Study the Spanish Language at Spanish School in Antigua, Guatemala! Our job is to provide our students with the required skills to effectively communicate in the Spanish language whether they study intensive Spanish for academic reasons, for career enhancement, or pleasure. Personalized attention is our standard: everything revolves around you, the language student learning to speak Spanish, whose needs and desires receive our complete attention.
One of the main reasons that our students learn Spanish so quickly is that instead of pouring over myriad textbooks and writing endless essays, our teachers take a more practical approach. Language is communication; therefore students will begin to communicate in Spanish from the first class.
Taught by knowledgeable and eager teachers, they quickly begin learning by listening, speaking, and repeating what the teacher is saying. Instructors gradually introduce grammar, oral and written exercises, as well as vocabulary and linguistic explanations.
Courses are planned at all levels of proficiency, for the student at the beginning, intermediate, advanced, or professional level. We are liberal as far as what material the teachers can use. Each student has different needs and learning desires, and due to the nature of one-on-one study, having one format is not desirable. The length of each lesson, or class hour, is 55 minutes. For studies of four hours per day or more, there is one 30-minute break at the halfway point.
We also offer a number of specialized courses for doctors, nurses, lawyers, journalists, and those in the travel industry such as tour operators, flight attendants and pilots. These classes would include specialized vocabulary and situational phrases appropriate to the field. A customized study plan can be designed according to each individual students needs, at the same price as normal lessons.
We offer classes from two to eight hours per day, seven days a week. A typical plan of study would be four to six hours per day, five days a week, for four to eight weeks. For every hour of instruction there is a five-minute break and generally a half hour break every three hours for those studying four hours or more.
The breaks are to give the student a rest and to promote learning in the best possible way by allowing them to make conversation with other teachers and staff. In addition to using textbooks, newspapers, magazines, and music are incorporated into the learning process to promote conversations on current affairs. Typically, the instructor is changed every few weeks in order to give the student a chance to experience a variety of accents. The same teacher, however, may be retained for the duration of studies subject to availability.
All teaching is private, with one teacher and one student to encourage rapid learning. Private instruction can begin on any day of the week, except Sundays. The student chooses lesson times, but for 20 hours of weekly study the normal plan is 8 a.m. to 12 noon for morning lessons, and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. for afternoon lessons. For those taking more than 20 hours per week, students generally start earlier in the afternoons, or take the four hours in the mornings, and then have a two-hour break for lunch, return at 2 p.m. (and continuing until finished for the day).
Small group classes can be arranged for those wishing it for academic or business reasons, or for a group of friends, and group classes for beginners begin the first Monday of every month, demand permitting. Group classes are arranged upon request, and beginners´ group classes begin the first Monday of every month, subject to demand.
The maximum number of participants in group classes is limited to 6 students. On average there are 4 people per group. We reserve the right to change the course program and/or reduce the number of hours if there less than 3 participants within one group. There are no refunds for missed classes.
Special programs are arranged as individual courses, except that certain courses entail extra activities or limitation on meeting days and times due to discounts involved. Our special programs:
- Teach and Learn
- Learn Together
- Total Immersion
- Fun and Sun
- Semester
- Summer Program
- All-inclusive.
* Teach and Learn (secondary program option, only available when taken in conjunction with another program):
With paid tuition (twenty or more hours of study per week), all students may participate in the Teach and Learn program. This program provides an exchange of conversation lessons between the teacher and student, allowing the teacher to learn some English (or other language), while the student receives up to two hours of extra lessons per week for free! No experience teaching your language is necessary.
* Learn Together:
The Learn Together program is designed for those wishing to learn Spanish with their children; it allows both the parent and the child to learn at the same time at the school. The parent and child both learn Spanish separately, but some time is spent together with their teachers each day, creating a closer bond as not only the language, but also the culture and fun of Guatemala is explored.
This program entails three hours of study per day, Monday through Friday, for each the child and parent, with one extra hour devoted to learning together with their teachers. Three times per week, after the daily lessons, a teacher accompanies you and your child on activities of your choice. Another two days may be spent with the regular group activities if desired.
