Furthermore, the ULAT gives the educator a strong foundation to provide the immersion setting the world language classroom requires. The teacher is able to present vocabulary contextually by gestures and pictures which are linked to audio clips in the program. Students learn by relating verbs and other vocabulary to motions and pictures which represent the meaning of those words. As students click on pictures, they hear the target language and immediately start to connect the words to a meaning tied to the picture. Again, this is a very natural way of learning the target language and eradicates the need of translating from the first language to the target language. A tool like this leads to true fluency and acquisition of a world language.

The program has had a tremendous influence on my capacities with the Spanish language as well. As a high school student, I learned Spanish from this program. In college I was commended often during my first year for my knowledge of the language and my ability to communicate. The program (and great teaching) gave me the base I needed to succeed in college-level Spanish courses. Now I am teaching Spanish and use the program as the foundation of my curriculum. After one semester, I have seen students grow by leaps and bounds. Furthermore, due to the program I have a structured resource that allows me to teach my classes completely in the target language. I would recommend that this program be used in any school where acquisition is truly the goal. It truly provides a great foundation for students and educators who work with a world language daily.

Graduate of a 3-year ULAT program who used its methods to teach English in China
I'm just writing to you to thank you for your amazing and unique teaching method because it helped me SO MUCH in a recent experience:

Last month I spent a few weeks in a high school in a remote town in Southwest China (near the border of Laos) teaching English as a volunteer to around 60 Chinese high school students there. The students barely spoke any English and disliked the subject because, for them, it was mainly useless memorization and grammar. While they had lists of medium-level English vocabulary memorized, they had no idea how to use them in sentences.

As I was planning my lessons there, I knew that I mustn't continue to teach the students "useless English" and at least help them love learning English (and see its purpose) during the short time I'm there. So I reflected upon how you taught us French and basically borrowed your methods of teaching languages in a way that people would learn their first languages: I used pictures and videos instead of Chinese translation, had an "English and sign language only" rule, focused on conversational English instead of vocabulary/spelling, encouraging them to talk even if they mess up the grammar, and occasionally played games that allowed them to practice what they had learned...

The students loved this teaching method and I saw them improving so much. Originally shy students who became so embarrassed when called upon because they could only speak separate English words - by the time we left, they were able to introduce themselves, talk about the weather, greet others, and make easy conversation in English confidently.

Without your class and your influence, I definitely wouldn't have come up with so many teaching ideas and methods, and the students I taught would not have improved as much. So again, thank you SO MUCH! Your foreign language teaching methods are indeed amazing and so beneficial!

Graduate of a 2-year ULAT program
"The method of your teaching style is one that I will never forget, using hand movements for each word, and associating that mentally really makes recall fast and accurate. I wish all language classes in schools everywhere were taught in that manner. Thank you sincerely for sharing your ULAT teaching program with me. I hope and pray that you keep expanding it, and reach out to as many people as possible."

Graduate of 3-year ULAT program
"I wanted to tell you about how much my Spanish training has already come in handy this summer. I went on a mission trip a few weeks ago and one of the girls on my missions team is from Costa Rica. I did not have much of an opportunity to speak with her while we were working, but when we had some down time I decided to give it a try. I found that it was very natural for me to be able to converse with her, and we could understand each other very well. She later told me that I am the first high school student that she has been able to have a real conversation with, which was very special to me. For that, I have to say thank you. "

Graduate of a 4-year ULAT program
"I had my first Spanish class (in college) ...it was AWESOME. Suffice it to say, I am not nervous. I was one of the best speakers with basically the best accent when we were practicing in class. One girl asked me if I had lived in another country. I am not saying this to brag, but rather to tell you that you prepared me more than I could have asked."

