Learn Spanish in Havana the capital of Cuba
Programs Abroad
ECUADOR - Spanish course in Montañita 
 |
Country: Ecuador Location: Montañita, Ecuador Minimum Stay: 2 weeks Start dates: all year round Price: from 2 week, 300 USD |
| More Photos... |
School
The school was founded in 2009 and although it is a very young school it is one of the 6 awarded best Spanish schools in the world. This is reflected in a relaxed and professional way of teaching, comfortable (open air-) class room, modern infrastructure and great view over the ocean. The Spanish school in Montañita is only a stone's throw away from the beach and waves that make Montañita so famous. The Spanish school is just the perfect place to learn Spanish, relax and listen to the waves break. The friendly atmosphere at the school will make you feel at home as soon as you walk in the door. And the view of the beach right from your classroom is stunning!On the first day of school the Spanish courses take place after an assessment test to identify the language level. This ensures that the students are placed in a Spanish class in accordance with their Spanish level.
Between classes you can relax at the beach, go surfing, diving, and horseback riding or visit the many nearby attractions such as the artifacts of the oldest known culture in Ecuador located nearby in Valdivia.
Come and learn Spanish in Ecuador with us. You will take home fond memories, make lifetime friends and, of course, greatly improve your ability to speak and write Spanish.
The school employs excellent, friendly teachers and staff that are waiting to make your experience learning Spanish in Ecuador a fantastic one! The Spanish School was voted one of the top six Spanish schools in the world by the STAR Awards for the quality of its Spanish courses, the location of the Ecuador Spanish school and the extra-curricular activities provided nearby Montañita.
Course
The courses are structured by dividing the daily classes into two – Grammar and Application. The first part of the class will be dedicated to learning about the grammatical theory of Spanish. The second part will be more laid back and aims to practice and apply the grammar components through conversation, exercises and role play. This structure is extremely effective and creates a well-balanced course.As to the group course with 6 different proficiency levels you will be with others also keen to learn, at the same level. The levels follow the standard European Educational system of A1 to C2. By having others in your class it is an excellent way to stay motivated, practice what you are learning and to meet other students.
We believe that the only way to sustain accelerated learning is by keeping the numbers in the group low. Spanish classes are taught in small groups with a maximum of 6 students. That means you will be receiving a lot of attention from your teacher, no more hiding in the back row!!
All teachers are qualified professionals and follow a well proven course syllabus. The teachers will help you master the Spanish language with practical and innovative lessons.
Group course: The group course takes place in small groups of maximum 6 students. However, the average number of students per group is 3. There are 20 Spanish lessons per week, divided into 4 Spanish lessons per day on 5 days per week from Monday thru Friday. (Note: Occasionally we will not meet the minimum number per class in your Spanish level. In this case your lessons will be replaced by 15 hours of private one-on-one lessons.)
Private course: Some people learn best with individual attention. If this is you, then we suggest our private course. With the Spanish teacher only focused on your needs, we can guarantee that you will learn quickly and efficiently. This is often the best route to take if you are limited on time, or if you have a specific Spanish vocabulary to learn, or well just because it suits your learning style best. The Private Course consists of 20 Spanish classes per week.
Spanish & Surf course: The Spanish tuition takes place in the above described Spanish group course during the mornings. In the afternoons students have 1.5 hours of Surf course each day. The surf course is given by qualified surf instructors.
Throughout South America Montañita is known as "the" surf town. With year round breaks and world class waves it is not hard to understand why. Whether you are a dedicated surfer looking to try out one of South America's best surf spots or any adventure seeker looking for your next challenge, Montañita is the place to be! In Montañita surfing isn't a kind of sport but a way of life!
The beaches in Montañita offer the perfect waves for all levels, whether you are a beginner wanting to drop onto a nice manageable wave or if you are seasoned surfer looking to charge some big breaks out at the point.
Spanish & Volunteer Work: If you want to immerse even more into the Ecuadorian culture and give back to society while learning Spanish, then the program Spanish & Volunteering is the perfect program for you. It combines the morning Spanish lessons with volunteer work in the afternoons.
Volunteers are placed in Elementary/Primary Schools that provide education for local children between the ages of 5 and 11. The school is looking for volunteers who are enthusiastic about getting involved in the local community and have some skills that they would like to share with the children and educators (no professional skills are required!).
Another option is volunteering in the local Children's Nursery. By joining this project you will be really making a difference to the lives of these young children since the staff only consists of parents and volunteers. This is a very rewarding opportunity that you will never forget.
For volunteers who would like to get involved with wildlife protection we also offer volunteer work in an Animal Rescue Center. You will either care for animals at the center or work with the kids at the "Ecological Club" dedicated to Environmental Education.
Note: Medical Volunteering is available upon special request.
