Toani
Learn to speak naturally and become fluent in Spanish.
Pronunciation & Conversation Program
TOANI was created to help you get better at speaking in Spanish. When you sign up you get instant access to the following learning tools:
audio exercises
Audio clips with verb tense conjugations used in sentences, local examples and pronunciation analysis.
Verb cheat sheets
Download premium-only cheat sheets and learning materials.
Conversation
Access to our weekly conversation class via Zoom or in-person when available (Cabo San Lucas or San José).
Quizzes
Self-grading quizzes with multiple-choice answers to test yourself out.
podcast
Short podcast channel in Spanish.
Learning steps
Learning a new language is just like working out. In order to get positive results your instructor will encourage you to train consistently. Similarly, our pronunciation training method is based on repetition and pronunciation exercises with audio.
- Step 1.-Play the audio exercises and if possible, practice out loud as you hear the words or sentences.
- Step 2.-Consistently repeat your favorite exercises over and over again.
- Step 3.-(optional) Practice at our guided conversation class with other students that use the same learning method and are at the same level as you.
The formula is very simple: we provide you with the necessary audio exercises and you train consistently by playing them and practicing the words out loud. Since most exercises are based on an audio recording you can play them in the background while you’re resting or doing other things like cleaning. Many students play them with headphones when they go for a walk. You will find verbs used in sentences, conjugations and pronunciation analysis in our audio files. We strongly recommend to use what you learn each week with friends or practice in a safe environment in our weekly conversation class.
Learning tools
Click on the tabs below to learn more about each learning tool.
Below is an example of an audio exercise reviewing the present and past tense conjugation of three verbs in Spanish. When you join Toani you get access to hours and hours of audio clips to practice. You can play and listen from your computer or smartphone.
cambiar, caminar, cenar (9 minutos)
There is a short Podcast channel people talking and explaining phrases in English and Spanish, or just in Spanish. There are short stories and break down of commonly used phrases presented in a very casual audio lesson format.
You can download learning material we have put together over the years in the form of a “Cheat Sheet”. Practice the most commonly used verbs in Spanish and use your Cheat Sheet for quick reference when creating a sentence.
Below is an example of a Verb Cheat Sheet for Basic Conjugation.
As you gain confidence using words in Spanish, you will probably want to practice in a safe environment with other students learning at the same level as you.
Our weekly conversation class is very fexible as you do not commit to a class schedule. You can attend occasionally via Zoom in the summer or when you are not in Mexico. You are welcome to take as many classes as you like. Seats may be limited during the fall and winter so make sure you plan ahead each month so we can put your name on the list and reserve your spot. You also have the option to participate as a listener.
Class calendar
This class is available weekly via Zoom all year round, except during Septmeber and some holidays like Christmas or Semana Santa. In-person classes are offered from November to March each year. Check out out the official conversation class caledar for 2022. As a Toani member you can opt to attend the class on Zoom, in person, or both (with prior reservation).
Quizzes are created with our audio method format. When you take a quiz you play an audio for each question and then answer according to what to hear. You are tested with either vocabulary or sentence structure. We strongly encourage to complete the audio exercises then take the corresponding quizzes and test yourself out. You get instant feedback after you complete a quiz to see what you got right or wrong and how to fix it.
Take a Tour
Play the video to learn what Toani looks like from inside the program
Tour
Become a member
Toani has been designed with our conversation and pronunciation methods in mind and all of our plans include the following:
- Hours of audio clips with verb tense conjugations used in sentences, local examples and pronunciation analysis.
- Self-grading quizzes and short podcast in Spanish.
- Downloadable Spanish Verb Cheat Sheets and Learning materials.
- Access to Our Weekly Conversation Class via Zoom (or in-person when available)
Choose how many months you want to do this for. Your membership will NOT renew automatically, but we’ll notify you towards the end of your plan so you can evaluate your results. You can then decide whether to renew your membership manually or take a break before you enroll again.
This program is suitable for…
- Advanced beginners who have completed The Foundation Course or are towards the end of completion.
- Intermediate students ready to practice the spoken word and get better at speaking with guided instruction.
- Students who are currently taking a break from their group class but want to occasionally join a conversation class during their break.
- Students who want to continue to practice online in the summer or when they are not in Mexico.
This program is NOT suitable for…
- Students just starting out with Spanish, meaning you never had any contanct with Spanish before. Instead we suggest you take our Foundation Course first.
- Students who don’t want to put in the time needed to practice consistently.
FAQ's
All plans expire after 3 months, 6 months or 1 year, depending on which option you chose. Your card does not get charged after that unless you enroll again.