Jim Koan, headmaster of a private school in Florence, Alabama
"Steve's self-created teaching method (ULAT) is unique and effective; it was thoroughly reviewed by our administrative team and embraced as the model by which we would conduct foreign language instruction. Steve was able to efficiently and effectively teach his fellow foreign language teaching colleague his ULAT methodology so that a more effective means of teaching Spanish could be conducted at the Elementary and Middle School level (his primary teaching assignments are in the high school). His daily lessons are filled with his energetic and engaging demonstrations which reinforce to the students the meaning of the words they are learning. He uses props, high tech visuals, and persistent, patient one-on-one dialogue with each student to ensure that every student in his class learns Spanish. In a little over two years Steve reversed the trend before he arrived of discouraged students and declining interest in a foreign language to a program in which students are pursuing AP and CLEP test opportunities in Spanish. Students are clamoring to take 4 years of Spanish when only 2 are required."
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Carol Stines, high school world languages department head in Phoenix, AZ
"We began using the ULAT program in our foreign language classes about 7 years ago. We were impressed by the emphasis on verbal communication right from the start. The combination of actions and words causes the students to remember. As has been said, "There's memory in muscle". Combining logical actions with the vocabulary makes a huge difference in student's ability to acquire the language. Plus, there is no translating, The students think in the target language without going through the wasteful step of going back to their English to comprehend. I would recommend the ULAT program for any school for use in teaching foreign languages as well as English."

Starr Velasquez, K-8 Spanish Teacher in Lansing, Michigan
"The ULAT program is truly an amazing tool for teaching students how to speak Spanish. They learn not only by hearing but by seeing and also performing the gestures that they have learned. This type of learning targets students at all levels. The students are able to remember easier because they are using a variety of senses as a way of communicating. The gestures are very natural as they are the signs that we would normally use while speaking with someone, which makes learning the ULAT that much easier. One of the many advantages to the program is that the students can go online to hear, see and mimic what Steve does in the classroom and that is wonderful! I have had the privilege to work with the program owner for over 6 years..."

Sara Sanchez-Mustapha, former high school Spanish teacher in Grand Ledge, Michigan
"I had an incredible visit to Lansing Christian School. The teacher, students, curriculum and classroom environment that I observed were of the highest caliber. I observed both Spanish I and Spanish II and was astounded by the level of the students' fluency. I felt like I was observing a beginning college course rather than high school Spanish students...I am so thrilled to have had the opportunity to observe this awesome teacher. The creativity, effort and passion put forth to create this cutting edge curriculum are absolutely noteworthy. Students that experience language learning in this rich environment exhibit remarkable Spanish skills in the present, and will undoubtedly reap many rewards from this class as they continue their academic careers and studies of Spanish."
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Graduate of a 4-year ULAT program
I went to orientation the other day, and I was asking about class credits. Since I was there, they told me I should take the 15-minute test that determines your real capabilities in the language. So, I took the test, and, as it turns out, I'm actually taking a 300 level Spanish class, and if I pass, I'll already have a minor in Spanish."

Graduate of a 2-year ULAT program
"I really enjoyed your Spanish classes in high school, and found them to be more useful and well-run than the Spanish classes I took at the collegiate level (in fact, there really is no comparison.) Because of my solid background in the Spanish language from your classes, I was far, far more advanced than my peers in speaking the language. It was frustrating to see my professors place such a high premium on writing the language, almost to the detriment of a student's conversational skills. I have been tempted, over the years, to use the ULAT to teach myself French, and to use it to brush up on Spanish---it's enjoyable, user-friendly, and quite simply, EFFECTIVE, and I hope you continue to use it in the future with your students."

Graduate of a 3-year ULAT program
"I am not sure if you remember me, but I was a student of yours and graduated in 2007 from LCS. I loved, and I mean loved, your Spanish classes and didn't realize how intelligently designed and formatted your lessons and website were until I got to college and took Spanish classes here. I started out with a minor in Spanish, but decided to change to math because the Spanish program here was unimpressive to me after your classes. I am developing a Spanish curriculum for my own students as I enter the teaching world next fall and would love to have access to your website in order to see it again. I haven't found anything since then as helpful as the ULAT that you used in class!"

