About Marcus Santamaria

After I met and married my wife, Elena, we decided to move to Mexico to be near her family. But I didn't speak a word of Spanish! I needed to learn the language so that I could interact with her family and friends.

But I had another motivation, too...

As an English teacher, I absolutely needed to learn the language so that I didn't feel like a fraud! I mean, how could I possibly teach English as a second language when I didn't even know one myself?

My shame drove me to search endlessly for a better way of learning and teaching. Believe me, learning Spanish was not easy for me...I struggled! Eventually I discovered what I had suspected all along: the problem was not me, but the methods I was using.

Once I discovered what's really important for communication, (you'll be amazed at how much of what is normally taught actually gets in the way of communication) and how to best use the mind for rapid learning, I became fluent in Spanish and very successful at teaching, too!

I am now a very successful language teacher - one of the most respected and highest paid in Latin America. But the main reason I have a lot to offer you as a Spanish teacher is simply this: I have been where you are now. If you have ever had a tough time learning a language, Synergy Spanish can help - and I'm here for you, too!

What People Say about Marcus and Synergy Spanish
"Just a quick note to say how much I am enjoying your course which is great to use. I have to limit the time otherwise I could spend all day on it. I live in Majorca and have neighbours who speak no English. I now find it much easier to communicate with them and feel far more confident after four years of trying and barely succeeding. Thanks a lot"
– Rosemary Bull - Majorca, Spain

"I have tried other courses but your method is by far the most effective. I have enjoyed especially your CD's. They are excepcional and your method of "breaking down" the sentence before finally asking the listener to say the full sentence is extremely effective. The CD's are very clear and more importantly not hurried."
– Joe Heneghan - Ireland

"Synergy Spanish is fantastic. The audio and test are first class. I have learned more in a few weeks than in the previous 12 months. keep up the good work Regards"
– Bryan Dobson - United Kingdom

"I really do think your approach is the best approach to learning the language. It is a very logical approach Thank you"
– Brian Kenna - Oregan USA

"First of all, I want to thank you for the excellence of your Spanish teaching method. I have been trying to learn Spanish off and on for about five years, but I have to admit I have learned more in the last month than all that time. Yours Sincerely, "
– Denzil Bell - Lockerbie, Scotland

"I think Synergy Spanish is hot, hot, hot! Synergy Spanish is truely amazing, in 1.5 weeks of intensive study my colleagues have noticed significant social intercourse. To me the creators of Synergy Spanish are utterly genius, bravo to everyone involved. Awesome job. "
– Matt Razo - USA

"This is the second feedback I have written. I am zooming along with your course. This is fantastic and is so amazingly efficient and fun that I look forward to doing the lessons each day. THANKS so much for putting this all together. I am amazed at how you have figured out how to teach so well and make it all so enjoyable. In short, the more I do your program, the more I love it and I am learning EXTREMELY rapidly. Your program is, without a doubt, the best "cost value" that exists for learning Spanish. Thank you not only for creating it, but for allowing people to get it at such a reasonable cost. Talk to you later "
– Dave Barbara - USA

"I had ordered and started through your Spanish lessons and got to lesson 12 when I had to leave on a Medical mission to Armenia Columbia. I have just returned but wanted you to know your lessons were most helpful. I had studied Spanish in college and use it infrequently now and then with some of my patients but this review was most helpful. You will be pleased to know I spoke Spanish for the 5 days in Columbia and was interviewed for the TV and the newspaper totally in Spanish. Thanks for your help. "
– Donna Fox PhD - Texas, USA

"Your program is by far the best! It's probably the only reason that I have stuck with my Spanish. You got me out of memorizing words, and not being able to say anything, to actually constructing sentences, and being able to say something. With Best Regards, "
– Catherine Watt - Florida, USA

"I took several courses of Spanish in college several years ago and could hardly speak at all and with your course, I am learning to say actual sentences - thank you!"
– Jacqulyn Nelson - Washington, USA

