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Learning Spanish...It CAN be done! Learning Spanish is a skill, just like any other. Anyone can do it, with varying degrees of success. Your ability to learn depends on several factors, and you have control over almost all of them. First, you need to have some basis in the English language. You should be able to name the parts of speech and describe what they do. You should be able to diagram a sentence (Do they still do that in school?). You need to be able to accept the fact that Spanish is a different language from your own and they have different rules. You must accept it as it is and make it your own. Let's face it: They're not going to change Spanish so you can speak it. You should have a good instructor and you MUST study. You have to repeat verb conjugations, noun and adjective suffixes and memorize vocabulary. You have to speak the language as you learn it. Of course, speaking with your classmates and instructors is WAY different from the first time you use it with a regular person. I remember the first time I made an arrest and started to interrogate the guy. I was just amazed that these language skills I had been learning really worked. When I began the academy, I was just a fair skinned boy from South Carolina who couldn't say frijoles if I had a mouth full of them! I left the BP Academy with a working knowledge of Spanish. Don't stop learning there. Keep a reader and a dictionary handy in a place where you might do a lot of reading (yes, THERE!). Below you will find a list of schools and hopefully we will be adding tutors who are available in certain geographical areas who can assist with Post Academy tutoring. If you know a good one, send them our way.
Language Training Facility This is the Language Training Facility in Brunswick, Georgia, operated by a retired Border Patrol Agent. Click on the picture to see the web site. LTF offers Spanish training to professionals, companies and individuals, but you will probably be most interested in the DEDICATED BORDER PATROL classes that will begin very soon. Probably as many trainees lose their jobs to Spanish as to all other causes at the Academy. If you feel shaky about the prospect of having to learn a completely new language, or if you just want to ensure your success at the Border Patrol Academy, you should probably consider this school. The Chief Instructor of the school GUARANTEES your Spanish success at the Academy after passing this course. He even says that your biggest problem will be to not do too well on the Academy Spanish assessment test so you don't end up in a class with a bunch of native speakers. Honorfirst does not have a financial arrangement with this school, and the information is supplied solely to assist you in getting through the academy the FIRST time. This is where you will find a list of local tutors. If you have successfully used a tutor and that person wishes to be placed on this list, free of charge, have them email me. If you are a Spanish tutor and wish to list, send me a message to ray@honorfirst.com. Maestros de Español (Tutors) Al Ferguson is a regular contributor to our forum and is a retired Border Patrol Agent. His contact information is at the bottom of his web page: http://tinyurl.com/gtccw For those of you in the Pacific northwest or will to travel there for his classes, get in touch with him. He may also have other Spanish material that can help you on your way to success. Sherrie Bratcher is currently tutoring BP trainees at Artesia. She has great credentials. She was recommended to HonorFirst by one of your peers who has been a student of hers. Reach Sherrie at this email address. You can also phone her at 575-513-4633. She mentioned that most of her students unfortunately wait until they have already failed Progs 1, 2, and 3 to seek tutoring. If you are floundering, get help ASAP. Spanish is like building a brick wall. You can't expect the bricks to stand up without a strong foundation. Mark Curtis is an experienced high school Spanish teacher. He resides in Yuma, AZ and charges $15 an hour for tutoring. You can contact him at (928) 782-6670. Susan Austin 706-570-5938 – cell is a Spanish teacher in the Brunswick, GA area located near the Glynco FLETC.
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