Culture & Language Center

Experiencia fantástica: I started my Spanish learning journey with Lalo a year ago, and it has been wonderful!! I was anxious about learning a new language, but Lalo was great at making me feel comfortable and now I can actually talk about my weekend with him in Spanish! Now I will be transitioning to a group class, and they let me take a trial class with Sofia and she is a great teacher as well. I am looking forward to my new sessions. They also organize casual meetings in the park and cafés, which I hope to participate soon. When my time allows, I would really love to join their group tour to Spain or whale watching in Loretta, Mexico! If you have even a little bit of interest in learning Spanish, you should just enroll here and see.

Experiencia fantástica: Had a great experience with Andrea as a teacher. She met us where we were and made us feel good while learning Spanish in an incredibly useful way. Also the entire team was very responsive whenever we needed anything. highly recommend.

Experiencia fantástica: The language classes were top-notch, with passionate instructors who made learning fun and interactive. I noticed a big improvement in my language skills after just a few weeks!

Experiencia fantástica: As far as I know, this is the only school in the San Diego area that caters for advanced level Spanish students. I have been preparing for my DELE C1 level. I know the founder of the Culture & Language Center both as educator as well as school founder/owner. This school sets itself apart in the following ways: in addition to the effective, dedicated, teachers, the school offers a wide range of lessons and activities; ranging from traditional classes to book clubs, grammar/conversation workshops, coffee or beer socials, volunteer projects, and international cultural language trips. The owner Lalo is dedicated to presenting the different facets of Hispanic culture, guided by his love for teaching, professionalism, kindness, and high integrity. I have an international corporate/teaching background.

Experiencia fantástica: Been with them for over a year and highly Recommend. We love working with Sofia! Great lesson plans and wonderful to work with

Experiencia fantástica: I have loved learning Spanish with this school. The teachers are supportive, friendly, and patient, and the group classes are a lot of fun. I really love that I can take classes with teachers from various countries, because I learn new things about different cultures and have the opportunity to learn about regional accents. My Spanish has improved a lot since I started taking classes here, and I now feel comfortable having basic conversations in Spanish when I travel to Mexico. I no longer feel scared to order a decaffeinated coffee or communicate complicated travel plans. It's a great feeling to be able to connect with Spanish speakers in a more meaningful way. Highly recommend these classes!

Experiencia fantástica: Best language school ever! Not only are the classes helpful but the opportunity to travel and meet with different groups increases the learning opportunities. Highly recommended.

Experiencia fantástica: I took classes online from 2021-2025 and had a wonderful time. I really got to know my classmates and Brenda was an amazing teacher! The single lessons on specific grammar, etc. are also great, and I might pay out of pocket for some in the future :) Highly recommend Culture & Language Center if like me you'd been meaning to learn Spanish but need the motivation of a class.

Experiencia fantástica: I have enjoyed several trips with Lalo and the Culture and Language Center, and all have been a great experience, most recently Oaxaca. These Spanish speaking immersion trips are a great for improving speaking and listening skills, and learning about different cultures thought a variety activities.

Experiencia fantástica: The Culture & Language Center is amazing! I have already learned so much! I am super thankful for Lalo, Sofia, Andrea, and the rest of the team. ¡Muchas gracias!

Experiencia fantástica: This summer's Culture & Language Center Spanish Immersion trip to Barcelona and Sitges was fabulous. Lalo and Sergio did an amazing job selecting the hotels, transportation, restaurants, and places to visit. The architecture, wine, and vermouth tours were informative and fun. There was a good balance of tours and downtime to explore on our own. We had a great small group and we stayed with speaking Spanish (no matter what level:) Incredible trip and would go again. A big thanks to our group leaders, Lalo and Sergio.

Experiencia fantástica: I had the immense pleasure of traveling to Colombia with Culture & Language Center this summer, and I highly recommend their trips! Lalo is a fantastic leader and he's a foodie, so you'll eat very well! Our group spent several days in Medellin, took a day trip to Guatape, and there was also an optional extension to the tranquil pueblito of Santa Fe de Antioquia at the end. We learned a lot about the city of Medellin, particularly the neighborhood of Moravia (which has a very interesting and unique history), and we even had opportunities to volunteer and meet local community leaders. The trip was a great balance of cultural experiences, practicing our Espanol, and soaking up the natural beauty of the country. I definitely hope to travel with Lalo and the CLC again!

