Spanish Language Programs in Mexico
- See Also: More Spanish Language Programs Abroad ... Spanish Summer Camps
Parent Q&A
Archived Q&A and Reviews
How safe are language programs in Mexico recently?
October 2011
I wonder if programs in places like San Miguel de Allende or Cuernavaca are still safe for high school students during the summer given all that's going on in Mexico. I have been to both of these places myself in the past - I went to an immersion school in Cuernavaca in the 1990's. However times have changed.
I prefer that he learn Mexican Spanish rather than go to Spain for an immersion program given the large Mexican population where we live. He's in honors Spanish three currently and excels in foreign languages. We'd like to see him go to a really good program so he can make the most out the experience. Some programs are more intensive than others.
Advice? Thanks
My teenage son and friends took classes at Queretaro Language School the summer before last and had a good experience. The school can arrange for homestays, too. Here is their website: http://www.queretarolanguageschool.com/. Queretaro is a colonial city a couple of hours north of Mexico City and is still quite safe. Jennifer
I am from Laredo Texas and still have family on both sides of the border, but I would not send my child now to study in that or other border areas. However, I have twice attended the Kukulcan language school in Cuernavaca, first for 2 weeks in December of 2008. I liked it so much I returned for a month in the summer of 2010. That second time my 16 year old daughter also came. We both felt as safe living in Cuernavaca as we do now living a very short distance from parts of Fruitvale and other Oakland areas that have higher violent crime rates than Mexico. In other words, it's specific areas or neighborhoods, not whole cities or countries that are more or less safe to live in. Kukulcan is one of many Cuernavaca language schools, and I found it especially supportive and sensitive to whatever questions or concerns any of its students may have. I believe that the people getting caught in violence in Mexico are Mexicans in specific neighborhoods where drug gangs are operating or recruiting, not the general population and not tourists. My daughter also had a wonderful time studying and socializing there, but understood and followed some common sense rules about what is and is not safe behavior re drinking, getting rides, staying out late, etc. Having said that, when my daughter returned to Mexico this past summer, she went to the Oaxaca area through the Amigos de las Americas program, which continues to operate in the state of Oaxaca. So you could consider a school there, or perhaps the Amigos program, which I highly recommend. My daughter returned from Amigos with greatly enhanced fluency in Spanish language, plus ongoing Facebook exchanges (in Spanish) with youths in Mexico and newfound plans to continue learning and involvement re people, culture, and political issues for our neighbors to the south.
a careful Mom pleased with recent experiences in Mexico
Last year my son went to Costa Rica for a Spanish immersion program given by LPI abroad. They cancelled their Mexico sessions and had those kids join other sessions in other countries. I don't know if they ended the Mexico trips because of the danger or because enough kids didn't enroll. (I wouldn't let my son go to Mexico because of possible danger.) At least one other company did the same.
IF you are looking for a good immersion program I highly recommend this company. My son loved it and came back with a phenomenal improvement in his Spanish. I loved their organization, their oversight of the kids and everything about it. Their website is http://www.lpiabroad.com/ Linda
While I cannot speak for every exchange organization, I can tell you that my organization (Center for Cultural Interchange, www.cci-exchange.org) relies heavily on our partners in each country, the State Department and its Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and The State Department's Office of American Citizen Services and Crisis Management (ACS - works with our overseas embassies and consulates to provide emergency services to Americans abroad).
It's ultimately up to the parents to decide if they are comfortable with the safety precautions that are in place provided by our Department of State and the government of the visited country.
The DOS says the following about Mexico: Millions of U.S. citizens visit Mexico safely each year. Visitors should remain alert and be aware of their surroundings at all times, particularly when visiting the border region. In its efforts to combat violence, the Government of Mexico has deployed federal police and military troops to various parts of the country. Government checkpoints, often staffed by military personnel, have been erected in many parts of the country, especially, but not exclusively, in the border area. All travelers to Mexico should review the Department of State's Travel Warning for Mexico that provides detailed information about security threats throughout the country.
DOS, travel warning for Mexico: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5440.html
Another webpage to take a look at: http://studentsabroad.state.gov/
Hope this helps. Candace
We think that Oaxaca, Mexico is a beautiful and safe place to study and live.
