Our school cordially invites you to participate in a unique study vacation in Costa Rica. Our school is a quality educational institution created to facilitate the learning of Spanish at the most beautiful beaches on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Founded in 1992, we are the original beach school and campus in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. While our experience sets us apart from the rest, your experience is most important to us.
The student body is typically comprised of professors, medical professionals, business leaders and students from over 35 countries. Most students participate in the month program although 2 and 3 week courses are also available. To assure the highest quality education, enrollment is limited to 35 students monthly. This allows to individualized attention form our staff. Advanced registration is necessary.
Our school follows the total immersion methodology; therefore, classes are conducted completely in Spanish, the interaction with families is completely in Spanish and the textbooks used at the school are also entirely in Spanish.
All the textbooks have been designed by the school and are patented and copy written with the Library of Congress in the United States for their uniqueness. Since a good amount of our students are either doctors or medical students, we have also designed a textbook for Medical Spanish. In this textbook, medical students or professionals of the Medical field can learn vocabulary of the human body, illnesses, symptoms, etc.
* Academic Program: Our school offers six specific levels of Spanish proficiency to guarantee the student an appropriate placement. Our students range form absolute beginners to advanced speakers of the language.
When students arrive at our school, they are given an oral proficiency interview to determine their level. Based on this interview, they are placed tentatively in one of our six levels (Basic I and II, Intermediate I and II and Advanced I and II). Students can move up according to their progress.
Once placed in a class, students will experience our total immersion methodology. Classes are conducted completely in Spanish. Custom designed for our school, the curriculum and texts are patented instructional materials.
During four hour sessions - in the morning or in the afternoon - students participate actively in small groups of no more than six students. Each student is assured attention to his individual academic needs. If total immersion becomes a difficulty, we offer supplemental instruction in English once a week in order to clarify any doubts.
One day a week, students participate in a field trip that focuses on a social or environmental issue in the Manuel Antonio area or the town of Quepos. Also free conversational classes are always offered for students to practice before and after class.
Our school provides students with the opportunity to learn first hand of the wonderful world of tropical butterflies. Our on-campus butterfly farm will teach you all about the breeding of butterflies, starting from the egg on to the caterpillar then to the cocoon stage and finally the metamorphosis to the adult butterfly.
Imagine yourself in a garden of flying colors, watching as they gracefully land on your shoulder, hovering around you as you walk through one of the most fascinating elements of our tropical rainforest. Our students can enjoy and learn all this and more "en español"!
We also offer free conversational sessions for one hour everyday for those who want to enhance their speaking ability and a tutorial English class for those who have difficulty with any item studied in class.
Students are suggested to participate in the home stay program designed to satisfy the fulfillment of a complete immersion in foreign language acquisition. Local host families are carefully selected and provide two delicious meals daily, cultural interchange and laundry service.
As a guest in a host family, you will be treated as a member of the home by sharing meals and experiences together and enriching your international cultural opportunities. Our past students have commented that this program is one of the best aspects of the school. Alternatively, students can choose beach lodging at one of the many hotels or cabinas which surround the school.
Our school is open year-long except for the last two weeks of the calendar year and the following Costa Rican National Holidays: Holy Thursday and Friday (March 24, March 25), Labor Day (May 1), Mother's Day (August 15), Independence Day (September 15). Classes can not be recuperated on these days. To assure the highest quality education it is suggested that the students accommodate their travel plans to begin the school on Mondays.
Faculty Information:
* Dave D'Amore - founder and director Spanish Degree, University of Wisconsin. Masters in Education, Pepperdine University. 19 years experience teaching English and Spanish in Spain, Italy, Costa Rica and California.
* Gustavo Cerdas Saenz - director of studies Graduate Degree in Education Administration from UNED University. Structural Linguist, Former Peace Corps Trainer in Costa Rica, Published Author. 19 years teaching experience, 8 years as Director at La Escuela D'Amore.
* Victor Quesada Cruz - professor Graduate of 'Modern Languages' from the Universidad de Costa Rica. 14 years experience teaching Spanish and English to foreign students. 10 years at our school.
* Damaris Jimenez Artavia - executive secretary. School Coordinator Bilingual Secretarial degree at Central American Professional Study Center in San Jose. 8 years experience at our school.
Other Activities:
River Rafting, Canopy, Rainmaker, Horseback Riding, Surf School etc. Also, our school provides students with the opportunity to learn first hand of the wonderful world of tropical butterflies.
Facility Information:
All the textbooks have been designed by the school and are patented and copy written with the Library of Congress in the United States for their uniqueness.
Our school prides itself on placing students with local host families. Staying with a family is not only one of the best ways to learn about Costa Rican customs, but your host family is also a great bunch of people to practice your Spanish with! Most students find time spent with their host families one of the most valuable components of their experience in Costa Rica. There are also, however, a handful of local hotels frequented by our school's students.
Notes:
- Duration of study (2 - 6 weeks): $845 - $2160 USD (classes only);
- Duration of study (2 - 6 weeks): $980 USD - $2535 USD (classes and homestay).
Also see Vacation Schools in:
Central America and Caribbean
Costa Rica
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