Experiencia fantástica: La mejor! If you want to learn Spanish and are a beginner, this place is tops. Lalo has organized classes and outside of class activities to make learning easy and fun. Andrea, my instructor for beginners' Spanish, is a true delight - patient, informative, and with a great sense of humor. If you want to speak Spanish beyond just being able to order a cerveza, sign up here.

Experiencia fantástica: I cannot recommend Culture & Language Center enough! I researched several places for learning Spanish in San Diego, and I’m very happy I went with them :) Lalo has been very helpful and welcoming and Sofía is the best teacher! I love that the classes are focused on conversation but still review grammar lessons.

Experiencia fantástica: I have been online classes through the Culture and Language Center for a few months now and highly recommend them. Andrea is an amazing teacher and each class has been really informational and fun.

Experiencia fantástica: Started taking private classes for 3 months now and am loving it! Everyone here is so supportive and warm. I am definitely making progress in Spainish! Edourdo n Elina are tops!

Experiencia fantástica: I had been taking Spanish Classes with another school for a year before coming to the Culture and Language Center. The conversational format at the Culture and Language Center has really helped me improve both my speaking and comprehension at a much faster rate. I really enjoy the teachers and the opportunities for trips and gatherings to practice my practice. This is the perfect format for me!

Experiencia fantástica: Excellent teachers, very fun classes.

Experiencia fantástica: I cannot recommend Culture & Language Center more for learning and practicing Spanish. It was just the push I needed to actually use and strengthen my skills. The teachers and staff are so friendly and keep things engaging. I can't wait to come back and attend more classes in the future.

Experiencia fantástica: Eduardo is extremely communicative, patient and helpful. I had to switch the type of class I needed and then I had to switch days and he was always helpful and accommodating. My teacher was Andrea for both my courses and she is great! She is also very patient but more importantly, she is a great teacher. I really enjoy the culture and language center classes and I would recommend them to anyone looking to learn Spanish.

Experiencia fantástica: Over the years I have enjoyed group classes, private classes, art classes, free meetups, and immersion classes in Tijuana, Tecate, and Mexico City. I love that there is always an option that is right for me in my journey to improve my Spanish. All of the teachers are so gracious and helpful. A really nice place to learn and make friendships.

Experiencia fantástica: I have been enrolled in the Spanish program at the Culture and Language Center for the past two years. I took a beginners small group class initially and now I‘m taking private lessons with Elina who is wonderful! I am highly satisfied with the quality of lessons, professionalism of instructors and atmosphere in class. Since covid all classes are online which in no way diminishes the language learning experience and effectiveness. In addition to online instruction there are in person get togethers several times per months which offer ample opportunity to engage in one on one conversation. Lalo, the director of the center and host of the events is extremely personable and welcoming and makes even the most basic level spanish speaker (like myself) feel comfortable and part of the community. I definitely feel „at home“ at the Culture and Language Center and because of that I‘m highly motivated to improve my Spanish and to remain an active member of this wonderful community of Spanish learners.

Experiencia fantástica: I have been taking spanish classes at the Culture & Language Center since May of 2023. I had been wanting to take beginner Spanish for a while now and looked online for local schools. I chose this school because they host regular in-person events and Spanish immersion trips. I love my weekly virtual classes with Andrea! I wasn't sure how the remote classes would be to learn a language, but I love it. There are usually only one or two other students in each session, so I get a chance to speak and practice often. I recently went on the 3-day immersion trip to TJ and it was awesome. The group was small and everyone was so nice, welcoming and encouraging. I loved experiencing TJ this whole different way. Lalo did a great job with organizing the trip and took us to some great restaurants and bars. The trip was a nice blend of culture, history and good food : ) If you're considering learning Spanish or going on a Spanish immersion trip - I would highly recommend this school!!

Experiencia fantástica: I have been attending the culture and language center school for almost three years from Texas. All my classes are online, in zoom, and they are small. There’s usually 4 to 2 students and it becomes quite a bond with the other students as you learn Spanish together. The teachers are amazing. Brenda has been my main class teacher the entire time and it’s been amazing watching and listening to her adjust how she speaks and teaches the classes as you grow in the language. It takes genuine talent as a teacher to adjust on the fly as she does based on where her students are in their journey. The breaks have workshops that hone in on topics from ser vs estar to just focusing on topics like talking about distance. My favorite in between the classes group is the book club with Andrea. Reading and discussing the short stories is the best way to expand my vocabulary. I cannot imagine how I would have accomplished the absorption of Spanish as well without this program and very talented teachers Brenda, Andrea, Sofia and Elina.

