Spanish Immersion in Guatemala
Here's a tip from a woman I met who is finishing up her master's degree at the Ohio State University. If you want a cheap place to learn Spanish or brush up on the Spanish you know, try Guatemala. She was in Antigua for two weeks last summer and found it cheap, fun and an extensive Spanish language lesson.
From what she said, you can just basically show up in Antigua and find a school and a place to stay. Lodging with a family as a homestay is readily available and schools are everywhere. If flying-by-the- seat-of-your-pants travel isn't your thing, here are a couple of links to websites for language schools so you can plan ahead. The first one, Casa de Lenguas has been around since 2001. The website includes information about the program, activities, lodging and who your fellow students might be. The average age is 30. People are as young as 18 and go up to age 65. I'm sure if you're over 65, you won't be kicked out.
One thing that caught my attention about the Casa de Lenguas program is there is a volunteering component. If you bring materials and supplies to donate to a charitable organization and donate your time to a cause, you can get a discount off tuition.
The Ixchel Spanish School, in business since 1999, emphasizes speaking and also includes homestay information and extracurricular opportunities. For even more options, check out Conexion. This is an internet café in Antigua that lists several Spanish schools and their contact information. "¡Buen viaje!" Have a good trip!
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, North America, Guatemala
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Apr 16th 2007 @ 4:47PM
ourman said...
I'll just add to that - I went to the school pictured five years ago. All good.
But as a cheaper option. My new home of Granada, Nicaragua is a good place to learn. Similarly beautiful colonial architecture and a little less touristy (though rapidly changing).
Reply
Apr 27th 2007 @ 5:24PM
Zac T said...
One thing good not mentioned is that some of the schools there give college credit for courses. So you can go for a summer and get lots of credits. The schools that do that cost a bit more though.
Most schools are cheap and the housing is good and cheap. Most schools have internet and if they don't cyber cafes are around. There are lots of places for trips around the city and lots to do in the city.
Reply
Apr 30th 2007 @ 12:03AM
Jamie Rhein said...
That's a real perk! Thanks for the tip and heads up. Good to know for teachers who are looking to keep their certification up too, I bet.
Reply
Jul 28th 2007 @ 5:14PM
anne said...
The best spanish school, without a doubt, is Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School. Please see their website at http://www.donpedrospanishschool.com and feel free to write to me to ask any questions about the school. I was a student there earlier this year. I could not have asked for a more excellent experience! The teachers were superb, the homestay clean and comfortable, and everyone was really, really friendly. I will go back again when I get a chance!
Anne Groombridge annegroombridge@hotmail.com
http://www.donpedrospanishschool.com
Reply
Jul 29th 2007 @ 3:16PM
anne said...
The best spanish school, without a doubt, is Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School. Please see their website at http://www.donpedrospanishschool.com and feel free to write to me to ask any questions about the school. I was a student there earlier this year. I could not have asked for a more excellent experience! The teachers were superb, the homestay clean and comfortable, and everyone was really, really friendly. I will go back again when I get a chance!
Anne Groombridge annegroombridge@hotmail.com
http://www.donpedrospanishschool.com
Reply