testimonials
in Northern Virginia

One of the most attracting aspects of SPANISH black belt tutoring sessions in Northern Virginia is the diversity of our students. In effect, every session has a different atmosphere that varies according to the personality, age, gender, level and interest of the participants.

Some of these students have chosen to share their experiences so you can learn more about what to expect from our program:

"Spanish Blackbelt is the easiest, fastest, and most affordable way to learn Spanish. My tutor Susana was such a pleasure. She was very involved, totally present and made my learning experience highly enjoyable. I highly recommend Spanish Blackbelt and especially my tutor Susana".

Selena Valentine

"Spanish Black Belt is awesome! I am going on a trip to Guatemala, and my tutor Mariella was fantastic; she quickly got me into speaking Spanish and having fun with it! It is so great to have a Spanish class that is tailored to my own speed of learning, and my particular interests. Plus it is a blast! Our one-on-one lessons over the phone with webcam were the most convenient and practical way of learning. I would recommend it to anybody!"

Nick Newlin

"I took the Praxis II Spanish Productive Language exam several times, each time coming close but never passing. At each retake of the test my score would fluctuate a few points higher or lower, but I never earned enough points to pass.

I was determined to take the test one final time before giving up. Instead of studying test preparation books on my own, I searched online for a test preparation class. Spanish black belt held the perfect solution for my test prep needs. I signed up for an intensive course of study 3 weeks before the exam. This class surpassed all of my expectations for a test preparation course. It was fast, reasonably priced and as I requested; completely dedicated to preparing me to pass the Productive Language Skills exam.

My tutor was professional and extremely enthusiastic. In fact I have never seen anyone get so excited about Spanish grammar. He taught me how to restructure my thinking when answering the oral and written exam questions. I passed the test with flying colors."

Anita Stoll

"Mi experiencia con Spanish Black Belt fue excelente, fue exactamente lo que necesité para mejorar mis capacidades de hablando, leyendo, y pensando en español. Sin duda la clase valió cada centavo y cada hora.
Además, he sido un profesor en la universidad mas que 25 años, y por eso yo puedo decir con confianza grande que mi tutor, Mariella Neyra, es una maestra maravillosa. Ella escucha y oye; ella es una persona muy amable, paciente, inteligente y generosa."

Adolph Reed Jr.

"Spanish Black Belt es un modo excelente de aprender español en corto tiempo. Las clases son pequeñas. Cada estudiante participa en lectura, conversación y escritura. Nuestra maestra habla en español, que mejora nuestra habilidad de escuchar español. También, nuestra maestra trae artículos interesantes para leer y traducir. Yo aprendí mucho en siete meses. Yo aprendí más que estudiar en un colegio por cuatro semestres. La clase también es conveniente."

"Spanish Black Belt is an excellent way to learn a lot of Spanish in a short period of time. Classes are small allowing each student to actively participate in reading, writing and speaking. Our instructor speaks in Spanish which strengthens listening skills. Furthermore, our instructor keeps class fun by bringing in interesting articles to read and to translate. I have learned more in seven months than I could have learned in a formal classroom setting in four semesters. A bonus is class is based at the convenience of my work schedule".

Michele Kiel

"Como un orador de español sin mucha experiencia, tenía dificultad cantando en las Quinceañeras cuando me pidieron que cantara. Necesitaba ayuda, y la necesitaba pronto. El programa de Spanish Black Belt era perfecto. Yo trate el programa Spanish Sumo Wrestling en el pasado, pero me gradué del programa aprendiendo muy poco de español. Aun así recibí un traje muy chévere. Es un pañal grande.

En serio, nunca pensé que pudiera aprender español tan rápido como lo aprendí. El programa Spanish Black Belt fue muy intenso, pero me dio la habilidad que buscaba. Mi instructora, Wendy Ramirez, es una de las mas pacientes personas que yo he conocido. Ella utilizo un método de enseñarnos con una buena combinación de español tradicional y no tradicional. Yo recomendaría el programa y a Wendy a cualquiera persona.