Experiencia fantástica: I love the Culture & Language Center! The classes accommodate a variety of schedules. In the beginner level classes I had the same teacher all the way through. In the intermediate classes I have had several different teachers. All of them have been excellent. They hold you to speaking Spanish and are very positive, patient and supportive. There are grammar lessons but most of the class time is devoted to conversation. The maximum number of four students in a class ensures that everyone participates and I have enjoyed getting to know my fellow students. I have attended some of the in person events like Cafe en el Parque, and although I haven't done any of the trips, other students have talked about how well organized they are and what a great planner and guide Lalo is. I highly recommend The Culture and Language Center for anyone who wants to practice listening and speaking skills.

Experiencia fantástica: I'm am thrilled I found the Culture and Language Center. The events and small group classes are amazing and fun! I feel like I'm part of a community learning Spanish together. I am feeling more confident at speaking Spanish than ever before!

Experiencia fantástica: Upon moving to San Diego I knew I wanted to further my Spanish skills, and I am SO glad I went with Culture & Language Center. Right off the bat, they were communicative and helpful with placing me in the correct level classes, getting me enrolled, and answering ALL of my questions with patience and kindness. The classes themselves are interactive and engaging, and truly helpful with conversational spoken and written Spanish. I feel much more confident in my grammar after my first session of classes and I will 100% continue to learn Spanish at Culture & Language Center after my current class. Classes are virtual but there are in-person meetups and group trips to Mexico!

Experiencia fantástica: I really enjoyed my classes and working with Sofia. She is a great teacher. I learned a lot and felt very comfortable speaking in her class. Additionally, Lalo was also very kind and helpful. Overall, the Culture & Language Center is a great community to be a part of. I would highly recommend taking a class!

Experiencia fantástica: This school is a great one for people wanting to learn Spanish, no matter what their level. The teachers are patient and tailor their instruction to their students. One of my favorite parts of the school is the opportunity to take immersion trips. After taking several of these trips, I can say that they are well-organized to provide a wonderful experience for all. There is nothing like immersing oneself in the culture and language of a country by going with a congenial group. Lalo, the owner of the school, is a great host. We makes sure that everyone is accounted for and included. He has admirable skills in managing his groups and makes a point of getting to know each individual member. There are always a variety of activities which provide many interesting opportunities to improve one’s language skills. I have always felt very safe during these trips. Everyone in the groups has been friendly, and I have made many friends who share my interest in improving in Spanish. The groups have included a mixture of ages, and all were lovely, educated people who also love to travel and learn. I would highly recommend both the school and the immersion trips as great avenues to improve in Spanish. I have had a fantastic time and am definitely looking forward to going again!

Experiencia fantástica: My husband and I are enrolled in weekly classes here and we LOVE our experience! We both met with Lalo to begin with for placement, and he was so kind, personable, and reassuring. Through my conversation with Lalo, a lot of my anxiety immediately melted away. Once we were placed, we signed up for weekly classes based on our skill level and have had nothing but a positive experience. Our teacher is Andrea - she is charismatic, professional, and skillfully integrates on-the-fly lessons to our broader goals (i.e., when we are confused by a concept Andrea organically integrates it into our lesson and explains it in such a clear way). Everything we do is in Spanish - 45 minutes of conversation, then 45 minutes of lessons/activities/homework review. The Culture and Language Center has really helped cure so much of my speaking anxiety and given me a lot of confidence - now I feel safe to speak, play, and even make mistakes. :) I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this program to anyone. If you are on the fence, you won't regret this experience!

Experiencia fantástica: My experience at the Culture & Language Center exceeded all expectations. Lalo is responsive and very flexible to help you find the perfect fit for your needs. I took private one-on-one weekly classes with Sofia, and enjoyed my time immensely. The curriculum is well-paced to be manageable for someone without any prior Spanish experience, but still ensure rapid language acquisition. I will be sticking with the Culture & Language Center for all of my future Spanish language-learning needs.

