting continue, studying at Habla Ya Panama. First, the administration really has their act together; registration is easy and trouble free, no problems with payment, etc. Second, the school offers a pre-evaluation process that is thorough and just about guarantees that you will placed at the appropriate learning level. Finally, and most importantly, my professor, Araliz Veliz, was truly one of best teachers I have ever known—and I have known many excellent teachers (I`m a retired New York City teacher). Araliz is so well organized that her lessons seem effortless, so smooth, everything clicks along so well. Also, she has the ability to emphasize with her students, to understand the feelings and emotions and frustrations that come with learning a new language. Araliz really cares, and always helps you keep a positive attitude. Like many great teachers, she is patient, calm and has a great sense of humor. Araliz Veliz is well educated, organized, empathetic, easygoing and fun. I believe that is why I have learned so much, with such ease. I feel fortunate to have had Professor Veliz as my teacher. I am definitely looking forward to my next class! John Botti
Evaluation from abell:
Online experience with Habla Ya Ok, I admit, I’m over 60. Not a lot, but… I grew up in the Panama Canal Zone; my mother was from Panama, my father was from the US. But as we did not speak Spanish at home, or at school, or even within my wider family in Panama City, I did not learn the language. I did learn the sound of it, and can speak without an American accent, but I could not say anything beyond the very basics of “how much does it cost and where is it”. A couple of years ago, I decided to learn the language. Not because AARP recommends it as a hedge against Alzheimer’s, but because it was in my bones, it was my heritage and I felt a strong desire to claim that heritage. I tried various means of learning, and made good progress with internet software like Fluenz, Spanish pod 101, Spanish podcasts through RadioLingua, and various other wonderful podcasts. I advanced to where I could test at a level B2 for reading and listening comprehension. But I was not speaking Spanish and there was a lack of depth in really understanding when and why to use various verb tenses, adverbial phrases, pronouns… So I decided to give myself the birthday gift of a month of individual internet classes with teachers from Habla Ya. The classes were intense – four hours a day plus homework every night. Yenny Serrano taught me in the morning, then an hour break for lunch, and Mitzila Vega taught me in the afternoon. I was so fortunate! These teachers were so warm, patient, funny, intelligent, flexible in their approach, clear in their explanations, and encouraging. Since it was individual instruction, they could target the classes towards my weaknesses. To get me talking in Spanish, Yenny encouraged numerous conversations about politics, customs, and culture in Panama – how to properly and effectively accomplish things – what is and isn’t considered polite… Mitzila was amazing at clearly explaining grammar and vocabulary, step by step, with helpful examples. And everything from both teachers was all in Spanish! I came away with a much better ear for the language, with greater clarity on what I need to work on next, with more confidence in my speaking and writing skills, and with a great feeling of warmth towards Yenny, Mitzila, and Habla Ya. This is a fine, well run, honest, responsive operation. Their learning materials are top quality, as are their teachers. My only suggestion to anyone else doing this is to ensure that your internet connection is as solid and fast as possible. And there can be a few times, due to the cable company’s signal failure, that classes may need to be rescheduled. Classes in person, at Habla Ya, are preferable for that reason and for the chance to fully experience the wonders of Panama. But if you are limited by income or time, the internet classes are fantastic and I hope to study with Habla Ya again!
Evaluation from dougrya:
My wife and I studied Spanish at the Habla Ya school in Boquete, Panama for three weeks in December 2013. We had the good fortune to have Ivonne Ayala as our instructor. I have taken Spanish instruction over many years; attending schools in Guatemala, Argentina, and our local community college in Alaska. I was very happy with the progress I made during those three weeks studying at Habla Ya in Boquete. Ivonne is an excellent instructor and a wonderful person. She was able to explain concepts of Spanish that had eluded me in the past. I have a technical background and appreciated her attention to detail. Every day was challenging and rewarding. Today, I am a lot more confident with the Spanish language. Ivonne has helped me build a solid foundation for future progress. I would highly recommend her, and if we return to Boquete, we will definitely request her as our instructor!
Evaluation from MeridianK:
Im on the brink of completing my 3 months at Habla Ya Boquete and I must say my experience exceeded my expectations. I have attended other schools in other countries,albeit for shorter periods ,however my experience at Habla Ya Boquete was the best. I ended up selecting Habla Ya because whilst searching the internet for somewhere to go to learn spanish, I came up on this school which only had brilliant reviews and decided that I would have to experience it myself. The learning for the most part is well structured, the teachers professional, the setting intimate and the admin staff extremely helpful. The teachers did a good job in selecting topics for discussions interesting and relevant to everyday life to complement the content of the textbooks. I was travelling alone and taking classes for four hours per day in a group setting. However for more than four weeks of that time I was alone in class with my teacher as there was no else at my level. My classes were therefore the focal point of my day. And at this juncture I must mention my teacher or rather more so my friend, Leidys Pitti. I had Leidys from the outset and therefore we had time to forge a friendship. I am truly grateful for her professionalism, helpfulness, camaraderie , and having the uncanny ability to make me look forward to classes everyday. I enjoyed our classes alone even more than those in a group and Leidys never failed to make me feel like each day I came away with something new. As part of our class experience we went shopping and to lunch together, she provided me with material and tips for my journey throughout the rest of Panama, no subject was off limits, she was always available by phone and just has one of the most pleasant personalities ever; at all times she projected an image of genuine interest and pleasure to be in my company; she never lost an opportunity to provide me with assistance and I because of this had no intimidation to learn, speak, make and laugh at my own mistakes. Habla Ya isn't perfect, but it might be the nearest you will get to perfection...smile. I hope you too enjoy your experience.
