Work in a hospital that cares for less fortunate people in Guatemala.
Antigua
Programs Abroad
GUATEMALA - Spanish Course 
 |
Country: Guatemala Location: Antigua Minimum Stay: 2 weeks Start dates: All year round Price: from 2 weeks, 270 USD |
| More Photos... |
School
The school offers intensive Spanish classes for travelers who want to learn Spanish in a fully immersed environment. They focus on teaching the language according to the individual needs of each student. The intensive language program is composed of one-on-one classes or small group classes. This practical, dynamic, and communicative method of learning Spanish allows students to practice and perfect the language in an entertaining and natural way. Only Spanish is allowed to be spoken in the class rooms.This group of native, high-qualified, accredited Spanish teachers with several years of practical experience and university degrees in teaching Spanish as a second language, have been offering language courses in Antigua since 2002.
The language school also offers different recreational activities to the surrounding areas and cultural sites, enabling you to get a greater understanding of Guatemalan history.
Course
At the language school in Antigua, you can book individual courses for 20 or 30 hours per week. Classes are held from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 12 pm or in the afternoon from 2 pm to 6 pm. Flexible schedules are possible in order to meet your personal needs.Every class is generally divided into the following sections: learning grammar, practicing with exercises and conversing in Spanish.
Individual Course: It includes either 4 hours of classes per day (20 hours per week) or 6 hours per day (25 hours per week). The teachers take into consideration the personal learning process and preferences of each student. Whether you want more conversation or grammar practice, specific vocabulary review, etc. the classes will be modified according to your needs. Programs with 6 hours of instruction per day take place from 8 am until 12 pm and from 2 pm to 4 pm.
In order to achieve a better understanding of the Guatemalan culture you will have the unique opportunity to take part in recreational, cultural and educational activities along with the Spanish course. The staff at the school organizes dance and conversation classes and visits to local museums, other amazing tourist attractions, different factories (Jade, artisans, silver) are available for the duration of your course. They also provide an orientation tour of Antigua on your first day. Festive nights out are also organized throughout the city for students to enjoy.
Accommodation
Every effort is made to ensure that your stay is as pleasant as possible. Accommodations are carefully chosen regularly assessed.Living with a Guatemalan host family gives you the opportunity to practice you new Spanish skills and build relationships with the locals! Accommodations in Antigua include a private room with a shared or private bathroom and three meals a day (except on Sundays). The family will warmly welcome you allowing you to experience the real Guatemalan way of life!
Alternatively, you can live with other students in the student residences or guesthouses. You will get your private room but share common areas as well as bathrooms with your housemates. You have access to a kitchen where you can store and prepare your meals. Living in the student residences can be loads of fun and is a great place to find other travelers to explore the city with!
Volunteering
Volunteering is an extraordinary opportunity for those who would like to learn Spanish through a unique experience.Volunteering by helping people in need allows you to practice your Spanish in real life situations where you can train your newly acquired language skills. In co-operation with different social institutions and non-profit organizations we offer volunteer projects in nature and wildlife programs in Guatemala throughout the year. This learning and cultural experience will be unforgettable.
Check out our volunteer work positions here.
 Volunteer in a Montessori pre-school education project in Guatemala.
Antigua
 Volunteer in the area of education, construction, health care or social work at a community development center in Guatemala.
Antigua
 Volunteer as an assistant teacher in a day care center for disadvantaged children in Guatemala.
Antigua
 Work as an assistant teacher in a school for disadvantaged children in Guatemala to promote their education and deter them from seeking other opportunities on the streets.
Antigua
|
Prices
| in USD | One-on-One (20hrs/week) |
One-on-One | Homestay (3 meals/day)* | Residence (no meals) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | 270.- | 300.- | 180.- | 220.- |
| 3 weeks | 405.- | 450.- | 270.- | 330.- |
| 4 weeks | 540.- | 600.- | 360.- | 440.- |
| Additional week |
135.- | 150.- | 90.- | 110.- |
The school will be closes due to public holidays on the following dates. 2013: Jan 01, Mar 29, May 01, Jul 25, Nov 01, Dec 25. Classes can not be rescheduled.
| Additional service | in USD |
|---|---|
| Airport pick-up | 30.- |
Please have a look at our Volunteer Work in Antigua.
