Perú, cononcido por Machu Pichu y el Imperio Inca, es hogar de 28 millones de personas. Con una historia extensa, Perú esta cubierto de lugares arqueológicos. Los visitantes no solo se maravillan por la arquitectura monumental, sino que también pueden sumergirse en las costumbres y actividades tradicionales Incas. Por ejemplo, los viajeros pueden participar de la expedición Llama en Huaraz, las prácticas de agricultura en las islas del Titicaca o de las comunidades sagradas del valle del Cuzco, o compartir las tecnicas de forestación y granjería en Porcon.
Peru
Peru, known for Machu Picchu and the Incan Empire, is home to 28 million people. With an extensive history, Peru is covered with archeological sites. Not only can visitors marvel at the monumental architecture, but they can also immerse themselves in the traditional Incan customs and activities. For example, travelers can participate in the Llama Trek in Huaraz, the agricultural practices on the Titicaca Islands or Cusco’s Sacred Valley communities, or share in the forestry and farm-working techniques in Porcon.
Peru is also the perfect destination for adventure and nature lovers. The Andes Mountains are ideal for trekking, camping, and mountain-climbing. The highlands are covered with more than 15,000 lakes, snow-capped peaks soaring over 6,000 meters, the world’s deepest canyons, and picturesque villages. The entire Andean chain offers unlimited opportunities for whitewater rafting, countless trails for mountain biking, and gusting winds for fans of hang-gliding. In contrast, Peru’s beaches provide visitors with a chance to scuba dive, surf, swim, and fish.
ACUPARI Language School, located in a Spanish colonial home in the center of Cusco, is a non-profit cultural association whose objective — via its Spanish, Quechua, and German language programs — is to promote an intercultural dialogue between the people of different cultures who gather in Cusco. The school offers all levels of courses, as well as for the traveler and the professional. All teaching staff are certified native speakers who are continuously trained.
A free service to the students is the Tandem Conversation practice, where the student is paired with a Peruvian Spanish speaker so that each can practice each other’s language. Students are also invited and encouraged to participate in a variety of social and cultural activities, as well as volunteer opportunities throughout Cusco. Students have the opportunity to live with a host family where they eat family meals and join in on family conversations and activities, thereby using and developing their Spanish skills.
For further information, visit www.acupari.com
When Shirley Manrique, director of El Sol Spanish School, was asked why she recommend that students study Spanish at the school and not in their countries of origin, she gave us a long list of reasons: the purity of the Spanish spoken in Peru, personalized teaching by the institution, its methodology an know-how, the warmth of Peruvians, reflected in the host families, and many more.
It is difficult to choose one reason over the others or to put then in order of importance. All you need to do is to look at the visitor book, signed by students at the end of the effectiveness of the school’s methods. Some write in very good Spanish. Other – those who have studied for only a few days – prefer to use English, but proudly using phrases from their new Language. But all of them, through their words and photos, show how happy they are to have studied at El Sol.
The level of satisfaction is very high: more than 95% of students of many different nationalities. Though a majority come from North America and Asia, it has had German, Brazilian and Arab students. The methodology means that many languages can be heard in the same classroom.
Its courses are highly flexible, so that students can join classes and Monday without having to wait for a new group to star. The internal programs involve a maximum of five students. The school also provides external courses, made to measure for companies, embassies and NGOs, among others institutions. Students who cannot take the trip to Lima are encouraged to learn Spanish online with El Sol`s innovative “Web Spanish” program.
Christine Tsai is the editorial assistant for Language Magazine.
Colombia
Colombia, at the northwestern tip of South America, has the third largest Spanish-speaking population in the world after Mexico and Spain. It is ethnically diverse, and the interaction between descendants of the original native inhabitants, Spanish colonists, African slaves and twentieth-century immigrants from Europe and the Middle East has produced a rich cultural heritage. This has also been influenced by Colombia’s incredibly varied geography. The majority of the urban centers are located in the highlands of the Andes mountains, but the country also encompasses Amazon rainforest, tropical grassland, and both Caribbean and Pacific coastlines.
