|
|
|
|
Learn Spanish in Peru |
|
High Quality
Spanish courses in Cusco, Peru |
|
|
|
|
Overview
Our goal is to provide high-quality, effective, and
intensive Spanish instruction customized to meet the needs of each
individual student, in a relaxed and informal environment, and to
expose each student to important aspects of Latin American culture. To
meet this goal, we hire only experienced professional teachers who are
all native speakers of Spanish to teach our courses.
All of our courses - ranging from beginner to advanced Spanish -
utilize a highly effective integrative approach to language
acquisition which blends the four basic skills of speaking, listening,
reading and writing into each session. Even students with no previous
training in Spanish will find themselves speaking Spanish to each
other and to the teacher on the very first day of class!
Because we believe that each student has his or her own unique
strengths (and weaknesses), the structure of our courses is flexible.
Most courses use a textbook that serves as a starting point for
instruction and as a study reference for students. However, we
actively encourage our teachers to customize each course through the
use of additional books and periodicals, and through the preparation
of customized instructional materials that enhance the student's
experience in the program.
Our approach to teaching Spanish:
-
The Natural Approach
offers its students an exciting and highly effective alternative to
most other Spanish courses. All of our classes utilize an approach to
language acquisition called the Natural Approach.
-
The Natural Approach
focuses on the development of the four basic communication skills:
speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
-
Proficiency is
obtained through the integration of these four basic communication
skills in each class, therefore we do not separate our courses into
"conversation" and "grammar" components.
-
In the Natural
Approach, the ability to express yourself in a particular situation is
stressed, and all of the activities in the program are carefully
selected to help you develop your proficiency in communication
rather than simply memorizing grammatical structures.
-
The teacher uses a
variety of techniques - including speaking to you every day in
Spanish, pictures, gestures, sounds and objects - to help you
understand Spanish better.
-
In the Natural
Approach, learning grammar - although still an important part of fully
understanding and expressing yourself in another language - is
secondary to the development of oral communications skills.
-
Enjoying the
program: a typical day at Each course in the Spanish program meets for
four hours daily, either in the morning or in the afternoon, for a
total of twenty hours per week.
-
This structure
leaves ample time for you to practice on your own (one to two hours at
home) and to enjoy Cusco and the surrounding area.
-
A typical day
includes meeting with your class at 9:00 in the morning, and at 11:00
enjoying a cup of coffee or tea with your classmates in the garden
during your 15-minute break, and finishing up class at 1:00pm. Then
it's home (to your assigned family or to your hotel) for a leisurely
lunch and conversation. In the afternoon you can do your homework, or
talk with the other students and teachers in the Spanish program.
-
And, of course, you
will find plenty of interesting activities around town - including
shopping, visiting museums or the local markets, and enjoying the
extracurricular activities offered.
|
|
|
|
Extracurricular
Activities |
|
|
The school offers all kinds of indoors and outdoors activities that
are not included in the usual study program of students, therefore
optional and free of charge. Extracurricular activities help immerse
students in the Peruvian culture, enhance conversation skills and
foster the relaxed family atmosphere that is so important to us.
Most extracurricular
activities take place in the afternoons/evenings and are organized on
a weekly basis. They include cultural and historical lectures, films,
movies and videos relating to Peru's history, geography, ecology,
etc., demonstrations of Peruvian cuisine and an introduction to Latin
American dance.
On weekends we offer picnics and one-day hikes and excursions to
historical sites in the mountains surrounding the city of Cusco.
To each student that arrives, we provide a monthly program of
cultural and extracurricular activities.
|
|
|
Programs |
|
|
Upon arrival, each student is evaluated with an oral interview and a
brief written test before beginning their program. This ensures
optimal class placement.
The current program makes provision for the following study levels
- Beginners
Spanish
- Elementary
Spanish
-
Intermediate Spanish
- Advanced
Spanish
- Intensive
Conversation
Designed for students with some background in Spanish (reading and /
or writing), who need to develop their speaking abilities and
pronunciation very rapidly.
-
Professional Development
Designed for students with specialized Spanish language needs - such
as doctors who must interact with a Spanish-speaking clientele,
individuals preparing reports or presentations for a
Spanish-speaking audience, or others who need general translation
assistance. Course content is customized to meet the needs of each
individual student
|
|
|
Language Course Structure |
|
|
Three basic study options to its students: one-on-one classes, group
of two classes and mini groups classes of 3 or 4 students.
1 One-on-one Classes
This structure is particularly appropriate for intermediate and
advanced students who require work in particular areas, for
professionals working in Spanish speaking countries, and for those
students of any level who are seeking rapid, intensive and focused
instruction custom tailored to their learning patterns.
2 Group-of-two classes
This type of group classes are comprised of two students who have
approximately the same level of Spanish knowledge. The exercises are
still intensive in approach, and the intimate environment promotes
rapid retention of new skills, as well as new friendships. This class
structure is particularly good for beginners, elementary and early
intermediate levels.
3 Group of 4 (Three to four students per class)
The group of three to four students is less intensive, and is best for
beginning students who have little to no foundation in Spanish. It is
also good for those who are traveling in groups that have essentially
the same level of Spanish knowledge.