You can combine half-day volunteering with your Spanish course or do full-day volunteering after your Spanish course is completed.
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
- Accommodation as booked
- Airport pick-up (if booked)
What’s not included:
- Flight
- Medical Insurance
- Local Travels
Location
Take advantage of this opportunity to learn Spanish in a historical colonial city which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Due to pleasant weather conditions all year round, it is a great place for a Spanish language program.Antigua was founded in the early 16th century by the Spaniards. This world known city was built 1,500 meters above sea-level. Public buildings, churches, convents and old residences are examples of the colonial wealth of Antigua.
Situated between three large volcanoes, Antigua retains its original charm and is crossed by cobble stone streets lined with baroque architecture. The ceramic producing technique was inherited from Spain in the 16th century. One of the main ceramic factories is in Antigua, which has brought fame to this colonial city. Today, the population of Antigua is around 33,000 inhabitants (2002 census).
Located in the tropics, Antigua enjoys nice weather conditions all year round. Its high elevation keeps the city from getting too hot and humid in the summer. From May to September Antigua has a rainy season with rain showers almost every day.
Antigua hosts one of the country's biggest and most important festivals of all: Semana Santa ("Easter Week"). For a whole week, processions are held throughout the city and local artists create paintings (alfombras) that blanket the streets with colored chalks depicting flowers and religious scenes.
Source: Google Maps
Country Information Guatemala |
 Guatemala is a country of great natural landscapes, strong religious practices, preserved Indigenous traditions and the best watermelon in the world! This Central American country is snuggled between the Caribbean Sea, Pacific Ocean, southern tip of Mexico and surrounding countries of Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. Guatemala holds about 42,000 square miles of land, slightly smaller than the US state of Tennessee. This country is home to upwards of 12 million people with 2 million inhabitants in the capital of Guatemala City.
The country has 14 eco-regions ranging from Mangrove forests, ocean bodies and five different ecosystems. An outstanding 252 wetlands reside in Guatemala, including five lakes, 61 lagoons, 100 rivers and 3 swamps. These features are home to around 1,246 known species with only 6.7% thriving and 8.1% in threatened states. Similarly, the Guatemalan fauna of around 8,681 species record that only 13.5% are abundant and growing well. Over 6 million people, half of the population of Guatemala, claim Indigenous ancestry. The natives of today are descendants of the Mayan society that thrived in this region since before 1000 years B.C. The first evidence of human settlers in Guatemala goes back to at least 12,000 B.C., though certain evidence suggests this date may be as early as 18,000 B.C. The modern-day Indigenous are hard working and proud people who retain many of their traditions. In some parts of the country, many still dress in the colorful way of their ancestors and speak only their native language. The majority of the population of Guatemala is Ladinos, a mix between Indigenous and Spanish cultures. However, the term can also refer to Indigenous people that have left their ancestral ways and adopted a more modern culture. Both Ladinos and indigenous alike live modestly and at times in very rustic conditions, for example using palm fronds to create a thatched roof. Nonetheless, they are very proud people who tend to work long hard hours, seven days a week, commonly making their living off the forest or through tourism. The primary forest products include chicle, a sap from a tree used to make chewing gum, xate, a leafy palm used in floral arrangements, allspice, and timber, which, unfortunately, is rapidly disappearing. Thankfully, the Peten Region and the UN-declared Mayan Biosphere Reserve are areas of intense international attention to protect the unique cultural and natural resources remaining in the largest forested area in the Americas after the Amazon basin. The best time to travel to Guatemala depends on what cultural and sightseeing aspects most attract you. In regards to weather, December to February hold cold mornings and nights, March and April are the warmest and driest, while May and June bring buzzing mosquitoes. October and November ends the rainy muggy season and bring colder temperatures back to Guatemala. The best time to travel in regards of cultural activity lie between to the two main Christian holidays in December and April. During the Christian pass-over month of April, Guatemala is alive with religious ceremonies and traditions. A second high season, typically for North Americans is between June to August. If you are planning to travel during these months, advanced reservations and booking are advised. FWalking around the busy streets of Guatemala City or exploring the enormous aesthetic temples of the ancient Mayans, this country holds many hidden jewels! Guatemala has something for everyone from eating watermelon and mangos galore, swimming in warm ocean water and discovering a new way of life! The people of “Guate” are warm, generous and await your visit!
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