Experiencia fantástica: I have been taking classes here for over a year, and highly recommend this school for any person looking to learn Spanish. The school is large enough to have great organization and an excellent online platform, but small enough to where you get to know the individual instructors and they know you. There are options for most budgets (classes range from private instructor to small group), and the curriculum is conversation based. Andrea is by far the best teacher I have had, and the school owner, Lalo, is personable and very each to reach.

Experiencia fantástica: The Culture and Language school is amazing. Their teachers are all outstanding – I had Brenda who is a truly remarkable and patient maestra. In addition to learning Spanish, and despite the pandemic, I have made some wonderful friends in class. It’s the only time I’ve ever really looked forward to school! This is a true community that continuously fosters language learning and encourages engaging with each other. I would highly recommend it to anyone from beginner to someone wanting to brush up their Spanish to an advanced student who wants to go deeper into the language.

Experiencia fantástica: Awesome instructors, awesome classes. I loved the casualness of it all.

Experiencia fantástica: I’m extremely happy with Culture & Language Center for my Spanish lessons over the last year as well as my daughter’s lessons for about 4 months as a high school freshman. For me, I was a semi-advanced Spanish speaker but needed that extra push to get over the top and learn some key things as I try to move from conversational to fluent. My instructor Renzo was top notch! We started in person but had to move to online learning. Renzo managed the classes well and we had just the right combination of grammar/conjugation practice along with reading interesting passages from their website then discussing. For my daughter, she had a low B in her Spanish class, but after working with instructors at Culture & Language Center, she ended up finishing the year super strong and got an A! I couldn’t have been happier with our experience and look forward to going back periodically for some refresher classes. Thanks Lalo and Renzo!

Experiencia fantástica: I took classes for 2.5 years at the Culture & Language Center and it is excellent. They make the classes fun and interesting. All the teachers are great. I have not had one bad experience. Brenda and Sofia are especially excellent. It does not matter what your skill level is, they can help you. I started off in the beginner classes and I have learned enough to speak 100% in spanish with any native speaker. Lalo, the owner, is constantly finding new ways to get students involved outside the class with optional activities and trips. If you want to learn spanish, I highly recommend these classes.

Experiencia fantástica: Culture and Language Center is a very comprehensive organization, offering trips, blogs, group and individual classes (now all on-line) and more! I would highly recommend it for any level, including beginner beginners.

Experiencia fantástica: We're just about to start our second 8 week package at the office. A Spanish instructor from the Culture and Language Center comes to our office, giving one on one lessons to a few employees weekly. Its been so helpful! He tries hard not to use any English, really helping me learn how to explain things even if I don't know the vocabulary in Spanish. I would highly recommend this company and look forward to continuing our education with them!

Experiencia fantástica: This school is excellent and tried other 2 in the area and 1 on-line school wanna-be. The focus is on conversation. From day 1. Yet there are handouts that eventually will build into a book. If your case is super different they will change the program for you (I am talking private classes to accommodate this). They also offer workshops and immerse excursions to you know... immerse. First let me complement Renzo. My teacher. The vocabulary he introduces at the beginning of each class we later use 2-3 times in sentences. He is always so prepared that as in all material is pre-mediated! He brings own hand-made games even to illustrate the subject of the day. His voice frequency is perfect for learning and his patience is indescribable. I don’t explain it well but every class is like plot of learning new stuff and practicing it. And he challenges you to think in Spanish. For example we were writing movies scenarios that had to follow the plot. He also senses where I lack and then pull into this direction gently or attack boldly next time we meet. Plus little details like he let me correct myself first instead of immediately correcting me... I am stuck for years. I go 2ice a week and I see I use these little words here and there without realizing when did I learn them...

Experiencia fantástica: 2020 is here! Again, I am recommending CLC, Lalo, and his staff. I am loving the immersion programs! I've had had excursions to Tijuana with CLC and last year I went to Oaxaca, Mexico for a week. Wow! What a wonderfully rich experience. Lalo is extremely patient and well planned. The daily pace and cultural experiences are just right and the food and drinks are magnificent! These trips are so so worth it. This May, I'm heading to Machu Picchu with the school. Woohoo!! I have taken lessons with CLC since the beginning. Me encanta!! That means "I LOVE IT"! The staff is very welcoming. It doesn't matter what your level is...this is the place for you! Check out the children's programs, too...

