Spanish Study and Cultural Immersion in Cuenca

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Cuenca

Dates: Monthly start dates all year round.

Description: Our small but friendly school is located in this beautiful colonial town. The school is located in an impressive detached building overlooking the Barranco River and the city center. The school facilities include 7 classrooms, social room, library, video room and snack bar. Students can relax outside in the school gardens between breaks.

The school currently has no Internet access, but many internet cafés can be found only a short walk away. Class sizes are usually 4 students per class, it has many international students and many are North Americans. On the first Monday students will take a placement test, normally around 8:30am and will be guided around the local neighborhood and city. Classes will take place in the afternoon on the first Monday.

Standard: 4 Lessons daily (20 lessons per week).

Our programs cater for all language levels from absolute beginners to the more advanced, include the use of course materials and provide a variety of options to enhance your program.

Each student will be expected to take a short placement test on the first Monday morning of the course (unless a complete beginner), to determine the students language level and ensure placement in the correct class. Lessons are usually held in the mornings, starting at 9 am, which leave the afternoons free for social or cultural activities, trips, workshops, short excursions or free time to relax or explore on your own.

Teachers are native speakers and many are University educated with years of teaching experience. They will help enhance your speaking, listening, grammar and general comprehension skills. They will also use interactive techniques such as role-play, games and perhaps videos to support lesson content. Current political, social and cultural materials are integrated to add interest and increase knowledge of the host country and culture. Homework assignments are given and students will be tested.

Host Family: (private room) 3 meals daily and laundry service.

Important: Accommodation in a hotel is provided for the first nights stay upon arrival in Quito. Students should arrange to fly into Quito on the Saturday before classes start, due to flight arrival times, students are expected to stay the night in a a hotel. Our program includes: airport transfers in Quito, one night in hotel, a one-way flight to Cuenca, where you will be picked up on Sunday by your host family.

Highlights: Located in an Andean valley, Cuenca is said to be the "Athens of Ecuador" and is truly a town of striking contrasts, it's easy to forget you live in the 21st century. It has successfully preserved its past from its cobblestone streets, bustling plazas and verdant parks, colonial churches and towering cathedrals, to its colorful Indian markets and pre-Columbian ruins.

The Colonial part of Cuenca is just across the Tombamba River from modern day Cuenca with its new office buildings, art galleries and two universities. Cuenca is easily Ecuador's (and perhaps all of South America's) most beautiful city and the city center is clean and safe. It is home to many scholars and artists, the city has an intellectual tradition that has produced more notable writers, poets, artists, and philosophers than anywhere else in Ecuador.

Cuenca's story begins long before the arrival of the Spanish, or even the Inca. The city was originally a Cañari settlement called Guapondeleg and is believed to have been founded around 500 AD Guapondeleg translates into "land as big as heaven."

Cost in US$: Varies depending on length of program.

Host Family accommodation in private room with 3 meals daily and laundry service.
Cultural and social activities: daily.
Language proficiency certificate at end of program upon request.
Airport pick up at Cuenca airport.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of Max. 4

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application