The Learn Together program is also for those adopting Guatemalan children and who wish to learn Spanish while their child learns English. This program is for three hours per day, Monday through Friday, for each the child and parent, with one of these hours devoted to learning together with their teachers. Extra lessons are possible, and childcare is also available for a nominal fee. Advanced reservations are required for this variation.
* Total Immersion:
The Total Immersion program enables those who do not have the necessary time to study Spanish in depth, or just want to know enough for travel throughout the region and desire to learn the basics of Spanish at a rapid pace. It is also for those already with knowledge of the language, but who want to quickly advance to the next level.
This program is two weeks in length, with extra weeks being optional. Eight hours of daily study, five days per week. You will have two different teachers, male and female, one in the mornings and the other in the afternoons. Your teacher will accompany you to various locales around Antigua to enable you to practice your skills in a practical setting.
* Fun and Sun:
For those who are just looking for an excuse to get away from it all! The Fun and Sun program combines Spanish lessons with travel. With this option, you will have three hours of Spanish lessons, five days per week. After the lessons, a teacher will escort you on private tours of Antigua and coffee plantations, and accompany you to museums, ruins, and nearby villages.
Each Saturday, your teacher will spend the entire day with you journeying to other exciting places in Guatemala, such as Chichicastenango, Guatemala City, and Lago de Atitlan. Price includes tuition, airport pickup, guides, entrance fees, and weekend transportation!
The Fun & Sun program is 15 hours of weekly classroom study, but in the afternoons the teacher accommodates the student on private educational tours of various locales chosen by the student. This enables instruction in practical settings, and adds an additional 15 hours of instruction per week. Also, many other costs are included.
With the teacher on Saturdays as well, this means the student has at least 40 contact hours each week. In addition, the airport pickup and Saturday transportation alone has a cost of $40-50, which is included in the Fun & Sun package. We doubt that a student could easily plan a week's worth of private lessons, private tours, transportation, and travel for only around $200!
* Semester:
Specifically created for students in college or university but available to everyone, the semester program lasts fifteen weeks and includes a savings of almost $300. For groups, there are two start dates, one in mid-February and the other at the beginning of September. Individual Semester programs may be begun anytime. Semester programs are fifteen weeks in duration, include four hours of daily lessons Monday through Friday, and transportation from the airport is free.
Except for the beginner´s group, all lessons are private and occur in the afternoons (private semester programs may be taken in the mornings for an extra $150 fee), there is a 15% tuition discount included, and participants may arrive up to three days early and depart up to three days later at no extra charge for lodging.
At the completion of the program, students will have completed 300 hours of Spanish lessons, or the equivalent of seven classes at university, more if the private semester program is chosen! Halfway through the semester, students are eligible to take an exam for academic credits for an additional fee.
* Summer Program:
The summer program is similar to the semester study, except that it lasts for eight weeks. This option is popular with teachers and travelers, and college students looking for academic credits.
* All-inclusive:
For those who want to not only learn some Spanish, but also want to see the finest that Guatemala has to offer without worrying about the details, the all-inclusive program is the way to go. Two, three, or four hours of Spanish study daily (you decide), followed by daily private tours to destinations of your choice within and near Antigua. As with the Fun and Sun program, you will go with your teacher via private shuttle to such places as Lago de Atitlan, Panajachel, and Chichicastenango, but on Fridays instead of Saturdays.
Each week your personal activities director will arrange Saturday or weekend trips for you to such exciting places as Xela, Monterrico, Coban, Rio Dulce, and Tikal, and your teacher can accompany you to these places as well for an additional fee.
Other destinations are possible. You tell us where you want to go, and you are there! Price includes: tuition, lodging with a local family, weekday meals, airport transportation, local guides, entrance fees, weekend transportation via tourist coach, mid-price hotel room on Saturdays, and a round trip airplane ticket to Tikal!
Surrounded by volcanoes and rugged green hills, Antigua is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Central America. It is one of the region's most popular tourist destinations, and it is not difficult to see why. Its historical value is accentuated by informative museums and crumbling colonial ruins, and its lure to the modern traveler is in part due to its cobblestone streets, charming buildings, and stunning central plaza.
Restaurants, cafes, and hotels catering to tourists are everywhere, giving the city a cosmopolitan feel. In addition, the scope and diversity of the indigenous population further contributes to the uniqueness of Antigua. Located in the center of this charming town, the school's beautiful three-level colonial home offers a pleasant atmosphere in which to study yet an easy, short walk to the heart of Guatemalan life and activities.