Accommodation
The Spanish students in Montañita are accommodated in cozy cabins just a 5 minutes' walk from the school and only a 3 minutes' walk to the center of town. Nestled into a relaxed and green atmosphere the Eco-Cabins provide vacation feeling as well as the tranquility needed to do your homework. The accommodation is truly first rate. The cabins are located around a big swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, the kitchen and barbecue area as well as a large sitting area with TV and DVD. They are very spacious and have private bathroom, large beds, hammocks and a fan. All of the cabins are just a 2 minute quiet stroll to the pristine beach. There are a variety of accommodations from private cabins to shared cabins with dormitories for 4 to 6 people. No meals are included but the area is equipped with everything you need to cook and store your meals.However, if you feel that living with an Ecuadorian host family is more suitable for you, we can also help you! Living with a native family is a must do for anyone looking to immerse themselves in Spanish and Ecuadorian culture. Host families are carefully picked and they are all very friendly and open. They will for sure enrich your stay in ways that you can't imagine. Please keep in mind that housing is typically Ecuadorian style and may lack of amenities that you might be used to. Half board is included when living wiht a host family.
Prices
| in USD |
Group Course |
Private Course |
Spanish + Surf |
Spanish + |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | 300.- | 440.- | 450.- | 430.- |
| 3 weeks | 450.- | 660.- | 675.- | 610.- |
| 4 weeks | 600.- | 880.- | 900.- | 770.- |
| Extra week |
150.- | 220.- | 225.- | 170.- |
Enrolment fee 20 USD.
No Spanish classes on National Holidays. 2013: Jan 1, Feb 11 + 12, March 29, May 1, May 24, October 11, December 25.
| in USD | Host Family (Half Board) | Private Cabin (no meals) | Shared Cabin (no meals) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks |
270.- | 260.- | 160.- |
| 3 weeks |
405.- | 390.- | 240.- |
| 4 weeks |
540.- | 520.- | 320.- |
| Extra week |
135.- | 130.- | 80.- |
What’s included:
- Orientation kit
- Local support
- 24h-Emergency Number
- Free internet access at school
- Quality Spanish Course
- Teaching material
- Evaluation test
- Refreshments, coffee and tea at school
- Activity calendar
- Language Certificate
- Certificate of participation
- Accommodation as booked
What’s not included:
- Flight
- Airport pick-up
Location
Montañita is a funky cool place with excellent surfing and a charming atmosphere. The town has grown constantly over the last few years and is now THE place to hang out on the coast. The small town has a special charm, as the houses and small shops are built of bamboo and the atmosphere is very laid-back and relaxed. Although it is still small it is a booming beachside retreat attracting both international travelers as well as an alternative Ecuadorian crowd. The atmosphere makes it a great place to learn Spanish on the beach in Ecuador, meet other travelers and practice and perfect your Spanish with the local community. You can also perfectly combine your Spanish study in Ecuador with some vacation. Located on Ecuador's famous beach of Montañita, you can learn Spanish and surf, take salsa and yoga classes or go scuba diving in some of the most beautiful spots in the world.Montañita is a small peninsula on the long coast line in Ecuador. It is located on the Pacific Ocean and is a paradise for surfers and beach fans. Montañita has lots of sunshine year-round! Also the surroundings of Montañita have a diversified offer of fun activities, cultural sight-seeing, National Parks and wonderful beaches.
Source: Google Maps
Country Information Ecuador |
 Ecuador, appropriately named after the equator, holds a massive imaginary line running directly through its middle. Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America with an area of only 100,000 square miles. Ecuador borders Peru in the southeast, Colombia in the northeast and the Pacific Ocean splashing along the entire west side. The population of Ecuador is 14 million with the capital city of Quito holding 2 million residents.
Though Ecuador lacks bragging rights in its size, the country surely stands proud of its breathtaking landscapes, lush vegetation zones and varieties of climate. The climate, mainly determined by altitude, changes from tropical sun and heavy rain in the Pacific coastal area, to temperate dry climate regions in the Andean highlands. Further, the Amazon basin on the eastern side of the mountains shares the climate of other rain forest zones. Ecuador is one of eighteen mega diverse countries in the world with thousands of different animal and bird species. The famous Galapagos Islands, a very special spot on earth, is located about 620 miles away from the mainland and is home to unique flora and fauna such as the giant tortoises. The islands are also historic for being the birthplace of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. When exploring deeper into the 100,000 square mile piece of land, you will find diverse attractions for tourists and volunteers alike. Some highly recommended areas of exploration are the Amazon jungles, the Amazon basin, Andean Mountains, volcanoes (active and dormant), tropical forests and a variety of beautiful beaches. The Pacific coast is a perfect place for ocean diving, relaxing on the beach and enjoying hours in the sun. For those backcountry lovers and nature fans, rest assured the terrain of Ecuador offers much in both silent and adrenaline driven activities. Due to Ecuador’s geographical diversity of ocean, mountains and island chains, whenever you choose to travel, one section of country will be in peak season. June through September are typically the drier months. The general high peak season for festivals, fiestas and crowds lie between mid-December through January and then again from June through August. When traveling to Ecuador you will be absolutely amazed by the unique and natural beauty of this country. Keeping in mind that this country is one of poorest regions in South America, you will be surprised by their friendliness, efforts to help you and elements of preserved culture. UNESCO declared Quito, the capital city, a World Heritage Site in the 1970’s for having the best preserved and least altered historic center in Latin America! No doubt, you will feel comfortable and at ease while enjoying this open-minded and hospitable society.
|
Photos
|
|
|
