|
SPANISH COURSES AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN COSTA RICA
The locations
- Heredia Campus: It is a privately-owned nature reserve comprised of 5 acres and a Spanish Institute located in Santa Barbara of Heredia.
The Campus includes around 50 different kinds of native trees and plants, more than 80 species of birds, and a large river bordering the property. The site has six conveniently connected buildings that house 10 classrooms, administrative offices, and lots of space to study and rest.
- Punta Morales Beach: A beautiful, small and almost private beach at the Pacific Coast.
Punta Morales is an almost protected area with beaches, mangroves, small mountains, rivers, etc, where you can enjoy exuberant flora and amazing fauna.
It also has a supermarket, restaurants and the Campus for Marine Biology from Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica. This community is only 30 minutes from Puntarenas main beach where you can find everything you may need: hotels, dancing places, bars, restaurants, internet cafés, a marine aquarium, art crafts centers to buy souvenirs, etc.
- Arenal Volcano: The school's partner hotel is a unique artistic design place with elegant facilities. It is located in la Fortuna de San Carlos just 10 minutes from the entrance of Fortuna Waterfall. The Resort has wonderful minigolf camp surrounded by the tropical rain forest and the spectacular view of the mountains and hills, which makes an unforgettable relaxing experience.
|
|
|
|
|
The institute
The Spanish Language Department is committed to excellence in teaching, training, and lifelong learning, as in providing quality, innovative and adaptative programs and services which meet the academic, cultural and work force needs for the Spanish language.
The Volunteers Department has the mission of engaging individuals and groups in meaningful volunteer opportunities that meet real needs, by providing access to resources, training, consultation, and support.
|
|
The classes
- General Spanish language program: It is an intense but simple Spanish language review. This course includes Spanish grammar rules, emphasis on pronunciation and allows for practice time for verbal and written Spanish. The goal of this program is to provide the student with basic language skills and functional fluency.
- Spanish language professional program: There are courses for school educators, social workers, medical professionals, environmental sciences, business Spanish, airport staff and veterinary Spanish.
- Spanish special programs: High school students program, kids program, Christmas program, Christian Spanish programs.
- Private lessons: Participants with special Spanish needs or those without enough time can choose private lessons. Students can also combine group classes with private lessons.
- Seminars: TEFL (basic Spanish skills and English teaching), Real estate (Spanish language lessons focused on Real Estate relates issues) and ELE (training for Spanish teaching for those with a high level of Spanish). |
|
The accommodation
The accommodation is normally homestay with a Costa Rican family with 3 meals a day and laundry service once a week. For Arenal Volcano the accommodation is in the hotel.
The accommodation with a family would be the best option for experiencing the Costa Rican culture and it is also excellent for improving the language. Anyway, if you prefer another kind of accommodation, you can always look for something by yourself.
Social and cultural activities
Every week the institute organizes some activities such as a going out on the town, going to the theater, concerts, clubs and other gatherings. They post the schedule for the week on the board at the entrance.
The institute hosts a small travel agency in their Campus, to have access to better prices for their clients and to bring them to the most amazing, popular and also undercovered places in Costa Rica. You can benefit from the trips (volcanoes, beaches, rainforests,...) that this agency organizes.
Participants of any of the programs are welcome to join latino dancing lessons with no cost. Classes are taught every week and they are always fun and worthwhile for all participants.
And finally, enjoy their special and unique Costa Rican Fruits & Nuts Lesson with no cost. There are around 10 different kinds of fruits in their amazing 5 acres Campus.
This is a special class to know more about the Costa Rican natural medicine and all what they do with fruits and nuts.
|
 |
|
 |
|
Volunteer Programs
Make sure your Spanish level matches the project's language requirements. All projects require some Spanish but the levels do vary. The institute offers you the following programs:
- Health (for medical volunteers): You will support local doctors and nurses in local clinics, hospitals, senior care centers, etc. High intermediate Spanish level is required.
- Children: You can help in orphanages,
children day camps, school soup kitchens, children's community homes, etc. Intermediate Spanish level is required.
-
Community (social workers, psychologists, or sociologists are encouraged): In this program you will immerse yourself in the activities of the community: working with local groups, communal associations, youth groups, women groups and sports organizations.
Advanced Spanish level is required.
- Teaching (teachers are welcomed):
Volunteers will help children in Costa Rica's primary schools and high schools receive a better education, especially being English teacher assistants. Intermediate Spanish level is required.
- Eco-agro projects (biologists and vets are welcomed):
You can volunteer in national parks&reserves, zoos&animal care centers, turtles projects and eco communities&organic farms. Beginner Spanish level is required.
- Combo packages:
to provide several amazing experiences in just one trip
(challengers, camp, mini-adventure, seasonal breaks and escapes).
|
|
|
|
Fees
Click here to see the fees of the courses depending on their length as well as the different options of accommodation. Fees
[APPLY FOR THIS SCHOOL]
[BACK TO SPANISH COURSES]
| |