* Lodging:
In spirit of our full-service commitment, our school offers several choices for those in need of lodging during their studies. Knowing that people have different needs, tastes, and budgets, we offer the most options for our students:
- Lodging on school property
- Private Room at School
- Apartment
- House
- Home Stay
- Student Hostel
- Hotel
- Bed and Breakfast
- Live with Teacher.
Transportation can be arranged from Guatemala City airport any day, and at any time, for a nominal fee. Merely include flight information along with your reservation and we will be happy to arrange a private shuttle for yourself and any guests.
Depending on arrival time, a group shuttle is available for about $10 from the airport. This service is located to the left, immediately after customs. Taxis are outside at all times, and a trip to Antigua is about $30-$40.
Faculty Information:
In order to maintain our high standard of service to our students, the school only employs highly educated and experienced teachers. Teacher evaluation and development courses are held on a monthly basis to keep the staff current with the latest teaching techniques, and individual teachers take part in weekly training sessions.
Our Spanish language teachers are highly trained, and often speak Spanish and English. The administrative staff is professional yet friendly, and are experts at arranging Spanish language lessons. Our staff speaks Spanish and can also answer questions in English about the schools various Spanish language programs, lessons, and courses, as well as offer information about Antigua, travel within Guatemala, and other language schools and schools in Latin America and throughout the world.
Other Activities:
There is a wide range of activities offered by the school, and your teacher or the administrative staff arranges everything. The activities are a good way to break up the day and to actively participate in Guatemalan life. They are also a good way to practice your Spanish! Some of the activities offered:
- Movies in Spanish
- Dance lessons (Salsa, Meringue, etc.)
- Soccer matches
- Bicycle tours in Antigua and neighboring towns and villages
- Visits to museums within and outside Antigua
- Tours to ruins, coffee plantations, silver factories
- Observe Mayan rituals
- Lectures on Guatemalan history, holidays, and culture
- Seminars in Spanish on specific topics
- Practical information sessions on travel within Guatemala and Central America
- Horseback riding and hiking.
Facility Information:
We actually have many books available for our students and teachers to use, but if they are not asked for we do not volunteer them. Teachers check out the books they need each day. Some teachers prefer to use books; some do not. It generally depends on their feel for the student and the student's individual needs. We have learning books, Spanish dictionaries (not only for English speakers, but also for French, Japanese, etc. speakers as well), and even new specialty books such as medial Spanish, Spanish for business, etc.
Our new school is a beautiful Spanish colonial house located on a closed estate in the best part of Antigua. Over 6,000 square feet (570 square meters) of space is not only home to classrooms for intensive language study, it contains our offices, private rooms, and apartments, as well as an Internet café, laundry area, and kitchen!
All school apartments and rooms are within the premises, and the house is directly across the street. We are located in the town of Antigua in Guatemala, four blocks from the exact town center. Home stay families and hotels are all within walking distance of the language school and town center, usually a walk of 5 minutes or less, and students often study the Spanish language after their language lessons, and speak Spanish and study the language with their host families!
Students enjoy superior language programs, exceptional customer service, and more Spanish program courses and lodging options than any other school. Besides great service, we have our very own Internet café and laundry facility, and offer free Internet and activities, no registration fees, great prices, and more! Our students study Spanish in one of our large gardens next to gorgeous plants, trees, or fountains, under a shaded patio, or in a spacious classroom.
There is a private library only for our students, and even a garage for those traveling Guatemala and Central America with a personal vehicle. Students’ needs are well exceeded by our extended staff of administrators, caretakers, and maids. We welcome you to quite possibly the largest, best located, and most beautiful school in Antigua, Guatemala! Come pay us a visit at our wonderful Spanish school in the Land of Eternal Spring - Guatemala!
Notes:
* The following are included in all tuition fees:
- Notebooks, paper, and pens
- Use of learning materials
- Purified water, coffee, and tea
- Reception of faxes, letters and telephone calls
- Extracurricular activities.
* Registration fee - none; Internet use - free; Activities - included.
Also see Vacation Schools in:
Language Schools
Central America and Caribbean
Guatemala
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