Graduate of a 3-year ULAT program
"I took the Spanish placement exam for college and placed in the highest possible entry course - Spanish 202. Thought you'd be pretty excited about that :) I know I am. So extra thanks for all the hard work you have done to teach us. I'm still thinking about minoring in Spanish."

Graduate of 4-year ULAT program
"I just wanted to write you and tell you thank you for your teaching all four years of my high school career. On Thursday of last week, I took the CLEP test. I ended up receiving a score good enough to earn me 8 credits at my college next year and tested me out of Spanish I and II. Eight credits is half a semester's workload for me and will aid me a ton in college. The score I received on the CLEP gave me an equivalent credit amount as an AP test score of "4" and all this is because of your hard work and dedication to teaching students Spanish. I will never forget the huge impact you have made on my life."

Graduate of a 4-year ULAT program
"I am very grateful to have had such a wonderful French teacher. I think your method of teaching is both revolutionary and effective. By involving so many senses in the learning process (hearing, speaking, doing, seeing and eventually reading) it helped us to be quick to remember and slow to forget. I appreciate how much time you have put into the ULAT and as well as your effort to help us master each topic."

A college freshman and graduate of ULAT program having had just two years of high school Spanish
"Thank you so much for all the hard work you've put into me and the other Spanish alum. I'm currently taking Spanish II at (name of college), but they're already looking to put me in Spanish 3. That really has to do with your program and your teaching style. Whether it reflected a lot in the gradebook, I really have learned quite a lot from the ULAT. So, thanks again for all your hard work since it's really paid off at least in my life...and another sidenote, please please please keep your theulat.com up and running. I think it will help me more than these textbooks. Thanks."

Doug Olsen, former high school principal in Southfield, Michigan
"Without exaggeration, Steve was genuinely one of the most outstanding, creative, hardworking teachers we have ever had on staff. Steve's knowledge of the French language is immeasurable, his creative style is contagious, and his communicative approach has set the standard for all teachers who have followed him. In the classroom, Steve is top-rate. Not only did he write our textbook and curriculum, but his personal energy level and commitment exceeded all expectations."

Graduate of ULAT program having had just two years of high school Spanish
"Thank you very much, Mr. Nesbitt. I just also wanted to mention that I cannot express how much of an impact your Spanish class has had on me. Even I cannot believe how much of the language I understand most the time. I have a man that I am friends with at my job out at (name of a golf course), his name is Antonio and I would not have been able to be friends with him had I not taken your course. I know this for a fact. Antonio is a very great man but understands almost no English. He was amazed when I told him that I had only taken two years of Spanish. I told him that I had a very good professor.

I had another situation not long ago where I needed to change reservations for some plane tickets me and (classmate's name) had gotten. We had tried countless times to call the airlines 24 hour number but just could not get through. So then I kinda jokingly suggested that maybe I should try to call the Spanish number that was listed and try my best to get the gist of what our situation was. And of course the call went straight through and all of a sudden I was on the phone with a Spanish-speaking lady. I was hesitant and unsure to say the least but managed to stick to the basics like you had taught us and she was able to fix the problem on the computer and that ended up saving us over $100 in penalties for the errors on our tickets.

Well I just thought that you might enjoy hearing that your Spanish course is effective to say the least. I am really glad that I was able to take your class...thanks again for everything Mr. Nesbitt, you are a magnificent teacher and role model and I hope God continues to bless you for your dedication to young men and women."

Okemos, Michigan resident and viewer of the TV25 Spanish class
"A few weeks ago, while searching for a TV show, I came across Channel 25. I was truly amazed. I couldn't believe that there was a teacher who actually believed that the best way for a child (or an adult) to learn a language was to be totally immersed in that language. Even at the college level, the teaching method for some language courses is still to speak English. My daughter now watches with me and wants to know why Okemos doesn't have someone like Mr. Nesbitt."

Graduate of ULAT program
"I wanted to thank you so much for your service to LCS and all the great things you have done as a teacher there. I still think that you are the best language teacher ever. You taught me so much and have been a great encouragement to me. Thanks for organizing the trip to Mexico this summer; it was an amazing experience. I know you don't get enough thanks for all that you have done for LCS. You are truly a blessing to the school and to me. Thanks for everything."

