Volunteers are always needed because caring for many children is very time consuming. The institution is a safe haven for children and teens that otherwise would be in danger of mixing with the wrong crowds on the streets.
Quito
Programs Abroad
ECUADOR – Spanish Course in Quito 
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Country: Ecuador Location: Quito Minimum Stay: 2 weeks Start dates: Year round Price: from 2 weeks, 330 USD |
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School
Our Spanish school in Quito offers one of the finest programs to study the Spanish language in Ecuador. This excellent program is perfect for those who wish to quickly develop proficient Spanish. In addition to the language classes, taught by native Spanish speakers, students may participate in cultural seminars, field trips, and grammar and conversation classes. The school’s building is located in the residential area of La Carolina, next to La Carolina Park. It is a large recreational park where the locals of Quito relax outdoors.The school building is a colonial designed house with an interior patio, twenty-one classrooms, a video room with amplification equipment, a library, an auditorium, a cafeteria, a multipurpose indoor court (racquetball and volleyball), and wireless internet service, and wheelchair access to the classrooms and washrooms. A small cafeteria provides snacks, drinks, salads, coffee, tea, water, etc. The school is located in a small street close to good restaurants, galleries, shopping centers, many hotels, several internet cafes and much more!
Course
The focus of our Spanish courses in Quito is to communicate using grammar correctly. The teaching method is based on the four language skills: listening, grammar, speaking and writing. Classes are taught completely in Spanish and take place in the mornings, allowing time to explore the cultural activities that Quito offers.
The Spanish classes are divided into nine levels of proficiency according to ACTFL (American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages). Classes begin on Monday, and are available on a year round basis. At the conclusion of your studies, you will receive a Spanish language diploma.
Upon arrival, you will take a placement test in order to identify your educational needs and study level. The teachers at the school in Quito have been carefully selected because of their qualifications and experience in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. All teachers are fantastic motivators facilitating the development of curiosity and interest to learn Spanish and Ecuadorian culture among students.
All books and materials are provided by the school. Textbooks and guidebooks, emphasizing grammar and vocabulary, are published by the school and used in universities around the world.
Group course: One Spanish class lasts 55 minutes and students enroll for 20 hours per week, 4 hours per day. You may enroll for as many weeks as you want. The groups consist of a maximum 4 students and are organized for students with similar knowledge of Spanish.
Intensive course: The intensive course consists of group classes in the morning with two additional private classes in the afternoon. In total, you will have six hours of intense Spanish lessons each day. 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 custom to your specific needs and they are an excellent way to adjust the learning schedule to your desires. You may learn vocabulary for specific situations or work on topics of personal interest. The private course consists of 20 hours per week with the possibility of booking additional classes.
Non-academic activities: Dancing lessons, cooking classes, lectures and city tours are arranged every week. Optional day trips to National Parks, Indigenous markets, bird watching areas and haciendas are usually scheduled during the week for a nominal fee. Symphony, soccer or ballet tickets are easily purchased through the school. For additional trips the school works with the leading tour operator in Ecuador. They offer special discounts on all their services for our students.
Accommodation
Living with an Ecuadorian host family gives you the opportunity to develop your Spanish and build relationships with the locals! Host family accommodations in Quito include a private room and shared bathroom. All homes are within walking distance of the school or a short bus ride away. Breakfast, dinner and laundry service are provided by your family. Many life-long friendships emerge from staying with host families.
Alternatively, you can live with other students in student residences. You will get your own private room, but share common areas and bathrooms with your flat-mates. Living in the student residence can be loads of fun and is a great place to make new friends to explore the city with!
Volunteering
In addition to Spanish courses in Quito, we also provide volunteer work programs. In cooperation with different social institutions and non-profit organizations, our various volunteer projects in Ecuador have something for everyone.
Getting to know other realities within a country is a truly rewarding experience! Anyone who wishes to gain personal experience while getting to know people and new cultures from different social backgrounds is kindly invited to volunteer. You will use this unique opportunity to practice your Spanish in real-life situations with people who will be very thankful for your help.
You can combine your Spanish course with a half-day volunteer program or schedule a volunteer experience upon the completion of your language course.
 Education of teenagers from local communities that have no or limited access to school education in the Amazonian Rain Forest.
Sucua, Amazon Rain Forest
Depending on school schedule, usually full day.
 The project urgently needs volunteers\' help to provide a caring and stimulating environment for the children.
north-western Cloud Forest
 Help the children of local Ecuadorian communities and work as a volunteer teacher. You will have the opportunity to prepare classes and run educational programs and workshops.
Town of Intag or Pedro Moncayo
School hours 7:30 am until 12:30 pm, afternoon used to prepare classes or to additional education like English teaching.
 The center provides care for about 20 children between 5 and 12 years old with very difficult family backgrounds. You will spend time stimulating children with educational and fun activities.
Quito
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Prices
| in USD |
Group Course |
Intensive Course |
Private Course |
Homestay | Student Residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | 330.- |
580.- |
500.- |
280.- |
210.- |
| 3 weeks | 495.- | 870.- | 750.- | 420.- | 315.- |
| 4 weeks | 660.- | 1,160.- | 1,000.- | 560.- | 420.- |
| Additional week |
165.- | 290.- | 250.- | 140.- | 105.- |
| Additional service | in USD |
|---|---|
| Airport pick-up | 20.- |
What’s included:
- Accommodation
- Orientation kit
- Local support
- 24h-Emergency Number
- Laundry service (Homestay)
- Free internet access at school
- Quality Spanish Course
- Homestay with 2 meals per day
- Teaching material
- Evaluation test
- Refreshments, coffee and tea at school
- Activity calendar
- Language Certificate
What’s not included:
- Flight
- Medical Insurance
- Visa (if necesary)
- Local Travels
Location
The city of Quito is located in a beautiful valley surrounded by the snow capped peaks of the Andes. The city has kept its colonial charm in spite of growing to 2 million inhabitants. The Ecuadorian capital was established 9,190 feet above sea level in the province of Pichincha in the northern part of the country. Quito is a mirror of the entire country, as it represents the variety of Ecuadorian highlights – impressive mountains, volcano landscapes, colorful parks, antique monuments, colonial churches, historic palaces, and fantastic cultural programs within a modern city.Quito has a little bit of everything! A very popular place among inhabitants and visitors alike is the Plaza Grande de Quito that commemorates the past heroes fighting for the independence of the country. Quito is also well known for its infinite choice of restaurants that serve delicious Ecuadorian food. In the early 1980´s, Quito was designated by UNESCO of the United Nations as Cultural World Heritage site in recognition of the preservation of its colonial heritage, essentially expressed in the architecture of the historic city.
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.
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