Santiago has been teaching in the Washington, D.C. area since 2004. Some of his students give their opinions about him and his teaching methods.

Santiago Montero is the thinking person’s Spanish teacher. After more than five years of studying the Spanish language at a variety of private language schools, universities, and immersion opportunities, I find that Santiago offers a level of instruction which surpasses anything which I experienced in the past. He not only challenged me to improve my grasp of basic principles of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary but has added a cultural context ranging from literature, to history, to current events and popular culture. During the very first lesson Santiago assesses the student’s level of ability, both strengths and weaknesses, and directs subsequent lessons to improve areas of weakness without mindless repetition of concepts that the student has already mastered. I look forward to my Spanish lessons with Santiago as I look forward to meeting with a good friend. I am a professional administrator of foreign language instruction and recommend Santiago Montero to anyone seriously wishing to study the Spanish language.

Who would have thought that learning Spanish could be so entertaining?! Santiago keeps class lively with thought-provoking discussion subjects and reading assignments. His "grammar games" even make learning that tedious subject fun. He inspires us to work hard and is unfailingly positive about our efforts, without missing many opportunities to correct errors. We have learned more Spanish in nine months with Santiago than in the previous three years combined, and recommend him, without reservation, as an excellent teacher.

I tried learning Spanish in the car, Rosetta Stone CD's, studied at a language school in Spain, and went to two tutors in D.C. before finding Santiago. He is fantastic! Santiago's teaching method works best. I made such incredible progress with his program that it has been worth every penny of the investment. After just four months, I was able to communicate as a volunteer in Ecuador. And now after a year, I can use Spanish to counsel patients in my job.

I started as a beginning Spanish student about eight months ago and am now able to converse, read and write in Spanish far beyond where I thought I would be by now.

Mr. Montero uses a Spanish-only format from the beginning class, which is the best way to learn any language. He comes to our office for our convenience and teaches several groups at various levels. He has worked hard to constantly reorganize our small groups, as time goes on, so that no one who was progressing slowly because of work commitments felt rushed, and so that anyone who was able to progress more quickly would be able to move forward. He also tailors each lesson to the needs of the small group he is with. This adaptability and creativity has kept a large group of busy and distracted lawyers happily chugging along in the enjoyable study of Spanish at whatever level they can commit to at any moment for several months now. His selection of texts and homework assignments is effective without creating busywork that might put pressure on busy schedules. His professionalism and engaging personality are a winning combination; he is very popular with all of us at our office who have been taking the classes.

I am a working mother and the one hour a week I spend in class is my only and most precious "Me" time.

I have been studying Spanish with Santiago for almost a year now -- I came to the lessons with little knowledge of the language. What a difference a year makes! This summer after six months of lessons I took a trip to Peru with my brother and girlfriend and I provided all the translations, became fast friends with several of the local folks in the Andes and rainforest, and felt competent everywhere I went. It was wonderful!

The key to my rapid learning and to anyone quickly achieving language skills is the multiple angles of attack Santiago employs in his lessons -- you will speak, listen, read and write in Spanish. Your brain quickly realizes that it's easier to think in Spanish rather than try to translate everything. You don't just pick up conversational skills; you truly learn the language in all respects.

This effective approach, combined with a progressive environment and the supreme teaching skills of the instructor, create the best, fastest way to learn Spanish possible.

Santiago is truly a master teacher. If you are trying to learn Spanish, you need to take classes with Santiago. You owe it to yourself and to your future success.