buena vida language school

I studied Spanish for two weeks at the Buena Vida Language School in Pedasi, Panama. Group classes are offered, but because I speak Spanish and wanted to concentrate on particular aspects of the language I chose individual study-one to one with an instructor. I enjoyed the experience and it met my all expectations for learning.My teacher Dania is excellent. Through her explanations and examples I came to understand parts of grammar that had previously always eluded me. I genuinely looked forward to my daily two hour long classes. Another teacher, Mitzy, observed and contributed to my class as well, as she prepared to join the school’s teaching staff. That was a bonus for me, and I enjoyed it. Getting to know Dania and Mitzy was one of the highlights of my two months in Panama.Buena Vida Language School has a pleasant relaxed atmosphere. I met many other students at the school from young children to retirees. Ingrid, the creator and director of Buena Vida, is warm and welcoming. She cares about her students and the local community. The teachers are local residents- educated and trained to teach, and there are free classes for young Panamanians to learn English. I strongly recommend the Buena Vida Language School to individuals who are beginners in the language as well as those who have studied in the past and would like to refresh their skills.

Ingrid and her Buena Vida Language School are tops!! Sarah was an excellent teacher; we learned lots of language, and lots about the culture of Panama. Ingrid and her staff did their best to accommodate our needs and wants. The studies were interesting, and the teaching totally professional. I am an ESL teacher by trade, and I felt the school's instruction was definitely on par with the best language instruction I have seen. I had to leave Pedasi before the rest of my group, and Ingrid went out of her way to help me get flights home, a hotel, and even a cab to pick me up at the airport in Panama City. I would recommend without reservation Ingrid's wonderful language school, Buena Vida.

My husband and I decided to contact Ingrid for a week of intensive Spanish classes. Best decision we made. Ingrid set us each up with a teacher as we were at different levels. I worked with Dania and my husband worked with Edison both of which were excellent, making it a great learning experience for us both. They taught us a lot of information including great phrases to help with everyday living. We were tired by the end of the week but it was all well worth it, thanks to Ingrid, Dania and Edison. Tú necesitas ir a Pedasi para estudiar español con Buena Vida escula.

We moved to Pedasi, Panama for three months in order to attend the Buena Vida Spanish Immersion School. We attended class three times a week for two hours at a time. The class was perfectly planned and progressed in such a way that we felt we were learning a lot, but at a slow enough pace to be able to absorb all of the materials. The two of us have completely different learning styles and Dania our professora met both of our needs perfectly. Both Dania and Ingrid, the school founder, constantly went above and beyond to help us settle into our new life in Panama; everything from helping us buy a truck, finding fresh vegetables, figuring out Panamanian cell phones to finding a new place to live when the time came. Dania even came shopping with us to explain all of the new Panamanian foods and how to prepare them. We have been given all of the tools we need to be able to communicate in our new home.

I spent a week at the school and it was superb! The course was what I needed to get started with Spanish and my teacher, Tamara, was excellent. Because my course was a 3 hour a day private lesson, Tamara tailored it to my needs. Also, I did a home stay for the week, which I thoroughly enjoyed and which gave me a little insight into Panamanian culture.Pedasi is a lovely town and felt very safe walking around, even in the evening. Everyone is very friendly. I am definitely going back.

I have studied languages in Hungary, Sicily, Ecuador, and Panama twice. Overall I have had about 10 different instructors. Without a doubt, Dania is the best of them all. One is Boquete was close but no real contest. Dania is smart, funny, friendly and extremely patient with her students. She helps you understand the language in many different ways and never rushes you. She wants you to learn. She is "old school" in some of her customs, which makes her all the more charming. During this month long visit, I have met her husband, who also is a very nice man. The school's new location is convenient to everything, not that there is that much in Pedasi other than the beaches. This fact helped me concentrate on my Spanish. I highly recommend Buena Vista if you really want to learn Spanish. All the personnel are wonderful and Ingrid knows how to run a school and make you feel welcome.

We just moved to Panama for 7 months and thought we should start with getting the language down first. This school is great. They really cater to your needs and make sure you are comfortable where you are at. Ingrid sure knows how to run a school and all the teachers seem great but we love Dania. I would like to find the one person that dared to give the school an avrrage review and smack them. We love our host family as well. Viela, the mother of the family, rocks! Her breakfasts are amazing with huge portions of fruit and traditional Panamanian cuisine. This whole experience has been a perfect introduction to Panamanian culture, cuisine, and all the warmth that this country has to offer. Gracias por todo!

