Methodology

Intake test

On arrival, you receive an individual, oral and written test. Based upon this test we place you in a group of your level or start with your private classes. Teaching method:

We work with a step-by-step method. We don't advance to the next step until we know that you can put into practice what you have learned. According to progress made, you may have to change to a different group during the program in order to maintain smooth functioning and to maximize your study result.

The materials:

We have three self-made workbooks in which grammar structures are explained and vocabulary is introduced. There is one workbook for beginner, one for intermediate and one for advanced students. In the first two books some English is used to explain grammar. However, during class we always try to avoid the use of other languages than Spanish. We have additional materials that we provide during classes, which are exclusively in Spanish. At all three locations we use the same workbooks. The additional materials differ at each school.

Daily class structure:

Each day, the first two hours of classes are dedicated to reviewing homework and introducing new grammatical structures and vocabulary, the basis of your second language learning process. In the third hour you can continue with two of the four skills that need to be trained to optimize language learning, namely reading and writing. After a second short break you will proceed with the fourth hour which contains listening and conversation practice and classroom activities such as role plays, games, music and video. As for the intensive (6 hours per day) course, two hours extra per day in the late afternoon are included during which you can practice having conversations with local people that we invite. Obviously these classes always take place under supervision of a teacher who will detect problems and correct you.

Teaching staff:

Teaching staff in Turrialba is accredited with the Costa Rica Ministry of Education and all have experience teaching Spanish as a second language.

Academic coordination:

Teachers keep track of all grammar, texts and conversation topics received during classes. You will carry this information to the school where you continue your Spanish classes. Even if you don't go to one of our other schools, this information can be helpful. Each school has an academic coordinator that will take care of optimizing your learning process. The academic coordinator of the school writes a final evaluation by e-mail to the academic coordinator of the school where you will be continuing your study. This way we make sure no time is lost adjusting between the schools.

Certificate of assistance:

You receive a certificate of assistance at the end of your course which indicates hours of language classes taken at the schools.

Credits:

Our schools are accredited in the U.S. and Canada for Graduate Continuing Education for Spanish Studies. We can also inform you about exams that you can take in your home country to prove your new skills. Write us for more information.

Courses

Standard course:

Our Standard course contains grammar and vocabulary introduction and trains you in the four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). Contents and topics include history, culture and geography of Spanish speaking countries.

In addition to the standard course, we offer the following special courses:

Business Spanish: Spanish for work situations.

At the moment of this writing we only teach business Spanish in private classes, unless signing up together as a (mini) group. We recommend joining the 2 hours of standard course and in continuation, 1 or 2 hours of business Spanish. Write us for a complete course description and information about the possibility of practicing at a local business, specifying in what kind of business you are interested.

Medical Spanish:

Spanish for medical personnel and medical students that want to learn Spanish to improve communication with their Spanish speaking patients. At the moment of this writing we only teach medical Spanish in private classes, unless signing up together as a (mini) group. We recommend joining the 2 hours of standard Spanish and in continuation, 1 or 2 hours of medical Spanish. Write us for a complete course description and information about the possibility of practicing at a local hospital or clinic, specifying your interests.

Spanish for children:

a) 3 till 6 years old: children can participate in a local Kindergarten where they can share and play with other children. The teachers and some children speak English, so your little one won't find it difficult to get introduced to a new language.

b) 7 till 14 years old: we have a special combination of two hours classroom instruction and two hours of other activities like cooking classes, farming and hikes. We use visual aids like flash cards and posters, music and video in the second part of classes. Write us for the complete course description.

c) From 15 years and on, children can be in regular classes.

Schedule

Sunday at seven p.m., the schedule for the coming week can be obtained at the school and the students in home stays will be called Sunday night, by the School Manager about the schedule for next day. This is also the right time to ask the School Manager any questions. The School Manager needs to take all your situations into account and will decide who will be receiving morning and who will be receiving afternoon- or evening classes. If you make a reservation for four hours of group classes, you will automatically switch to two hours private classes if there is no student with the same level available.

Morning classes

First and second hour 8:00 - 10:00

Third hour 10:00 - 11:00

Fourth hour 11:00 - 12:00

Afternoon classes

First and second hour 13:00 - 15:00

Third hour 15:00 - 16:00

Fourth hour 16:00 - 17:00

Evening classes

First hour 17:00 - 18:00

Second hour 18:00 - 19:00

Intensive 6 hour course