My daughter works in Oaxaca for an organization that provides service-based immersion programs - it's called ProWorld [www.ProWorldVolunteers.org]. Participants can become involved in volunteer projects while taking language lessons and living with a homestay program.
My daughter has participated in projects and lived in Oaxaca for the past 8 months (and we visited her there and had a wonderful time). She feels completely safe, travels throughout the area, and loves the amazing art, food and people. m.
Summer volunteer/language camp in Mexico
Feb 2011
Our 15 year old daughter is interested in a camp of some kind in Mexico. Has anyone participated in either a language camp, or a volunteer-type camp, for teens? Any suggestions or links are appreciated! No more boring summers!
There's a Spanish language school in Cuernavaca called Universal (http://www.universal-spanish.com/) that offers programs for children and teenagers to learn Spanish. I highly recommend it for kids or adults.
If your child already knows some Spanish... my kids went to Camohmila several times and liked it. It's in Tepoztlan, near Mexico City. Most of the kids are from Mexico City and everything is in Spanish. It's YMCA run, non-religious, hiking, games, campfires...plain old camp fun. They stay overnight for a week, or longer if you want. Good luck. Loraine
July 2011
We just got back from San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, and can recommend Centro Bilingue very highly for either family Spanish classes while vacationing in San Miguel, or if you have an older teen who wants to spend time in Mexico brushing up on Spanish and staying in a homestay with a family. San Miguel is a very safe community, and the staff at the school really take care of the teenagers. Our 16-year old daughter is there right now and is thoroughly enjoying it. Duncan
Summer abroad for Spanish immersion for 16-year-old
Nov 2010
My son will be 16 on June 23, 2011. He would like to take a Spanish immersion program. He has had 2 years of high school Spanish. He was taking Spanish 3 this year but struggled so much that he dropped it. Is there a program that you recommend? He was thinking of Costa Rica, but is open to most any location. Are there any that will give him college credit? He could attend 3-5 weeks. Of course he would like some fun adventure excursions as well! Thanks. linda
I recommend Kukulcan, a wonderful Spanish school in Cuernavaca, Mexico. I spent a week there over New Year's 2 years ago, and also a month there last summer with my 16 year old daughter. Most of the students there are getting college credit. The two times I was there, we met many students from Texas, California, and Iowa, plus a whole group from France. During the summer I was happy to also have classmates who were closer to my age, such as a group of nutritionists doing a special culture/language course, and a group of ESL teachers. In the winter there was a group of pre-pharmacy students who came together from the same university. But there are also lots of ''Independent'' students like us, who don't come in a group but quickly make friends with their classmates. The students were friendly and the staff are all incredibly helpful. By the way, my daughter and I also decided to volunteer at an orphanage where one of the school's staff members regularly volunteers. That was a deeply enriching addition to our school experience. www.kukulcan.com.mx Kathryn
Spanish Intensive in Latin American country
Jan 2010
Hola! We would like to do a Spanish language intensive program with our 9 year old daughter this summer in Latin America. We have found several places but ideally we would like to find a school on the coast (with great snorkeling). We would like a small to medium sized town/city. Our fantasy is that we would learn Spanish in the morning and then go swimming/snorkeling in the afternoon. Does anyone have any suggestions? We would be happy to go anywhere in Latin America. Gracias! Madeleine
I was really happy with the language program at Se Habla La Paz in Baja California. I was there in 2003 or so. They have excellent teachers, optional homestays, and La Paz is a pretty town. Plusses for 9-year-olds: great ice cream and popsicle shops, fun knickknack shopping. Info: http://www.sehablalapaz.com/ Marta
Spanish Language school - Mexico? Guatemala?
Feb 2009
Hello, Can anyone offer a recommendation for traveling for a two-week Spanish Language school, either in Mexico or Guatemala? How recently have you been? How was the instruction, town, weather, costs, time to do other sightseeing, accomodations, etc.? We are considering such a trip, with a 13 year old (who would also be enrolled in school, but probably a different level of class/instruction). Any ideas about how to find a school, any to avoid, best times to go, etc. Our initial thought is to go over Xmas break - would such schools be open then? Any helpful advice (or places to avoid) appreciated. Gracias
My 25 year old son Carl writes... This summer I spent a month and a half at a Spanish school in Guatemala and had a great experience. There are now Spanish schools almost everywhere you look in Latin America, but while doing some research I found that Guatemala tends to be the least expensive.