Founded in 1991, the EAFIT Language Center at EAFIT University in Medellin offers high quality language programs based on the communicative approach. Students can choose from classes that last two weeks, four weeks, or ten weeks. The center also offers a conversation program that provides participants with the opportunity to practice Spanish with native speakers on a one-to-one basis. The center’s cultural orientation programs also allow students to become familiar with Colombia’s diverse culture.
For further information, please visit www.eafit.edu.co/idiomas
La Sabana University is in Chía, right outside the capital city of Bogotá, nestled in the lush Andean mountains. A city famous for its multicultural, vibrant intellectual scene, Bogotá has long been known for its universities and its charming culture including theater festivals, world renowned museums, modern architecture and Spanish colonial neighborhoods, and Cumbia dancing. Colombia is a country rich in culture and surrounded by diverse natural landscapes including highlands, rainforests and tropical grasslands and two coasts. La Sabana offers a chance to experience this diversity and learn more about Colombian and Latin American business and economics, international relations from a Latin American perspective, and Latin American culture and society. Students can select from a range of region-specific courses including: Geo-Economic Restraints for Logistics Development in Emerging Countries, Colombia, Politics and Democracy in Latin America, From Mariachis to Samba: Culture, Politics and Society in 20th Century Latin America, Across the Andes in Search of Freedom, and Regional Trade Agreements. Students can transfer credits to their home institution.
Vive Español is a Spanish program run by Universidad de La Sabana´s Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures in Chia , Colombia. The main objective of the program is that students learn the language and improve communicative competences by working in the four language skills.
The program has eight different courses that students can choose from: General Spanish, Spanish for Tourism (conversational), General Spanish and Volunteer work, Spanish for Business Meetings, Spanish for Professionals (Business, Medicine, Law and Aviation), Tailor-made Spanish programs for companies, summer courses, and private lessons. The programs are flexible so students can choose when to start and for how many weeks.
All the facilities on campus such as the library, the university clinic, sports fields, and restaurants are shared with Spanish students. Accommodation and transportation assistance is provided by a dedicated support team. Students can take dance and culture classes at no additional cost.
The Instituto de Idiomas, located on the main campus of Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, offers a full range of intensive and semi-intensive Spanish programs. Its philosophy is to foster in students a respect for the diversity of Spanish speaking cultures and a desire to learn about them. The institute offers an intensive Spanish for Foreigners’ courses each year, as well as year-round programs tailored according to students’ needs. Each week, students spend around twenty hours in class studying grammar, reading/vocabulary, speaking/listening, and writing. Students have access to two fully-equipped language labs utilizing specialized software, a resource center, and a central library.
The Spanish for Foreigners Program combines multidisciplinary course offerings with a variety of social and cultural activities. Participants have the opportunity to become involved in intercultural exchange and understanding. Cultural activities include visits to local companies, tourist sites in Barranquilla and nearby cities such as Cartagena and Santa Marta.
LanguBridge Education Centre, Japan
With programs in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, LanguBridge’s summer Japanese programs are known for its intensive classes, a variety of culture activities and warm hearted host families. The classrooms are located in the center area of the city with easy access to subway and train stations, and the courses have a focus on improving the conversation skills. The programs include a variety of cultural activities, from tea ceremony to kimono, etc, the city trips include popular local attractions. The host families are carefully selected, they all have strong interests in sharing the Japanese culture with international students. The language immersion type programs focus on language learning through daily real life topics and integrated homestay culture experience, while the culture discovery type programs cover unique culture activities and long haul trips to places like Fuji Mountain, Kyoto, etc. Students are teens and youth from different countries of the world.
Link www.langubridge.org
Québec
Rivière-du-Loup
The 100% French-speaking community of Rivière-du-Loup is located on the south shore of the St-Lawrence River, some 200 km east of Québec City, in the heart of the beautiful Lower St-Lawrence region. Rivière-du-Loup has been a popular vacation area for more than a century with its spectacular natural environment and a perfect balance between the ocean and the countryside.
In Rivière-du-Loup, students are greeted with a warm welcome by this thriving community of 19,000 inhabitants who are always ready to share their enviable quality of life in the security of a small-town environment.
L’École de français du Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup has offered a French immersion program since 1974. In addition to French courses, our program also comprises a variety of cultural activities and excursions. Among the favorite excursions are recreational parks, beluga and whale watching as well as a two-day visit to Québec City not to mention an impressive variety of cultural activities in Rivière du-Loup.