I am late in writing this review. I thought I had, but it must have gotten lost in the shuffle. I was in Pedasi for only a week, but decided to brush up on my Spanish so I enrolled in some intensive private lessons through the owner, Ingrid, on the Internet. She signed me up for some three-hour sessions with Dania. It was just what I needed. Dania is patient and thorough. Ingrid is very accommodating and helpful. I will take more classes when I return next summer. So whether you are a traveler or an expat, Buena Vista is the place for you!

I was there in May and I learned a lot in the 10 days I was at the school! The teacher was excellent and the owner is super friendly. I couldn't have asked for a better location as it's in a small village and practically no one speaks English. My family was only speaking Spanish and they were very friendly. The food included with the homestay was great; the mama was very good to cook with my dietary restrictions. I loved that it was a small school as you get lots of attention from the teacher and the owner. Also, you can borrow a bike to go to the beach after school and on the weekend you can go to the surf beach by public transportation. All in all I had a great experience and I would recommend this school to anyone who is seriously interested in learning Spanish! Caroline (from Quebec)

I am learning now 2 months in the school and it is perfect, dania is the best teacher and she is paitent and profesionel,ingrid always help and together they help you study in an easy way with a supertive atmosphere with a fair rate.I highly recomend this school,they are graet!

well i have to say that Ingrid and dania have combined to put together a beautiful learning enviroment.this was quite possibly the best $15 i have spent on my trip.....muy bueno ladies...chris from seattle

Buena Vida is located in the heart of Pedasi, Los Santos, Panama and is an easy walk or bike ride from anywhere in town. My husband and I moved to Pedasi over a year ago and a few months into our adventure decided that it was time to “bite the bullet” and learn proper Spanish rather than trying to get by with our “muddle through Spanglish". We’ve enjoyed our lessons immensely, well; as much as a couple of fifty something people can without our brains exploding. Truly, we have been so fortunate to have amazingly patient teachers during our time with Buena Vida. I also can’t say enough about the high level of instruction and encouragement that we have received. The environment is relaxed, casual and fun but doesn’t take away from the importance of the lessons. When I look back at where we started and where we are now it is amazing. We will continue with our lessons because we find we are getting fantastic value for our dollars spent and as retirees that means a great deal. Thank you Ingrid and Dania for tailoring our classes to our needs; through you we have learned not only how not to embarrass ourselves when asking for chicken breasts and how to conjugate a verb; but so much about our new home, its traditions and its people.I may be a little biased but Buena Vida is located in one of the prettiest little folkloric towns in Panama. Come for the beaches, the surf, the fishing and the sun and spend some time at Buena Vida learning more than how to ask for another cerveza. You won't regret it.

I am relearning Spanish all over again, this is a perfect environment to do so! Not only do you learn Spanish, but the way Panamanians pronounce the Spanish language! There is a little difference. Dania is wonderful! Not only to learn from, but also to learn about the Panamanian people. I highly recommend you visit and learn from Buena Vida. It completes your experience in Panama!

Hola! I have been taking classes at Buena Vida Language School for a few months. Not only has my Spanish improved tremendously, but also my friendships with the other people in my class. I love my teacher, Dania. She is very patient, explains things thoroughly, and goes out of her way to find answers to my questions. I recommend anyone traveling through the Pedasi area of Panama to stop by and try it out. Muchas Gracias Buena Vida!

¡Hola!First and foremost, thanks for the great feedback! We rely on this to improve our students' experience at Buena Vida. I'm sorry to hear that you felt we didn't get back to you in a timely manner. When we returned your call, there was no answer so we did send you an email. Because over the weekend you were traveling by bus from Bocas to Pedasi, we played a fun game of phone tag :). Also, we are closed on the weekends so that may have had some part in the delay.Your teacher Dania told me that she truly enjoyed having you as a student. Dania, even with local Panamanians, always speaks very slowly and clearly. That's why she's one of our greatest teachers! Her speaking characteristics are in no way a reflection of her opinion of your Spanish skills or abilities.We have both notebooks and individual lessons plans available to our students. Because we designed your program especially for you, we used individual lesson handouts that we thought would be the most beneficial to your improvement. We do offer a book binding service so that students can keep all their materials together. And we definitely agree, having a notebook for note taking always helps!Again, thank you for your feedback and most of all, thanks for studying with us. We truly enjoyed having you at the school!