The city of Cusco sits perched amidst the clouds and the lush Andean greenery 11,000 feet above sea level, an everlasting legacy to Peru´s rich history. Many international tourists are drawn to Cusco for its proximity to the famous Machu Picchu ruins and the Inca Trail. Due to the high elevation, it is cool at night and sunny but coo during the day year- round. However, this can be a great excuse to seek out the many markets selling the beautiful wool sweaters and textiles for which the country is renowned.
Surrounded by the wealth of its Inca history and offering the comforts of an internationally known town, Cusco truly is an exciting place to live, enjoy, and learn Spanish".
The focus of our school is on communication and our methodology involve a natural approach, total physical response, language experience approach, directed reading thinking activities, and the writing process. An integrated, topical curriculum approach reinforces vocabulary.
* COURSE PHILOSOPHY: Every student has the best insight into his or her own particular educational needs. Upon arrival a placement test is taken and an evaluation made by student and faculty. Results of the test are taken into consideration along with time available to create the most profitable customized program.
* LEVELS: Nine levels of proficiency (ACTFL American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages) Lower beginner, medium beginner, high beginner, lower intermediate, medium intermediate, high intermediate, advanced, high advanced and superior. Students must pass tests at each level in order to progress to the next.
For colleges and universities our courses and credits are essentially the same as those granted in most universities around the world. The amount of credit is based upon the number of contact hours, lectures, laboratory work, reading assignments, and required papers. All exams and papers of each student work are forwarded to the student college or university at the end of the student stay in Cusco.
* CLASSES: Classes are 60 minutes in length. Students enroll for 4 hours a day. Students may enroll for as many weeks as desired. In order to make sufficient progress and gain the maximum benefit from the course we recommend the following minimal duration: Beginner (2-12 weeks), Intermediate (4-8 weeks) and Advanced (2-8 weeks).
* DATES: Classes may begin on Monday, and are available on a year round basis. The Academia is closed on the following days when occurring on weekdays: May 1 (Labor Day), June 24th (Inti Raymi), July 28 (Independence Day), November 1 (Day of the Deaths), December 25 (Christmas Day), December 31 (New Year´s Eve) and January 1st.
Handling of advanced and superior levels of Spanish: Pre-approved subject material is possible for both advanced-superior students who need specialized vocabulary (lawyers, doctors, teachers, etc). If the student wants to study literature they should try to bring texts with them and give advanced notice.
This is a landmark year for us as we are going to present several new programs:
- Standard Course: All classes will be in groups with a maximum 4 students per class, 20 hours per week. They will have highly structured grammar lessons, interactive activities, conversation and written exercises. Specific homework assignments are given daily and every student is evaluated and tested on a weekly basis.
- Super Intensive Course: In the morning 4 hours of Spanish classes in small group with a maximum of 4 students per class, and in the afternoon 2 hours on a one-to-one basis.
- Active Lessons: A full day's fun is scheduled for this course, combining morning classes with afternoon activities to museums, cathedrals, fruit markets, etc. All transportation costs and entrance fees are included for you and your teacher guide.
- Individual Lessons: This is our one-to-one course.
- Flavors Of The Andes: A full day's fun is scheduled for this course, combining morning classes with lunch included with your own tutor at local restaurants in the city of Quito, tasting the local cuisine while you continue practicing your Spanish. This way you will be surrounded by the warmth and joy of a true Latin culture is a culinary celebration of art, history, music, and folklore. It is one of the most delicious and wonderful ways to experience a country in a most delightful way!
The Andean region is a cornucopia to the international pantry and its list of gifts is impressive many times over: tomatoes, corn, potatoes, chocolate, exotic tropical fruits, corn and so much more. Conversation and interaction soar around the table for everyone who is there to share and enjoy these memories of Andean cuisine and a true Spanish immersion all the way.
* HOMESTAYS: Families belong to Peru´s middle class, although students should take note that living standards in Peru are generally lower than in Europe or North America. Family homes are located in neighborhoods usually no more than a 10 minute bus ride to school. Participants choosing to stay with a family should recognize that a certain degree of flexibility will be required to adjust to the Peruvian customs and way of life.
Number of students per home: 1 or 2 depending on time of year. Maximum 3. If the student request to be alone in the homestay, every effort will be made to arrange that. Groups of families staying together: Can accommodate up to three people in private rooms or 6 in shared rooms within the same family. Private or shared room: Private, unless otherwise requested. Meals included: 3 meals per day (Note: dinner is a light snack, such as crackers and coffee). Private bath: Some available. The rest have bathrooms shared by only one or 2 other people.
Extra homestay nights – possible, but try to arrive Sunday and depart Saturday from the host family. Anything outside of this time frame is considered extra homestay time. Laundry service: provided by host family once a week. Apartment rental: There are inexpensive accommodations that give the school special deals. Not apartments but apart-hotels.
Faculty Information:
Superior teaching staff. All have a University Degree in related areas and have attended a preparatory course given by the Academia. They have been carefully selected because of their qualifications and experience in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. They refresh their teaching aptitudes, receiving special courses every year from our International Academic Directors in Ecuador & Spain.
The Academia chooses the teachers for their ability to listen, their enthusiasm and patience, but most of all for their love of teaching Spanish to foreign students. Each professor knows how to motivate, develop and support the students´ curiosity and interest for the Spanish Language, Peruvian culture and social life. They also know that the learning process continues outside the classroom.
Other Activities:
Organized trips or activities are offered & included in cost 2-3 times/week. Such as: city tour, cooking class, dance class, parties, videos, lectures, trips to museums. Student just pays for own transportation, entrance fee, etc.
Weekend trips: The school can help students who want to travel independently or as a group with outside tourism agencies. Sometimes the school organizes weekend trips. Usually 2 professors go on these trips. Gyms, sports facilities: there are a few gyms in Cusco that allow short-term memberships.
Facility Information:
The Academia occupies a large building on one of Cusco’s main avenues, Avenida El Sol, directly in front of the most important site from pre-Colombian Cusco, the Korikancha (Temple of the Sun). The building houses two full floors with about 15 classrooms, a video room, a full kitchen, an entertainment room and a sun deck.
The school is conveniently located next to the main post-office, Internet cafes, banks, etc. It is about three blocks from the main square, the Plaza de Armas, the central meeting area of Cusco (a great place to people watch!). There are many restaurants, cafes, cathedrals and museums nearby.
Notes:
Every weekly rate cost 265 dollars and include:
- 20 hours of Spanish classes from Monday-Friday, homestay with 2 meals/day;
- laundry service;
- host family and immigration assistance;
- transfer in;
- city tour (map of the city);
- teaching material;
- certificate;
- mail service;
- money exchange, safety box, luggage storage;
- counseling, grades and evaluations;
- use of facilities.
* Courses start every Monday.
Also see Vacation Schools in:
South America
Peru
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