For more information, please visit http://ecoledelangues.cegep-rdl.qc.ca/
Montréal
The second largest French-speaking city in the world
Students going to Montréal have the advantage of being at the hub of North-American history. The architecture of Montréal is so spectacular that they’ll think they’re walking through Europe when they head into Old Montréal.
The city is one of Canada’s most unique and lively cities, offering a perfect blend of the old and new. Culturally, there are few cities that beat it. There is little doubt that Montréal has some of the finest restaurants and bars in North America, a daunting number of museums located in and around the city and it goes without saying that shoppers will swoon at the sight of Montréal’s downtown core, with over 3,000 shops.
Among its internationally renowned festivals are the Montréal Just for Laughs Festival, the Jazz Festival, both featuring hundreds of different shows that attract thousands of visitors from around the world. The musical festivals of Nuits d’Afrique and Francofolies also offer free outdoor shows and a magical atmosphere.
Université de Montréal – Faculté de l’éducation permanente – École de français
Learn French in a renowned language school in Montréal, a city rich in culture and diversity. Each year, around 5,000 students attend the École de français of the Université de Montréal. With the many activities offered, students find themselves in the heart of the francophone culture.
For further information visit www.fep.umontreal.ca/french/index.html
Académie Linguistique Internationale
Montréal is famous for fabulous festivals, sizzling nightlife, European charm, and North American energy. Canada’s second largest city is also its bilingual city and a unique destination that gives you the opportunity to study and practice both French and English while enjoying its cosmopolitan, international atmosphere.
A.L.I.-Académie Linguistique Internationale, founded in 1993, is located in a modern high-rise building right in the heart of downtown Montréal. Students can choose both English and French language programs, participate in many extra-curricular activities and excursions, and stay with an English or French speaking family, or choose an apartment style shared residence.
A.L.I. offers quality programs, modern, spacious facilities with scenic views and a great location. Students can also take advantage of the unique option to study French or English, and receive free classes in the second language. Course options include: general French and English classes of all levels, TOEFL, TOEIC, DELF, TESL, Business Communication courses as well as Internships.
In the summer, youth from 8-15 years old can enjoy their Summer ESL/Sports Camp with university residence.
A.L.I. organizes many exciting activities and excursions that students can enjoy year-round including eating at the fine French and international cuisine in Montréal’s world renowned restaurants or exploring the night life on pub night, seeing the city from the lookout at beautiful Mount-Royal park, exploring colonial Old Montréal, or seeing the Canadiens hockey team among many other options. No other Canadian city is as ideally placed for visiting other cities: Québec city, Ottawa, New York, Boston, Toronto and Niagara are all within an easy day’s journey.
For more information visit www.studymontreal.com or contact: info@studymontreal.com
École Charade offers “à la carte” and general language training for companies and individuals, with classes taught onsite, online and at the school’s offices in the heart of downtown Montréal. French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese language courses are available on a private, semi-private and small group basis.
This year, Charade has redesigned its training programs for business people. Courses focused on business communication, language proficiency and directed conversation are now more specific than ever, with the balance of written and spoken language learning determined by participants. Participants can also opt for classroom, telephone of Internet instruction (Skype and webcam). In addition to its basic language courses, Charade offers special modules, with new workshops on Effective Business and Seminar Presentations, Negotiation Skills, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Networking available effective fall 2009 for corporate clients
Individuals benefit from the same course options as Charade’s corporate clients. As of this summer, those who love to travel can choose from crash courses in a variety of languages, including Castilian, Russian, Japanese, Arabic and Turkish. Instructors are all mother-tongue speakers of the languages they teach and delighted to share their cultural knowledge with participants who are preparing for trips
For more information, visit www.charadelingua.com
Member of the CEC Network, a network of Canadian schools renowned for its commitment to quality language training, M.I.I.L.A. offers Intensive English and French programs in a friendly atmosphere. Our school has a superb location, downtown Montreal, one step away from unique Ste Catherine street. We have built a reputation for providing high quality language courses and one of the many things students love here at MIILA are the small groups, with a maximum of 10 students. Our teachers use a very dynamic and interactive approach to teaching, results are impressive and students returned home mastering the language they came to learn! As there is always something happening in Montreal and practising English or French outside the classroom is also a great way to improve the every day language development, our Activities Coordinator make sure there are plenty of organised school activities which students can participe in. Be part of an experience you will never forget!
