Get documents about "Learning Spanish in Paradise
Document Sample
Study Abroad
Learning Spanish in Paradise
they stay with Spanish-speaking host families. abilities and
Costa Rica Participants facilitate camps for local children
ages 5-12 that focus on creative expression,
particular
learning styles.
Bordered by Panama and Nicaragua, conservation, trash collection, and nutrition. Cactus also
Costa Rica is a natural paradise bursting with Additionally, volunteers work on community offers Spanish
geographical gems. With tropical forests, stun- improvement projects like making trash and immersion
ning beaches, whitewater rivers, and active recycle bins, building bus stops, repairing play- courses in
volcanoes, visitors will be awestruck with all grounds, and forming sports teams. Heredia, Jacó
that Costa Rica has to offer. There is no doubt AMIGOS works in the Brunca region of Beach, Manuel
that every student who visits will see what Costa Rica in the district of Perez Zeledón, Antonio, Playa Tamarindo,
Costa Rica means by its motto, “Pura Vida” located in the southern part of the country. Sámara, San Joaquin de Flores, and San José
which is used to express living peacefully sur- This area is dominated by coffee, pineapple, in Costa Rica.
rounded by nature, family, and friends. and banana plantations, and the climate in this Just 20 minutes away from San José,
With more than four million inhabitants, region ranges from cool in mountainous areas Central Valley Spanish School is located in
Costa Rica’s official language is Spanish. to hot, humid sections near the Pacific coast. Moravia. The school’s methodology applies
However, visitors to Costa Rica may notice They also offer 5-8 week summer programs in the “Natural Approach,” a theory for the acqui-
two accents; one is the regular Costa Rican the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, sition of a second language which emphasizes
accent, and the other is the Nicoyan accent, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay. the primacy of oral and conversational skills, to
which has evolved due to the country’s close Set in the Cordillera de Tilarán in Costa all levels of Spanish classes. Instruction takes
proximity to Nicaragua. Rica’s central highlands, Monteverde is a place in the morning. After lunch, students can
Amigos de las Américas (AMIGOS) offers nature-lover’s paradise. The reserve is alive participate in a variety of activities, such as
the exciting opportunity for high school and with countless species of wildlife and vegeta- hiking, horseback riding, or whitewater rafting.
college students to experience the beauty of tion, while organic farming and eco-tourism With locations in Heredia and Sámara,
Costa Rica while working on meaningful envi- are booming. Here is where Cactus Centro de Idiomas Intercultura is a lively
ronmental and educational projects. Language has been offering Spanish courses language school with 15 years experience of
AMIGOS volunteers live and work in rural at its partner school since 1996. immersing students into the Costa Rican cul-
and semi-rural communities in Costa Rica. All of the teachers are professional, native ture and the Spanish language. The school
Unlike many other volunteer programs, volun- speakers with university training and experi- offers a series of 18 courses designed by cur-
teers get a full immersion experience because ence in teaching Spanish as a second lan- riculum specialists, using interactive small
they are placed in a community with only one guage. Students can choose from group les- groups in an environment of total immersion in
or two other English-speaking volunteers and sons or individual courses depending on their Latin American culture. Classes are four hours
42 www.languagemagazine.com August 2008
Study Abroad
Christine Tsai goes tropical in her quest
for the perfect Spanish immersion experience
per day, Monday through Friday, and all pro- form groups that are as homogenous as pos- held are held outside in a bamboo pavilion,
fessors are university trained and credentialed sible, taking into account the age of the stu- and students can stroll through the tropical
to teach Spanish as a second language. dent as well as his or her language proficiency gardens during their breaks.
Additionally, Latin dance and cooking classes, level. Every Friday afternoon, academic coordi- The program, “Español on Tour” offers a
as well as weekly activities, are scheduled nators meet with the instructors and students two-week language tour where students can
both on and off campus to keep students are evaluated. The coordinators also assign a get an inside-view of Costa Rican culture and
involved and speaking Spanish. different instructor to each group for the fol- its fascinating nature. Starting in San José,
Located in San José, the capital of Costa lowing week and students are able to switch participants explore the Gulf and the Peninsula
Rica, is the Costa Rican Language groups if they wish. of Nicoya. After a two-day stay in the rainfor-
Academy. Here, students will learn Spanish in CPH Language and Cross Cultural est, the tour goes to Sámara where classes
the classroom, in extracurricular activities and School is run by a staff with over 50 years of take place in the morning with enough time to
in the homestay program. The school’s combined experience in designing and imple- relax on the beach.
