About Nova Spanish
Our Mission
Ellen Helmke, owner and instructor
Ellen Helmke, owner and instructor
We love sharing our passion for Spanish by making it fun and accessible.
Every live Spanish class helps students enjoy achieving their specific Spanish conversation goals.
Beginner Spanish (A1-A2)
At this level, individuals gain the ability to use the present and past tenses while developing an approximate vocabulary of 2000-3000 words. Y
We love sharing our passion for Spanish by making it fun and accessible.
Every live Spanish class helps students enjoy achieving their specific Spanish conversation goals.
Beginner Spanish (A1-A2)
At this level, individuals gain the ability to use the present and past tenses while developing an approximate vocabulary of 2000-3000 words. You will be able to communicate basic needs and wants in a variety of daily situations.
Intermediate Spanish (B1-B2)
Lessons include a review of the core concepts of Beginner Spanish . This course verb conjugations of the preterite, imperfect, and past perfect.
Lessons are conducted mostly in Spanish to help achieve fluency. You will be able to communicate needs, opinions, and explanations at an intermediate level in a variety of situations.
Ellen Helmke, owner and instructor
Ellen Helmke, owner and instructor
Ellen Helmke, owner and instructor
Originally from Chicago, Ellen has studied Spanish since 1982. After several early Spanish immersion opportunities, she obtained her BA in Spanish Literature from the University of Colorado-Boulder in 1993. Before moving to Canada in 1998, Ellen worked in a bilingual capacity for the Chicago Marriott Hotel. She has taught Spanish at the
Originally from Chicago, Ellen has studied Spanish since 1982. After several early Spanish immersion opportunities, she obtained her BA in Spanish Literature from the University of Colorado-Boulder in 1993. Before moving to Canada in 1998, Ellen worked in a bilingual capacity for the Chicago Marriott Hotel. She has taught Spanish at the bookstore since 2016.
Advanced (C1)
This course is conversation-based, using current events and topics around daily life.You can look forward to communicating effectively in all types of situations. Lessons include advanced grammar concepts (subjunctive, conditional, future tenses)
Our partnerships
We have an established partnership with Viva Idioma Language School in Playa del Carmen, MX.
This increases our students' range of resources and opportunities to level up their Spanish. Annual immersion trips happen in late January of each year.
REVIEWS
"If you are looking to learn Spanish in a supportive and encouraging environment choose Nova Spanish!
I have been learning Spanish for 2+ years in Ellen’s classes. She is an accomplished teacher who creates a fun, interactive class using various resources and does so in many creative ways!
Ellen's classes are both supportive and encouragi
"If you are looking to learn Spanish in a supportive and encouraging environment choose Nova Spanish!
I have been learning Spanish for 2+ years in Ellen’s classes. She is an accomplished teacher who creates a fun, interactive class using various resources and does so in many creative ways!
Ellen's classes are both supportive and encouraging allowing for perfectly paced learning which in turn, nurtures the confidence needed for excelling! Whether a beginner, intermediate, or fluent student, Ellen tailors her lessons expertly! I would highly recommend the courses at Nova Spanish."
-Cynthia, Indian Harbour NS