Language | hummingbirdcuenca

Nail the meaning once and for all!

Still wondering why when you listen to a native Spanish speaker you can understand just a couple of isolated words?

I remember myself seven years ago trying to catch every word in English, of course, I failed at every single attempt.

Do you know why?

1. We don’t catch the language word by word! We catch the language in chunks.

2. Native speakers of a language are set up to send signals, communicative cues for other native speakers, not for language learners.

Any attempt to slow down speech or over articulate a word, sounds forced and therefore unnatural.

So, what to do?

Train your ear, so that you can understand what you hear.

Train your mouth so that your spoken Spanish can be understood

and approved by native speakers.

1. Spanish pronunciation training:

1. You will learn how to exercise the 12 basic articulation points in Spanish language so that you don't get embarrassed the next time you attend a language exchange.

2. I will tell you exactly how to use online resources and which of them work best for you and why spending 2 hours every day scrolling language apps or YT channels designed for language learners has not been working so far.

3. Discover how natives put language into action, you will understand once and for all that over focusing on grammar won't solve your pronunciation problem.

2. Listening and speaking training:

1. You will train your ear by "dissecting" questions/ statements/ or conversation in Spanish. This will unlock your ability to listen.

2. How to imitate a native and what to imitate.

3. Learn this simple trick “copied” from native Spanish speakers that will make you stop speaking like a robot.

Learn how to recognize the clues that natives provide while speaking.

Rate: USD 30 one hour 50 minutes.

In person: at the comfort of your location in Cuenca- Ec (downtown)

Online: at the comfort of your couch wherever in the world you are.

Payments are made through Remitly from Germany, Austria, France, Canada and USA.

3. Grammar from A to Z.

These are single lessons for students who want to dig deep into grammar stuff.

55 minutes* lessons designed to focus on a specific grammar topic.

Available topics>

Tenses past imperfect vs. Past simple.
Phrasal verbs
Direct and Indirect Pronouns Object.
Estar vs Ser.
The masculine and feminine article in Spanish.
30 verbs to hold a basic Spanish conversation.
Commands.
Future tense.
Conditional form.
Subjunctive mood (Present, Past and Future).
Prepositions por and para.

*Each grammar session is USD 20.

I provide material and provide feedback after completing the amount of lessons required to cement a specific topic.

Book my first 5 lessons

Vilma’s lessons concentrate on pronunciation, speaking, and listening comprehension. She teaches you the fine points of pronunciation, which are not taught in most classes, including sounds that may be changed or omitted by native speakers when speaking at a natural speed in everyday conversation.
I do feel that my pronunciation and listening comprehension have improved as a direct result of Vilma’s classes.

Bruce Engle San Francisco USA.

I was stuck at a point in learning Spanish grammar that I knew I needed a different approach. Vilma tailors her lessons to meet your needs. She is extremely knowledgeable about ALL aspects of learning a new language. She can help you to roll your 'R's', proper tongue placement to get the correct sound to come out so locals can understand you and how to properly listen. She is well worth the investment.

Sue Blummenfeld USA.

Her method is to concentrate on how to understand when hearing spoken Spanish, because that is where most of us interact in Spanish – the spoken word.

Excellence comes I many forms. This recommendation is about the excellence of Vilma Vega as a highly skilled Spanish teacher.

In my opinion, the time and money spent working with her were a very good investment toward becoming a part of the community of Cuenca.

Robert Hackett USA.

"Vilma is a highly professional young woman who takes her teaching very seriously. She can talk about any subject, be that culture, literature, food, local or international affairs. I took private lessons from her in my rented home in Cuenca for three weeks while spending the Canadian winter in Ecuador".

Anna Hercz Ottawa, Canada.

"She is extremely skilled and comes to your home, always armed with a lesson plan that is thoughtful, effective, often humorous and creatively prepared. No matter what level you are I think if you give Vilma a shot, you will see what I mean. I doubt you'll be disappointed".

Mathew Blau, Vermont, USA.

"Vilma has been suggested to me by a colleague upon my arrival in Cuenca. I am getting private lessons from her twice a week and I could not be happier. If you want to tackle specific topics or questions, she is happy to help you. Due to her friendly and interested attitude, it is easy to open up and start talking".

Chris Blitzner, Germany.

"She makes language learning fun and exciting for beginners and has a thorough understanding of Spanish grammar and a clear, concise way of explaining new concepts".

Erin Campbell, USA.

"I attended three weeks of daily Spanish classes with Vilma and she helped me immensely.

She is thorough, patient and has a linguist's understanding of both English and Spanish.

Kevin Cleland Canada.

"Vilma has given me confidence in my speaking the language. I was flat in learning Spanish till Vilma started helping me. In fact at my doctors office I found my self translating between my doctor and my wife".

Jim Chase, USA.

"She had no problem with personalizing the classes by not only adapting to my Spanish skills, but also to my cultural background that influences my perception of the language".

Kira Bauer, Germany.

"Vilma makes a well structured teaching and responds very well to the wishes and questions of the learners. We jump back and forth to explain things again and again or we spend more time on topics that interest me".

Johannes Bolze, Germany.