An excellent intructor. Very clear on what he wants from you, teaches the material well, and understands that most in Spanish 201 and 202 are only there because it is a CAS requirement. The departmental exams are obnoxiously tough but he definetly makes them easier.

the mans gorgeous which makes any class a lot better

He's a good teacher for grammar, though not really enough emphasis on vocab, and he did make us watch "Like Water for Chocolate," which sucks. His accent is awesome, and even though this class was mostly review for me, I've been able to amuse myself by looking at him.

awesome guy!! loves to teach and speak spanish. very helpful. cool and laid back.

I usually hate Spanish classes, but loved this one because of the professor. I still don't love the language, but he is young and funny and makes class entertaining. Spanish never comes easy to me, but I met with him once and I could tell he really wanted me to do well. I hope I have him for 202!!

He is a really nice guy and cares about his students. He is interested in the subject and makes things fun and laid back.

This teacher made me want to go to class, really young, cool and laid back, and he really explained every thing until the whole class understood.

The class was not too hard. I don't like spanish that much, but he made me enjoy it. He was very laidback. I would definitely recommend him.

Good professor and a great guy! The class is not easy and the tests are really difficult. Overall an enjoyable, but hard class. He's good in office hours. Speaks some english in office hours

A really nice guy, but not the greatest of teachers. I don't know if it's just the class or what but I always got As until I took this class. The book goes into so much detail about any verb tense that it's hard to remember it all. All new information is also taught verbally in Spanish. Take if you're wanting a challenge.

very relaxed and fun environment in class. however, he's definitely not like that on exams. he is a tough grader on everything. he's very unorganized, prepare to not have much time to work on assignments..especially the project at the end

VERY TOUGH grader. enthusiastic, funny guy, willing to help (office hours are really good for him). not an easy class; he can be unclear sometimes because of disorganization. overall a great teacher but a really, really tough grader. if you can get an easier teacher, it might be more convenient.

Cool guy. Really cares about his students. I actually had fun in the class. He can be a tough grader, but if you do all the work you can get a B easily.

Very enthusiastic and good sense of humor. He is slightly disorganized which threw some people off. I learned a lot and enjoyed coming to class.

I love this class! And Motta is a really cool guy who is willing to put in extra time to help anyone out.

He's really cool and laid back.

Cool guy, really wants to help you succeed. Class is actually really fun. His lesson plans help you learn in a fun, engaging way :)

MOTTA is hard, but he is EXCELLENT. You can't be just looking for a good grade, but if you are willing to work, you will learn a lot and be a much better Spanish speaker.

He is a really tough teacher but he is more than willing to help anyone with anything. 200-level Spanish is hard in and of itself so it's not like he made it more difficult but you def have to put effort into the class. And he's really easy on the eyes lol.

Always willing to help... He's hot so that kept my attention too!

Ok, so first of all if you aren't a Spanish major and are in a minor,it would be A LOT easier to take 315, BUT David is a really nice guy and is willing to help anyone who needs it. You just got to make the attempt to try hard. The material isn't too over the top, its just that its stuff you wouldn't think about in English. SO STUDY AND READ BOOK!!

Also an ATH, SPN and ENG course. Taken in summer, so very fast paced, but we also spent hours talking about random things. He is very clear and awesome about repeating information until you get it, 4 movies and many quizzes for error. I still suggest reading the book, there is a clear grade line for those who did and those who only came to class.

One of the best classes I have taken in a while. Though it was difficult, I feel like I actually learned something, and he was completely open to repeating things until you understand it. Show up and be engaged, ask for help, and do the homework. There are ways to supplement doing poorly on tests, so do them. It makes a huge difference.

Great guy with a passion for linguistics. Motta wants to see you succeed but asks you to put in the effort. Not the easiest course but fair and reasonable.

I took prof. Motta for linguistics and he was honestly a great, fun and nice professor. he gives a lot of homework because he expects you to prove that you're learning something in his class, but its a great buffer and adds points to your grade.