Spanish immersion program also includes menting training to prepare foreigners to live Forester Instituto Internacional in San
Latin dance classes, Costa Rican cooking and work throughout Latin America. CPH, José offers several exciting programs which
classes, additional conversation practices, out- which has been responsible for training Peace stress oral communication. Vocabulary is relat-
side excursions, and other cultural activities. Corps volunteers in Latin America for over 30 ed to the areas of daily life and grammatical
CRLA also offers volunteer work programs years, is committed to helping each student rules are used actively so that the correct
which allow students to expand their language reach the highest possible communication usage begins to sound right in the student’s
abilities and learn more about the local culture proficiency in Spanish. Its eclectic teaching ear. Chosen among other Spanish language
while helping local communities and increasing approach integrates language skill develop- schools in Costa Rica by several foreign uni-
their knowledge in various fields. Volunteers ment into cultural and work-related situations. versities for their study abroad Spanish pro-
can choose from a variety of work, including For those who would like to learn Spanish grams, Spanish lessons are provided at differ-
teaching children or protecting endangered while experiencing the natural environment of ent levels, in small classes. For those who are
sea turtles. Costa Rica, Cultourica-Proyectos unable to travel or who wish to continue
With locations in San José and Santa Ana, Interculturales might be a perfect fit. The improving their Spanish, the Forester Instituto
Conversa offers programs with a maximum of organization offers Spanish courses integrated Internacional also offers online, live one-to-one
four students to ensure that each student is in community-based eco-tourism and regards instruction via webcam.
placed in the best group possible to maximize language learning as the key to understanding ILISA Instituto de Idiomas, in San Pedro
their progress. Students are given an oral pro- the country, its culture, and its inhabitants. in Costa Rica and Panama, has offered inten-
ficiency interview and grammar test before Located in the Eco-Lodge El Marañon, 10 sive language training for demanding learners
they are placed in a group. Care is taken to miles from the center of San José, classes since 1987. ILISA’s experienced and well-
August 2008 www.languagemagazine.com 43
Study Abroad
trained teachers provide the ideal environment are donated to environmental organizations to the opportunity for everyone to learn through
for a serious yet fun language learning experi- help conserve the unique natural environment constant student and teacher interaction.
ence. A variety of flexible programs can be tai- of Costa Rica. The locations offer diverse experiences to
lored to the student’s needs and carefully Proyecto Asis, located in the rural com- satisfy the interests of any participant. San
selected home-stay programs complete the munity of Javillos de San Carlos, serves as an José, Costa Rica’s capital, is the perfect desti-
Spanish-learning experience. animal rescue center, a volunteer center and a nation for city-loving language students. Rich
At the Institute for Central American Spanish school. It is committed to providing with exciting attractions and cultural history,
Development Studies in San José, intensive quality Spanish classes while giving students the city’s relaxed atmosphere provides a great
conversation, grammar, and comprehension the opportunity to help local rural communities place to learn, surrounded by exciting adven-
classes are supplemented with guest lectures, in order to increase environmental conservation ture opportunities — the city is just a few
as well as discussions on politics, social con- awareness through communication and com- hours from hiking in cloud forests and white
ditions, environmental, and human rights munity service. Because there are few English water rafting. Students have the opportunity to
issues. Developed in 1986, the school offers speakers in the community, Javillos is the per- learn salsa dancing, enjoy natural hot springs,
semester and summer internship programs, a fect place for those who want a true total lan- tour a coffee plantation and visit waterfalls at
semester field course, and intensive immersion guage immersion experience while enjoying the La Paz and Tortuga Island.
courses. At ICADS, students will not only learn flora and fauna of the environment. Manuel Antonio National Park is a great
and practice Spanish, but they will be chal- The Universidad Veritas in San José option for the outdoorsy language student, as
lenged to think critically about socio-economic offers a variety of linguistic, cultural, and eco- deep green forested mountains meet the
issues currently impacting Costa Rica and the logical adventures, including a four-week inten- turquoise waters of the Pacific. White sandy
rest of Central America. sive Spanish and culture program where stu- beaches and stunning wildlife truly make
Located in the small colonial coffee town of dents learn Spanish grammar, conversation, Manuel Antonio a tropical paradise. Students
Orosi, Montaña Linda Language School, and composition. Students can also take other may participate in excursions including snor-
offers language classes at discount rates. With courses in culture, international business, envi- keling, rainforest canopy tours, dolphin watch-
housing options in camping, youth hostels, ronmental sciences, and Spanish-taught or ing, and sea kayaking.
guest houses, or homestay families, the English-taught electives in Latin-American liter- In addition to the language skills students
school’s intensive Spanish language class ature. Students may also participate in gain within the classroom, CCI’s homestay
packages are private lessons, structured to fit extracurricular activities on campus, such as experience adds a whole new level of learning
any student’s Spanish language needs. dance lessons, martial arts, cooking classes, and exchange. By living within a local commu-
Students set the direction of their classes, or conversation clubs. nity, students have the opportunity to share
allowing them to study at their own pace. The Located in the Nosara-Ostional National meals, conversation and daily life with a Costa
surrounding areas also provide students with Reserve, Rey de Nosara Language School Rican family, enhancing not only their Spanish
great leisurely activities, such as bicycle tours, offers both private and group courses. Serving language skills but their cultural understanding.