For those who subscribed before 2022 and are on a monthly plan, follow these steps to cancel:
- Navigate to your dashboard.
- Click the “Orders History” on your profile drop-down menu
- From the list of orders, click “View Order”.
- Then click the “Cancel” button.
- A confirmation message will appear. Confirm to cancel the subscription.
- The subscription will now move from “Active” to “Pending Cancellation.” This will allow access to your scheduled classes until your next payment is due. When the next payment is due the subscription will be moved to “Cancelled” and you will be unenrolled from the course or membership and no further payments will be attempted.
From your dashboard you have access to a calendar showing all classes available in the month. You must add your name to the list and reserve a seat. You may schedule one or multiple classes in advance. For classes held on Zoom, you should get the meeting link and passcode by email right after you schedule a class.
We’ve had classes with 2, 4 and 6 students. When 6 students or more join a videoconference call, we usually split the call into two “rooms” and create two small groups. We limit the number of seats to preserve the quality of the class. If a class gets full, the calendar will automatically block the availability and you will have to find a different time to join. We try to add extra sessions before the end of the month if all spots are booked.
Go ahead and subscribe and your first class will be an interview with one of our teachers. We want to meet you first and help you with some suggestions before you join the conversation classes.
We believe listening to a conversation in Spanish a great way to practice as your brain is actively trying to associate what you hear with words or phrases. So, yes you can participate as a listener as long as you´re enrolled in the Foundation Course. When you reserve your spot for a class you have the option to indicate you will participate as a listener. Please, talk to one of us in class should you have any further questions.
The answer is no. You are never asked to speak in front of the group. At discretion we will let students talk to each other or ask simple questions. We mediate the session so we will help you participate as we go. Also, when you reserve your spot for a class you have the option to indicate you will participate as a listener only.
Yes, but it has to be related to the conversation we´re having at the moment. That way all students get something out of it. If we don’t have a short answer we may suggest to save the question for a later opportunity when we get more time. For most questions, we have a practical answer to get the conversation going so feel free to ask.
We suggest to use Englis if there is an “emergency” in case you are not sure about what to do for the activities in class. At discretion English can be used to clarify complex phrases, idioms or questions. Again, we mediate the session, so we might switch to English every now and then just to make a few clarifications and to make sure everyone feels comfortable.
Nothing happens. You can plan a month in advance and schedule one or multiple classes. Or you can skip classes and continue to work on your own with the audio exercises and quizzes.
We suggest to have something to write with and something to write on to take notes. We are periodically posting videos on the website to prepare before class, including a topic or theme to chat about and common questions or phrases like “How do you say…?”, “I didn’ t understand. Can you say it again?” or “ Did I say it right?”.
Yes, you have access to join a weekly conversation class on Zoom with prior reservation. You can join as many classes as you like, as long as you first reserve a spot as the seats are limited.
We organize a conversation class in person, only from November to March each year, in Cabo and San José. Watch our emails and class calendar to find out if there are any conversation classes available at school. As a Toani member you can opt to attend the class on Zoom or in the classroom, or both (with prior reservation).
Yes! We need them.
USE SPANISH AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
Many students wait a whole week to join the conversation class and practice their Spanish. Let’s respect everybody’s excitement and time by not interrupting when they are talking. During Zoom meetings, mute your microphone if there is noise in the background, or when you’re sneezing or coughing.
Sometimes this class represents the only opportunity some students have to practice. Let’s also respect the objective of this class, which is to talk in Spanish. In case of “emergency” you can use English if you don’t understand the given instructions.
At discretion, teachers and students can use English when there’s a complicated word or phrase. Also, we are periodically posting videos on the website to prepare before class, including a topic or theme to chat about and common questions or phrases like “How do you say…?”, “I didn’ t understand. Can you say it again?” or “ Did I say it right?”.
BE LATE
We are being a bit ironic here about being late. We really don’t mind if you arrive late, as we say in Spanish, as long as you enter the room (or Zoom meeting) and quietly find a seat if the session is already in progress. No problem, just don’t panic, get in the conversation and enjoy.
NO POLITICAL DEBATES
It’s hard to have control of the conversation when it comes to politics, regardless of one’s point of view. We would normally talk to our students about political vocabulary in Spanish and the political system in Mexico during private lessons, but not in group classes. Sorry!
As of July 2022 we are cautiously trying to do a few classes in person. Although we have found that many students actually like the convenience of taking a class from home via Zoom. Please, send us an email to find out if our conversation class is being held at school. Otherwise, keep in mind the Zoom option is available year round each week. Click here to download the Official Conversation Class Calendar 2022