"I bought your course and wanted to let you know how I'm getting on with it. It's BRILLIANT! The combination of audio and written materials is perfect and the whole Synergy/Brick verb structure has really helped me to get to grips in record time. I've found it such a pleasure to use. I feel I'm making huge progress already :-) Thanks for all your hard work in putting it together Marcus. All the best, "
– Paul Smithson - UK

"I just want to tell you thanks. I have never seen anyone more interested in helping people to speak a foreign language than making the dollar. I love the program, I am progressing well through the program now and can not wait to listen to the CD on the way home. I don't even notice the traffic in Los Angeles while driving home."
– Curt D. Johnson - USA

"I love the program and I am wowing my friends. thanx"
– Jimmy Edwards - Washington, USA

"I am doing your course and it is exellent !! This surely must be the best!!! Thanks"
– Dr. Nic Burger - South Africa

"WOW WOW WOW It is exactly what I needed. It is exactly what I hoped it was going to be. BRAVO I have just started your course and I am thrilled with it, absolutely thrilled. I am writing from work. My business takes me around the world. I have needed Dutch, Russian, and now I cringed at the thought of Spanish as well. Your course and process is fabulous and in my mind you are a genius. My boss studied 9 languages and started the Swedish course at Harvard and I got him mesmerized with your course. He too has been just not able to get up the energy to begin a whole new language (like me) even though our work needs Spanish (Psychiatrist with Spanish speaking patients increasing) and our international work in Belize. Boy do I appreciate you. Thanks a million (two million)"
– Nancy Turcotte - Massachusetts, USA

"Well done, I am not usually given to writing letters of praise but on this occasion I feel I have to. I have never been very good at languages, but I have breezed through this course ( and enjoyed doing it ) in two weeks and now I cant wait to practice during my vacation in The Dominican Republic. Best Regards"
– Terry Bromley - United Kingdom

"Just a line to say Muchas Gracias Senor! The Synergy Course is helping me more than anything else I have tried. I work in the UK for a Spanish Company. I don't go to the factory in Spain all that often and the company teaches English to all its employees over there so the only time I get to use Spanish is in the taxi and at the hotel. For ten years I have struggled to learn the language. In the last 2 weeks I have done the first 3 lessons on CD and written. I have learnt more from this (and faster, and easier) than I have in the last 10 years! Thanks again for your help, it's worth every cent! Saludos"
– Nigel Crooks - UK

"Two of my friend will be subscribing any day now.... Both of them are soooo impressed with the way I'm conversing in Spanish that they pestered me until I fessed up that we're studying with you. You can bet there will be others as well!!! me gusteria las lecciones en español de Señor Marcus!!!"
SUNNY LATER ADDDED
"last Sunday we took a little Mexican girl (and her parents) to a waterpark to celebrate her graduation from kindergarten. In the 3 years we've known this family, I have always dreaded spending time with them due to not being able to converse (with any sense at all) with them. Eureka!!!! I doubt that I missed more than a couple of words and was able to make myself understood with only a few hesitations. If people only realized what a sense of accomplishment I felt the whole world would sign up for your courses! And, the best part of it is, I had only completed lesson 17 of Synergy and haven't even started on the other courses we've purchased. At this rate, I'm sure I'll be yapping with the best of them by the time I've completed all of your programs. You're the BEST!!!"
– Sunny Bowes - Mexico

"Your course is with no doubt the best I have seen.Your method of teaching is fantastic. Thanks again. Best regards"
– Rami Oved - New Zealand

"I am writing this e-mail to tell you that I love your course, and my co-workers can notice the progress I've made already. Thanks."
– Victoria Osborne - Washington, USA

"My wife and I have deeply enjoyed "Shortcut to Spanish". Out of the four Spanish language systems that we have purchased yours is the easiest and most complete program to actually learn conversational Spanish that we can utilize."
– Howard Bushnell - Louisiana, USA