horse-back riding, bird watching, swimming, students for 17 years, the school offers quality CCI has a variety of other programs
and camping. Spanish instruction in addition to many out- throughout Costa Rica, including volunteer
The Natural Spanish Institute, located in door activities, such as scuba-diving, swim- programs.
the San Ramón, “the city of poets and presi- ming, hiking, fishing, bird-watching, snorkeling,
dents,” is an officially registered Spanish-lan- tennis, and dancing.
guage school that provides a personal educa-
tional experience for students interested in
On the west coast of Costa Rica, WAYRA
Instituto de Español is located at the beauti-
Guatemala
learning about Latin American culture as they ful Tamarindo Beach. Recognized as a Guatemala, located south of
become familiar with the Spanish language. D.E.L.E. examination center by the Instituto de Mexico in Central America, is the ideal place
The school teaches conversation and reading Cervantes, it is the perfect choice for those for any traveler to experience the ancient
in Spanish through a combination of formal who want to learn Spanish in a serious envi- Mayan history that has been etched into the
classroom work and community activities. ronment while enjoying the beaches. Spanish country, while witnessing the constant devel-
Students live with carefully selected Costa classes are held in beautiful spacious class- opment and economic growth of the country.
Rican families and participate in family life as rooms with a perfect view of the school’s gar- Guatemala’s documented history dates
part of the program. Together with their teach- den where sightings of iguanas and monkeys back to 10,000 B.C., and some evidence may
ers, students visit local businesses and other often occur. suggest it dates back even further. Today,
organizations for direct face-to-face language The Center for Cultural Interchange, a Guatemala has 13 million inhabitants and,
practice with native Costa Rican and other nonprofit international exchange organization, while the official language is Spanish, 21 rec-
Latin Americans. Teachers also conduct guid- offers language school programs in two great ognized Mayan languages are spoken
ed visits to local sites of environmental and locations: Manuel Antonio and San José. amongst its people. One of those, Quiché, is
cultural interest. Ten percent of student’s fees Small classes limited to six students provide the second most spoken language after
44 www.languagemagazine.com August 2008
Study Abroad
Also located Antigua is Antiguena cooking classes, and weekly conferences on
Spanish Academy which has been estab- various subjects concerning Guatemalan cul-
lished for 23 years. Authorized by the Ministry ture. CELAS Maya also often organizes week-
of Education of Guatemala and the Tourism end excursions, such as trips to archeological
Institute of Guatemala, the academy offers sites and volcanoes. Students are also able to
Spanish courses for all levels or professions. deepen their knowledge of Spanish and expe-
Students can also combine Spanish courses rience the language in its everyday use and
with volunteer programs at hospitals, schools, cultural context through their placement in
or farms. The school provides all study mate- Guatemalan host families.
rials as well as activities in the afternoon, such Escuela Juan Sisay, surrounded by
as bike tours, Guatemalan cooking classes, mountains and volcanoes, offers courses
coffee tours, macadamia nut farm tours, and which enable students to speak, read, write,
much more. and participate in conversations in Spanish
ENFOREX has schools throughout with an emphasis in oral proficiency support-
Guatemala and Costa Rica, each with its own ed by a strong grammatical foundation. At the
unique charm. The school in Flamingo Beach same time, students will also be introduced to
Spanish and some Spanish language schools in Costa Rica is housed in a magnificent the social, cultural, historical, and political
will offer Quiché language courses for those building with 25 fully equipped classrooms, a realities of the country. Students participate in
who want to really delve into Guatemala’s lan- garden area, and a pool, while the school in private courses for five hours a day, five days
guage and culture. Antigua, Guatemala is housed in a renovated a week. This method of instruction allows
Guatemala is also the perfect place for colonial building, with a capacity of 80 stu- each teacher to focus all energies on one stu-
anyone looking to integrate some adventure dents. All schools offer private courses, inten- dent, creating a program specifically tailored
into their language studies. Whether it be sive courses, and super-intensive courses for toward the needs of that student, as opposed
climbing the ancient Mayan ruins, traversing students of varying levels of Spanish. to a general curriculum for a class.
through its jungles or national forest, exploring The Spanish Academy Probigua offers a Each week, a different teacher is in charge
its mysterious volcanoes, or lazing on its total immersion experience consisting of private of running the week’s extracurricular activities.
Caribbean and Pacific beaches, there is and group courses of three or four students. Activities take place in the afternoons after
something for everyone. The program is based on conversation, gram- classes and lunch with host families. These
mar review, reading analysis, and activities activities are designed to compliment the
Antigua beyond the classroom. As a non-profit organiza- classes and include conferences, discussions,
tion, the school donates its profits to establish movies, hikes, and excursions.
