
Programs Abroad
PANAMA - Spanish Course in Boquete 
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Country: Panama Location: Boquete, Panama Minimum Stay: 2 weeks Start dates: year round Price: from 2 weeks, 495 USD |
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School
The school is situated near the main square, in the center of Boquete, a small city in the mountainous region of Panama. The classes occupy the top floor of a commercial building in Boquete's commercial square. Around the school you will find everything you need from shops, internet cafés, banks and much more. Within walking distance are delicious restaurants, bars and hotels where you can test your Spanish skills. The school is located near the central park of the city, and inviting setting to tan or relax during breaks between classes.The school is composed of ten classrooms which are named after well-known Latin American writers. There is also a cafeteria and a lounge area where you can relax during class breaks, drink Boquete's renowned coffee and get to know other students. In these areas, you can use the Wi-Fi connection provided by the school. From the large windows, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful view over Boquete and its surroundings.
The school is officially recognized as a DELE Examination Center in Latin America by the Cervantes Institute of Spain. The school is recommended in every travel guide about Panama and many students have evaluated the school with a five-star rating, guaranteeing you that it is a top institute for your Spanish language program. Throughout the year it receives students of varying ages from North America, Europe, Oceania, etc. combining the different cultures and languages to meet a common goal of learning Spanish. All of the teachers hold university degrees and have a lot of training in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. Teachers take part in monthly training sessions in order for them to update their methods of teaching with the latests teaching strategies. Additionally, weekly meetings are held where teachers dicuss the developments and difficulties of students to collaborate techniques and ideas.
The school aims to offer students the best Spanish learning experience and have an unforgettable stay in Boquete. The friendly team will help you with any question or problem that may arise while you are there.
Course
If you already have Spanish skills, you will complete an oral and written exam in order to assess your language skills and place you in the appropriate class level. The school divides the classes in six different levels that focus on all the aspects of speaking, reading, writing and listening.The school intends to improve students' communication skills in all aspects. They apply different teaching methods according to the needs of each participant; the most popular is the Communicative Method. According to this method, language is connected to tasks that each person has to perform in everyday life. With this in mind, the school teaches students the necessary skills to enable everyday communication in Spanish. All classes are held in Spanish only allowing the students to become accustomed to the pronunciation of Spanish words.
The school offers three course options.
Group course: The group course is the most popular among the Spanish courses offered by the school. It is composed of four hours of classes per day (20 hours per week) and has a maximum enrolment of four students per class. Due to the small size of the course every student gets the attention they need to learn Spanish. Groups are arranged according to the levels of the students. Classes take place from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 12.15 p.m. After the first two lessons, you will have a 15 minute break. During the high season, classes are also held in the afternoon. During the low season, classes will mostly take place in the afternoon so you have the opportunity to take part in other activities in the morning.
Intensive course: The intensive course is the perfect option for students seeking to learn as much as possible in a short period of time. The entire course consists of 5 or 6 classes per day (25-30 hours per week) made up of four group classes combined with either one or two private classes. During private classes you can emphasize whatever topics you want, like conversational Spanish, practice for the DELE exam or grammar. Private lessons are held on the half of the day that you do not already have group classes.
Group and intensive courses for beginners start on the first and third Monday of each month. During high season (January, February, June, July and August) they can start on any Mondays. If you already have Spanish language skills, you can start your course on any Monday when you register in advance.
Private course: A private course gives you the benefit of the full attention of the teacher on your specific needs. Some students feel more comfortable in private courses making it easier for them to communicate in Spanish. Private classes are held from Monday to Friday either in the morning or in the afternoon. You can choose between two and six hours of private lessons per day (10-30 hours per week).
Private lessons can be started on any day of the week.
Leisure time activities: Beside the Spanish courses, the school offers extracurricular activities in order to make you familiar with Panamanian culture, sites and geography. In the morning, free Latin dance classes and conversational sessions take place. In the evenings, join in on the Poker nights and typical Panamanian dinners so you can taste the delicacies of the country. Free movie nights give you the chance to watch interesting films and get used to the Panamanian accent.
Accommodation
It is very important for us that you feel comfortable during your stay in Panama. Therefore we offer you a selection of carefully arranged accommodation options.If you want to completely immerse yourself into Panamanian culture, you should live with a host family. You can practice your newly acquired Spanish skills and get to know the culture, traditions and cuisine of the country. We will match you with a family that adheres to your requests. You will have your own private room and you can select between receiving only breakfast or half-board (breakfast and dinner). Houses or apartments of host families are located near the Spanish school.
If you want to stay for a short time or spend more time with your friends, a hostel or a hotel is probably the best choice for you. Some hostels and hotels give a discount for students if they stay at least one week.
We also can offer you the option of living alone or with your family or your friends. In this case you can rent an apartment. With your requirements, we will be able to find the perfect apartment for you!
Volunteering
Do you want to learn more about Panamanian culture and get to know the local people? Work as a volunteer and help people while they help you practice your Spanish skills!In Panama, as in many other Central American countries, a big gap between rich and poor people exists. According to statistics, about four out of ten people live in absolute poverty (about 36% of the population) and 16% of the population live in extreme poverty. Poverty is highest among indigenous people living in rural areas where almost all inhabitants are poor. Become involved in social assistance areas and give people new hope! Every kind of social commitment is needed and appreciated, even if you volunteer for just a short period of time.