I loved Motta. He was super laid back and nice. Always would run into him around campus and would always say hi. Class was hard yea but every Spanish class is

He's a pretty good professor and a nice guy. Definitely cares about Spanish and wants everyone to learn. He does grade participation, but things like getting there on time and not using your phone are part of that. There are two short speaking assignments you have to do, but it's not bad. Exams aren't too bad, but you do have to study.

He is a nice guy and he tries to help you if you are also interested in helping yourself. He loves Spanish and is a really fun guy!

One of the best professors I've ever had by far. Incredibly passionate and smart about the material, and hilarious, energetic and fun in class. You can ask questions and get extra help whenever and he'll help you no judgement. 312 specifically was a little tough, but he made it enjoyable and interesting. Would take him again if I could.

David is literally such a baller, he is so funny and willing to answer your questions. However he does not respond to email. His classes is one of the best I have taken he is really chill. Doesn't grade too hard, but he is fair.

Seems to care about the material and is generally fair. Some strange grading sometimes, such as how he dislikes giving descriptive rubrics, making it difficult to know what he will be giving you. Participation grades are extremely harsh

Prof. Motta is your typical soccer dad so you can tell he actually cares about each of his students. You will have to work and study to get an A but it is achievable. At the end of the semester I was at an 89.4 and I emailed him to see if he would be will to round me to a 90 and he did. I definitely recommend his class!

I took this class in Argentina. I'm not a business major, so that part was difficult, but David was always willing to help. I don't think I have a great understanding of what we learned due to only 3 weeks of classes, but I did well in the class because I participated to the best of my ability. I highly recommend this study abroad trip with David!

This class was graded on our participation in and outside of class in Argentina. David made me feel much more comfortable after being worried about my level of Spanish and gave us a great variety of applicable assignments. I learned so much on this trip and would not have had such a great experience without David as my professor. Take his classes!

One of the best teachers I have had so far. So fun and energenic. He cares about his student and I plan on taking his classes for years to come. He speaks mostly Spanish during all classes unless the class as a whole has no idea what he is saying, which forces you to really learn the language. Highly recommend taking his class

I love David. He's super funny and laid back, and he clearly loves teaching and loves Spanish. There's a lot of work in his class, but he is literally always willing to help and answer questions. Go to his classes, don't skip.

I love Professor Motta! This was my first year taking his class and I can't imagine not continuing on with him. There is a lot of in class work but as long as you pay attention and know your Spanish basics, you'll be fine. Study and participate, it helps!

I don't like Spanish very much because I have difficulty with the subject itself, but Professor Motta was best teacher I have ever had in Spanish. Super helpful and soooo nice. Definitely 100% would take this class again.

David is such an amazing professor. I have had him for both SPN 111 and SPN 201 and I love him. He goes through material at a reasonable pace and is ALWAYS willing to help and answer any questions you have. He also lets class out early a lot and usually lets you leave once you finish your in-class work.

Spanish is def one of my least favorite subjects & I was nervous about taking again after a few years. However, he COMPLETELY understands that we arent motivated. His class was extremely enjoyable. Hes also very laid back. He even helped me w/ some assignments for my linguistics class. I wish I could have had him for 202

Amaaaaazing professor. He is hilarious and encourages a lot of participation, so if you don't like speaking in front of the class, I wouldn't take this class. Prof Motta is such a cool, laid-back guy and will help you advance your Spanish. Truly cares about his students and wants them to succeed!

A great guy who really cares about his job and wants students to succeed!

Great, funny guy. He's super laid back. The class isn't exactly easy, he expects you to really engage and understand the language. Exams are proficiency based. There's not much homework and no huge assignments, we mostly just talk in class. He hardly uses the textbook or vocab. Overall, he's a good professor and I'd recommend taking him.

He is probably the best Spanish teacher I've had. He sincerely cares about his students and wants them to understand and succeed in his class. Definitely go to office ours and get extra help in SPOT outside of class if you're struggling. If you show you care, he will show he cares!

A great professor that really cares for his students' learning. He WILL make you participate, but in the long run, it's really helpful for passing the class. He also makes sure his lectures are engaging by bringing in high energy and a little bit of comedy. Probably the best Spanish professor at Miami.

