FAQ of learning spanish in Costa Rica

CLASS SCHEDULE
Classes start at 9:00 am until 12:00 noon. (Morning classes are usually devoted to grammar, oral exercises, new vocabulary, reading & discussion of texts, specific questions from the students and revision of homework and

working on problem areas). Then there is a lunch break from 12:00 -1:00 pm Afternoon classes are from 1:00 - 2:00 pm (for students receiving 4hrs/day), from 1:00-3:00 pm (for students receiving 5hrs/day). or 1:00-4:00 pm (for students receiving 6hrs/day.) and emphasize conversation and pronunciation.

After their Spanish classes the students participate in the afternoon cultural activities:
- Latin dance classes (Everyday from 3:00 -4:00 and 4:00-5:00pm)
- Cooking classes (Wednesdays 4:00-5:00pm)
- Conversation classes (Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:00-5:00pm)

All classes (including culture classes) are conducted completely in Spanish. Many students have studied Spanish before coming to the Academy but we believe that this is the ideal setting to improve their conversation skills and fluency. Therefore, we have designed our classes to ensure maximum student participation. Our Homestay program, afternoon conversation classes and the school's friendly atmosphere also provide additional opportunities for conversation.

In addition to activities and classes inside the school, during their free time, students also participate in activities outside the Academy such as:
- visits to museums and markets located near the Academy
- night outings to local discotheques and dance clubs accompanied by our dance instructor
- night outings to restaurants, bars and theaters located near the Academy
- weekend excursions to beaches, rain forests, volcanoes and National Parks

FIRST DAY OF CLASS
On the first day of class we require students to be at the school at 8:00 AM so we can give them information, a student card with telephone number and exact address of the homestay to give to taxi drivers, and general orientation. We also make a first day of spanish classes

short evaluation to determine their Spanish level. On the first day of class the host family will accompany the student to the Academy. The family will show the student how to get to the school. (usually a short 10-15 minute bus ride). Students take the bus about 1 or two blocks away from their homestay and are dropped off at a bus stop 1 or 2 blocks away from the school). **

Host families will also return to the Academy in the afternoon and take the student back home after classes on the first day and until it is necessary and the student knows his/her way around.

** Public buses are very easy to use, very cheap (about US 20 cents) and they run every 10-15 minutes from 5:30 am until 11:00 pm. If students go out at night we recommend that they take a taxi back home (taxis are also cheap: about US $3-$6)

ORIENTATION
Since we operate on an open enrollment basis, we have new students arriving at different times. Each Tuesday, we have an orientation meeting for the new students.

Each new student, on his/her first day, will also receive information about the school, the homestay program, etc. The student will meet with one of our teachers who will show him/her the school and explain the facilities offered (use of e-mail, etc). This teacher will make an evaluation to determine the student's Spanish level and decide what class would be best for the student.

During his/her stay, the staff at the reception desk can give the students maps, bus schedules, banking informaiton, tourist information and will help with any questions the students may have. Our school is small and we try to have a very open and warm atmosphere. We like to have close contact with each student and we do our best to make them feel welcome and at home.

HOW WE DETERMINE EACH STUDENT'S SPANISH LEVEL
- Each new student, on his/her first day, will meet with one of our Spanish teachers for a short oral evaluation. This, along with the student's background in Spanish (previous Spanish lessons received, knowledge of other languages, visits to Spanish-speaking countries, etc.) helps us determine the student's level and decide what class would be best for the student. Then, after the first lesson we confirm with each new student and his/her teacher that the level assigned was appropriate. If not, we make the necessary changes.

- Since new students arrive each week and everyone learns at a different pace, we monitor students' progress constantly and we encourage students to tell us how they feel about their lessons so we can make changes in the groups if necessary.

CLASSES FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
Many of the students who come to our school have never had a Spanish class before, so we do have classes for absolute beginners. Most families do only speak Spanish, however this is really no problem for beginner students. The families are used to having students who don't speak Spanish, and are very patient in trying to communicate using basic words and sign language. The staff from the school can also serve as translators when needed. They speak English and some of our teachers speak German.

ADVANCED CLASSES
For very advanced students, we offer upper-level classes such as literature (Latin American or children's literature), conversation and advanced grammar. We also offer other specialized classes, such as Business Spanish (finance, medical or legal terms).

INSTRUCTORS
All our instructors have university degrees in Spanish Education, Philology, or Linguistics at the University of Costa Rica or the National University. Others come from similar fields, such as Journalism. Most of them have worked at our school for 3 years or more and all have ample experience teaching Spanish as a second language. They are all very professional and friendly.

ACCOMMODATIONS IN HOST FAMILY living with a costa rican family

While a room with a family is not always as luxurious and comfortable as a hotel room, it is much less expensive and gives students the opportunity to practice their Spanish and learn about our culture. Host families provide students with halfboard (breakfast & dinner) and laundry service. Each student will have his/her private room.

HOST FAMILY SELECTION
How are families selected for homestays? The homestay families are carefully selected for their hospitality and for safe and clean housing. We place students with many different types of families (with or without children, married couples, single parents, young or older, etc.) We assign homestay families according to the preferences the students select in their registration form. We personally visit and meet with each family, and we evaluate them on a regular basis by asking each student to fill out a questionnaire about the family and their experiences at the home.

EXCURSIONS
As you can see in our price lists, some of our intensive 4 week programs include 1 or 2 excursions. In addition, each week we help students with their travel plans for the weekends. We offer students information about bus schedules, hotels and places to visit. We can also buy their bus & plane tickets, make tour and hotel reservations and give them excellent student discounts on the most popular excursions.

CLIMATE
Costa Rica's climate is very different from Europe and much of North America because we do not have 4 seasons. Our weather is spring-like year-round and we only have 2 seasons: the RAINY, or green season (which we call "invierno" or winter) and the DRY season (which we call "verano" or summer).

In the Central Valley (where San José is located) the RAINY season lasts from May to November and the DRY season from December through April.