Evaluation from patty4:
My husband and I had a wonderful experience studying Spanish at the Habla Ya Spanish School in Panama. The teachers are excellent - well-trained, flexible, helpful, fun and just plain nice people. It felt like being part of a family. More important, after the course we felt that we had learned a lot and could now express ourselves. We had taken two years of basic Spanish at university before we went to Habla Ya and had learned a lot of grammar and vocabulary, but we could barely ask you to pass the salt or understand you if you asked the same. So our wonderful Habla Ya teachers, Yaira and Christopher, gave us a lot of intensive conversation with emphasis on common idioms and vocabulary, and a few lovely excursions into the community - in Spanish, of course. And whenever I needed for a little grammar review, I got it. We chose to live with Spanish-speaking families in both Boquete (seven weeks) and Bocas del Toro (one week), and we interacted with the local communities - shopkeepers, bus drivers, waiters - whenever possible, all of which gave us further opportunity to practice. Both towns offer fascinating activities and sights to explore. Based on my experience and also those of the fellow students with whom we became friends, I would recommend Habla Ya to anyone wanting to learn Spanish at whatever level.
Evaluation from amirm:
I had the greatest time at Habla Ya, Boquete. From the home-stay to the classroom, I enjoyed every moment. I participated in the group 4 class only, which allowed me to enjoy the morning with the planned excursions, and study spanish in the classroom in the afternoons. The spanish class, taught by Widad Jurado, was just as exciting as the recreational excursions. She is the greatest teacher, willing to take time to explain concepts, and utilize these concepts to generate great meaningful dialog on various topics. I would recommend Habla Ya to everyone. -Amir
Evaluation from jamieoneal:
This summer I was able to attend language school to improve my Spanish. From the many options, through references and local research by friends, I chose Habla Ya in Panama. It was an AMAZING experience. I attended classes in Boquete, which is a beautiful location. It is a small town, but with a very diverse and interesting weekly market, a colorful and interesting city center, and mouth-watering bakeries. I attended group classes the first week, 4 hours per day for 5 days. It was intimidating at first because my last language class was almost 20 years ago. However, the instructor, Leidys, put me at ease. She was very good at working at my pace while still pushing me. I was very happy with the progress I made. The second week, I took private lessons. I attended 2 days for 2 hours per day with Aráliz. She was wonderful and worked with me on the specific issues that I needed. Overall, the experience was intense, tiring, and gave me a terrific feeling of accomplishing a life goal. I hope to be able to return again! I would highly recommend the school and these professoras to anyone looking to improve their language skills.
Evaluation from raniemc:
best Spanish learning experience!! This school really knows what they're doing, the staff is great, and you learn the culture also!! HIGHLY recommend it!
Evaluation from ricardobernardo:
I learned so much Spanish in my nine weeks there and their staff was very friendly and accommodating! The oral Spanish conversation in class was very difficult for me, but very necessary.
Evaluation from aikosh:
I spent 7 weeks at Habla Ya Boquete campus and had Tamara as my teacher for 6 weeks. I started Spanish from scratch in group classes. There was a lot to take in, and somedays I felt like I was going nowhere, especially being with some of my classmates who already knew +/- 4 other languages;), but Tamara made it a super fun, laid back, and comfortable learning environment and kept me going! She always took the time to answer my questions. She also always had different activities to do to keep the class engaged. At the end of my time there, Habla Ya had become more of a family than a school, and I had a hard time saying good-bye. Thank you so so much for this great experience and most of all, for teaching me Spanish!! I also had Yubal as my teacher for 1 week. Because I was so nervous about saying things wrong, I was so hesitant to speak in Spanish and was having such a hard time with my speaking skills. Thank god I had Yubal when I had him because he was really supportive, always gently trying to push me to talk. He always waited for me to say what I wanted to say then repeated it in the correct way, which took forever, but he never showed any expression of annoyance. (He is either really good at hiding it or he is the most patient human being on the planet;)) What a great guy!!
Evaluation from NatachaBenji:
teníamos un maestro muy agradable y eficaz , viva Leydis ! esperamos que todo está bien para ti. Abrazos y besos!. Natasha y Benji .
Evaluation from bottijohnny:
I want to thank Habla Ya Panama for an excellent course of study. I spent 50 hours with Leidys and she is the best teacher I could ever imagine :) She was so friendly, helpful and humorous. The lessons were so much fun! We focused mostly on conversation and continuing my studies with Libro C1. Our conversational topics were quite varied and I increased my vocabulary substantially. I am sure that I will return to Boquete to visit and study with Leidys. Also, Boquete location is pretty, has great weather and lots of opportunities for outdoor adventures. So, whether you are in a classroom--or white water rafting--you will enjoy yourself!
Evaluation from Larryschmitz:
ADVANCED SPANISH COURSE For the fifth time I attended Habla ya Spanish school for private lessons at the level C1/C2. My teachers were Ericka and Leidys, both of whom helped me enomously in the complex written and oral exercises. Not only in their professional capacity but also in their friendly attitudes did the show their competence. I can recommend this school in all aspects for anyone wanting to learn Spanish whatever their level.