"I'm very happy with the Synergy Spanish course, it's helped me to speak with my spanish girlfriend much more easily. She's so surprised with my rapad progress. I'm looking forward to your Synergy Spanish Level 2 course. Your method of teaching is so effective. I'm a student and everyday on my half an hour walk to college I love to listen and repeat the phrases on my mp3 player,(although everyone on the street has to think I'm loco talking to myself.) Keep up the good work. Best Regards."
– Peter Ashmore - Ireland

"There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind your aproach to teaching the Spanish language is way ahead of the three courses I have taken in the past,the result being a comfortable & relaxed conversation pattern with my Canarian friends no problem even though I have reached the age of 81,keep up the good work."
– Harry Bracewell - Canary Islands

"I would like to thank you for creating such a great course. I sampled the free lessons and got hooked very quickly. I signed up just 2 weeks before I was due to holiday alone in San Pedro de Alcantara. I was off work so I crammed in as much as I could. I took great delight in going into a spanish bar/restaraunt and ordering in spanish. I had been there a few weeks before and they were surly buggers. But this time it was different. I was actually smiled at and chatted to and helped a little with my Spanish. I didn`t say much but my effort was recognised and when I returned I noticed how my bill was cheaper! I learned things on the course that I couldn`t yet use, but I just couldn`t resist asking someone, " Le gustaria pasar un fin de semana en Acapulco conmigo?" If only I`d meant it... I look forward to doing the rest of the lessons, only a little slower this time. Thanks again, Regards."
– Anita Mikolaites - UK

"oh my Gawwwwwwwwwwd!! How you have made the Spanish language so simple is beyond me!!! You have achieved what no-one else seems to be capable of achieving!! I have been attending Spanish beginners classes for a few weeks now and the teacher still has not encouraged us to make a sentence (one that makes sense anyway!). I am still learning days of week, months of year and counting to 100. It has tested my boredom threshold and made me feel hugely disappointed in myself that yet again I have failed at learning a language. But now, thanks to you Marcus, my thirst for learning new words has been re-ignited. And not only that - I actually appear to be very good at it too!! Thank you once again for simplifying what I thought was going to be a tough journey. Gracias!"
– Catherine Cunningham - Ireland

"I bought your course online and I have found it to be quite brilliant in it's concept and I am quickly learning not to sound like such a "gringo" to my Colombian girl friend. I would add that as a music teacher I really related to what you said about all music comes from 12 notes - from Mozart to the Beatles and beyond - it really is amazing! You have encapsulated the Spanish language in a very easy to assimilate series of lessons that should be taught to people that don't have allot of time and need to have a working command of the language! Thanks again for making such a wonderful course!! Thank you"
– Michael Roskoski - Florida, USA

"Thank you,I have learned more from your two programs than I did from all the different programs I've bought over the years including all three Pimsleur programs."
– Jerroll Fry - Texas USA

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and add my praise for your course. After living in Tenerife for 3 years and trying many different teachers and classes I was beginning to despair of ever finding a way to learn the language properly. Since receiving Synergy Spanish last week my ability to converse with my neighbours (who have been very patient with my previous sign language and mispronunciation) has almost doubled over night.....they are as overjoyed as I am. Your course really is the easiest way I have found to make sense of all the Spanish words I knew but didn't know how to put together. Keep up the good work. Many many thanks from Los Abrigos."
– Venita Ball - Tenerife, Spain

"I finished your course. Your approach is truly wonderful. I am 71 years old & thought my memory was starting to go. Your mnenonic approach is extremely helpful & has boosted my memory ability greatly, both for learning Spanish and for everyday living. Thank you for the good work."
– Bob Eisenberg - Arcadia, CA

"I just had to write and tell you how very much we are enjoying our course. Our daughter is a Spanish Education major, studying abroad in Seville. We plan to visit her on November 21st. We will have completed your course by then and plan to ASTOUND her with our Spanish! I have some Spanish knowlege but my husband is a beginner. He loves the cds and keeps them in his truck, listening and practicing to and from work. Thanks so much for "skipping the conjugations" and getting to the "real Spanish". Wishing you much success with your course."
– Nelson & Vicky Wayne - New Jersey, USA

