Travel Bug Conversational Language Classes
Schedule Ask us
Travel Bug is offering Extensive Conversational Language Classes in Spanish, Italian and French
Our space is available for other classes. Ask us how it works.
Italian
Elisabetta Mazzantini
e.mazzantini1@gmail.com 505-577-1014
Italian Native Speaker Elisabetta Mazzantini is an Italian native from Rome. She is a linguist, who has taught Italian as a foreign language since she moved to Santa Fe in 2000, initially at the Santa Fe Community College, and then to many groups, both at the Travel Bug and on Zoom, as well as to numerous private students. She has also worked as a freelance English-Italian translator and interpreter for over 30 years.
ReviewClasses will meet for 6 weeks at the Travel Bug for 1 hour and 15 minutes each time.
A “Pimsleur” subscription will be required (https://www.pimsleur.com/). The recorded ½ hour audio lessons will provide the core of the material the classes are based on. A non-verbatim transcript of each ½ hour lesson will be sent as a reference and reinforcement of the audio files. Your assignment each week will be to have listened to and feel reasonably comfortable with two of the recorded lessons prior to each class meeting.
We have taught using the Pimsleur Language Program for years and are confident that it is one of the most effective recorded language programs. There are 150 half-hour lessons in all, that we divide into 10-lesson series (5 weeks). After 5 classes there will be one additional Review class in which we’ll review all the material studied during the previous classes, for a total of a 6-week cycle.
Cost: $180 + 12.60 tax= $192.60 – To secure a spot in class, payment should be received at least one week prior to the first class. Payment by check, cash or Paypal.
Class Levels offered:
Beginners (A1 through A3)
Beginner/Intermediate (B4 through B6)
Intermediate (C7 through C9)
Intermediate-Advanced (D10 through D12)
Advanced (E13 through E15).
To determine your level, please contact Elisabetta, she will help you assess which class will be the best fit for you. Other non-Pimsleur-based classes also offered. Please inquire.
Spanish
Clara Evans
clr.evans@gmail.com 505-310-3443
Originating from Veracruz, Mexico, Clara Evans is a native Spanish speaker with exceptional bilingual, bi-literate, and bicultural proficiency. Clara earned a B.A. in Applied Linguistics and an M.A. in Education, Clara has seamlessly blended her academic achievements with her cultural roots.Throughout her professional career, Clara has played dual roles as both an esteemed teacher and a capable administrator. Her dedication extended across continents, serving students of diverse ages, from elementary to adulthood, in both Europe and the U.S. We take immense pride in welcoming Clara to our team, where her rich background and extensive experience will undoubtedly contribute to our collective success.
MoreFrench
Philippe Holtzweiler
thevoiceofthewaves@gmail.com 650 796 3981
I'm a Santa Fean who was born and raised in Strasbourg, France, and has a teaching degree from the University of Paris-X, an MBA from HEC, Paris, and a Master's Degree in English literature and linguistics from the University of Strasbourg. Having lived and worked in five different countries, I have f irst-hand knowledge of the difference between what is taught at school and what it takes to understand and be understood in a country that is not one's own.
More infoSpanish
Fabiana Radunsky
faradunsk@yahoo.com
Fabiana Rodríguez Radunsky was born and educated in Buenos Aires, where she earned a doctorate in Medicine from the University of La Plata. She is a Spanish-English Medical translator and an avid leaner of Arabic. She is continuing her education as a professor of Spanish as a Foreign Language at the University of Salamanca, Spain. Fabiana has taught Spanish to students of all ages and levels, doing it in an integrational way by adding culture, dance, and cooking.
More infoIn this interactive course, you'll develop practical Spanish skills for everyday conversations based on Mango Languages, a popular online language-learning platform.
The course emphasizes speaking, pronunciation, listening, and vocabulary building to prepare you for real-life situations in Spanish.
Mango Languages is free with your Santa Fe Public Library account or by subscription at mangolanguages.com for $11.99 per month.
Language Classes meet in our store at various times. Please sign up for our mailing list to be informed of the next classes.
Contact the teachers directly with your questions
Southern Africa
with Wilbur Norman
Saturday May 17th, 2025 5 pm
There are few places in the world superior to southern Africa for nature sightings and photography. And within this region is a jewel: the Chobe River running through Namibia 's Caprivi Strip, bordered by Botswana and 12,000 square kilometer Chobe National Park to the south. The area is famous for its biodiversity and high concentration of elephants, hippos, lions, leopards, buffaloes, wild dogs, reptiles and 450 species of birds! Africa gets under one 's skin and into one 's blood like nowhere else: majestic scenery, incredible wildlife, welcoming and friendly people. Come and let it get under yours as photography tour owner Wilbur Norman present photos and commentary from a February 2025 photo safari!
Language Classes
Wine and Beer!