Evaluation from PanamaBlonde:
I had an excellent experience with Habla Ya. I started in A1 because I had never had formal education in Spanish. I had taken French, German and Italian in college but never Spanish. I was very nervous when I began and I didn't want to speak much, just listen. Well, my teachers changed all that! They were kind and patient and knew how to make me feel comfortable with using my voice. I am now in B2 and conversing! I am amazed. There are four wonderful teachers I would like to tell you about. They are: Yaira, Yorelys, Leidys, and Mitzila. These young women are my backbone of Spanish. They consistently increased my level of Spanish and I would not be where I am now if it wasn't for all of them. They CARE about their students, they are committed, they are fun to talk to and learn with. I never thought my time would be so well spent. I spent the first 9 weeks of class in the group classes, 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. I enjoyed the group classes very much. They are small classes too. Anywhere from just one or two people up to six, and no more than that. I met people from Great Britain, Switzerland and Germany as well as from the U.S. Students come from all over the world! I can't stress again how wonderful this total experience is. I had the best time. It is a lot of work, but it is worth it. I will continue to work with Habla Ya when I return to Boquete in the fall (or sooner). I live part time in the U.S. because I work in the Emergency Room as a nurse. But I have a home in Boquete and live most of the time in Boquete. Since I am living in Panama, it is important to me to speak the language. Habla Ya is helping me achieve my goal, especially Yaira, Yorelys, Leidys and Mitzila. They are exceptional teachers and I am so lucky to have found these gems at Habla Ya. I would also like to say that the administrative team in Boquete (Giselle, Alberto and Ahmado) are tremendous. They speak very good English, very good! And they are always pleasant, smiling, helpful and caring. They will even help you with your school work when you have to "interview" someone for one of your classes. I can't wait to return to Habla Ya and continue my studies. My goal is to become fluent. I have a long way to go but I will achieve my goal with the help of Habla Ya. Oh, and one more thing about administration online; they are professional, helpful and set up everything for me to begin this great journey into an unknown language. I am very lucky to live in Boquete so I did not have to worry about travel plans or lodging. The only reason I gave lodging a 4 is because I did not use accomodations, but the other students that did always seemed to be happy with their lodging and said everyone was helpful and nice. The only other comment I would make about facilities is the fact that the Wifi was hit and miss many times but unfortunately that's the way it is in Panama sometimes. All in all, an excellent 12 weeks (oh and I changed after 9 weeks to private classes which are tremendous!!) Be ready....they won't speak much if any English to you....it really is the way to learn this language. Ask questions, these wonderful instructors and staff are ready and happy to help you achieve your goal of learning Spanish. Even if you can only spare a week or two, DO IT. You will not regret it. Thanks for reading my long review. I really could go on about how outstanding this place is, but you should check it out for yourself. I know you will love it like I do! Contact them soon. They tend to fill up quickly. Oh, and I have to admit, I only went to the Boquete campus but have heard wonderful things about the other campuses too. Many of the students would spend a couple of weeks at each of the campuses. This would be a great way to see Panama and meet new people. One final thing: They have great activities that you can participate in and increase your knowledge of Spanish. They have "movie night" once a week, sightseeing tours, Salsa classes, and a conversational hour every Saturday that all students are welcome to. I can't wait to get back to Habla Ya. Buena Suerte! Mendi C. Boquete, Panama
Evaluation from gwallace:
Habla Ya is a fantastic Spanish school. The teachers are professional, dedicated and talented, and well-prepared to teach any level, beginning to advanced. The school staff and administrators put forth incredible effort to make sure that their clients have a positive experience both inside and outside the classroom. I am a Spanish teacher, and spent 4 weeks at Habla Ya Boquete last summer, studying 5 hrs a day. My two teachers, Yubal Tapia and Leidys Pitti, were both wonderful. At my suggestion, Yubal and I read the first 10 chapters of Don Quijote together, and it was a fun and rewarding exploration of that classic text. Leidys and I worked on the material of the C1 course of study. Their methods and materials are excellent. With both teachers I enjoyed far-reaching discussions on a wide variety of topics. I was checking out the school for my high school students, and I highly recommend it. Every week there was a slightly different mix of students there, and I enjoyed that diverse community of language learners. Habla Ya arranged activities to explore the area , selected host families (mine was wonderful!) and was a great resource for all of us as we explored the area. Habla Ya is an outstanding organization!
Evaluation from Antje:
I only can say good things about Habla Ya in Boquete, a wonderful place to study. The school is well organized,the staff friendly and helpful. I had both, an individual and a group class for two weeks in January 2016. My teacher Leidys Pitti was excellent, helping me a lot to improve my Spanish. Our lessons were all very entertaining having so many topics to speak about. Leidys, being such an open minded young women taught me a lot about live and culture of Panama and made me practice my Spanish by showing interest in all my concerns.The work in small groups (we were only 2 students for the first and 4 for the second week) was very effective too and the broad range of teaching materials used made it a great fun. I can highly recommend this school. Antje
Evaluation from floblatt:
I studied at Habla Ya in Boquete for 2 weeks. I was very pleased with the quality of instruction. I was initially placed in a small group class with Leidys. However, during the first couple of hours she noticed from my speech that I already knew some of the subjects her class was going to cover. Therefore she suggested I move to a higher class. I was impressed that she was paying close enough attention to my speech to recognize this (there were 5 people in the class), and that she took the initiative to suggest a change. She was a wonderful teacher, by the way, and I know the rest of the group really enjoyed being in her class. So then I ended up changing to private lessons because it turned out I was between levels. So for the rest of the time I studied 2 hours a day with Tamara. Tamara was great! She was patient, encouraging and flexible. Several times I requested schedule changes and she accommodated me each time. Since I really wanted to improve my ability to speak, she let me work on that, and listened patiently and corrected me gently as I spoke. She did it just the right amount so that I didn’t get discouraged and could feel more confident about it. Tamara always paid attention and seemed interested in my topics. As my ability grew, we were able to have some really good conversations and she shared information about herself as well. By the time the 2 weeks were up, not only was I much better at having a conversation in Spanish, I also had a new friend in Panama!
Evaluation from jjmarkson:
If you want to learn or improve your Spanish Language Skills and you’re interested in doing that in a beautiful mountain town with an eternal spring like climate year round you won’t find a better place than the Habla Ya Spanish School in Boquete, Chiriquí, Panamá. Of course you probably won’t be in school all day, so better to be in a place that is beautiful with lots of other activities to keep you busy when you are not studying. Before relocating to Panamá my wife and I decided it was imperative to learn the language if we wanted to live in the countryside among Panamanian families. After doing a considerable amount of research we chose Habla Ya’s Boquete campus. We were given placement tests and assigned to classes appropriate to our skill level – I started at the beginning never having been good with languages in my youth. My first class (group) was with Kimberly who is an awesome Boquete native and great teacher. Group classes, which meet four hours daily, are fun as you get to meet students from all over the world and student interactions can be quite hilarious. We’re all there for the same reason and everyone lends assistance when needed; it’s a great way to make new friends. After a long break for a visit to the U.S. for the Thanksgiving Holiday I returned to Habla Ya and made a decision to take private lessons (2 hours daily) and what a great choice it was. With my new teacher Ladys I found that I was learning much more in half the time. In a private setting Ladys was able to focus soley on me and my abilities. Being the consummate professional, Ladys has the patience of a saint and is a gifted teacher. I am not fluent by a long shot by I can now communicate and get my message across to people that do not speak a word of English. Ladys and Habla Ya have given me the knowledge and confidence to go out in the real world of Panamá improving my language skills as I go. Everyone at Habla Ya including the front office personnel, administrators and teachers are great… it’s like having a big family here in Panamá. Highly recommended!
