Programs Abroad

BOLIVIA – Spanish Course in Sucre

	Project: Spanish Course Country: Bolivia Location: Sucre Minimum Stay: 2 weeks Start dates: All year round Price: 2 weeks, from 330 USD
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School

The Spanish school in Bolivia is located in the heart of Sucre, just one block away from the city center and close to virtually everything of interest within the city. Classes are held in a 2 story building with 15 classrooms, kitchen, a lounge, video room, 2 terraces, one indoor patio and much more.

The Spanish school in Sucre offers one of the finest programs of Spanish language study in Bolivia. It is an excellent program for those who wish to quickly develop or improve Spanish skills. In addition to the language classes, taught by native speakers of Spanish, students may participate in cultural workshops, field trips, grammar and conversation classes.

The teaching program has been designed under the guidelines of the Instituto Cervantes of Spain and hence has 9 levels of proficiency, from absolute beginner to superior. Highly structured grammar lessons, interactive activities, conversation and written exercises. Specific homework assignments are given daily. The focus of the school is on communication and the methodology involves a natural approach, language exercises, directed reading activities, and the writing process. The teaching method furthermore reinforces vocabulary.

Course

The focus of our Spanish courses in

Bolivia

is put on communication and the correct use of grammar. The teaching method is based on the 4 language skills: listening, grammar, oral and written comprehension. No English is used in class. Classes are in the mornings, which leave the afternoons free for cultural activities, or half day excursions. Upon arrival, students take a placement test in order to identify their particular educational needs. If, after the first few class days, any student thinks that he/she has been misplaced, a course change may be requested.

The Spanish classes are divided into nine levels of proficiency. Classes are 55 minutes in length. Students enrol for 4 hours a day. You may enrol for as many weeks as you want. The maximum number of students per class is 4. Groups are organized in a way that they will always consist of students possessing the same level of Spanish to ensure a quick learning pace and a pleasant learning atmosphere for everyone. Classes may begin on Monday, and are available on a year round basis. At the conclusion of your studies, you will receive a Spanish diploma indicating your Spanish level.

The teachers at the school in Sucre have been carefully selected because of their qualifications and experience in teaching Spanish as foreign language. All of them know how to motivate, develop and support the students’ curiosity and interest for the Spanish language, Bolivian culture and social life. They also know that the learning process continues outside the classroom.

All books and materials are provided by the school. Textbooks and guidebooks published by the school are supplemented by others from universities around the world with emphasis on grammar and vocabulary.

Important: You can gain credits with our Spanish courses in

Bolivia

. The amount of credit is based upon the number of hours, lectures, laboratory work, reading assignments, and required papers. The school’s programs are furthermore recognized as Bildungsurlaub in

Germany

.

Group course: One Spanish class lasts 55 minutes and students enrol for 20 hours per week, meaning 4 hours per day. You may enrol for as many weeks as you want. The groups are small and consist of maximum 4 students and are organized in a way that they will always consist of students possessing the same level of Spanish.

Intensive course: The intensive course consists in the group course and additional 2 private classes per day. This makes 6 hours Spanish lessons each day and is a very intensive learning mode. You will be surprised how fast you progress and how quickly you will be able to improve your Spanish.

Private course: The attention of your teacher will be focused 100% on you! Classes are tailored to your specific needs and they are an excellent way to adjust the learning schedule to your needs. You may learn vocabulary for specific situations or work on topics of personal interest. The private course consists in 20 hours per week, however additional classes can be booked any time.

Non-academic activities: As part of the language program, we offer 2 or 3 organized activities every week. In addition, students will find a daily schedule of cultural events in Sucre and surrounding areas, locations of theaters, museums, festivals etc. Activities include: visits to local areas of interest, dance classes, cooking classes, parties and fiestas, Spanish videos and movies, seminars and group discussions. (Please note, you are responsible for your own "out-of-pocket" expenses like bus fare, entrance fees, etc.).

Accommodation

We want to remind you of the special hospitality and warmth of a loving Latin family. Truly this is impossible to describe until you have experienced it! We accommodate you in carefully selected host families where you can immerse into real Bolivian family life. You will live in a private room and your host family provides you with breakfast and lunch and laundry service. You will get to know first hand their traditions, cuisine and culture. Family homes are located in neighborhoods usually not more than a 20 to 30 minute walk to school or a short bus ride.

Volunteering

If you would like to learn Spanish through a unique human experience, volunteer work will give you an opportunity that lies beyond the ordinary traveler’s reach. Getting to know other realities within the country! Anyone who wishes to gain personal experience while getting to know people and new cultures from different social backgrounds is kindly invited to volunteer. Over the years, students, professionals and pensioners have all been able to obtain the confirmation of the uniquely enriching experience of volunteer work. Additionally to our Spanish courses in Sucre we provide volunteer work positions. You can either combine your Spanish course with the volunteer work and do half-day volunteering or you schedule the volunteer experience after the Spanish course is completed. Volunteering, alongside with helping people in need, allows you to practice your Spanish in real life situations and you can train your newly acquired skills. In co-operation with different social institutions and non-profit organizations we offer various voluntary work projects in Bolivia. You will meet people in special situations who will be very thankful for your help, and will also enjoy your company and learning about your home country. This learning and cultural experience will be unforgettable. The Spanish & Volunteer itinerary You will start with at least four weeks of Spanish classes to improve your Spanish and to get used to your host country. We introduce you to one or more possible volunteer sites. We place you to the volunteer work project you have chosen. You will start right after the end of your Spanish program or you may also volunteer in your free time during your Spanish program (such as in the afternoon). You will receive your diploma for your Spanish courses and a volunteer certification at the end of your program. The school is your casa and you are always welcome to use the Internet there or to stop by for any help that you may need during the whole time of your stay.

