The Company
FasTrac Language Solutions began in Colombia , South America. Professor Stubenberg was there doing volunteer work, and needed a means of support with a flexible schedule. Rather than teach in a traditional language institute, he decided to develop a unique, practical system of teaching English and provide learning opportunities to executives of multi-national companies. It was successful!
The teaching philosophy is a combination of two experiences:
- As an above-average student at a College Prep School in Boca Raton, Florida, Professor Stubenberg was dismayed to find himself failing High School Spanish. Twice!!
- Later, as his three daughters attended The Center for Education-a Montessori School, in Bradenton, Florida, he became aware of the Montessori teaching philosophy.
As a result, traditional language teaching methods were tossed aside, since the results (confirmed by many) were generally inadequate and/or impractical.
For example: We know of university graduates who, after four years of college Spanish, are still unable to carry on a conversation in Spanish. They know a lot about the Spanish language, but cannot speak it. In Colombia, businessmen would study the requisite 12 levels of English, along with workbooks, tapes, dictionaries, etc., and still be unable to function comfortably with their customers from around the world.
"The Subordination of Teaching to Learning"
A methodology based on the above-mentioned teaching philosophy was developed. Rather than have a teacher lecture on the new language and its grammar, vocabulary, rules, etc., the classroom is used to provide learning opportunities for the students. They "pick-up" the language by using these classroom opportunities to develop their communication skills. And, by including the Montessori technique of small steps and "hands-on" learning, the progress is natural, solid, and practical. Basically, it is the "Organic Learning" approach, which combines as many of our five senses as possible to accelerate and accentuate the process.
FasTrac Language Solutions has spent over 25 years using and improving this system of facilitating language learning, both in the United States, and various other countries around the world. Professor Stubenberg and his staff continue to offer Spanish and English language training programs and consulting for Workforce Development in the state of Florida.