Evaluation from krismontano:
Three years ago I enrolled in online two hour Spanish classes at Habla Ya. I already understood a bit of Spanish and I wanted to learn more and sharpen my skills, and that is exactly what Habla Ya did for me. My online teacher, Leidys Pitti, has to have been one of the best teachers I've had at any school I've been to, and we've only spoken over the Internet! Leidys has been with me for one hundred hours of online classes and I believe my comprehension and speaking Spanish has tripled over just these hundred hours! She's got my respect as a teacher, yet whenever we speak, it feels we're talking on a friendly level. She gets the whole job done while at the same time never hesitating to laugh and have a good time while she's doing it. It's very obvious that she's passionate about teaching language and I definitely recommend Leidys and Habla Ya in Panama for anyone interested in learning/improving Spanish.
Evaluation from VM77777:
I studied with Habla Ya in Boquete for 4.5 months (private classes, 4 hours a day) and I had a great experience. I worked with Tamara for the majority of the time and I loved her! Her explanations were so clear. If I didn’t understand something, she would always find another way to explain it to me. And she was fantastic at correcting me when I spoke. We also did fun activities together – I love to cook and at the end a few classes, we made Panamanian food! I miss her and Habla Ya. I just got home and now I’m ready to go back to Panama.
Evaluation from laurence:
“Another excellent experience at Habla Ya” Once again I studied Spanish at Habla Ya from 23rd May to 16th June. This is the sixth visit and again my private teacher was Leidys with whom I have always had a very personal and friendly relationship. Because of my advanced level I often had questions which she could answer very professionally. This time we worked with the passive voice and used articles with special grammatical points. As usual I was very happy and this will not be my last visit to Habla Ya. Thankyou to Leidys and all at this school.
Evaluation from HannahAtkins:
Habla Ya was a fantastic experience. I stayed 5 weeks and my teacher was Leidys. She is the best teacher I've ever had! She is extremely fun, kind, and her patience is endless. :) She definitely has a talent for teaching. The entire class was in Spanish, but I still understood everything that was going on in class (despite having very little Spanish when I arrived). I have learned so much from her since I arrived. All the staff were very friendly. Thank you to everyone at Habla Ya!
Evaluation from samharshbarger:
I've spent the last three weeks in Boquete, studying Spanish at the Habla Ya School. The climate is extremely temperate with a constant temperature of 70ºF and occasional showers in the afternoon. The school itself is wonderful and a perfect place to immerse oneself in Hispanic culture and language. My teacher, Leidys, was extremely kind and accommodating. She adapted the curriculum to suit every of my needs and interests. Moreover, during my week I stayed with a host family I was greeted with open arms and a warm hearth. I'm greatly indebted in the improvement of my Spanish to my time here in Leidys' class. It was a great experience and I recommend the school wholeheartedly!
Evaluation from mjemidy:
Studying Spanish in Boquete was fabulous. My teacher, Yubal, is an absolute delight! I had actual taken several weeks of classes with him online via Skype and was SO excited when I was assigned to his class when I went Boquete and could meet him in person. I love that he uses a lot of different teaching tools so that students can practice all aspects of the language, listening, reading and speaking. What most impressed me about Yubal was his intuitive understanding of my learning needs. When I understood something clearly, we would move through it quickly but when I struggled with a topic he reviewed it more thoroughly with me. Learning another language can be frustrating at times, but Yubal is incredibly patient and motivates through positive encouragement. If you're looking to improve your Spanish, look no further than Habla Ya.
Evaluation from ahenderson:
I have been taking on-line lessons from Habla Ya for several months. My teacher, Leidys, has been great. I did have some basic Spanish before I started. We were able to go at my pace and review old material, if needed. I work in the medical field, and I received materials and assignments related to this topic which was helpful. For me, the most productive part of the lessons were the times spent on conversing back and forth with my teacher on various topics. Having lesson on-line requires a lot of self-discipline, especially if you have a full time job. However, it does make you review Spanish on a regular basis in order to be ready for the next lesson. The only thing I would change is being able to take lessons on the weekends. However even with the time difference from Panama, I was able to make it work for me.
Evaluation from CharlieNAnita:
I have attended Habla La for Spanish classes in Boquete, Panama with Leidys Pitti as my instrucyor. It was exactly what I needed to become more proficient in speaking Spanish. The lessons have been presented in a way that makes them easy to learn and enjoyable at the same time. I like Boquete because it is so beautiful and the climate is perfect almost all year long. The people are very friendly and welcoming. Plenty to do and see with 83 restaurants a beautiful park in the center of town and activities for all ages.
Evaluation from KMSager:
Leidys Pitti is a friendly and attentive professor who delivered well-planned and well-paced lessons that ensured maximum comprehension. Her knowledgeable and experienced teaching gave us the confidence to carry conversations solely in Spanish. Her strength lies in her willingness to share Panamanian cultural norms and customs alongside her lessons. Her amiable nature and quick wit made the experience enjoyable and rewarding.