I studied in Quetzaltengano, Guatemala (the locals use its nickname, Xela) at a school called El Nahual. It is a somewhat smaller school than most and has a focus on cultural and social awareness. All the profits go to supporting the after school center which is housed in the same building as the language classes. The director is very committed and the teachers are all excellent. The instruction was one-on-one for 4 hours in the morning and there are opportunities to volunteer at the after school center or in the community teaching English in the afternoons. I stayed with a host family which was set-up through the school. My classes and homestay (with room and board) cost about $140 a week.
Quetzaltenango itself is a safe city, the second biggest in Guatemala. It's in the mountains so it can get a bit chilly, especially during the winter. There's plenty of culture, good food, and lots of local excursions and things to do. The vibe is different from the other popular student destination in Guatemala, Antigua--the students are here to study and the city feels real, not touristy.
I would bet that schools would be open over Christmas break. Winter is definitely the slow season for most language schools so it would be worth checking out to make sure. The website for El Nahual is www.languageselnahual.com Sally
My husband and I lived in Guatemala for a year - we were in a small town in a rural area but studied spanish at a school for one week. We were in a city called Xela or Quetzaltenango. There were tons of programs there for studying spanish and doing a number of different activities in the area. There are many programs also in a town called Antigua. I'd recommend Xela as it is less touristy and maybe more authentic. There would also be more opportunity to actually speak spanish in Xela. Either could be great depending on what will be best for your family.
I've heard mixed things lately about safety in Guatemala, so you should consider that, too. My experience was 5 years ago and I felt quite safe then. Becky
I've been to language schools in both Mexico and Guatemala. Guatemala is cheaper but much more third world. It was an incredible experience but I got very sick (like every other student at the school/tourist I met there). I stayed in Quetzalenango AKA Xela (pronounced shayla). It was more out of the way and had less gringos around. I also really loved Antigua... beautiful town square with more tourist friendly cafes and such but one could easily slip into English speaking there. I'm pretty sue the school I went to no longer exists. A simple google search will find you one and they all emlpoy a school gringo to help you make arrangements. The school I went to had a service component as did most in Guatemala.
Both the Mexican and Guatemalan schools have home-stay options. The families charge the school rent and feed you 3 times a day. Schools will also match you with locals looking to improve their English skills for exchanges.
In Mexico I went Instituto Cultral de Oaxaca. They even have a website www.icomexico.com for more info. Oaxaca is soooo beautiful and very art oriented. At the school I learned weaving and pottery along with Spanish. There are a lot of cute little villages just a short bus trip away from the city and a longer (8 hour) bus ride brings you to the gorgeous oaxacan coast with lovely beaches (check out Puerto Escondido or the more touristy Hualtulco). There are definitely more English speakers around but I still learned a lot.
In either place at any school during christmas break you are likely to be in class with mostly college students on their break from school. Have fun! Stacia
Last summer our family (2 adults mid-forties, 13 year old boy and 9 year old girl) visited Guatemala and studied Spanish in Antigua.We had very! good teachers at this school: http://www.spanishacademyantiguena.com/index.html for us adults, one beginner and one advanced speaker. The teachers for our kids were fun but not that challenging to my kids. Both of my kids speak Spanish thanks to the fabulous dual immersion program in Berkeley. The school was not prepared for that but I am certain they would accomodate us better, if I had figured it out sooner. But don't get me worng, my kids had fun and spoke Spanish all morning long.
We paid per person last year $90/week school and $70/week for home stay with shared bathroom. The two rooms at our family were very small and simple, the food was surprisingly good. The lady of the house ate with us every meal, but one and made us speak Spanish. She was very giving and caring.
We had a wonderful time in Guatemala, travelled two additional weeks and enjoyed every moment. Contact me, if you want more info. I'll be happy to talk to you.
