Xavier Vila

Honestly my favorite professor I've had at Columbia! Professor Vila is unbelievably nice and funny and approachable, and the whole class consists of group discussion and exercises. The only homework is a 1-page composition each week. All the grammar exercises are just done in class, and the three presentations we had to give throughout the semester were all really simple and laid-back, and they were done in groups. I really feel like I learned more from this class than I have from any other Spanish class where I had to do pages of grammar exercises and vocab at home. Vila organizes the class so you can learn without really realizing you're learning. When the midterm and final rolled around, I realized that I had learned all the concepts through the group discussions without noticing. Intermediate II was the only Spanish class I had to take, and I was dreading it, but I actually ended up loving it. This is the only class I've ever actually looked forward to going to, and now I wish I had more Spanish classes to take with Professor Vila. The one piece of advice I have: if you don't already have it, DON'T go out and buy the workbook and grammar book for this class. You will not need it. I wish someone had told me that before I bought it.

Xavier was the crucial homie. He's interesting and quirky but so much fun to have in class. He's also mad flexible with papers and ideas. The only thing that was hard were grammar quizzes in which he didn't really teach the material and the tests were kinda hard. But in the end I think he graded you based on mostly participation. Read the essays, talk in class and study for these grammar things and you'll do fine. Also pay attention to what he says! A lot of it is quite smart.Overall I'd say take this class because he's a nice guy and gives you interesting readings (most of which you can find in english if you really wanted to).

I enjoyed both the class and the professor. As someone who had never taken Spanish before (only French) I thought Xavi was very helpful. He focused on learning how to speak and listen naturally, though he also focused on the technicals when it came to pronouns and tenses. The cultural element was also important, with Xavier giving out poetry, popular songs, and stories. All in all, I felt like I learned a lot.

Vila is entertaining, even though some people complain that they don't learn much from him directly. He is more interested in having students develop natural speaking, reading and writing abilities through practice rather than dry drills, although he gives out plenty of worksheets, which we go over in class. The class is very friendly and you can basically go off on a tangent in a discussion also long as you say most of it in Spanish. Grading is pretty basic: grammar quizzes (hard for beginners but he lets you retake them), weekly 1-page creative compositions, and lead one class discussion on reading. Take this is you are decent in Spanish and want a fun class, or if you want more practice using Spanish informally.

Xavier was very down to earth and always flexible with due dates. His infectious mood and sense of humor brightened my spirits every time I came to class. Class time was usually fun and social. Know that this is not the most rigorous of Spanish classes and you will not be doing a lot of grammar exercises for homework. Xavier's learning philosophy is that writing and speaking are the best way to assimilate the language, not endlessly writing out verbs.

A couple of grammar quizzes. One one page (double spaced) commentary on short stories per week.

Columbia needs more professors like Xavier. He is a great guy who is down to earth and makes his teaching environment very relaxed. He is very accesible outside the classroom and responsive to the requests of his students. If you have the opportunity to take a class taught by Xavier Vila it'd be in your interest to do so.

In response to the previous reviews: yes, the guy is really funny -- but not on an intellectual level, it is more about saying things in a funny voice. What is funny about him is more inherent: he is a native speaker with a Phd in Spanish who has been teaching the same course for ages. My experience: learned nothing in class, nothing from the material but all from independent study. I do not recommend this "teacher".

Great teacher. I hate taking Spanish, and he was perfect for my final semester with it. He's willing to explain things in English, which makes the classes more productive than those with professors who are rigid about only speaking Spanish. He always comes into class with a huge smile on his face, and really makes an effort to make the class fun. I highly recommend taking Spanish with Professor Vila

Xavier is the coolest guy. I am going to miss him as a teacher. He is very fair. Make use of his office hours, he has many. He enjoys teaching and enjoys his students. The guy is always in a good mood. If you do the work, which is not much, an A is very doable.