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dtleonard

Aug 12, 2005, 6:55 AM

Post #1 of 6 (3539 views)

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Language schools in San Miguel de Allende

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I am tentatively planning to spend a month in San Miguel de Allende in July 2006 to attend a language school and study Spanish. I am leaning towards the Instituto Habla Hispana because their program seems quite comprehensive and they arrange homestays as well. However, I have also considered the Instituto Allende, because of it's good reputation as an academic institution.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Do you have experience with either of these schools? How about a homestay as opposed to renting an apartment or room. I felt that living with a family would provide more security to a female alone and provide more of a total immersion in the language and culture.

Please comment! I am anxious for your opinions and advice.

Thank you!

misslyn

Aug 12, 2005, 5:21 PM

Post #2 of 6 (3518 views)

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Re: [dtleonard] Language schools in San Miguel de Allende

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Check out the Guanajuato/San Miguel forum. There's a lot of searchable information, and a current discussion about those schools going on right now.

Lyn in San Diego

raferguson

Aug 12, 2005, 9:19 PM

Post #3 of 6 (3513 views)

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Re: [dtleonard] Language schools in San Miguel de Allende

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The Instituto Allende is pretty well run. I took a sculpture class there a few years ago, but have no direct experience with the language school.

I think that a home stay is preferred for the total immersion experience. If you spend your out of class time hanging out with other English Speakers, you will not learn as much. Nothing to make you speak like traveling where no one speaks English! I am usually the best Spanish Speaker, so I am out front all the time when we travel, asking questions, negotiating with taxi drivers, you name it. Listen to what people say, the daily Spanish is what you want to say also. Often the textbook Spanish is very formal, or dated, or for some other country.

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

jerezano

Aug 15, 2005, 7:25 PM

Post #4 of 6 (3489 views)

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Re: [raferguson] Language schools in San Miguel de Allende

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Hello,

Raferguson is right. Home stay by all means. And security is not the problem. As a tourist visiting San Miguel de Allende there is very little probability of running into any kind of security problem. Even pickpockets and bag stealers seem to respect the tourist realizing that the livelihood of their relatives is dependent on the tourist.

The home stays are all arranged, checked, rated, and maintained at decent standards by the various language schools. The experienced hosts are all dependent as well on the student and the student's recommendations for their economical well being. So, you will be treated well, in a friendly manner, and your hosts will always be available to speak with you and help you with your Spanish. Many of them speak English but will refuse to do so just to help you along. After 19 years in Mexico in a far off location, I still correspond occasionally with my first host family in San Miguel de Allende.

As for the various institutes, you need to choose the one which offers you the best instruction. Many people choose the Instituto de Allende because they can take instruction in other things as well as just the Spanish language, thus combining art or cooking or other subjects with the Spanish. In my opinion that is not your goal. Concentrate on a heavy daily grind in Spanish. The frosting on the cake can come later.

Good luck and enjoy your stay in SMA.

Adios. jerezano.

dtleonard

Aug 16, 2005, 5:51 AM

Post #5 of 6 (3481 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Language schools in San Miguel de Allende

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Thank you all; this is very helpful. I am grateful for any information/suggestions.

Debbie

wstut

Aug 2, 2006, 7:24 AM

Post #6 of 6 (2983 views)

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Re: [dtleonard] Language schools in San Miguel de Allende

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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