We took Spanish kids books to Guatemala and that is what I can suggest to every traveller: If every tourist to Guatemala takes one Children's book in Spanish language to Guatemala, we can make a difference! It's easy to give them away. If you have a source for more Spanish books and are willing to haul them, take them, including adult ones. If you need contacts, let me know.
Have fun - wherever you decide to go Claudia
Centro Bilingue de San Miguel
March 2007
Does anyone have experience with Centro Bilingue de San Miguel, in Mexico? My daughter, currently a sophomore, is interested a study abroad program in a Spanish speaking country. We are also looking into Experiment in International Living ....
YES: Send your children (and yourselves) to Centro Bilingue in San Miguel.
My daughters have attended Centro Bilingue de San Miguel http://www.geocities.com/centrobilingue/ and BEGGED to return. They learned a huge amount of Spanish, and have been inspired to learn more.
My older daughter has gone for 4 years in a row, starting at age 14; my younger daughter started last summer at age 15, and plans to return this summer.
We planned our family vacation so we could stop in San Miguel to meet the family that runs the school (Director is Sara Murillo). When we arrived in San Miguel, our daughters begged us to let them attend the school while my husband and I took side trips to the nearby towns.
There are classes for all age groups, activities for everyone, and a great sense of community. The school is a block from the centro (central square) in San Miguel. The teens made field trips to the local markets and to the orphanage, where they played with the young children; they have a fiesta every week, cooking lessons, and all kinds of activities. You can build the program you like (half day, full day, week, part of a week), and your child will learn and enjoy learning Spanish.
Say hello to Sara Murillo from us! Merry
We loved the Centro Bilingue's program when our family spent 3 weeks in San Miguel de Allende during the summer of 2005. Our children, then aged 9 and 11, really enjoyed the immersion day camp, while my husband and I went across the street in the adult program during the mornings, including language, history and cooking classes. The children's program is divided into age-based classes, and there was a lively group of teens, some of whom were there for the 3rd or 4th year in a row. I believe they do have homestay programs as well, although the people we happened to talk to were all there with their parents or in a group of friends with a parent supervising.
Great program, lovely people, wonderful town. Highly recommended! Here's the website: http://www.geocities.com/centrobilingue =Natasha
Spanish language program for parents & kids
Jan 2007
I'm looking for a Spanish language program in Mexico for myself, my partner and my two kids, ages 4 and 5. I've searched for programs on this list and the last posting was in 2005. We're especially interested in a summer program that will be fun for our kids but will also immerse them in Spanish. They are Guatemalan born so we're especially interested in a program in which they will be with other Mexican kids. However, our most important criteria is that they learn as much Spanish as possible. Thanks in advance for any advice. Carol
The SLI (spanish language institute) run by the Ramos family in Cuernavaca was great. But I was there as an adult and have no idea if they do kids programs... but the family that runs it is great. kevin
Family friendly language schools in Mexico
May 2006
We plan to take our family (including 2 daughters, ages 5 and 9) to Mexico for a few weeks this July. Checked the archive but wanted to see if anyone might have some more recent experiences with family friendly language schools in small Mexican towns. We have been looking mainly at Oaxaca, Guanajuato, and Cuernavaca and plan to study (though vacation style) and probably stay with a homestay family. We are open to having the kids either take fun spanish language classes and/or attend municipal camps. If anyone has had a particularly good (or bad) experience with any of the language schools, I would really love hearing about it. They all sound so good and it's hard to get a realistic idea from the websites. -- Mom dreaming in spanish
Check out the Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende: http://www.instituto-allende.edu.mx/ingles/summer.htm and http://www.instituto-allende.edu.mx/ingles/spanish.htm They have programs for both adults and children on the campus of their art school which also offers spanish classes. It is a beautiful colonial town with cobble stone streets. You can walk to just about anywhere that you want to go in town Melanie
Si, si! I can *highly* recommend the Centro Bilingue language school in San Miguel de Allende, where we spent 3 wonderful weeks last summer with our (then) 9 and 12 year old daughters. Their program is really superb - we met people there who were veterans of other Mexican or Costa Rican language schools, and all felt that the Centro was the best experience, in terms of the consistent quality of their teachers and their family-friendly program. Some people made this a yearly experience for their kids.