"I have previously purchased the Synergy Spanish lessons and I absolutly loved it. It was the easiest program to learn from. I have spent hundreds of dollars on books, and audio lessons. I took a Spanish class last semester of college and pd $820.00 for the class and didnt learn anything from it. Synergy was the best. Thanks."
– Stephanie Mills - West Virginia, USA

"I just finshed your Synergy Spanish course and thought it was great. I learned more from this course than I have from any formal course I have taken. I would be delighted to know when your next book is available so I can continue my studies. Keep up the great work. Thanks."
– Larry Bassett - Washington, USA

"I've been learning spanish for the last 7 months, but progress was slow. When I took your lessons though, I was able to not only remember but also apply what I had learnt. And true to what your website claims, it wasn't boring at all. I really enjoyed learning spanish. Thank you once again."
– Shravan Rangarajan - India

"I am a former ESL teacher and am usually very critical of language programs, but I really like yours. Thanks - I think you are great!"
– Anne Dodge - Massachusetts, USA

"I have finished your wonderful Synergy Spanish and enjoyed every minute! Saludos."
– Dee Baxter - West Sussex, UK

"I thought your Synergy Spanish course was outstanding. The way you presented the material was not only easy to understand, but it also was interesting and lent itself to solid retention of material. I will be interested in any further courses in Spanish that you develop."
– Larry Franz - Illinois, USA

"I enjoyed your course very much. I learned more in a few weeks than I have with any other method. Best regards."
– Gary Caskennette - Canada

"I am appreciating your method immensely! It took me so many years to learn italian the conventional way and I swore there must be a way to learn to communicate without all the conjugations and vocabulary lists. Your approach is incredibly effective and so encouraging. Thank you for providing all your works and efforts at such a reasonable price- For anyone who sincerely wants to learn the language your course is a GIFT. Impressed and looking forward to more. Thanks!"
– Jason della Valle - New Jersey, USA

"I am now on lesson 15, and am enjoying the course greatly. I am now beginning to initiate conversations at the gym, in the sauna, ordering in restaurants and finding that I really can communicate well. Last night, I could speak Spanish better than the waiter could speak English, so it was really great. He wasn't just "playing victim" to my need to have someone to communicate with, but was grateful for my ability to navigate the ordering experience. The obvious dedication that you and your wife have put into it. I am humbled really, and wish you all the continued success in your ventures as you really understand the marketing value of providing EXCEPTIONAL value. "Always give the client more than they expect" is a well known, but not well practiced aphorism, but you, dear Marcus have done just that. Bravo! I don't want to give out my name, because I don't like it all over the www, however if anyone is questioning whether this is a real post, or one made up, I will give you permission to furnish my email, name and telephone number via private email (not a web post), and I will be happy to confirm, and heartily recommend your brilliant, innovative style. It really works!"
– RB - Las Vegas, Nevada
(Name withheld by request but available by email if requested)

"Hola. como estas? Marcus, Marcus, Marcus... you just never stop "GIVING". You are a very special person who "truly" cares about helping others to learn to speak Spanish. I feel very privileged to have found you in my journey to learn to speak Spanish. To say "Thank you" just doesn't seem to fully express my gratitude for the help that you have given me, and continue to give me. Muchas gracias. All the best to you and your family. Your friend from Canada."
DEBBIE LATER ADDDED
"Hola. Thank you for your kind words. I have on occasion written to you with questions or comments regarding your lessons. You have always answered my letters, thank you. You have given me more than I ever expected when I bought your lessons. You have said that you would be available for "coaching" and you have kept your word. I am so impressed with the whole package. All the best to you and your family."
– Debbie James - Canada