Volunteering will not only be a personal but also a professional enrichment. Besides practicing Spanish in everyday situations, you will gain new experiences and get to know the real side of Panama. The region around Boquete offers plenty of possibilities of volunteer work. Be sure to let us find the one that suits you! For example, you can support schools, children homes, environmental organizations, disabled people, or teach English. You have the option to volunteer half day, before or after you carry out your Spanish classes or you can volunteer full day after finishing the whole Spanish course.
Prices
| in USD |
Group Course |
Intensive Course |
Intensive Course |
Private Course | Homestay (breakfast) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks |
495.- | 695.- | 855.- | 755.- | 350.- |
| 3 weeks |
725.- | 1,015.- | 1,255.- | 1,095.- | 500.- |
| 4 weeks |
925.- | 1,275.- | 1,595.- | 1,425.- | 650.- |
| Additional week |
175.- | 265.- | 335.- | 330.- | 150.- |
One week accommodation = 7 days. Add 30 USD / week for accommodation with half-board.
The school is closes on the following days due to public holidays. 2013: Jan 01, Feb 11 + 12, Mar 28 + 29, May 01, Nov 4, Nov 28, Dec 24 + 25. Missed classes on these days will be rescheduled.
| Extra Services | in USD |
|---|---|
| Airport pick-up in the town of David |
15.- |
| Volunteer Placement |
150.- |
What’s included:
- Orientation kit
- Local support
- 24h-Emergency Number
- Quality Spanish Course
- 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
Location
The valley of Boquete is located in the western highlands of Panama at 1,000 meters above sea level. In the country's most mountainous region, this peaceful town is nestled between the Caldera River and the Barú Volcano. Boquete is considered the ecotourism capital of Panama and is known as the best coffee producer in the world. Boquete enjoys a sunny but cool mountain climate that is comfortable year round. The temperatures range between 60° - 80°F (16° - 28°C) year-round. Isolated by the untouched tropical rain forests, the city is just one hour away from unspoiled white sand beaches of the Pacific Ocean or 3 hours away from Bocas del Toro in the Caribbean Sea. This allows you the opportunity to participate in various water sports like scuba diving, snorkeling and surfing. Boquete is the perfect place to combine Spanish lessons in the refreshing mountain climate during the week, and weekend getaways to sunny tropical beaches.Boquete is home to 20,000 people including ancestors of Native Indians, Spaniards, Europeans and North Americans as well as immigrants of these ethnicities or from other countries. The first settlers came from other areas of Panama, as well as other countries such as Switzerland, Sweden, Germany and North America. These residents gave shape to the cultural melting pot that characterizes Boquete today. Most farms and houses still have architectural styles that reflect the styles of foreign countries. On the sheer mountains that surround the valley live the Ngöbe Bugles, an indigenous group composed of highly skilled artisans, famous for their colorful chaquiras (beaded necklaces) and nahuas (traditional dresses).

Source: Google Maps
Country Information Panama |
Situated between Colombia and Costa Rica, Panama is recognized for the famous Panama Canal which connects the Pacific Ocean with the Caribbean Sea and reshaped global ocean transport. Panama covers about 75,517 km2 with a total coast line of 2,490 km that borders the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans. The little country is home to 3,400,000 people, of which approximately 700,000 of them live in the capital Panama City.
The population of Panama is mostly made up of mestizos- a mixture of indigenous people with Chinese, West Indian, European, Spanish, etc. Throughout history Middle Eastern, Swiss and North American people immigrated into the small country and left their cultural traces visible through the traditions, ethnicities, architecture, etc. Indigenous communities make up 8% of the whole population and consist of seven different groups. About 85% of the population is Roman Catholic while the other 15% is Protestant. In regions that are populated by indigenous people, they practice their own religions as well. Panama is divided into nine provinces (Bocas del Toro, Coclé, Colón, Chiriquí, Darién, Herrera, Los Santos, Panamá and Veraguas) and five indigenous regions (Kuna Yala, Emberá Wounan, Kuna de Madungandí, Kuna de Wargandí and Gnobe Buglé). Each province has its own cultural traditions of music, dance, dress and cuisine. Panama has one homogeneous language that all people speak—Spanish. However, you will find that many of the people speak English as well in order to facilitate the tourism industry that is one of the main income sources for the country. Panama has a tropical climate that varies depending on the region and altitude but consists of two seasons: a dry and a rainy season. On the Caribbean Coast it can rain sporadically all year long while on the Pacific coast the climate is drier. The Azuero Peninsula is extremely dry year-round whereas in the mountains it rains very often during the rainy season. The rainy season runs from May to November whereas the dry season is from December to April with March and April as the hottest months of the year. The altitude drastically influences the temperature in different sectors of the country. Temperatures on the coast reach about 95°F (35°C) and then gradually decrease every 150 meters above sea level. The best time to travel to Panama is during the dry season from mid-December to mid-April; however, during the rainy season, there are fewer tourists and it is cheaper to travel. Thousands of tourists come yearly to Panama to witness the diversity of animal and flower species. The country is home to approximately 9000 different plant species as well as the abundance of animals like the coati, peccary, tapir, many different kinds of monkeys and reptiles like alligators that live along the coast. Throughout the country there are many national parks which preserve the beautiful flora and fauna. Panama is the perfect place to explore the protected wildlife! Don't miss out on what you will find in Panama! |

Situated between Colombia and Costa Rica, Panama is recognized for the famous Panama Canal which connects the Pacific Ocean with the Caribbean Sea and reshaped global ocean transport. Panama covers about 75,517 km2 with a total coast line of 2,490 km that borders the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans. The little country is home to 3,400,000 people, of which approximately 700,000 of them live in the capital Panama City.























