Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Think Spanish Free Article
Travel to Spain and learn about one of Barcelona's most famous neighborhoods while improving your Spanish! Enjoy this month's free Think Spanish article: El Barrio Gótico de Barcelona.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Cool School of the Month - MAA Spanish School
Miguel Angel Asturias Spanish School
We are very excited about our ‘Cool School” this month because it’s our first school in Guatemala. Miguel Angel Asturias Spanish School is located in the beautiful town of Quetzaltenango (aka Xela, pronounced "shay-la"), Guatemala. Quetzaltenango is the second largest city in Guatemala and is nestled high in the mountains, in the heart of the Sierra Madres. Quetzaltenango’s high altitude ensures warm days, cool nights and best of all, no mosquitoes. Old cobblestone streets and Spanish architecture make this a picturesque city a walking paradise.
Many people say that Guatemala is the best place in the world to study Spanish! Guatemalan Spanish is universal and clearly spoken, making it easier to learn and useful for speaking with native speakers from any other Spanish speaking country. While studying Spanish in Quetzaltenango, you will only hear Spanish on the streets. As a result, students have more opportunity to interact with the local population and participate in Guatemalan life. Few Guatemalans speak English, so it is a true immersion experience. The inviting and friendly people of Guatemala make this town even more delightful.
MAA was founded in 1995 by three highly experienced Guatemalan Spanish teachers, and continues today under the same administration and ownership. They are not part of a chain nor owned by a corporation. The owners are highly experienced Spanish teachers and run the school on a day-to-day basis. We love the fact that they are always there to support the students and teachers and maintain the high quality of the school. Over the years many experienced teachers have been added to the staff. All of their teachers are university students or graduates, have completed the MAA teacher training program, and have completed or are attending the Spanish teacher certificate program of the University of San Carlos, Guatemala.
The method of teaching at MAA is exceptional! ALL of their classes are one-on-one individual classes. Individual one-on-one instruction for five hours a day is the ideal way to learn a foreign language! Also, since every class is private tailoring the studies to your level, whether it’s beginning or advanced, is simple. Your classes will be geared exactly to your needs. For a lot of people being in a classroom setting can be intimidating or confusing when people are at varying levels. We can’t stress enough how valuable one-on-one classes are. Individualized classes are proven to result in far greater progress than you will see in a classroom!
And it gets better! Not only do you get one-on-one classes, but the classes are surprisingly affordable! We have not seen prices this low anywhere else from such a reputable Spanish school. The tuition of US $150 per week covers 25 hours of private class and homestay, including three meals a day seven days a week.
They also offer optional afternoon and weekend trips during your stay. Some of the activities and attractions you can experience nearby include: visiting a Mayan village and experiencing authentic Mayan rituals, trips to a local a weaving community, exploring the wonderful market of Chichicastenango, hiking around spectacular Lake Atitlan and to natural hot springs, salsa lessons, and local parties or events to truly feel what it’s like to be part of life and the culture of Guatemala. Activities and trips are an integral part of the MAA program, and the cost of organizing and leading them is included in the cost of tuition. Personal expenses, however, such as bus fare, food eaten out, hotel (on overnight trips), and park or museum admission, are extra but are very low in Guatemala.
We know that all of this sounds almost too good to be true.. but it’s not! You can read what some of the other student’s are saying on the MAA website. And since their administration offices are located in the United States they are very accessible and will answer questions quickly and thoroughly.
We highly recommend studying Spanish with MAA Spanish School. We hope that many of you will book with MAA for your next study abroad trip and we can’t wait to hear all about it when you return!
We are very excited about our ‘Cool School” this month because it’s our first school in Guatemala. Miguel Angel Asturias Spanish School is located in the beautiful town of Quetzaltenango (aka Xela, pronounced "shay-la"), Guatemala. Quetzaltenango is the second largest city in Guatemala and is nestled high in the mountains, in the heart of the Sierra Madres. Quetzaltenango’s high altitude ensures warm days, cool nights and best of all, no mosquitoes. Old cobblestone streets and Spanish architecture make this a picturesque city a walking paradise.
Many people say that Guatemala is the best place in the world to study Spanish! Guatemalan Spanish is universal and clearly spoken, making it easier to learn and useful for speaking with native speakers from any other Spanish speaking country. While studying Spanish in Quetzaltenango, you will only hear Spanish on the streets. As a result, students have more opportunity to interact with the local population and participate in Guatemalan life. Few Guatemalans speak English, so it is a true immersion experience. The inviting and friendly people of Guatemala make this town even more delightful.
MAA was founded in 1995 by three highly experienced Guatemalan Spanish teachers, and continues today under the same administration and ownership. They are not part of a chain nor owned by a corporation. The owners are highly experienced Spanish teachers and run the school on a day-to-day basis. We love the fact that they are always there to support the students and teachers and maintain the high quality of the school. Over the years many experienced teachers have been added to the staff. All of their teachers are university students or graduates, have completed the MAA teacher training program, and have completed or are attending the Spanish teacher certificate program of the University of San Carlos, Guatemala.
The method of teaching at MAA is exceptional! ALL of their classes are one-on-one individual classes. Individual one-on-one instruction for five hours a day is the ideal way to learn a foreign language! Also, since every class is private tailoring the studies to your level, whether it’s beginning or advanced, is simple. Your classes will be geared exactly to your needs. For a lot of people being in a classroom setting can be intimidating or confusing when people are at varying levels. We can’t stress enough how valuable one-on-one classes are. Individualized classes are proven to result in far greater progress than you will see in a classroom!
And it gets better! Not only do you get one-on-one classes, but the classes are surprisingly affordable! We have not seen prices this low anywhere else from such a reputable Spanish school. The tuition of US $150 per week covers 25 hours of private class and homestay, including three meals a day seven days a week.
They also offer optional afternoon and weekend trips during your stay. Some of the activities and attractions you can experience nearby include: visiting a Mayan village and experiencing authentic Mayan rituals, trips to a local a weaving community, exploring the wonderful market of Chichicastenango, hiking around spectacular Lake Atitlan and to natural hot springs, salsa lessons, and local parties or events to truly feel what it’s like to be part of life and the culture of Guatemala. Activities and trips are an integral part of the MAA program, and the cost of organizing and leading them is included in the cost of tuition. Personal expenses, however, such as bus fare, food eaten out, hotel (on overnight trips), and park or museum admission, are extra but are very low in Guatemala.
We know that all of this sounds almost too good to be true.. but it’s not! You can read what some of the other student’s are saying on the MAA website. And since their administration offices are located in the United States they are very accessible and will answer questions quickly and thoroughly.
We highly recommend studying Spanish with MAA Spanish School. We hope that many of you will book with MAA for your next study abroad trip and we can’t wait to hear all about it when you return!
Free Think Spanish Article of the Month
It's a new month and time for another great article from Think Spanish!
Improve your Spanish while learning about Ecuador's traditional drink: La Chicha.
Click here to read the article and listen to the accompanying audio.
Improve your Spanish while learning about Ecuador's traditional drink: La Chicha.
Click here to read the article and listen to the accompanying audio.
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