Experiencia fantástica: I’ve tried other conversation based learning in San Diego and Culture and Language center is light years ahead. My teacher Izak is exceptional and Lalo, the owner , is incredibly professional, responsive and he cares greatly about his business/students. There are always extracurricular events such as trips of nights out and it great to build a community and friendships. The model is to have only 4 students per teacher and this makes a huge difference, furthermore, there is a curriculum on which the class is based on. So we spend a portion of the class chatting, a portion learning and the third part is to practice what we just learned. I always feel like my spanish improves after every class and I cannot say the same for the other conversational based learning.

Experiencia fantástica: I have been a student at the Culture & Language Center for 9 months and really love it. My teacher Sofia is great and incredibly patient with a beginner like myself. Lalo, the owner is wonderful as well and runs a very well organized school. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to learn Spanish.

Experiencia fantástica: I've taken two group classes and am currently taking private lessons. Both learning experiences have been wonderful! The teachers provide excellent language instruction in a very supportive environment. I highly recommend this school.

Experiencia fantástica: My time so far has been beyond my expectations. I’ll admit when I first started I was a little nervous as my prior knowledge of Spanish was limited. However, as time progressed and I continued to do the work I saw lights begin to come on. Sofia is an amazing teacher and a easy person to get along with. She created a comfortable environment to learn and laugh in throughout my time in class. My time during our sessions have continued to get better and I couldn’t recommend another person to learn Spanish from or even sharpen up some skills. In all I appreciate this program and Lalo for the high energy he offers. I’m excited to continue and keep growing with these amazing people.

Experiencia fantástica: Great school to learn basic, intermediary and advanced Spanish. I was fortunate to have the owner as a teacher who was always available for questions, gave great feedback and was very patient with all the students. The course is very well designed and you will progress even more with the additional homework and side learnings. Would highly recommend! A+++

Experiencia fantástica: I took a Spanish language class for beginners during the winter semester (twice a week, 16 meeting, each 1,5 hr). Our teacher was Isaak; very nice and warm person. The class consists of 4 students, The teaching material provided the to students is very well organized with emphasis on speaking, even with such limited Spanish vocabulary. Great encouraging and supportive atmosphere. I'm going to continue taking Spanish classes at the Center and I highly recommend it.

Experiencia fantástica: I have really enjoyed my classes at the Culture and Language Center with Lalo. I had my first class in November 2016 and just started my second session of classes last week. Prior to beginning my classes, Lalo provided me with some learning materials and tools which really helped refresh my memory on the Spanish I had learned in high school. I love that the hour and a half long class is only in Spanish, and the conversations we have are applicable to everyday life. It is a very safe space and Lalo provides encouragement as well as constructive corrections throughout the class. Each class contains conversation, a grammar lesson and a cultural note, which I really enjoy. Homework is assigned each class and really helps reinforce the lessons we have gone over. The classes have helped me remember some Spanish from previous high school classes, as well as introduced new vocabulary and grammar rules. Lalo has helped grow my language skills and made me feel more confident in writing and speaking Spanish.

Experiencia fantástica: Lalo is great! I really appreciate his professionalism and excitement for teaching others. I have been working with him on and off for almost four years and have progressed immensely in that time. I really enjoy my classes and the fact that they are mostly everyday conversation so it applies to real life. In the past, I would have totally frozen up if I wasn't already in context when someone speaks to me in Spanish (outside of class) but I'm finding that conversation is coming more naturally now. I also have a couple of athletes from Spain that I am able to coach online and they are stoked that we can converse. I have recommended Lalo to many of my friends because of his enthusiasm and gift for teaching practical Spanish to language learners of all levels.

Experiencia fantástica: Learning Spanish with Señor Lalo at the Culture and Language Center has been both fun and incredibly helpful. I have tried learning spanish many different times, in many different formats, but I find Lalo’s conversational and personal approach to be very effective. It is clear he has a lot of experience working directly with people on their language skills at an individual level and understands we all learn differently. In addition to his excellent professor skills - he is always very timely and professional and uses a lot of positive reinforcement to build your confidence and encourage you to keep at it. I would recommend Lalo / Culture and Language Center to anyone!