Espero continuar mi educación".

"As an inexperienced speaker of the Spanish language, I was having a difficult time performing at the numerous Quinceaneras where I was asked to sing. I needed help and I needed it fast. Spanish Black Belt was the perfect tool. I tried Spanish Sumo Wrestling in the past, but I ended up graduating from the program knowing very little about the Spanish language. I did get a really cool outfit though. It looks like a big diaper.

Seriously, I never thought I would be able to learn Spanish as quickly as I did. The Spanish Black Belt program was a very intense program, but it gave me the skills I was looking for. My instructor, Wendy Ramirez, is one of the most patient people I have ever met. She utilized the right mix of both traditional and nontraditional teaching methods. I would recommend the program and Wendy to anyone.

I look forward to continuing my education".

Matthew Thompson
Business Owner

“Spanish Black Belt is great. Before I started my lessons with Inma, I spoke Spanish worse than [a well known president]. After just six short lessons, I spoke so well that people were asking me what province in Spain I was born in. Inmaculada Iglesias is the best Spanish teacher of all time."

Richard Blackwood

“Having an edge in business today is vital and being bilingual can give you that advantage. SPANISH black belt™ has put me on the road to being bilingual.”

Jorge Orozco-Cordero

"I only had a few months to prepare for a comprehensive Spanish exam that was an integral component of my graduate degree program, yet I hadn't studied Spanish in almost ten years. Through Spanish Blackbelt's Tailored One-on-One sessions and my excellent and committed instructor, I easily passed the exam. I have no doubt that it is because of Spanish Blackbelt's unique and successful ability to tailor to my exact needs that I could advance my Spanish to such a degree in such a short time. I not only passed the exam, but regained and strengthened a necessary skill for a career in International Affairs."

Sheherazade Jafari, Graduate Student, George Washington University

"Spanish Blackbelt has accelerated my Spanish comprehension. Its structure gives a very clear picture of how you can progress - in writing, reading, listening and speaking - which makes it very easy to be motivated. The learning aids on the web site are useful, fun and diverting.... When I travel to Guatemala in a week I will be much more confident in interacting in Spanish, after just a few months of Spanish Blackbelt."

Bill Batko

"I’d always wanted to learn Spanish and had taken a few group classes but never seemed to move beyond the basics. Then, I took a job with the federal government where I needed Spanish right away. SPANISH black belt™’s individualized attention and tailored curriculum helped me to move beyond the basics rapidly. Within a matter of weeks, I was understanding the news, having conversations with my friends, and reading Don Quixote – All in Spanish! SPANISH black belt™ not only helped me at work, it has also opened a whole new world to me."

Marissa Lemargie, U.S. Federal Government

"Spanish Blackbelt's individualized assessment helped me figure out in what areas I needed the most work and the best way to then improve my language skills. I realized I needed the most help with my Spanish listening skills. With the help of my tutor, a native Spanish-speaker, I have been able to hone these skills through participation in conversation groups. The relaxed, conversational style of the sessions provides a comfortable atmosphere for participation (and mistakes!), and is a fun, personal way to learn the language".

Annemarie Vassalo, nurse

"SPANISH black belt™ took me as an individual and tailored a program to help me learn. I was given an individualized program for reading, writing, listening and speaking. The classes were then structured to challenge me at my level. Not only are the classes educational but also enjoyable. No matter what level you are you are bound to move forward, improve your Spanish and enjoy the process."

Geeta Makhija, Middle School Math Teacher

"I wanted to learn some Spanish, without the energy or motivation to go through formal classes. I was lucky to find SPANISH black belt™. The small group sizes mean that my tutor can tailor the lessons to what I really need and want. Personal feedback helps me go through the very points I need to improve. And all this in a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere".

Marie Diron, Economist

This has just been a sample of what our students say about our services. There are many more, each with a different background and interests.