Evaluation from lisedoucette:
I spent three weeks in Boquete and two weeks in Bocas del Toro taking classes at Habla Ya. I had five different instructors in a mix of group and private classes, and I really appreciated the different styles of each one. (They also spoke with each other about my progress so that there was an easy transition between schools and between group and private lessons.) Yubal was my primary group lessons instructor. He was engaging, well-prepared, and very supportive. He was genuinely interested in students’ opinions and ideas during discussions, and was always happy to answer my (many) questions. He had a great sense of humour and made the classes a comfortable, stress-free environment. I went from knowing a few words in my first class to feeling comfortable in many conversational settings by the end. Eduardo was my primary private lessons instructor. He was an excellent, thoughtful teacher, and was quick to figure out where my strengths were and where I needed help. I really appreciated that he saw the classes as a flexible and collaborative process – sometimes he would suggest a concept for further study based on what he heard in our conversations, and other times I would ask him to teach or review a specific concept in our next class. He was always well-prepared and extremely patient. These private classes helped me feel more confident overall with speaking Spanish (we started each class with a conversation), as well as with specific concepts that had been challenging for me. I also had three other teachers: Tamara in Boquete was a great teacher and made our classes interesting. Sergio and Eleana in Bocas used a number of engaging techniques to help me practise conversations using past and present verb tenses. Some of the teachers would join groups of students for lunch, and they were friendly both inside and outside of classes and we all shared stories about our own lives. Getting to know the teachers and fellow students was a great part of the experience. Not all of the group activities organized by the school went ahead because of low sign-up numbers, but those that did were a lot of fun, especially the group cooking and dinner together at the Bocas school and the Saturday morning conversational classes.
Evaluation from VeronikaPataki:
I was an Habla Ya student for 6 weeks in March and April 2017. My experience was excellent right from the beginning, when I was working with the Habla Ya team while I was abroad to make sure that my classes as well as my staying with a host family (including 2 meals each day) were taken care of. I was attending a group class in my first week. My teacher was Tamara. She is a lovely lady who has tremendous patience and a great sense of humor. She always finds reasons to laugh wholeheartedly which is contagious. We had a lot of fun in her classes while she also made sure to give us a good dose of words, grammar and knowledge. I took private classes from my second week with Leidys. She took good care of me, filling our classes with a variety of speaking, listening, reading and grammar. I improved a lot within a short period of time. Leidys has a relaxed personality and enjoys her life which is something that a lot of us need to learn. I had two classes with Yubal. He is a very intelligent and attentive man. I could talk to him about anything whatsoever, he truly cared about what I had to say and conducted honest conversations with me. I felt like we had been long-time friends and enjoyed our classes tremendously. I had one class with Eduardo. He let me talk a lot which was exactly what I needed, i.e. to practice my Spanish. I also appreciated that he provided me with practical advice about where to find places of my interest and how to take care of stuff around here. I am very grateful for Habla Ya and highly recommend their services. Thanks to them I can enjoy understanding Spanish-spoken people and expressing myself in Spanish which was a childhood dream for me.
Evaluation from Carlisle:
Before choosing Habla Ya Panama as my Spanish school I did a lot of online research. As a retired educator and school administrator I had high expectations about the quality of instruction I would receive and as my Spanish was almost non existent I was looking for a positive and encouraging learning atmosphere. I was not disappointed. I really appreciated my first instructor, Eduardo Guss for his patience and his good nature. It was a challenge to bumble along each day with our limited Spanish but Eduardo kept challenging us and kept us laughing at our own mistakes. He was also receptive to answering any questions we had about Panamanian culture and life which I found helpful and interesting. The homework assignments were not too onerous and always reinforced what was tackled during the class. I timed my visit to Boquete so I could take in both the Flower Festival and the Jazz Festival. The surrounding mountains were lovely to hike and a as birder getting to see the Resplendent Quetzal was simply amazing. I also spent two weeks at their sister school in Bocas del Toro and the instruction was of the same high quality.
Evaluation from lasseskytteknudsen:
As part of preparations for a 3 month trip around Panama and Costa Rica, I have had the pleasure of learning a LOT of spanish at Habla Ya in Boquete. It has been a great experience and I also had a great teacher "Edwardo". Very good and pleasent teacher. It has been fun to practice my "new language" on the streets of Boquete.
Evaluation from Lars0001:
I took 4 weeks of group lessons in december 2016 and I learned a lot for such a short time. My teacher was Eduardo and liked the style of learning at hablaya, we had a good combination of learning grammar, training conversational skills and doing homework to practice the days topics. Learning in small groups of 4 or even less people most of the time was always fun and our teacher always adapted to the skills and specific questions of each of the students. For me it was a great experience, and I can only recommend the school and the location in Boquete.
Evaluation from RussKinn:
I just spent weeks studying at Habla Ya in Boquete, Panamá. I have taken classes in Spanish before, both in a small group setting and private classes. I am happy to say that my teacher in Boquete, Eduardo, was excellent. I had him for group lessons and, for a brief time, in 1-on-1 lessons. In group lessons, he taught a lot of material while keeping the class fun and interesting. Sometimes language classes can be dry and time drags on quite a bit. Not so with Eduardo. In private situations, he possesses two very important attributes as a teacher. He is flexible. He can detect where more work needs to be done and adjust the use of class time appropriately. Additionally, he is very patient. I imagine that, at times, teaching people who a language that is foreign to them can challenge your patience. If this is the case with him, you certainly wouldn’t know it. He seems to enjoy teaching and working with students. He also has an impressive ability to explain difficult concepts clearly. I am not certain, but this may come from being multilingual himself. Overall, the experience was very positive. I learned a lot and had a good time doing it.
Evaluation from alexharshbarger2003:
This school really helped me to learn Spanish because the way they teach us by only speaking in Spanish. This gives you the opportunity to use Spanish in common situations. I had a teacher named Edwardo Espinosa who definitely helped me learn Spanish is more fun and interesting ways. We would play card games in only Spanish. Also, we played another game that was like I Spy in Spanish. The I Spy game made me have to describe things that I saw outside which is definitely important to know in other languages. In my class it was not just games I still did stuff in a workbook which is just as important. Also I enjoyed having a coffee shop next door because you could get coffee when you were on break. In conclusion, I learned more Spanish at this Spanish school for three weeks than I have at my middle school in entire school year.
