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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!

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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!

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No question that spending 3 weeks over the summer of 2009 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.

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I spent two weeks at Habla Ya in Boquete, Panama in September 2009 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

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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¡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. I don't think so........This is Paradise! PS if you're not convinced yet just visit the website: http://www.hablayapanama.com/

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Best Spanish Language School in the World! I loved every minute of my time at Habla Ya! and I miss it every day!

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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 ☺

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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 .

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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.

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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!

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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

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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!

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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!

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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.

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This is a great school to take a foreign language, everyone including teachers and staff are great. LMW

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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!

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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!

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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.

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Habla Ya makes learning spanish a joy. Our teacher Minerva is THE best teacher I've ever had

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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 ¡

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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.

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Once Habla Ya and you never want to learn Spanish anywhere else! It was a lot of fun learning Spanish in the language school Habla Ya in Boquette Panama. My Spanish come on from zero up to having a general conversation with everybody I meet on the street during my 4 month Spanish course (four hours daily). Foremost I liked with Habla Ya that the groups consist out of no more than 4 students. The students have about the same advancement level so that nobody feels intimidated to speak Spanish by anyone that is way ahead of him. Our teachers presented a variety of games that made learning a lot of fun. The language material that was presented during the classes was very lively and interesting. Our teachers took personal interest in me and gave me individually tips and hints in how and what I could personally improve. Beside the school time Hably Ya offers recreational activities to its students like watching movies, traditional Panamanian dinners, hikes through the mysterious mountains, rafting Panama's wildest rivers and other things to get to know better the Panamanian life style. I also appreciated also that teachers only speak Spanish. Of course, that is not always easy but with increased concentration I was able to follow along. And whenever I did not understand something I just asked and asked (of course in Spanish) until the penny dropped. According the saying “Without pain no gain!” Here ties in the perfect training and ability of all the teachers of Hable Ya they are not only in complete control of the Spanish grammar and the necessary language abilities but also social skills to understand the students by getting down to their level. Foremost they are very patient and listen attentively. Here I want to thank in particular my teacher Ismenia Perez. She helped me tremendously to increase my Spanish, understand the grammar and in particular I can say that she was very patient with me for all the time I had been in Habla Ya. Habla Ya is to be recommend to everybody no matter how good your Spanish may be or not be. Here you find the right approach and the people to get the best out of you. Have a lot of fun learning Spanish in Boquette. Alex http://www.hablayapanama.com/

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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!

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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).

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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.

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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!

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My Teacher Christopher was fantastic , he really took his time with me so that I could understand and I feel that learn´t loads .

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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!

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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!!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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....

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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...

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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.

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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.

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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

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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!!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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Great school, great location right in the heart of Boquete. The staff is helpful and friendly, and my teacher, Minerva, was excellent. Jeff

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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.

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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

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.