√ Learn Spanish at the language school Juan Sisay (Quetzaltenango/Guatemala).

Learn Spanish/Spanish classes in Quetzaltenango:

Description of Juan Sisay

Juan Sisay is a non profit school with a Spanish language and cultural immersion program started in 1989 in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Juan Sisay has three main goals:

1. To give students a total immersion experience with our one on one high quality instruction, cultural activities and homestay experience.

2. To create jobs for teachers at fair wages and provide supplemental income to the families of Quetzaltenango while there is intercultural exchange.

3. To support social programs where our Spanish students can work every week.

OUR LANGUAGE PROGRAM - Certified and experienced teachers will help the students to obtain the maximun benefits from the one on one Spanish course. All our teachers are qualified Spanish teachers, graduated in the San Carlos or Loyola University.

The personal interest and needs of the students serve as a guide for the class structure and we strive to pair each student with a teacher that shares his or her academic and personal interests. You will be evaluated and monitored during the weeks you study at the school in order to obtain the best results.

METHODOLOGY - Our intensive language program consists of of one on one classes where each student is evaluated the first day of class to determine her/his level of Spanish then a personalized program is tailored to feet his/her needs, focusing in communication (oral expresssion) exercises.

Courses in the school, depending on each student's abilities and Spanish level and duration of Spanish studies enable the students to obtain basic Spanish conversation skills to advanced Spanish.

MATERIAL: The school has its own guide of the Spanish language, which has been developed by our own teaching staff based on years of experience to ensure that students make progress coherently and fast.

Different texts, materials and teaching methods are used to meet individual student's needs. Students can also bring specific material that they need to cover that can be used by your teacher to complement your instruction.

SCHEDULE - Spanish courses normally start on Monday all year round. Our total immersion program includes a five hour day: from 8:00a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (with a 30 min. coffee break). It's also possible to study more or less hours a day depending on availability or to start another day of the week.

LIVING THE GUATEMALAN WAY! - An important part of our intensive program is living with a Guatemalan family. With this experience our students are able to deepen their knowledge of Spanish and experience the language in its every day use and cultural context, enjoying the warm and embracing hospitality of a Guatemalan family while contributing to the income to the families.

The families serve traditional meals and/or vegetarian, vegan or diabetic diets. All our families are within walking distance of the school in the historical center of the city. In case you don't want to stay in a family we can help you to find a hostel, hotel or private apartment.

ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS - As part of our total immersion program daily activities and trips are offered in which students can apply knowledge acquired in classes. We offer weekly conferences and movies concerning Guatemalan political, historical and cultural life, cooking, weaving and dancing classes, trips to near mayan attractions of cultural interest.

Also we organize weekend excursions like volcano hikes, bike tours, hot springs, lakes, visits to regional cooperatives, coffee plantations and archeological sites. Activities are included in the tuition so students do not need to pay extra, only for transportation and/or entrance fees.

SOCIAL VISION AND VOLUNTARY WORK

Juan Sisay was founded with the goal to invest in the community in need, with a part of your tuition we support a reforestation program and bilingual education. In cooperation with the foundation 'Tobanik' the school finances a scholarship program to help Guatemalan poor students attend elementary school.

Part of our focus is to get students involved while at the same time fulfilling the needs of the people here, our Spanish students can do voluntary work every week. For the student this is another way of practicing Spanish as well as giving something back to Guatemalan society.

THE SCHOOL ALSO OFFERS:

1. Free internet service

2. Laundry service

3. Medical assistance

4. University credits by la Universidad Rural de Guatemala

5. Pick-Up Service

PROGRAM COST

The favorable exchange rate makes studying in Guatemala affordable. The price for one week includes 25 hours of one on one lessons,accommodation with a host family including meals, participation in daily activities and trips, support to social programs and internet access.