"I am in Peru putting into practice your Spanish lessons - and they have made a big difference thanks. Friends of mine took a more traditional Spanish class with a well known local teacher at the same time I took your audio course, my friends now know a lot more grammar than I do but they can't speak much Spanish, where as I can actually use what I know. I have recommended your course to them. Salud"
– Ian Higginbottom(Managing Director, SonarData Pty Ltd) - Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

"I am so excited! Voy a hablar mucho mas en espanol con mis amigos pronto! I am too excited to sleep! Thank you again"
– Viola Harris - South Carolina, USA

"Thanks Marcus. I am in South America - Nazca, Peru to be exact and I am delighted that what I have learned through your course has helped me to make myself understood in Spanish. My tour group asked me to say a thank you in Spanish to a local family with whom we had a traditional Peruvian meal. I was delighted that although my Spanish was far from perfect our hosts understood what I said and our Spanish speaking guide said I did well! Last night we stayed in the homes of families living on Amantani Island. It was a wonderful cultural experience enhanced by the fact that I was able to communicate with our host family albeit using only basic Spanish. Your Spanish Course has really helped enrich my travel experiences here in South America. Thank you."
– Marie Buzan - New Zealand

"I have studied Spanish off and on for years in classes and studying books but never found the retention very good. I was very happy when I found your web site, it didn't take me long to know that this is exactly what I needed. Your content, organization and style of teaching is what makes it work - because it focuses on the useful words and phrases for the real world and leaves out the irrelevant stuff that bogs down the learning process. Your system is straight forward, complete and enjoyable to use which, in turn, makes learning Spanish faster, easier and more successful. Muchas gracias!"
– Kris Augello - California, USA

"Very many thanks! I have spent a lot of money in the past on recordings, vocabulary and verb conjugation books, but I have to say I have learned more in one day using your method. I only wish i`d known about it sooner.The lessons are presented in such a way that it would be impossible not to learn the language. Please keep me informed of any other lessons you have available and thanks once again from a very pleased student. Muchas Gracias"
– John Maxwell - Great Britain

"Since receiving your Synergy Spanish Book and CD's, I am having a wonderful time. They are the best I have ever had... For about three years I have been trying to learn to speak Spanish...Church Classes, Spanish in 10 Minutes a Day books, a few quarters at the local Community College, and many hours of "complete frustration".... BUT Synergy Spanish has given me a completely new direction to my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I would like everyone I know to have this program and I have told many of my friends. Thanks for what you are doing to help us learn faster. Have a Blessed Day,"
– Jeanette Bridgewater - Charlotte, N. C.

"I spoke Spanish to the cashier at our local Mexican supermercado. It was great! She knew exactly what I was saying. I meant to tell her that, "We don't need bags for the milk (2 gallons)." The way I said it in Spanish was, "No necesitamos bolsas por la leche." I was with my father when I said this. I don't know if I should have used "para" instead of "por", but she knew exactly what I was talking about. I remembered your instruction about being bold, so I was. Now have a first-hand, real-world experience using your method and I know it truly works. Warmest regards. P.S.I am of Mexican-American descent. Many years ago--about 45-- while in the 2nd grade in Chicago, Illinois, I was thoroughly embarrassed in front of my class by my Euro-American teacher because I could (at that time) not understand much English. It was then that I vowed that it would never happen to me again. Well, it hasn't. However, in the process of placing so much emphasis on learning English, I lost, or perhaps "psychologically buried", my ability to speak and understand Spanish. Your course is helping me to remember the richness and the beauty of my Hispanic heritage and is helping me "re-acquire" my Spanish speaking abilities. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the effort and love that you have put forth in organizing your Spanish courses. I believe that they are terrific!"
– Alfredo Ochoa - USA
Dear Soon-to-be-Spanish Speaker,
Would you like to learn how to speak Spanish that could fool a native speaker? Want the words to freely flow from your tongue instead of sounding like a slowed down, broken record because you're constantly grasping for the correct grammar in your head?

Enough! The “traditional” way of teaching Spanish doesn't work for most people – especially if you're not in grade school or college anymore.