Prices

in USD	Group Course	Intensive Course	Private Course	Homestay*	Student Residence
2 weeks	330.-	580.-	500.-	252.-	210.-
3 weeks	495.-	870.-	750.-	378.-	315.-
4 weeks	660.-	1,160.-	1,000.-	504.-	420.-
Additional week	165.-	290.-	250.-	126.-	105.-

Enrolment fee 40 USD. *Homestay includes breakfast and dinner.

Additional service	in USD
Airport pick-up	20.-
Volunteer Placement	150.-

What’s included:

Accommodation
Orientation kit
Local support
24h-Emergency Number
Free internet access at school
Airport Pick-up
Quality Spanish Course
Homestay with 2 meals per day
Teaching material
Evaluation test
Refreshments, coffee and tea at school
Language Certificate

What’s not included:

Flight
Medical Insurance
Visa (if necesary)
Personal expenses

Location

Sucre is the beautiful colonial judicial capital located in the Andean highlands of

Bolivia

. Known as the "White City of the

Americas

" due to its numerous colonial buildings, all of which are painted in white and topped with shiny red tile roofs. Set in a valley surrounded by low mountains, Sucre is small, with just about 200,000 inhabitants so that it is very easy to explore on foot.

Sucre was designated by the UNESCO in 1987 as "World Cultural Heritage”. The city is a university town, known as the center of learning and progressive thought within

Bolivia

. Sucre has many museums, a lively central plaza, shops and restaurants. The city has a youthful, energetic feel despite its old-fashioned look created by the numerous ancient mansions and colonial churches. This charming colonial city and its nearby villages have a sizable Indigenous population who maintain their customs and colorful dress. Locals and visitors are attracted to the markets where food, textiles and other products are sold in barter fashion. Nearby is Potosi, which was one of the most important silver mining centers in the world with the largest and richest population in Latin America in the seventeenth century. It is an integral part of Bolivian history.

Because of its beauty and many sites of interest, especially the well-conserved downtown with buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, the city attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Country Information Bolivia

Sandwiched between Peru, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Chile while straddling the Andes Mountains stands Bolivia, the “Tibet of the Americas”. Bolivia earns this title by being the highest and most isolated of all the Andean nations. About twice the size of Spain, Bolivia holds over 42,000 square miles and is home to over 9 million people. The capital city of La Paz embraces over 800,000 Bolivians and rests at 11,800 ft.

This unique country possesses nearly every possible climate and terrain from the snow capped peaks of over 21,000 ft., semi-tropical lowlands and steaming jungles of the Bolivian Amazon Basin. The famous Lake Titicaca, which shares a Peruvian border, is the highest navigable inland sea in the world. Furthermore, the boasting crystal blue waters, reed boats and islands known for pre-Columbian ruins make Bolivia a must-see destination!

Though Bolivia stands as the poorest land in South America, the cultural landscape of this country is one of a kind. The religious and native practices of both Indigenous people and ¨hybrid¨ Christians, an influence from the Spanish conquistador Simon Bolivar, categorize Bolivia as truly prosperous in culture. As Bolivar claimed independence for Bolivia from Spain in 1825, the absence of clergy in rural areas led to the development of a hybrid Christian/Indigenous way of life. Today, overlapping cultures exist where 95% Bolivians profess faith to Roman Catholicism, however over 50% of the population maintains traditional indigenous values and beliefs as well. Visitors are exposed to these wonderful people and their lifestyle full of intriguing doctrines, rites and superstitions.

In addition to rich culture, the breathtaking terrain and wildlife of Bolivia will surely stand as the clincher to discover this country. One has the opportunity to see various exotic birds, plants, insects and animals due to Bolivia's relatively sparse population, lack of development and diverse geography. In fact, Bolivia is one of the best places to see South American wildlife, including the jaguar, llama, anteater, chinchilla, condor, and the rare spectacled bear!

Climatic consideration should be taken when planning your visit the ¨Tibet of the America’s.¨ Remembering the high altitude of Bolivia, the weather here deserves respect. Though unpredictable, the weather more or less follows these trends. Summer months of November to April entail heavy rainy with washed-out roads, a buzzing river community of boats and vibrant colors. The winter months of May to October typically offer a more gentle travel experience with dry temperate weather during the day, breathtaking alpine glow and freezing nightly temperatures. The most popular months, due to festivals and mostly temperate weather, ranges between June-September. During these months, you’ll find lots of activity and smiling faces. Remember the impact altitude has on irregular weather investing in a hardy raincoat, sunscreen, and an insulated jacket are highly recommended!

Vast amounts of Bolivia continue to remain undiscovered and unknown. The country’s phenomenal landscapes, colonial architecture, indigenous cultures and the legacy of its ancient mysterious civilizations combined with a quiet political climate offer an extraordinary travel experience!