Centro Bilingue can take children as young as 4, on up through teens, who are put in small groups with children of the same age. The children's teachers were all warm, and kind, and spoke only Spanish to the kids. The days began gently, with warm up games such as ''loteria'' (bingo), and moved on to learning vocabulary, going out on walking field trips to the local mercado, coming back to a delicious lunch prepared on site (the kids also had cooking classes), some craft projects (all conducted in Spanish), more vocabulary and games. The kids had a great time and particularly enjoyed the expedition every Friday to a different local ''rancho'' where they would enjoy good food, meet some interesting animals, have a piqata, and come back to the Centro Bilingue for an end of week party, often with an amazing music or dance performance attended by the whole family, again accompanied by some great food. Other field trips included going to a paper machi factory where they painted maracas, a glass factory, a local restaurant, all of which they found very engaging.
The director, Sara, is an amazing woman who runs this place very well - in addition to the kids' summer camp which ran 8:30-1:00 every day, there were optional adult classes, also in small groups, run at many levels, including language, history, culture, cooking. I finally managed a much more sophisticated use of the subjunctive, while my husband stopped thinking Spanish was Italian with a different accent and also learned to make great tamales with complex salsas! We both became aficionados of
In the afternoon Sara also ran classes in English for local people, including free English classes to a group of girls from a local orphanage and a battered women's shelter to give them options to work in the local tourist industry.
Not only can we highly recommend Centro Bilingue, but the town of San Miguel is an easy introduction to Mexico. We were a little afraid that it would be too gringo-ized, but at least in late June it was not too overrun. Apparently Texans descend en masse to flee the heat of Houston or wherever after the 4th of July. The town is turned over to Canadians in the winter, which might be preferable to the Texan diaspora, depending on your point of view.
The walk from Centrol Bilingue to the ''Jardin'', the downtown plaza, is a matter of a few blocks. There are many great restaurants, it's easy to find rentals, or homestays. By the way, it may be a good idea to try to find a place with a pool, or get access to one, as even up in the highlands it can be hot in summer. The rainy season was supposed to begin in June but they were in the middle of a drought...There is a ''grotto'' out of town where you can swim, and a swimming club in town we didn't get to check out.
From a kid's perspective, the possibility of frequent visits to Cafe San Augustin, which specializes in three kinds of hot chocolate (Mexican, French and Spanish style) accompanied by delicious churros, is enough to justify any amount of time in language school. The frequent parades, fiestas, and other celebrations which seem to take over the town at frequent intervals can make things a bit noisy at times, but also very interesting (we opted to stay walking distance from the school but up the hill in a relatively quiet neighborhood).
The Centro also operates optional field trips for adults and/or families in the afternoons and weekends to places of local interest. Also highly recommended. There is no need to rent a car since you can walk or taxi cheaply everywhere in SMA, and either use Centro Bilingue or one of the other local tour companies to explore other areas - we loved our trip to Queretaro - the regional museum was great and we had an unforgettable meal there. Also loved our 3 day stay in the city of Guanajuato, or more precisely, in Valenciana at a lovely B, Estrella de la Valenciana, which the kids wanted to move in to. There's a lot to explore in the area! The historic importance of the region (where the ''Grito'' for Independencia began) gives you a lot of insight into a complex culture with a rich history.
Feel free to contact me with questions about San Miguel or Centro Bilingue...it's a great way to begin to become better acquainted with our neighbors to the south.
