About Spanish courses (same at all schools)
Is it possible to start on any given day?
Group classes start every Monday. Sometimes it is possible to fit in a group, even if you start on a different day then Monday, but you will need to arrive at the school the day before and do an intake test. If you don't fit in, you will be advised to take first some private lessons until it is possible to join the group. Private and mini-group classes can start any day of the week.
When are classes available?
We teach any day of the week, from Monday till Friday, from 8:00 till 12:15, from 13:00 till 17:15 and from 17:30 till 19:30. In the weekend, we only teach from 8:00 till 12:15.
Which is my current "level" and what can I learn?
It is hard for us to determine your current "level" without having spoken to you. Some students that have followed the exact same course for the same amount of time in a Spanish speaking country, still have different "levels". At the latest a day before your arrival, we determine your "level" based on a written test and a short oral evaluation. After having evaluated the test, we try to place you in a group. Our estimation will be more based on comprehension and conversation skills, than on reading and writing skills.
Are your teachers native speakers?
Yes, all our teachers are native teachers. They are from all over the Spanish speaking world. We like to have different accents and cultures in the classrooms. You can have a teacher from Costa Rica and Panama, but also from Mexico or Argentina …
Most speak some English, but will only use English in moments of "frustration" or if it helps to quickly explain something in not-Spanish.
How can obtain academic credits for the course that I take at your school?
We are a private institution and not directly affiliated with any university. Therefore, we can't issue academic credit directly. However, most universities have various mechanisms that allow students to obtain credit for field courses taken away from campus. These are often called "independent study" courses. If you are going to take the course for credit you must arrange this through your professor or academic advisor and university. We recommend you do this prior to coming to Costa Rica or Panama. Our School Manager will provide an official grade transcript to your academic institution or advisor. You will be responsible for providing direct evidence of participation such as lecture notes, proposals, reports, exams, etc. Normally, up to three units of credit are awarded for 40 hours of study at our schools. On the Registration Form can mark if you want obtain credits.
How do they know at the next school where I am in the program?
The subjects of our course are defined as a "step-by-step". We have 3 basic levels: beginners, intermediates and advanced. Each level has 5 steps. Each step contains certain verb structures, vocabulary and other structures. Every day the teachers keep a record of what you are studying, what your homework is and other specifics. At the end of your study period at a school, you receive this record and you can keep it if you don't travel to another school, but need to take it with you to the following school, if you continue. The School Manager of the school that you leave also sends information about your progress to the School Manager of the school where you will continue.
Can I take some time off between studying at another school ?
Yes, you can and actually, we recommend it! it is great to study (at least) two weeks at one school, take some time to "let it sink in", travel a bit, practise a bit, study vocabulary and then after (at least) one week, arrive at a next school. If your time "off" is longer than a few weeks, you might have to do a new intake test or a shorter, oral evaluation.
Can I make changes while studying at your school? how does that work?
Once you made a reservation and we confirmed lodging, we can't to make changes in lodging options. If necessary anyway, please consult with the School Manager, he/she will tell you what possibilities there are. Same concerning classes. You can request extra (private) classes, but take we can't accept cancellations (see cancellation policy under "Registration Form").
If we do make changes, a $15,- administration fee can be charged.
What do I need to bring for the classes?
Don't forget to bring a notebook, pen & pencil. A dictionary (especially if you want a translation from Spanish to Swahili (!) and (empty) flashcards (so you can make them during the classes) are great as well!
About the Boquete school/area:
School: What is special about the Boquete school/area?
The school is located a little bit before Boquete. It is called "Alto Boquete"( = High Boquete), whereas the Centre is a little further (coming from David) and called "Bajo Boquete" (= Lower Boquete). Our school in Boquete is a very peacefull, quiet place. As the school as an institution, but also as a building, is very new, it is very comfortable. Everything is very new. The temperature is lower than in Bocas and Turrialba. There are basically no mosquitos. In other words: a great place to study! A large part of the year you can squeeze oranges and prepare fresh orange juice from the various orange trees we have in our garden and have breakfast outside, while looking at the bright colored birds that are attracted by the fruits that we put out for them on a special tray. Let´s not forget the hummingbirds that will also accompany you. From the school there are a lot of nice hikes to make and together with a few visits to the gym that is located at 5 min. walking from the school, you can also work on your physical condition. Homestays are mostly located at walking distance from the school. To get to town, you can either walk (but will take about 30 minutes) or take one of the taxis that come by about every 5 minutes and costs 35 cent.