Antigua, which is one of the world’s and maintain libraries in the many rural villages in With locations in Quetzaltenango, Jutiapa,
best preserved colonial cities, with its beautiful which children have no access to books. Huehuetenango, Retalhuleu, and Guatemala
architecture, cobbled streets, and stunning City, Instituto Guatemalteco Americano
setting amongst three volcanoes, is renowned Quetzaltenango has had 62 years of experience in offering
for the friendliness of its people. Academia English and Spanish language learning pro-
de Espanol Sevilla offers private lessons Quetzaltenango, the second largest grams. IGA offers programs for children,
with professional, qualified, and experienced city in Guatemala (referred to as Xela “shay- teens, and adults, with a wide variety of pro-
teachers. Students can study from four to la”), was founded in 1524 by the Spanish grams and schedules, including daily and
eight hours daily, start any day of the year, conquistadors. It is an active city with a popu- weekend sessions. It is also a major teacher
and have their classes tailored to their own lation made up of 50 percent mestizo and 50 training center offering a Teacher’s Training
specific needs. Sevilla is authorized by the percent indigenous Mayan. Located here is Course and an annual National Teacher’s
Guatemalan Ministry of Education, and is also Casa Xelaju, which promotes cross-cultural Conference with the approval of Guatemala’s
certified by various local universities, and rec- understanding through its Spanish and Department of Education.
ommended by the Tourism Institute of Quiche language programs, social projects, Also in the Mayan highland city of
Guatemala. internship program, volunteer work and travel Quetzaltenango, Miguel Angel Asturias
Sevilla offers the choice between homestay services. As a fully accredited Spanish insti- Spanish School offers 25 hours of intensive
or student house accommodation where all tute, students can earn high school and col- individual Spanish instruction, numerous activi-
rooms are private. Students can also participate lege credits. ties, and homestay with all meals for $150 per
in cultural activities, including salsa and Also located in the city is CELAS Maya, week, surrounded by volcanoes, with amazing
meringue classes, volcano hikes, and horseback which offers private classes in Spanish as well scenery and hiking opportunities, as well as
or bicycle tours of the city. The school also as the Mayan languages of Quiché and Mam. access to all parts of Guatemala by bus.
encourages students to offer their help to the In addition to classes, they offer daily activi- The teachers at Miguel Angel Asturias
community through various volunteer projects. ties, such as movie showings, dance and Spanish School have up to 20 years experi-
August 2008 www.languagemagazine.com 45
Study Abroad
ence teaching one-on-one immersion Peten
Spanish, with rigorous training and certifica-
tion. From absolute beginner level to highly In northern Guatemala, Peten has some
advanced, each lesson is customized precise- of the most breathtaking Mayan ruins of the
ly to the student’s needs. There’s also an country. Peten’s Nueva Juventud Spanish
extensive library of books, videos, and multi- School offers a program that includes oppor-
media that students can use in the school or tunities for students to participate in volunteer
check out and take home. activities, including reforestation projects and
Numerous social and humanitarian volun- environmental education. Students receive 20
teer opportunities are offered, include sustain- hours of instruction per week and have the
able agriculture, photography, teaching, option to volunteer in an ecological park and
healthcare, agro-industrial co-operatives, rural in a community library or local school.
development, counseling, and more.
Daily and weekend activities, such as visits
to markets and villages, Salsa dancing, con- Christine Tsai is Language Magazine’s assis-
ferences and discussions with experts, cultur- tant editor.
al activities are included. There’s Internet
access and Skype in the school for keeping in
touch. Students can also receive university
credit for attendance.
The Volunteer Spanish Academy allows
students to take Spanish language courses
while volunteering five days a week at a near-
by impoverished elementary school. Not only
do students practice their Spanish, but they
are able to witness the hardships that
Guatemalan students, teachers, and families
face. The program also offers wide variety of
hands-on cultural activities that provide stu-
dents with the opportunities to learn more
about Guatemalan culture and society.
Lake Atitlan
Located on the beautiful Lake Atitlan
in the highlands of Guatemala, Casa Rosario
Spanish School offers private Spanish tutori-
als. The tutorials take place in the cabanas
located throughout the garden of the school.
All teachers are experienced at teaching stu-
dents by immersion regardless of the stu-
dent’s level of Spanish.
Also located on Lake Atitlan is Jabel
Tinamit Spanish School in Panajachel, which
is Mayan owned and operated. Students can
learn Spanish in private classes or in a group.
The school also offers online audio and video
classes for those who would rather learn
Spanish from home. When students are fin-
ished with classes for the day, they can partici-
pate in a variety of activities including eco-
walks, boat trips, shopping, climbing a vol-
cano, or exploring a Mayan cave.
46 www.languagemagazine.com August 2008
Related docs