My favorite professor! Definitely take him if you can. The class can be tough just because learning a new language is tough, but he's always there to help. Class is extremely fun if you participate (and if you don't, he'll make you). He's also very lenient and understanding about deadlines and things like that.

This class is difficult no matter who you get... Motta is the best no question. He will help in anyway possible and has a "we are in this together" attitude. If you put in the work, you will do fine. It turns out to be a really interesting course. Very personal guy who will have a conversation with you outside of class. Motta is the way to go.

My favorite profe ever! This is the only class I've ever liked going to. It wasn't always easy, exams were kinda tough at times, but he is always available to help. In class, we usually just talked the whole time. There wasn't a lot of work outside of class either, just a few short canvas homeworks here and there. Definitely take Profe Motta!

He's really chill and talks with us

Professor Motta was easily the best teacher that I've had. He is really funny and has lots of crazy stories that he talks about during class. He always brings energy to each lecture. He is laid back and is pretty understanding. He can get a little unorganized at times, and isn't super technology savy.

Not universally liked by students, but it doesn't change the fact that he knows what he's doing. It is a tough class, even (and almost especially) for native Spanish speakers, according to some of my friends. But as long as you pay attention to what is due and make an effort to understand the material, you'll be able to get a decent or good grade.

He genuinely cares about your education and wants to make sure you're learning, passionate about what he does. Very funny. Make sure you participate often though to stay on his good side and all is well.

My favorite professor so far. Wants his students to do well and is genuinely passionate about Spanish and his students. He appreciates students who make an effort like going to Spanish events outside of class, office hours, and asking question in class as well.

One of the funniest professors I've had for Spanish. Profe Motta is very kind, smart, and very good explaining content. The tests are long, but the content of the exams are clear before taking. He always encourages questions and goes out of his way to answer them.

Professor Motta is the funniest teacher I've had. Spanish is not my favorite subject, but I learned a lot, and loved attending class. Take him if you can!!

This course is difficult, but Professor Motta explains things very well during class. Going to his office hours really really helps if you are struggling with anything. All of the exams were hard, but even then there are so many easy opportunities to make up points through homework and labs. Highly recommend this class with this professor.

Prof. Motta is an amazing professor. His lectures were entertaining and he does a great job creating a fun culture in his classroom. There is homework every day... no one does well on the take home quizzes that he assigns, but he makes up for it with other assignments. I loved this class.

I love Profe Motta and this class. His class is definitely one of the hardest that I have ever taken so far (as both a Spanish and Linguistics double major) and is heavy in homework, but Profe Motta really cares about his students and is always willing to answer questions. If you need/want to take SPN 312, take it with Motta!

David is a great guy, funny, caring, and enjoyable to have as a professor. His class is fairly graded, and with effort, you can easily do well. Exams are simple and easy, just practice a bit outside of class beforehand. Do take his class for SPN 201!

great teacher, and also super funny.

Such a caring professor. I was originally nervous to take his class but it really wasn't bad. You will be called out by name to answer a question, but learned a lot from him. He really creates a good classroom environment where everyone (at least in my class) feels ok to make mistakes.

Motta was AMAZING. He is really chill and genuinely cared that students were learning over being "perfect" at Spanish. I really appreciated the fact that there was no judgment when you made mistakes and he was very chill about everything.

I learned more from Motta in one semester than I did in 4 years of other Spanish classes. Such a fun guy who cares so much about the success of his students. Lots of speaking in class, but you get used to it, and always nice to have a professor know you by name (and call you out). Made our class laugh every day and you can tell how passionate he is

Great teacher who cares about you learning the language as long as you at least try. I was horrible at Spanish, yet he never called me out on it as long as I tried.

Top 5 professor I've ever had at Miami. Really cares about what he does and makes learning fun.

Professor Motta made learning Spanish fun. He always wanted his students to succeed and was pretty lenient on late work. You read one book in his class but he always reviews it. The homework is pretty simple except for the listening parts. The exam is 3 parts (read, write, listen) and you do need to study because he does not curve.

A unique teaching style that taught me more about Spanish than anyone has. Easy to talk to and is always willing to help. Makes class really fun even if its hard at the time. Take good notes and practice here or there and you're solid. Boomalangs suck though.