Unlimited wireless Internet is available at the school at $5,- per week or at 0.50 half an hour.
School: When are the national holidays on which the school in Boquete is closed in 2008?
01.01 (tuesday): Año Nuevo
09.01 (wednesday): Día de los mártires
19.02 (tuesday): Carnaval (Martes)
21.03 (friday): Viernes Santo
01.05 (thursday): Día del Trabajo
03.11 (monday): Separación de Colombia
10.11 (monday): Primer Grito de Independencia en la Villa de los Santos
28.11 (friday): Independencia de España
08.12 (monday): Día de las Madres
25.12 (thursday): Navidad
On these days the Panamanian people celebrate national holidays and don't work. What we normally do on these days is that we offer an educational excursion instead, mostly on a different day, so our students can also be part of the festivities. A lot of times we can also reschedule the classes to another day, like Saturday or Sunday, but we don't promise this as it depends on how many students there are and how many teachers are available.
Accommodations: How are the accommodations at the school?
There are 4 double bedrooms. One bedroom has a double bed and this room or one that has two single beds can be rented with a private bathroom. The option to rent the room with a double bed + the room with two single beds can also be rented with the private room (for example for parents with one or two children). All bathrooms have hot water. There is a good, fully equipped kitchen where you can prepare your own meals. You can also order a breakfast at school for $2.50. It is great to have breakfast outside and enjoy the birds. There is a television with Cable Television and a DVD player in the communal living area as well as a music player to listen to your own music.
Accommodations: Can you describe the Homestay in Boquete?
The host families in Boquete, although they just started to work with us two years ago, know very well how to make you feel welcome and comfortable at their home. They are friendly, enthusiastic and warm people that love to welcome foreigners in their house.
We work with all sorts of families:for example families with children (young and old), but also single older ladies, furthermore we have families that speak some English and families that don't speak English at all. You can write us your preference. A maximum of 4 persons can stay with one family (divided over at least 2 rooms). You will always receive a private room, but you might share the bathroom with the family. Most host families live around the school and the school is located a bit before the Centre of Boquete, about 5 minutes distance from the by shared taxi (35 cent). You can go to and return from school by local bus, shared taxi or walk it in about 30 minutes.
Accommodations: Can I stay longer with my family?
Yes, if there is no reservation from a new student at your host family, it is possible to prolong your stay, paying $12.- per night extra. You can also travel in the country and come back for a few days to the host family. In this case, please let the school know about your plans and contact the school once you are back so we can take care of payments.
Accommodations: Do you have any suggestions for presents that I could bring for my Panamanian family?
When we ask this to the host families, of course they answer that the students don't need to bring anything, we have experiences though, that they mostly appreciated the presents that were brought from your own country. That is to say something typical, a souvenir with the name of the village or the country you're from.
Accommodations: Can a friend of a family member that is not taking classes at the school use the school's accommodations?
Yes, family members and friends are also welcome to make reservations for staying at the school, the casita or at a homestay. It is not necessary to study Spanish. They are welcome to join the excursions and other activities that the school organizes. In this case, please let the School Manager know, so arrangements for payments can be made.
Accommodations: Is it also possible to stay at a hotel while taking classes at the school?
Yes, it is no problem to stay at a hotel while you take classes at the school. If you let us know what you expect of the hotel (facilities) and what your budget is, we can help find and make reservations for a suitable hotel.
Travel: How do I travel from San José to Boquete ?
- You can take a flight from San José to David with Air Panama (www.flyairpanama.com).
- Or you can travel by bus.
The bus leaves at 7:30 am from San Jose. It is the Tracopa bus and the trip costs $12.50 It stops on the way to have lunch. At 17:00 Panamanian time (one hour later than in Costa Rica) you will be in David. From David you can take a taxi (about $15,-)(30 minutes) to Boquete or enjoy the local bus - ride for $1.50 It will take about 45 minutes. Make sure you don´t stay all the way to Boquete. The school is located a bit before Boquete, it is called "Alto Boquete, Entrada a Palmira". From where you get off the bus, you cross the road and walk up the newly asphalted road. After 180 mts, on your left hand side you'll find the school. You can't miss it, it has a good sign.
Travel: How do I travel from Turrialba to Boquete ?
-Take the flight from San Jose to David with Air Panama (www.flyairpanama.com).
-Travel to San José the day before you want to travel to Boquete and get on the Tracopa - bus that leaves at 7:30 from San Jose (Calle 14 between avs 3 & 5).