Here's the website: http://www.geocities.com/centrobilingue/summer.html
Buena suerte, y buen provecho! Natasha
Family Spanish Programs in Mexico
March 2005
I am looking for a language school in Mexico that offers an excellent program for young children (as young as 6). Does anyone have any recommendations?? ellie
I spent 5 months in Guanajuato with my partner and two kids (they were then 4 and 9). We went to a language school for adults and they went to a private school that was taught in Spanish and was located on the same site. I'm happy to talk to you about this - too much to say in one email and may not apply to you depending on how long you're going for. Feel free to email or call (528-8787). Amy
We are exploring a family program called Mexico4kids. The program is for a 10-day period at the end of July. It is located in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Check out their website at www.mexico4kids.com Hope this helps! Spanish Mom
Last summer we went to Instituto Bilingue in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico with my seven year old daughter. While my husband and I were in Spanish classes, she was in Spanish camp. She loved it more than any camp she's attended in the US. The counselors are all Mexican and are very warm and attentive. Less time is spent on sitting in formal lessons than in doing fun activities with the counselors conversing with the kids in Spanish. There are crafts, field trips, cooking lessons, etc,. - and the other kids at the camp were great. Being from Berkeley, there was a little culture shock at first re. sweets which are regularly available at camp - pan dulce, pinata, etc. but once I got used to that everything else was wonderful. Additionally, the Spanish lessons that we took were top-notch. I was in an advanced class and our instructor was a professor from Oregon State who teaches at the Institue in the summer. Highly recommended, if not the cheapest program going. They have a website. mmann
Oaxaca Mexico Language School
Jan 2003
We are thinking about going to Oaxaca and attending language school. Has anyone done this, and do you have any advice? My husband speaks Spanish pretty well and may not really need classes, but I am a true novice. I have heard that it is possible to live with families (who help you to practice), but don't know if that would work if we were two people and my 1 1/2 year old daughter. Any thoughts? Stevie
Our family attended a week of classes as Instituto Cultural de Oaxaca and we all thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Upon arrival they administer a brief test to place you at the right level. My husband and 9-year old son tested into their second level up from beginner and my 11-year old daughter and I into the fourth level. I believe there were about 12 levels.
They do arrange home stays, which most of the college and graduate school age students elected to take advantage of. The other students were from many countries, which added to the experience for us. We stayed in a hotel because we wanted our kids to be able to swim at a pool after class and we wanted to try and avoid getting sick (we didn't).
My son and husband ended up in a private tutorial for the week with an absolutely lovely indian woman who had a doctorate. They played games in Spanish and decided to have a lot of their classes outdoors in the beautiful garden at the Institute. My son cried when the week was over and he had to say goodbye to her. My daughter and I were in a larger class of about 8 students with a rather formal teacher. The instruction method was quite different from what my daughter was used to - her school was using TPR. Instead, this was grammar based. Less interesting, but she still enjoyed it and learned a lot. The daily schedule involved classes from around 9:00-12:00 followed by one hour of discussion outdoors. Then home for siesta, and return at 4:00 for two more hours of a cultutal enrichment activity (in Spanish of course). My son and I did cooking - again a private tutorial with a woman who took us to the market to buy ingredients then we cooked together in the Institute's kitchen. My husband and daughter did weaving with a woman who brought her three year old daughter each afternoon. They also offer a program where you are matched with a local who wants to improve his or her english for an hour of additional discussion each day.
We had great fun exploring the town of Oaxaca (stunningly beautiful), Monte Alban, and the restaurants. Everything is walkable. There were very few Americans there, so we felt as if we were truly in another land Not at all touristy. Definitely look into it! Debbie
We loved our month at the Instituto Cultural de Oaxaca. It is the largest language school in Oaxaca, and the real benefit to that is that there are lots of levels so you can find just the right fit for your ability. The day there is organized with small classroom instruction in the morning (until 1pm) and then in the afternoon you can do different workshop classes (cooking, pottery, weaving, dancing, etc) that are all taught in Spanish. They also pair you with a local conversation partner who usually wants to have some practice Speaking English, and you do a 50-50 Spanish-English conversation hour every afternoon. The end result was a full day (9-5 or 9-6) speaking Spanish with a couple of breaks. We really found that our language abilities grew in leaps and bounds while there.
The school can place you with a family or in an apartment (we opted for the apartment.) Most people I knew who stayed with families found it to be fine, although I don't know that they stayed there long enough to really build a relationship with them. But it would of course be a great way to reinforce the language practice.
