Spanish Immersion in the Argentine Andes

  Argentina

• All Other Regions of Argentina: 
Mendoza

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: Year Round

Description: Group Classes: ICLA classes are the smallest in Mendoza, with a max of five students in each level. With 20 hours a week, one our being 60 minutes unlike many other language schools in Argentina, our curriculum focuses on all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Classes also incorporate film, music, and literature giving students a well rounded experience. Small classes, extra curricular activities and our innovative approach to language immersion ensure students get the most out of this unique language learning opportunity.

Private Language Immersion: Each course includes ten hours a week of private language immersion, focusing on all four language skills. End of the week evaluations will be made as to ensure students are working at their desired pace, with a personalized curriculum for their next week of class. As our courses are one-on-one, students also have the option of taking their class in a park or museum, or a cultural center or event.

ICLA short and long term Volunteer Placement. Explore our website for details on each position and requirements.

HIV/AIDS- Asociacón Redes Nueva Frontera
From street outreach to live music events, ARNF's activities can be seen throughout the city and province of Mendoza. This advocacy organization not only lobbies for just legislation relation to health rights, but also has its own city wide radio program.

Organic Farm- Las Yeguas
Located two hours from the city of Mendoza, Las Yeguas organic arm works with us at ICLA to provide volunteer support with a Spanish language background. Students who work at the organic farm will live in the city of Mendoza for a few weeks during their language immersion, then live full time on Las Yeguas farm. Once comfortable with their bilingual atmosphere, students may involve themselves in all aspects of a functional organic farm, along with living with the language in their daily activities. Minimum volunteer commitment: 3 months.

Youth & Poverty- Asociación Civil Alternativa Solidaria
Through outreach and education, ACAS has created a profound network of activities through the city of Mendoza. Targeted at the city's most vulnerable residents, underprivileged youth, ACAS magazine "Donde Topa" discusses youth rights, youth politics, and youth culture. Cultural activities also include street murals, public theater, and more broad artistic events, while social development is taken on through small business work.

Highlights: ICLA immersions offer tango, skiing, kayaking, cabalgatas (Argentine horseback riding), trekking, and tours of Argentina's most prize winning Vinards.

Qualifications: Volunteer positions range from three months to a year. Volunteers must be able to commit to their position for the required duration.

Cost in US$: As ICLA is an independent school, not chain, we offer the most affordable prices in Mendoza- for both group and private classes as well as homestays.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Our volunteer programs range from organic farming to HIV-AIDS outreach, the typical volunteer is commited to both their growth as a Spanish speaker and the cause they are involved in.

Age Range: None

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Argentina Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Instituto Cultural de los Andes's Mission Statement: The Instituto Cultural de los Andes was founded with the mission of expanding two notions of international cultural immersion: 1) Learning Through Culture: The amount of face to face time a student receives in their target language will not only allow for a quicker acquisition of both vocabulary and grammar, but provide a live context for usage. A student will need her vocabulary in her day to day living in Mendoza, from her home stay family and new Argentine friends, to her volunteer project. Each step in our ICLA Immersion is designed to increase contact with Argentine living and therefore aid the educational process. 2) The Independent Traveler: Tourism of the 20th century, especially the latter half, has left its mark on many nations. Defunct mega resorts across the globe sit empty alongside what were once pristine beaches and small historic towns. The independent traveler today is not a "tourist" in the traditional sense. He is neither interested in the exotic nor bizarre, which most "tourists" seek, but views traveling as also a way to learn about himself in a global context. ICLA students' travels are opportunities to involve themselves in both the beauty and the needs of Argentina, by also engaging in long term volunteer work, rather than avoiding the unpleasantries of what it means to live in another nation.

Year Founded: 2007