We offer exceptional Spanish instruction that goes beyond just the focus of gaining and improving Spanish-language skills.  We also provide unique opportunities for engaging encounters that allow our participants to connect with other like-minded adults (both in our classes and the community), which in turn enhances experiencing the numerous wonderful elements of Hispanic culture.  Some of these opportunities include: guest presentations by talented and creative Hispanics and native speakers, cultural events such as art exhibits, music concerts, theatrical shows and dance performances, wine-tasting at local Hispanic-themed events, dance classes, cooking classes, Hispanic holiday lessons and celebrations in classes, social dinners, charity dinners and auctions, social evenings out with current and past students, cultural fairs, movie gatherings, theme-events at students’ and instructors’ homes, as well as amazing trips to various Spanish-speaking countries. La Única has designed and led more than 20 group trips to the following Spanish-speaking countries: Spain (& the Canary Islands), Mexico, Perú, Colombia, Argentina, Cuba, Ecuador (& the Galapagos), and Costa Rica.   Won’t you be part of our La Única family?
 

Deborah Richter is an accomplished Spanish Instructor who has been teaching Spanish for more than 30 years. She holds degrees in Spanish Literature, Education, and Physical Education from Whitman College. 
     Deborah frequently travels to Spain where she has studied at La Universidad de San Agustin and at Saint Luis University Madrid. Other Spanish-speaking countries that she has visited and leads groups include Panamá, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Perú, Colombia, Argentina, Guatemala, Ecuador, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Venezuela.
     After teaching Spanish in the Tacoma School District for twelve years, Deborah founded La Única Spanish Instruction Center which has  over the course of 18  years offered many wonderful and popular general-public and field-specialized courses as well as amazing cultural trips to various Spanish-speaking countries. . Understanding that students absorb and learn information more effectively when they are simultaneously having fun, Deborah concentrates on making her classes active, enjoyable and entertaining. Additionally, she offers trainings and workshops for educators which emphasize strengthening and bridging communication and cultural gaps between teachers and their Spanish-speaking students, parents, and ethnically-diverse communities.
     It is a tremendous joy to teach and connect with such wonderful and highly motivated members of the  community!
 

Danielle Twichel is a passionate Spanish instructor with additional teaching experience in Art and English. She graduated from our local Pacific Lutheran University in 2018 with degrees in Hispanic Studies and Fine Art. During her university days, she studied abroad in Spain and Ecuador, two countries that taught her the joys of speaking a foreign language and allowed her to explore more profound cultural connections. After graduating, she instructed painting at a studio in Puyallup, where she encountered both skill and interest in teaching. She later lived abroad in Chile on two separate occasions in 2019 and 2021 where she worked as an English as a Second Language teacher at a university and taught online classes. Danielle has recently obtained her Master's Degree in Global Higher Education from La Universidad de Alcalá, España. Her experience has led her to become a creative and encouraging teacher who loves to help her students feel confident and capable when communicating Spanish.  La Única is fortunate to have such a skilled and engaging instructor!