- Leave Turrialba early (6:00 a.m) to Cartago, have breakfast in Cartago (to kill some time)/ take a taxi to the highway where the Tracopa - bus (Calle 14 between avs 3 & 5) that comes from San Jose will pass by. It will pass by at 8:15 a.m. and they will take you to David. From David you can take a taxi (about $15,-)(30 minutes) to Boquete or enjoy the local bus - ride for $1.50 It will take about 45 minutes. Make sure you don´t stay all the way to Boquete. The school is located a bit before Boquete, it is called "Alto Boquete, Entrada a Palmira". From where you get off the bus, you cross the road and walk up the newly asphalted road. After 180 mts, on your left hand side you'll find the school. You can't miss it, it has a good sign.
Travel: How do I travel from Bocas to Boquete ?
The total trip will not take about 6 hours. You take the boat (watertaxi) from Bocas to Almirante. This trip takes 30 minutes and cost $3,- Once in Almirante you need a taxi that brings you to "El Cruce" (= Crossing point) . This won´t cost more than 50 cents. At the "Cruce" you might have to wait a bit for the bus as it actually starts in Changuinola, and so there is not an exact hour to take the bus here, but every 20 minutes a bus comes by. The part Almirante - David costs $7,- and takes about three hours and half. From David you can take a taxi (about $15,-)(30 minutes) to Boquete or enjoy the local bus - ride for $1.50 It will take about 45 minutes. Make sure you don´t stay all the way to Boquete. The school is located a bit before Boquete, it is called "Alto Boquete, Entrada a Palmira". From where you get off the bus, you cross the road and walk up the newly asphalted road. After 180 mts, on your left hand side you'll find the school. You can't miss it, it has a good sign.
Miscellaneous: Can I have mail sent to me while I am studying in Boquete?
Yes, you can receive mail at the local post office, although it may take a week or even two weeks to travel from the United States, Canada or Europe to Boquete.. Have it sent to:
Spanish by the Sea River./ your name
Entrega General
Boquete/ Chiriqui
Panamá
América Central
Miscellaneous: I need to stay in touch with my business while I am in Boquete; can I receive and make calls, faxes and emails?
Yes, you can receive calls and faxes at the school. The international number is: 00507 - 720 3456. Make sure the callers and faxers know about the time differences, so we don't receive calls and faxes in the middle of the night. E-mails can be checked at the school at $1.00 per hour or $5.00 per week for unlimited use. We have Wireless Internet at the school, so you can also decide to bring your own laptop and use the Internet without extra costs.
Miscellaneous: Are there any special shots or vaccinations needed before I come to Panama?
We recommend contacting your local health organization. We have the experience that although malaria pills are often recommended, they aren't necessary. Nevertheless, we prefer you to take your own decision based on information you will obtain in your home country.
Miscellaneous: How long can I stay in Panama?
We recommend you to obtain this information from the Panamanian embassy in your home country. At this moment, most tourists can stay as long as three months without leaving the country. If they wish to stay longer, they need to leave the country for 72 hours. It is easy to go for the weekend to Puerto Viejo, on the Caribbean Coast in Costa Rica.
Miscellaneous: How should I bring money to Panama?
You can change your traveller's checks or use the local ATM´s. If you first study in Turrialba, where you can pay with your credit card, you can also pay right away for your study in Boquete and/or Bocas. Be aware of the fact that you can't pay with traveller's checks at the school and that you always have to pay a certain amount to exchange them (but not much!). You can also bring a small amount of $.
Miscellaneous: What should I pack?
Pack light, cotton clothes. It is also recommendable to bring some long sleeved shirts and long pants for places with mosquitoes. It is best to wear light colours. Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, a raincoat or umbrella, although you can also buy these items in David.
Nights at Boquete can be cool so it is a good idea to bring a fleecejack. For most excursions you want to bring: comfortable walking shoes, teva´s, daypack (small backpack), water bottle and pocket knife. You can also bring: a camera, discman, etc. but be aware that you will need to look after it well.
Miscellaneous: Can I drink the water in Boquete? and other places in Panama?
Yes, you can drink tap water in BoqueteFor the rest of Panama. It is drinkable in most places in Panama, although at some beach places is recommendable to drink bottled water (for example in Bocas del Toro).
Should I bring a mosquito net?
No, there aren't many mosquitoes in Boquete, so you don't need a mosquito net.
Can I stay longer than I originally planned?
Yes, you can always continue with your classes. We can't guarantee the preferred accommodations because a reservation for those might have been made, but we will do our best to accommodate you well.