Evaluation from ByEdgi:
Una gran escuela, con un personal amable y servicial y una ubicación céntrica en Boquete. Eduardo es el maestro a pedir. Él es muy paciente, habla un gran inglés y enseña a igualar el ritmo de cada estudiante y sus antecedentes.
Evaluation from kcheary:
As I have not been to other language schools, it is difficult to compare HablaYa. However, I found two of my instructors - Eduardo and Yubal - to be excellent. Their teaching style meshed with how I learn best, they were patient, and they would take the time - in English, if necessary - to help me get through difficult concepts. As for the school administration, I believe there is room for improvement. Nevertheless, I would still recommend the school overall.
Evaluation from IloveHablaYa:
I spent 6 weeks taking 6 hours of private classes everyday and I was so happy with the outcome! My professor, Yubal, was a wonderful professor who always provided helpful feedback in class, created fun and focused lessons, and gave helpful homework when I wanted it. I went from hardly knowing any words to being able to carry a conversation with anyone!
Evaluation from tcphak:
Over the last year I have had occasion to work with Habla Ya language schools of Panama, first during a one-month series of on-site individual and group lessons with a variety of teachers in Panama City and subsequently via the web with my teacher Leidys in Boquete. My initial goal had been to take my basic command of Spanish to a higher level in working with patients (I am a physician), and I can confidently say that this goal has been more than amply met. Though I continue to use interpreters in some situations, their role has generally been to confirm my understanding or to assist in particularly complex communications. While advancing my capacity to use the Spanish language was my initial goal, what I have also experienced has been the delight of exposure to a culture and history of which I had been at best peripherally aware as well as rich literary and musical traditions, and I credit this awakening in no small part to the enthusiasm and professionalism of my teachers at Habla Ya. I have worked with tutors and teachers in a variety of contexts in recent years trying to improve my skills, and I have made far more progress working with Habla Ya than anywhere else. The school has developed a very effective approach to teaching, maintains a very high standard of pedagogy, and adapts very effectively to individual needs. I continue with my studies at Habla Ya, confident that my understanding of the Spanish language and its iinterwoven culture will continue to improve. Thanks, Habla Ya!
Evaluation from rjanes22:
I spent four weeks at Habla Ya in Boquete and one week in Bocas Del Toro studying Spanish with Habla Ya. In Boquete, I took group classes with Yubal and he is excellent. He made class fun and was clear with the material so me and my classmate learned a lot! He also speaks very good English which was very helpful in times of confusion for clarification, and he was sure to review anything we weren't clear about. I looked forward to going to class every day. Also in Boquete I took private classes with Kimberly and Jeremy. Kimberly is incredibly sweet and very good at creating conversation with her students which lets us help practice when we don't even realize it. I really enjoyed my time with her! I spent less time with Jeremy but he was also helpful in going over new vocabulary and helping me remember it. Both professors were sure to help reiterate what I had been learning in group classes. I got to stay with the Miranda family in Boquete which was a complete gift! All were extremely kind and fun to talk to, and their house is like a garden oasis that is beyond peaceful. For one week in Bocas del Toro I stayed with the Morales Campbell family, who were very hospitable and easy to talk to. Their house is right in the middle of town which made walking easy as well. My professor was Benita, who I loved so much! She treated me and my other classmate like daughters, and her direct teaching style helped us advance faster in the level we were in. Benita wanted to know how we learned best so that she could teach accordingly, which was also so cool. She made my short time in Bocas very fun and made me feel immediately welcome.
Evaluation from kimellis1020:
I’ve tried taking Spanish at college night school, using online tools and listening to educational CDs. Nothing truly worked before immersing and attending three weeks at Habla Ya, and particularly working with my professor, Leidys Pitti. Leidys is not only extremely patient, but has the ability to recognize the level of each student’s ability and progress and meet them where they are. My first week of class was with three other students, and Leidys skillfully engaged each of us in asking questions, writing, and practicing new learning in fun ways in class. The second week, I was a solo with Leidys, and we had the opportunity to have real conversations every day. I’m amazed at how well we each understood each other and enjoyed the discussions and practice. The third week, there were two students. With Leidys teaching and a lot of practice, we had gained confidence in remembering not only many, many words, but in understanding how to put them into sentences and improve on grammar usage (verbs, adjectives, possessive, plural, etc.). I cannot recommend Habla Ya and Leidys enough. These three weeks have been game changing in building a solid platform for my ongoing use of the Spanish language. I’m thrilled to be going back to Los Angeles to practice with friends and look forward to returning to Habla Ya to continue building my skills to speak this beautiful language.
Evaluation from mami2018:
I had a great time studying in Habla Ya (Boquete) for three weeks. I stayed with a wonderful host family that made me feel at home. The “Group 4 PLUS 1” course format is a good way to learn quickly with, each day, 4 h of group lesson plus 1 h in private during which you can focus on what you personally need to practice more. The teachers are dedicated and the staff welcoming and eager to help. Muchas gracias a Leidys, a Reynin, a Alexander y a Yubal.
Evaluation from MeikeNy:
Excelentes clases de español Yo soy una estudiante frequente de Habla Ya Boquete. Este año tube mis clases de grupo y clases privadas con Leidys. Las clases son una mezcla de gramatica, tareas, communicacion. Leidys prepara sus clases buenissimo y adapta su velocidad de enseñar a los niveles de los estudiantes. Ademas las clases siempre son divertidos tambien. Gracias por la experiencia!
Evaluation from DaniB:
I just finished four weeks of Spanish school with Habla Ya in Boquete. It's been a great experience all around. I stayed with a wonderful local family and my host mum Lucy was fantastic. I had booked myself in for four weeks of small group classes but in the end I had one-on-one lessons all along as it was only me in the intermediate category. My teacher Alex was super nice and showed a real interest in my work and fields of interest. Besides the regular book subjects we talked about yoga, the Egyptian pantheon, religion, politics, equal rights and the essence of a happy life. It's been fun going to class and the class structure was generally put together really well. All staff at the school were super friendly, professional and helpful and I can only recommend this place. In ways of quality, attention, friendliness and professionalism this is the place to choose!