4 Custom Tailored Courses
We will be happy to custom tailor courses for individuals and small
groups when we have the space and time. Please email us with your
specific requests. In this case, the price and payment terms may be
altered accordingly as well as the structure of the course.
|
|
|
Certificates
and Credits |
|
|
Each student who completes the Spanish course receives an official
certificate for that course. The certificate includes the student's
name, course/level completed, the number of class hours completed for
that course, and the dates of study which is validated by the Ministry
of Education of Peru.
|
|
|
THE
PEOPLE AND FACILITIES OF THE school center |
|
|
The Language Center has more than twenty highly trained and experienced
teachers. All are native speakers of Spanish, most have graduate or
advanced degrees in education and/or language and are ready to serve
the individual needs of each student. Some of our teachers specialize
in beginners Spanish while others work mostly with intermediate and
advanced students. All are enthusiastic instructors who teach Spanish
because they love doing it.
Of course, no teacher can operate without the invaluable assistance of
the secretarial staff. You will find Vilma and Cathy in our main
office, ready to help you with any questions or problems that come up
during your stay. Be sure to stop by and say hello.
The Language Center is located in a charming Peruvian courtyard
building close to the Plaza de Armas (about five minutes on foot). The
courtyard surrounds a garden with a huge pear tree, and you will see
various flowers blooming there at different times of the year. The
courtyard is a favorite spot for talking with the other students or
your teacher during breaks, and a nice place to hang out before or
after class. Most of our Spanish classes are held on the second floor
of the building.
For the comfort and convenience of our students, EXCEL maintains a
study room and small bookstore (see the display of books for sale
outside the main office). Students may also use the office for
receiving mail, e-mail messages and important phone calls.
Close to the school, you will find a wide variety of restaurants,
bookstores, cyber cafes, copy centers and plenty of other shopping
opportunities.
|
|
|
Why study in Cusco? |
|
|
Cusco is a charming and fascinating city, located in what was once the
capital of the Inca Empire. The name "Cusco" means "navel of the
world." The architecture in town is an interesting blend of Inca and
Spanish Colonial styles, and all of the houses have lovely red tiled
roofs. In and around the city are numerous Inca ruins - the most
famous of which is Machu Picchu, located just three hours away from
Cusco by train - which attest to the historical significance of this
location. The city is located in a high mountain valley with an
altitude of 11,000 feet and is surrounded by the majestic Andes
Mountains. On any day of the year, Cusco is a lovely city.
In its modern incarnation, Cusco is a bustling center of 400,000
inhabitants whose major industry is tourism. City life is relaxed, and
offers the visitor a wide array of festivals and other actitivities
year-round.
Favorite activities of our students include attending the festivals
taking
place in the city (and surrounding areas) adventure trekking, river
rafting, horseback riding, historical and archeological tours,
visiting
Cusco's many museums, shopping and of course visits to local clubs and
bars.
City life is dominated by the majestic Plaza de Armas, a lively square
filled with vendors, quaint shops, historic churches, and with
restaurants offering authentic local dishes. (There are also plenty of
hamburger, sandwich and pizza places for the less adventurous.) The
Plaza, with its beautiful fountain and garden, is a favorite meeting
place for residents and visitors alike.
Climate and weather
This area of Peru has two basic seasons - wet and dry. The rainy
season runs from November to April and visitors can expect brief
afternoon showers during this time. The rest of the year it is usually
dry, with warm days and cold nights. Nights are especially cold
between May and August, and visitors during this time should bring a
warm jacket and be prepared to layer clothing during the mornings and
evenings.
|
|
|
COURSE PRICES
2008 |
|
|
HOME-STAY PROGRAM
Includes four hours per day of Spanish instruction, Monday through
Friday, accommodations, three meals per day and Cusco pick-up service.
|
Duration |
1-on-1 |
Group-of-2 |
Group-of-4 |
|
One week
program |
US $277 |
US $230
|
US $206 |
|
Two week
program |
US $547 |
US $453 |
US $406 |
|
Three week
program |
US $818
|
US $677
|
US $606 |
|
Four week
program |
US $1088
|
US $900
|
US $806 |
|
Five week
program |
US $1359
|
US $1124 |
US $1006 |
|
Six week
program |
US$1630
|
US $1348 |
US $1206 |
Cost of
extra week |
US $271 |
US$224 |
US $200 |
|
|
|
REGISTRATION |
|
|
To register (click here), please send us the student’s name, gender
(male/female), country of origin, date of birth, first language,
mailing address, profession or occupation, level of Spanish
(beginner, elementary, intermediate, advanced), number of weeks
they want to study, course dates, type of class.
|
|
|
Accommodations |
|
|
To enhance your stay in Cusco, we recommend that you select a
home-stay with one of our carefully selected Peruvian families.
Home-stay program
Living with a Peruvian family is a tremendous opportunity to build
your
Spanish skills while making new friends. By talking with (and
listening to) the family at meals and at other times during the day,
your conversational skills will advance much more rapidly than they
will if you stay in a hotel.
You will find the
family eager to help you choose entertaining activities
around town and interesting excursions out of town. They will also
assist you in locating a doctor, if you need one, or a store that
sells some key item you accidentally left at home.
Families for the home-stay program are carefully selected and
monitored so that our students can really enjoy their time in Cusco. Our host families are middle-class Peruvian families living in
American-style homes that have hot water at least part of every day.
Each student will have his/her own private bedroom (unless a roommate
is specifically requested), and some homes provide private bathrooms
as well. The family provides three meals per day. (Some families may
be able to accommodate special food requests, if we are notified in
advance). Laundry service is readily available, although it is not
included in the home-stay program fee.
|
|
|
Volunteer
Programs combined with Spanish classes |
|
|
Our Volunteer
Programs consist of a minimum of 4 weeks of Spanish lessons for
beginning students or a minimum of 2 weeks for intermediate students
followed by a minimum of 4 weeks of volunteer work in Cusco or Manu
National Park.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
