Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The
Old
Gringo
Rearranges
His
Class
Schedule
I don't like grammar. I never liked grammar. I will never like grammar! Spontaneously,
eché la pinta (I cut class).
What a great day! I escaped from Academia Hispano Americano, and immediately jumped
from the frying pan into the proverbial fire. I tested the truth of that folk wisdom. I jumped
into the Warren Hardy School, one I had heard about by word-of-mouth.
Two graduates of the Warren Hardy School, and general remarks from residents of San
Miguel de Allende, praised Warren Hardy's school and his method. “It's a brilliant method,”
I was told, “it's solid, practical and conversational.”
My curiosity was whetted, I dropped by the Tourist Office, asked directions to the Warren
Hardy School, looked it up on my map, walked a few blocks. I gave the door a solid crack,
as instructed by a notice tacked on the door, “Knock loudly.”
Mrs. Hardy came to the door. I explained that I had heard of Warren Hardy, the school and
the method. I said, “I'd like to know more.”
Mrs. Hardy said, “There's a class in session. Let me seat you. Warren is teaching.”
So in the few seconds from knocking on the door, feeling the freedom of escape from one
class, there I was seated in a Level Two grammar class. What a difference in method.
At the break, Warren sat with me. He's a man of instant rapport and exudes concern for the
student. He explained his methods and told me a short history of his teaching background.
One of his first Spanish classes was a group of middle-aged MDs. The immersion method
of 100 percent Spanish did not work for them. He noted that the physicians quickly started
to compile 3x5 flash cards, Spanish on one side, English on the other.
Warren explained, “The young brain up to about age fourteen is intuitive. But as we mature
each side of the brain, right and left, becomes more specific. The adult brain of mature stu-
dents learns quicker and better by starting with a clear explanation in his own language and
then by repetition.”