Haslett, Michigan parent
"On Halloween night, a kindergartner came to my door and, after I gave him candy, he said, 'Gracias'. Having had 8th grade Spanish, I of course said, 'De nada. Buenas noches.' This stopped the kid in his tracks. 'You know Spanish? I know Spanish!', he said with eyes wide with excitement.

When I told him I watch Sr. Nesbitt on TV25, his arms flapped, his eyes grew wide, he jumped up and down and he yelled excitedly, "I KNOW SENOR NESBITT!!!!!!" He proceeded to tell me every word he learned in class, what he knew about Mr. Nesbitt, how often he got to see him. Other trick-or-treaters came and went and he regaled me with Spanish. In the past, I have only seen such reverence and awe for someone running into David Bowie, The Spice Girls, or Jerry Garcia. Thanks to Mr. Nesbitt for making language better than MTV."

Rich Mikel, former MacDonald Middle School principal in East Lansing, Michigan
"Mr. Nesbitt is not your traditional classroom teacher. If you desire a foreign language teacher to follow a textbook and printed handouts, do not hire Mr. Nesbitt. If you seek a teacher who engages learners to act, speak, and think in French or Spanish, you have the correct teacher."

Dr. Kenneth Hall, high school administrator in Southfield, Michigan
"Mr. Nesbitt is a conscientious teacher. He has a deep sense of responsibility. His classroom is well managed. He uses such a variety of techniques in his teaching that interest seldom slacks off. As an individual, Mr. Nesbitt is a man of integrity. He is honest and truthful without qualification. As a staff member, he is a leader among the faculty. Others value his opinions."

John Haynes, elementary principal at the Rift Valley Academy in Kenya
"What truly distinguishes Steve in the classroom is his philosophy of language acquisition and, consequently, the amazing variety of activities he employs so effectively to help students learn language in the proper context. Every visit to Steve's classroom this year provided a chance to observe a different activity that was well organized, stimulating, fun and very effective. I am no longer surprised when I witness Steve and his students acting out skits, miming, making cookies, calling toll-free numbers in Quebec, competing in game shows, participating in physical competitions, or even singing while Steve plays guitar. All of this activity is solidly framed within the context of hard-core learning."

Sal DiFranco, former middle school principal in East Lansing, Michigan
"In this area (curriculum development), Mr. Nesbitt ranks in the top 1% of teachers I have observed over the past 19 years as an administrator. The nature, pace, and quality of activities are first rate."

The Towne Courier (Haslett, Michigan)
"The Spanish language is flourishing in Haslett since the elementary schools have introduced Spanish to the students in first through fifth grades this fall. At the family sessions, Nesbitt rotates groups through various exercises designed to bring family members up to speed with the children in a few evenings. 'That was fun!' was seventh grader Michael Steinfield's response after the first 90-minute session.. 'Now I can talk to Kate (his third grade sister). And I think now I might take Spanish in high school instead of French."

Dr. W. Robert Docking, former superintendent of the East Lansing and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan public schools
"Steve was an outstanding middle school teacher and I would hire him in a minute. He had a unique gift for developing French curriculum for middle school students."

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan)
"Nesbitt's goal is to have students be comfortable using about 60 Spanish verbs by the end of the year. he recently wrapped up a series of family nights to motivate students to speak Spanish outside of class. Third-grader Jordy Rich likes learning Spanish in school and went to all three family nights. 'It really helps us learn,' he said. 'I just want to know some other languages.'"

Florence Jackson, former high school teacher in Talladega, Alabama
"Mr. Nesbitt has many positive personal qualities, including sensitivity to people's feelings, but his greatest asset as a teacher is his desire to share his knowledge. He taught before class, between classes, during lunch, and after school. Mr. Nesbitt left an empty place when he returned to Michigan. He was an inspiration to us all..."