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dcahill

Mar 4, 2005, 6:40 AM

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Language School recommendations?

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Hi all!

I am in the hugely fortunate position of having 3 months free between the end of college and the start of work, and complete liberty as to what to do with it. Having made friends with some fantastic Mexicans in France last year, I started to learn Spanish. I have completed a year of basic Spanish alongside my college courses in France, listened to the Michel Thomas beginner's course, and am working with the Tell Me More software package to keep up the progress.

So, with my free 3 months I want to learn Spanish the only way I think makes sense - by going to a Spanish-speaking nation. And why not Mexico, a country I've always wanted to visit?

So, I'm keen to hear recommendations of language schools anywhere in Mexico, preferably in situations where you stay with a host family. Also, any recommendations on how to structure the three months: spend all three in language schools? School then travel then school?? All recommendations appreciated!

Gracias in advance!

Texwheel

Mar 4, 2005, 10:17 AM

Post #2 of 13 (5061 views)

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Re: [dcahill] Language School recommendations?

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Google the subject on the Learning Spanish forum and you'll find lots of discussion and recommendations.
Tom Williams
Georgetown, Texas
Texwheel@aol.com

jennifer rose

Mar 4, 2005, 11:08 AM

Post #3 of 13 (5057 views)

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Re: [dcahill] Language School recommendations?

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Every person, save one who felt the course was too difficult for him, to whom I've recommended Baden-Powell in Morelia has been pleased with the results. http://www.baden-powell.com/

tonyburton

Mar 4, 2005, 4:09 PM

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Language School recommendation in Chiapas

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The Instituto Jovel - http://www.institutojovel.com/home.html - in Chiapas is my number one recommendation for language classes and homestay in Mexico. My very difficult-to-please daughter and a friend attended classes there last summer and both professed themselves to be completely satisfied that the classes, tuition and homestay could not possibly have been any better anywhere else.

(This post was edited by tonyburton on Mar 4, 2005, 4:09 PM)

raferguson

Mar 4, 2005, 7:52 PM

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Re: [dcahill] Language School recommendations?

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Another option is the Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende. I took a sculpture class from them, which was good, and I know that they have Spanish classes, homestays, etc. However, I did not take any of their Spanish classes.

I would be tempted to split the time between class/homestay and traveling around the country some.

You will learn while you are traveling around also, in conversations and asking questions, etc. In some ways, traveling is immersion, especially if you stay off the gringo trail and go to places with few gringos. If you are traveling alone, or you are the only Spanish speaker, you will be forced to use Spanish just to get something to eat. Keep your ear open for common phrases, listen to how the language is used, listen to pronunciation, etc. Make a habit of picking up the local paper, read a few articles, go to museums, etc., it is all practice.

richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

dcahill

Mar 6, 2005, 10:42 AM

Post #6 of 13 (5008 views)

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Re: [raferguson] Language School recommendations?

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Hi there!

I'd like to thank you all for your recommendations and help -
I have started a shortlist of places, I'm checking them out one by one,
and I'm going to ring the Mexican Embassy tomorrow to sort out a visa application.

Thanks again for your help,
David.

bdlngton

Mar 6, 2005, 11:56 AM

Post #7 of 13 (5004 views)

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Re: [dcahill] Language School recommendations?

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David--This topic is currently being discussed on the Guadalajara/Chapala/Ajijic forum. Check it out
Susy

Marta R

Mar 7, 2005, 8:27 PM

Post #8 of 13 (4969 views)

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Re: [dcahill] Language School recommendations?

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With three months to spend, why limit yourself to one? If you go from one Instituto to the next, you should get a fine taste of the many Mexicos.

Marta

manda405

Mar 16, 2005, 7:23 PM

Post #9 of 13 (4886 views)

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Re: [dcahill] Language School recommendations?

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I learned Spanish the best way possible, I lived in Mexico, submerged in the Mexican way of life. Other than my husband and one of his cousins, no one spoke english. I learned by trail and error and my sisters-in-law laughed at me frequently. We are the best of friends now and I can hold my own in just about any subject. Automotive terms still get me though. My recomendation: La Escula de "TV"!! The Novelas helped me out a lot and I also watched Dora la Exploradora.

misslyn

Mar 22, 2005, 5:03 PM

Post #10 of 13 (4814 views)

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Re: [dcahill] Language School recommendations?

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Encuentros in Cuernavaca (http://learnspanishinmexico.com/) is excellent. My homestay was only a block away and the hostess the best cook in town (she gave us cooking classes too). Also Instituto Miguel de Cervantes in Guanajuato (www.spanish-immersion.com). The school is some distance from town where most of the homestays are, but the school provides transportation. There are some beautifully decorated apartments on the school grounds as well. Both cities are interesting in their own ways, and both can be reached by bus from the Mexico City airport. Guanajuato is actually closer to Leon but fares will be higher.

Enjoy!

jerezano

Mar 26, 2005, 9:52 AM

Post #11 of 13 (4773 views)

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Re: [dcahill] Language School recommendations?

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Hello dcahill,

Three months in Mexico! Wonderful! Enjoy!.

Now to answer your questions:

1. Practically all major tourist destinations and larger cities have Spanish language schools which can help you. As recommended earlier make a google search. With almost all schools you can plan one week, two weeks, three weeks or a whole three months. Expenses vary. So do the classes from one hour a day to 6 or 8 hours a day. So do the after hours options. One-on-one lets you specify exactly how much time you devote to lessons and how much time to vacations. Clearly some schools are better than others. Some offer college credits, others do not. Be sure and pick a school which offers a placement examination. If they don't offer that you may find yourself in a completely inappropriate class, but even so you can usually change with no problem.

2. For that reason you should plan your vacation as a vaction. Decide where you want to go and what you want to see and do. Then fit the Spanish classes and home stays into that.

3. I would like to mention Harmon Hall for classes. So far as I know, and they may no longer offer this option, but they were the only Spanish language school which used to offer continuing classes in other cities. For example you could in the past take a week in Mexico City, go to Guadalajara and continue with a second week and then to Oaxaca for a third week, etc. That is a big advantage in that you would progress instead of starting over or being place in inappropriate classes. Of course one-on-one instruction avoids that but you must clearly know your own needs. After a year of Spanish instruction at the University level, you should know your own needs.

I wish you lots of good luck, although you won't really need good luck. Just enjoy.

Adios. Jerezano.

wstut

Aug 2, 2006, 7:29 AM

Post #12 of 13 (4040 views)

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Re: [dcahill] Language School recommendations?

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Here two websites who have Spanish schools listed in Mexico.

http://www.studyspanish.com/
http://www.123teachme.com/

Wouter
Learn Spanish in Mexico

CuernavacaFan

Aug 6, 2006, 12:43 PM

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Re: [wstut] Language School recommendations?

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My advice is stay away from the 123teachme website. It is bogus, favoring schools that pay them money, and making up their own rankings based on that. The most highly ranked schools in Mexico are generally found in Cuernavaca. My recommedation based on much research and experience is Instituto Chac-Mool in Cuernavaca..