The Insituto is a 10 or 15 minute walk from the Zocalo (main plaza) and most of the housing placements were quite close to the center of town. Good luck! And if you'd like to know more about it, please feel welcome to email me. Kathleen
I spent last summer with my two kids in Oaxaca. We did not stay with a family, although that would certainly have enhanced the language learning. Oaxaca was beautiful and interesting and our summer was terrific. The biggest issues were (a) finding and connecting with other kids and (b) finding places where the kids could run and yell and play. Regarding (a), I was surprised how hard it was to find local kids. I think staying in the center of town placed too far away from where most families live. And for some reason there were just very few travellers with children. Regarding (b), the Mexican zocalos and parques tend to be paved and landscaped. Very few parks the way we think of them. They sometimes found Oaxaca a bit physically stifling and urban. Our solutions were the hotel pool (small but effective), day trips to villages and ruins by bus, and going to several small and funky but fun water slide parks outside of town.
The language schools seemed fine but, perhaps again because there weren't many kids enrolled when we were there, they felt it was too much like school. The school we went to (ICC), spoke ONLY in Spanish, which they (9 and 6 yrs old) found confusing and alienating. Kevin
I recently took two weeks of Spanish classes at Solexico Oaxaca and was really pleased. It is a small school with small clases that are about 5 hours per day. There are many schools in Oaxaca that are geared more for college age people who spend their whole day at the school taking Oaxaca pottery classes and things like that. Solexico is more of a serious language only place though you can learn a ton about the culture in the conversation classes. I think it is much better for adults who want time after class with family. Their website is www.solexico.com gabriela
Language programs for a group of families
March 2002
I am looking for advice about Spanish language programs in Mexico (or Guatemala) that would be good for families. I am hoping to take a group of families (with kids ages 7-16) over winter holiday break. Thanks for any advice (or experiences). I am especially interested in hearing about programs in Cuernavaca, but tell me about anything you know about! Thanks. ellie
My daughter and a friend, who were fourteen at the time, studied Spanish in Cuernavaca, Mexico, last summer. They were part of a program organized by Language Link (www.langlink.com, info[at]langlink.com, (800)552-2051). The program was well organized and the kids enjoyed the experience, but they did not think the teachers were great. I would be glad to provide additional information.
Mar 2001
Check out Language Link, a broker for many Spanish immersion programs. Language Link
The teens aren't necessarily together, and most often when parent and child go together, they live in the same house. The teen program is basically the same format, just with a little more attention and guidance. They will group teens together in a class so that they are with their own age group. Also, this year the school plans to have a faculty buddy-mentor type for each teen and to organize some social events just for them. It still is a program which requires maturity and independence for the teens, as it is not extremely closely supervised.
The website explains that the program offers lots of side trips on the weekends, very inexpensive.
But there are many other programs at Language Link that you could discuss with Kay.
Maryl
Reply to person interested in summer Spanish programs in Mexico... Two years ago I took my daughter to Guanajuato, Mexico for Spanish language school. While there weren't other teens there, she did meet and hang out with some of the college-age kids, and teachers. You can check out language schools in general through the internet. I am going agaiin this year with my other daughter and am considering schools in Oaxaco and Cuernavaca also. I've read there is one in Cuernavaca that has had good success with teens but unfortunately, I don't know the name. I think it is hit-or-miss with whoever else ends up there. It was a great experience in any event. karen
Hello!
Not recent, but I spent two months in Oaxaca City in 2008 and attended Solexico. I don't know if the school is still there, but it was centrally located, had great teachers, and fun events. I was only supposed do attend for the first month but ended up staying almost the whole time because of my experience.
I did weekend trips to Puerto Escondido as well as Puerto Angel, so those are options as well if you want to stay in the city.
Good luck and have fun!
I loved Instituto Cultural de Oaxaca. It was a very friendly and welcoming program and a good diversity of ages and life experiences of students. They also had a great cooking class!! I was there about 15 years ago though so things may have changed but I loved it!
I had an excellent immersion experience at Anders Language School in Cuernavaca, outside Mexico City earlier this year. 1:1 tutoring. I was beginning Intermediate and did their 6-hour program for 7 days. You study and stay in a large house with a few other students. For me it was a perfect blend of group interaction and personal time in my own room (as opposed to staying in a hotel or with a host family). The teachers are all wonderful, patient, and engaging and the house staff are lovely. After that I spent a week in Mexico City using my Spanish and being a tourist in this fascinating city. Solo woman traveler hoping to return!
https://www.anderslanguages.com/en/index.html