Evaluation from reneesmith:
I studied here for 1 week and I had a great experience with my teachers Leidys and Alex. The school is very well organized and really worked to make sure I got the most out of my experience there. Boquete is also so beautiful to explore and the school organizes group activities so you always have something to do outside of class. I would definitely recommend for anyone wanting to learn Spanish in Panama.
Evaluation from hannahmeeks:
I love these schools! I spent two weeks in beautiful Boquete with Leidys, and I can't say enough good things about her. She is a clear and concise teacher; you will grow leaps and bounds in a short amount of time! I also had my two sons, ages 12 and 7 in the program with Kimberley, Yeremy, and Alexander and they have very positive experiences. If you want to learn a lot in a short amount of time come to Habla Ya! They do a wonderful job with their methodology and with their teacher training. I am planning on continuing with online lessons after I return home!
Evaluation from andile:
I first met Leidys during my time at Habla Ya in Boquete. She's absolutely lovely - so I was very excited to hear that she was going to teach my online classes. Leidys is a very professional teacher who focuses on the aspects that are most helpful to me. I particularly asked her for listening and speaking practice and there has not been a moment where she wouldn't come up with great topics to work on. She makes sure to always have advice how to avoid common mistakes and how to specifically improve my Spanish. I'm very happy to have her as a teacher and can definitely recommend her as a teacher.
Evaluation from wblockwood:
Great Spanish lesson experience with Leidys at Habla Ya My family and I just finished a one week Spanish class (5 half days)in Boquete with Leidys as our instructor. She was patient, supportive, and knowledgeable. We had fun and learned more than we had hoped and now feel prepared and excited to travel more in Panama and Ecuador. Boquete is fun with lots of good restaurants and has many well organized outdoor activities to choose from. The school was very good about accommodating each of our needs based on our current knowledge of Spanish. They were even able to accommodate our daughter with high functioning autism. I highly recommend this school and Leidys and hope to return in the future.
Evaluation from profman2:
Leidy's is an excellent instructor. I did not realize this was total immersion so I was momentarily overwhelmed, but she spoke slowly and clear enough it actually helped me learn faster. It will push you, but that should be why you are there. I highly recommend the course and Leidy's as an instructor.
Evaluation from cathyaller:
Asisti a Habla Ya en Boquete por tres semanas. Alex ha sido mi profesor de espanol. El es conocedor y es bueno ensenando espanol. El me desafio y me animo a dar lo mejor de mi todos los dias. Esperaba ir a su clase. Fue divertido e interesante. Explico cosas y dio ejemplos para que yo pudiera entender las cosas con claridad. Alex tiene un gran corazon y una pasion por la ensenanza. El no solo es un maestro maravilloso, sino que tambien es un gran amigo.
Evaluation from amberyaeko:
July 2018: Habla Ya is the 7th Spanish school I’ve studied at in Latin America. I’m happy I chose to study at the Boquete campus. The town itself is beautiful and I had a great walk to and from my homestay through the lush scenery every day. My teacher, Alex, made class fun and lively. I could tell the other teachers, like Laidys and Erian, were also effective teachers. I was most impressed with how helpful and lovely Giselle was in the front office. She helped arrange a great weekend trip for us with one of the many tour agencies in town. Julio, an Habla Ya Travel Consultant, helped us plan our weekend in Panama City even though we were not taking classes at that campus. The staff, other students, my homestay family - they all made my time in Panamá unforgettable!
Evaluation from markobromley:
My family and I spent two weeks at the Habla Ya Boquete campus. Our experience was great. My teachers Alex and Leydis were outstanding. They were attentive and tailored the content to my learning needs. This was my first experience taking Spanish classes and I feel much more confident speaking now! My daughters (10 and 6) had classes with Erian who was absolutely incredible - the girls were excited to be there, worked hard for the entire 4 hour class and picked up a ton of Spanish. The town was beautiful and felt very safe. Important, traveling with a young family.
Evaluation from Hillhill:
I studied 2 weeks in Boquete. I had a really great time with Habla YA and my teacher Leidys. She is an excellent teacher and I learned a lot. Boquete was a great place with many outdoor activities and beautiful nature. I also stayed with a host family which I highly recommend as well.
Evaluation from ValarieAlex:
Alex from the Boquete, Habla Ya is a patient, kind and effective Spanish teacher. I enjoyed my 3-week course very much and plan to return. Thank you Alex! Valarie
Evaluation from SandraZiegler:
Ich hatte eine Woche Sprachunterricht mit Kim - sie ist eine tolle Lehrerin, wir hatten viel Spass und sie hatte mich immer zum Sprechen animiert. So konnte ich nach dieser Woche eine deutliche Verbesserung bemerken. Sie hat mir viel erklärt und mich bei anderen organisatorischen Themen sehr gut unterstützt. Vielen Dank!
Evaluation from sushideluxe:
I spent a week in Boquete, learning Spanish at Habla Ya and participating in their activities. I went with my teenage daughter who stayed an additional 3 weeks on her own. We loved our time there, staying with a wonderful family. If you are serious about learning Spanish, Habla Ya offers many activities and opportunities to add to your experience outside of class. It was a well run program, and the teacher I had (Kimberly) was outstanding: warm, fun, knowledgeable and a skilled teacher. I learned an incredible amount of Spanish in only a week. My teenage daughter, who stayed for a total of 4, learned even more. Boquete is a great small town with lots of outdoor activities that are easily accessible either on your own or arranged through the people who run Habla Ya. We had a minor mixup regarding the family we were staying with (we were given info about a different family than the one we we ended up with). But other than that, they were quite organized, and I felt very comfortable about leaving my daughter there for the remainder of her trip.
Evaluation from Dadwyer:
I took classes in all 3 Habla Ya locations and they were all excellent! Boquete however is the perfect blend of adventure and focused study. Kimberly is an EXCELLENT teacher, patient and consistent in reinforcing new and repeat concepts. I highly recommend any branch of Habla Ya, but Boquete was by far my favorite.
