The premise of the method is that language, culture, and meaning are interrelated. Thus, in order to effectively speak Spanish (for example), one must understand the way native speakers think, as revealed by how they express themselves. Knowing only how to make well–formed sentences according to the grammatical rules is necessary but not sufficient.
The method differs from traditional approaches by placing less emphasis on grammatical rules and more emphasis on conversational styles. The idea is that by learning specific examples of common constructions in repeated, but different, contexts, the student will learn to recognize patterns and begin to use the forms automatically, without thinking of the rules. The native speaker doesn’t think of rules, and neither should the student. (Obviously, one must know the rules before one gets to that stage, but rules are to be learned, and then forgotten.)
Learning to think in Spanish exposes the student to the richness of its forms and cultural norms. It opens doors to new ways of thinking and expressing ideas, and hopefully will result in an increased appreciation of the culture. Riccardo loves the Spanish language and hopes that you will come to see its beauty as well as you proceed in our program. He says: “We'll have fun with it and learn something about the Spanish culture along the way.”
Riccardo is convinced that the ability to speak fluently depends on understanding the underlying psychology of language, not just rules of grammar. Language and culture are strongly related: one reflects the other. That is the focus of his forthcoming book titled Speak Spanish Think Español.
For example: In English, we say, “My head hurts.” In Spanish, this is "Me duele la cabeza". In English, the body part is owned by the speaker — it's my head that hurts — whereas in Spanish, it is la cabeza, the head, that hurts, and the head projects this action onto the speaker — “hurts to me.”
These are two radically different ways of verbalizing what is basically the same interior experience. The impetus for the idea may be the same, but the way it is perceived by the speaker depends on the language that is used: the English speaker “owns” his hurting head; the Spanish speaker sees the source of the hurt as outside him and acting upon him. This is psycholinguistics in relief: the idea that language reflects the way people think and behave in a culture. To use the language, and to understand it properly, requires an understanding of the psychology of the expressions.
The method is based on Riccardo Accurso's personal experience teaching language, combined with his academic background in psycholinguistics and his experience of living in Spanish-speaking countries including Spain, Mexico and Argentina, for considerable periods of time, over a period of 50 years. See more about Riccardo's background.
- Click here to see SPECIAL RATES
- Click here to see a SLIDESHOW of a program.
Classes are small and intensive
Class on the patio 
Outside view of the classroom 
View toward the pool and gardens
Lunch is a time for Spanish speaking and local cuisine
Diploma ceremony highlights Graduation Day