The key to the success of our Spanish program is the student-centered and fun method that we use to teach the language. The communicative approach encourages you to talk throughout the class. This technique allows you to take the utmost advantage of class-time and yields concrete results rapidly. The communicative classes employ stimulating techniques such as games, role playing, pair work, songs, and simulated situations - helping you stay alert and interested while learning quickly. Our program concentrates on conversation. You can immediately practice your new skills in real life situations, reinforcing the lessons and fixing them in your mind.
Courses offered:
- Regular program (20 hours a week).
- Survival Spanish (idioms, and basic survival skills (such as greetings, money transactions, telephone conversations, ordering in restaurants, obtaining hotel accommodations, shopping, and asking for directions etc.).
- Advanced conversational Spanish.
- Medical Spanish.
- Spanish for kids.
- Specialized instruction in business,scientific and other types of communication is available.
- Private lessons are available with flexible hours.
Spanish language instruction is offered in one to 16 weeks sessions,or more, with four hours of class-time daily (Monday through Friday). We keep group sizes small to ensure individualized attention for every student. Groups usually consist of two or three students. The maximum group size is six students. All students are given a placement test to assess their skills and to ensure appropriate assignment to a learning group. Learning group assignments may be changed to reflect individual student needs.
Faculty Information:
Our school employs the communicative methodology for teaching Spanish to ensure that academic excellence and the most effective learning systems are provided. Furthermore, the most positive and important aspects of other methods, such as the Natural Approach, The Whole Language Approach, the Direct Method and acquisitions, cognitive and multiple intelligence theories are incorporated into the curriculum. Classes are lively, active and creative and the students will be amazed at their quick advancement.
The communicative approach is based on the following theory of how Language is acquired. Psycholinguists believe that information goes first into our short memory storage. It may stay for a few seconds, a minute or an hour or so and if it is not stimulated correctly it will disappear. In a communicative class the material is presented and practiced with creative, task-based learning activities. These communicative type activities stimulate a transference whereby the information goes from the short memory storage to the long memory storage. This approach ensures and encourages the students active involvement in the learning process. You participate in discussions, role plays, problem solving exercises and small group activities. The small groups (2-4 students) ensure extensive practice using Spanish in contemporary, realistic situations. Our teachers constantly encourage accuracy and language development through error correction and constructive feedback.
Other Activities:
We want everybody to feel welcomed and part of our family. A guided tour of the city is given to all the students the first day of classes. The directors, David and Zaida, go out with all the students 3 times a week to have lunch together in one of the local restaurants and usually go dancing at night at least once a week. You can go and play tennis or golf with David in one of the most exclusive clubs of Costa Rica. Many students go swimming in the Olympic swimming pool a block away from the school!
Cultural activities and informal gatherings with Costa Ricans are available. These interchanges allow you to practice your Spanish and will help you understand the Costa Rican people and their culture. Latin dance classes, cooking classes, movie, theater and night outings are held for those who are interested. Informal get together with Costa Rican students provide a wonderful opportunity to make new friends, practice your Spanish, and learn more about Latin American culture.
Facility Information:
Students who choose our school's Homestay Program become guests of Costa Rican families in their homes. This exposure to everyday family life in Costa Rica will provide you with an opportunity to practice your developing skills, and may be the most effective way to refine your Spanish skills. You will be placed in a comfortable home around the city of Heredia, usually within walking distance of our school. You will be furnished with a room, breakfast and dinner, and laundry service. The families are carefully chosen and screened to ensure a secure and comfortable stay. Many of our students have felt that the Homestay Program was the most rewarding part of their experience with our school, and often the Homestay program has led to a long lasting friendship with their host family. If the Homestay Program does not meet your needs, we will be happy to help you make other living arrangements.
Also see Vacation Schools in:
Language Schools
Central America and Caribbean
Costa Rica
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