Even if you've tried to learn a language before and failed, now you can learn “real-world” Spanish quickly and easily. I am a language teacher and after years of using methods that just don't cut it, I have finally developed a course, Synergy Spanish, that really works for the rest of us. (If you want to know my motivation, read the “about me” in the side panel.)

And here's the best part: all you need to do is learn 138 words - more about this later. It will work for you if:

•You've never spoken a word of Spanish
•After endless courses and months or even years of study, you still can't string a Spanish sentence together without a struggle.
•You need to learn the language quickly.
•You are over 40 and “learning isn't as easy as it used to be”
•You don't want to spend countless hours worrying about grammar or sentence structure.
•Spanish has been difficult for you in the past.
•You don't have a lot of time to devote to lessons.
Now You Can Get By in Spanish With Just 138 Words!
It's crazy. So many people who want to speak Spanish end up not being able to speak at all. Yet, I have used my knowledge of languages to develop a simple formula that virtually assures your success.

All you need to do is learn just 138 words. Then, I'll show you how to use them so effectively that native Spanish speakers will be amazed at how easily you express yourself in their language.

Yes, I know it sounds incredible, maybe even too good to be true (just look at all of the unsolicited testimonials on this page to see that it works). Yet, when you experience the power of using patterns to multiply Spanish, you'll know for sure that speaking Spanish is easily within your reach.

Once you've tried this approach you'll wonder, "why haven't I been shown this before?"

When you know the formula, it's a piece of cake to make thousands of Spanish phrases from that small list of just 138 words.

The secret lies in a simple method of combining Spanish words. A method that is very straightforward. In fact, with just a little effort you can master the entire system in as little as 25 days...

It Doesn't Matter How Old You Are, Or What Experience You Have Had With Spanish, Now Communicating In Spanish Is Possible For Everyone
•Speak Spanish that will impress even a native – even if you feel like you've had a “metal block” with learning Spanish before.
•Avoid the traps that stop most people from finally speaking Spanish
•Feel comfortable in real-world Spanish conversations – in as little as one month – much less time and effort than other courses
•Learn how to connect with locals if you live in a Spanish-speaking country or a Latino community in the US.
•Converse with your Spanish-speaking coworkers and neighbors
•Travel to exotic Latin America, the Caribbean and Spain, and experience the real flavor of the local culture
•Teach your children or grandchildren to speak Spanish
Learn Just a Handful of Words and Enhance Your Travel Experiences
You know, travel is so much more enriching when you have enough confidence in your Spanish to get away from the tourist traps. Instead of some plastic, made-for-the-masses, fake experience, you can soak up the vitality of Latin America, the Caribbean and Spain, as you interact and move freely among the locals.

Your new ability in Spanish is your passport to go where the tourists don't go. It's your ticket to having real conversations in Spanish for the very first time.

“It's like entering some secret club, with a hospitality you probably have never felt before. You'll get extra attention in the restaurants. You'll get tips on where to go to get the best quality authentic products. And of course, when you speak Spanish the prices are so much better.”

Native Spanish speakers really appreciate your efforts to speak to them in their language. When people realize that you are not the typical ugly foreigner expecting "them" to speak English, you will be amazed how warmly you are treated.

If you work with Spanish speakers, or live in a Spanish-speaking country, then this course is even more important for you than it is for travelers. It has opened many doors for many people to connect with native Spanish speakers. It has even been responsible for at least one marriage.


"If it hadn't been for your course I probably wouldn´t have been able to meet my future wife."

First of all I want to say thank you for creating Synergy Spanish. It has been a tremendous learning experience for me. You make the whole thing so easy.

I am getting married next week to the love of my life. My fiancée is Mexican and doesn't speak English. If it hadn't been for your course giving me the ability to understand and speak conversational Spanish fast, I probably would not have been able to meet my future wife.

Kyle Crawford - San Felipe Marina Resort, Mexico