Evaluation from arosenkranz:
My family and I attended Habla Ya Panama in Boquete for six weeks, in anticipation of a move to Chile for a year. The experience was great. First, a word about Boquete and surrounding Chiriqui. We visited in July and early August, which is the rainy season, and the weather was great for us. It was never hot, and there was usually a strong cool breeze, just perfect summer weather. In the afternoons, at least in July/August, it often rains, so you might schedule classes for the afternoon. We stayed at Isla Verde, a series of bungalows with kitchenettes about a 3-4 minute walk from the school. They were surrounded by lush gardens, and I was very happy with our stay there. The restaurant at Isla Verde, Colibri, was our favorite in Boquete, but mostly we ate at the inexpensive local restaurants, Sabrason, Amarillas, and Orchiadas. The main part of the town, Boquete Centro, is fairly small, and has a mix of supermarkets, stores, and restaurants catering to locals, as well as more tourist oriented restaurants. Boquete some great coffee and chocolate shops (this is the source for some of the best coffee in the world). The town is surrounded by verdant hills, which is lovely, and you can buy pineapples and other vegetables on the street and in the fruit and vegetable market for inexpensive prices, so it’s nice to have a place to stay with a kitchen. There are fresh fruits everywhere, a few of which I’d never seen before, and many restaurants have batidas (fruit shakes) and fresas con crema (strawberries and cream). Boquete positions itself as an adventure town, and there is a lot to do outside the town, including hikes, coffee, honey, and chocolate farms, Volcan Baru (which I didn’t visit), and ziplining and other trips. For the hikes, you can just take a taxi to a trailhead, and then catch a minibus back to town. My favorite out of town adventures were a rafting trip and two visits to the Mini Canyons, where you can swim and picnic with the locals in lovely warm water. In town, we had an amazing cooking class experience at Colibri, and a chocolate making experience at A Perfect Pair, which we loved as well. I came to Habla Ya with no Spanish language experience, and after six weeks I can communicate fairly well, having a conversation with anyone. I’m very happy with the progress I was able to make. My vocabulary is still fairly small, and when native speakers talk with me rapid-fire, I often need to ask them to slow down. For the first three weeks, I worked out of their first workbook, which gave me all of the foundations for the language. It was well organized, and I learned basic past, present, and future tenses, how to conjugate verbs, and a lot of other language structure. The next three weeks I worked out of a second book that added additional tenses, and other concepts. I think the school is very language structure oriented, which worked well for me. For these two books they were essentially laying the foundations for me so that I could add vocabulary later and conceptually know how to use it. The classes we took were from 1-5pm, with a 20 minute break in the middle. I had about 15-20 minutes of homework at night, but then I would generally spend another 40 minutes or so reviewing the day’s work, which was a big help in cementing my learning. Because I was there in the off-season, I had essentially about 3 weeks of private lessons (since there was no one else at my level at that moment), and three weeks with 2-3 other students in the class, who were coming from the US, Germany, and France. I had two professors: My professor, Pedro Abrego, was great. He’s a quiet person, and fairly reserved, and conveys both humility and an unflaggingly positive attitude. He’s extremely knowledgeable and dedicated to teaching. He keeps the class moving at a quick pace, although he’s happy to work through a concept until you understand it. He will not speak English, which in some cases might have saved some time (it can take me a long time to ask a question in Spanish), but I think that is part of the professors’ training. His explanations were clear, and I couldn’t believe how much I knew by the end. He was a good fit for me, and he pushed me far in Spanish. I appreciated the chance to learn with Pedro. My professor, Erian Marin, was wonderful. At different times, he taught both me and my kids, and was equally adept at both. He has a great sense of humor, and makes classes fun to attend. At the same time he helped me move quickly through the lessons, he was attuned to the students who might need extra support, and kept us all on the same page. In the case of my kids, he understood how to balance learning with fun and games. My younger son was not as excited about the material as his older sister, and Erian worked hard to keep them both engaged (including the occasional soccer game). I was so impressed with Erian’s teaching skill and charm, and I routinely looked forward to my classes with him.
Evaluation from JohnWorkman:
Habla Ya was a great experience for both learning Spanish and experiencing the culture of Panama. I speak some Spanish and wanted to improve my language skills for an upcoming trip to Ecuador. I spent two weeks at the school in Boquete and definitely accomplished my objective. My teacher was Leidys Pitti and she was excellent. The classes lasted 4 hours each weekday and were conducted entirely in Spanish. This contributed to the total immersion concept and really worked quite well. Leidys also spoke very clearly and slowly which was a great help for improving my comprehension. She followed a structured lesson plan complete with workbook and examples on the whiteboard, but there was also plenty of free-flowing conversation about subjects in which I was most interested. Leidys was a joy to work with and you would be lucky to have her as your teacher. Boquete is the perfect location to study Spanish. It's a pleasant little town in the mountains of Panama with plenty of restaurants, etc. Importantly, few of the locals speak English so I had to use Spanish. Luckily, everyone was patient and appreciated that I was there to learn their language. I stayed with a host family a short distance from town. The Del Cids were a wonderful, traditional, couple who also did not speak English. This provided a great opportunity to practice my Spanish and learn about the local Panamanian culture. One final note about the Habla Ya school staff and policies. Every staff member I had contact with, whether the initial phone conversations with Tori, helping organize a tour with Ivan, and arranging my ride back to the David airport with Giselle, was great. They all made sure my experience went well. I was scheduled and paid for group lessons. When I arrived, they felt I was not at the same level as the rest of the group, so I ended up with private lessons for no additional charge. This worked out great and demonstrates the school's focus on the needs of the students.
Popular Phrase: que son los pronombres | Free Intermediate Spanish Podcasts | Conjugated Verb: disgustar - to displease, be displeasing; to annoy, upset [ click for full conjugation ]
This class was the best and funniest class in all my life. The teacher is a wonderful person and a very smart one. I can't believe how much I learned in only 2 weeks... gosh, I hope I can return again!