For further information visit www.miila.ca
Cataluña
Barcelona
Along Spain’s northeasterly coast lies Cataluña, the region that, perhaps somewhat unfairly, lays claim to both the urban center of Barcelona and the Costa Brava, or “wild coast,” with its rocky coves and turquoise Mediterranean vistas. The autonomous region is also the birthplace of surrealist icon Salvador Dalí and located just outside Barcelona is the museum that honors him, a fanciful burgundy structure crowned with enormous egg sculptures.
Barcelona, Cataluña’s capital, is fêted as cosmopolitan and sophisticated, and evidence in support of these monikers abounds: its Park Güell is only one of Gaudí’s countless architectural marvels with its circuitous benches and slanting colonnades. Santa María del Mar, a medieval Catalan gothic cathedral, was commissioned in honor of the capture of Sardinia, and its construction lends itself impeccably to the occasional concert that takes place inside. The bustling boulevard Las Ramblas is an outstanding example of the spirit of Barcelona, where numerous stands selling flowers, newspapers, or birds and an abundance of street performers, cafes, and terraces enrich the landscape. The exceptional climate and its sandy beaches make Barcelona an attractive tourist proposition year round.
The Catalan language is the pride of its people despite the suppression of its use until the 1970s under Franco’s dictatorship. Thriving in spite of such historical subjugation, this romance language can be heard abundantly throughout the region and is an official language alongside Spanish — its success gives outsiders prime insight into the resilience and determination of the Catalans.
Schools in Barcelona
For two years in a row (2006, 2007), The Wall Street Journal picked ESADE’s MBA program as the best in the world. There is no question that the school owes its reputation mainly to its business programs. However in addition to the business school, tourism, and law schools, ESADE has a prestigious language center. ESADE’s Executive Language Center offers Spanish intensive language courses, not only to foreign students already enrolled in any of the law or business programs, but to anyone interested in Spanish learning. One strong selling point of ESADE-ELC is its Barcelona location. The building was initially meant as a language instruction facility and now hosts both the MBA programs in addition to the language school. Another key to the success of the ELC is the quality of the professors; Delia Castro, head of the Spanish Department, was formerly the Head of the Master’s Program for Teachers of Spanish as a Second Language at the Universitat de Barcelona. The school policy allows a maximum of 10 students per group, facilitating individual attention. ESADE is also open to establishing tailor-made summer programs for foreign universities, which could include Spanish classes, company and cultural visits, and business-related topics, taught in either English or Spanish. Foreign students at ESADE experience life in one of the most beautiful cities in the world while studying Spanish at a prestigious business and language school.
For further info, visit www.esade.edu/spanish/eng
The School of Modern Languages of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), offers intensive Spanish courses running all year with start dates every month and tailor-made programs for groups. Courses enable students to make rapid progress and use Spanish in an effective and practical way. They also introduce students to the cultural and social customs of the country. The school’s teaching method is based on a communicative approach with a special focus on practicing oral expression, which includes interactive activities to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, students learn strategies to continue studying the language on their own. Teachers are qualified and experienced language teaching professionals, dedicated to providing a successful learning experience. The school is in an impressive art nouveau building, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the center of Barcelona. UAB Idiomes Barcelona also offers accommodation, visits to some of the many interesting local sites and events in Barcelona, and exchanges with local students. All courses are certified by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and are valid for university credits.
For further info, visit www.uab.es/uab-idiomes
abcCollege
Students can take 20 or 25 lessons per week for as long as they like, starting any Monday. Classes are held from Monday to Friday during the mornings or afternoons, and have an average of eight students. abcCollege is located in a modern building, custom-built to guarantee effective and comfortable language learning. All classrooms are equipped with audio-visual facilities. The school also has a large conference hall and a computer room with free internet access, as well as a penthouse bar-terrace with panoramic views of Barcelona.
It’s location in the city center, near the Plaza Molina, is well-connected by major metro and bus routes.
Camino Barcelona
Located in the center of Barcelona, Camino Barcelona provides on-site accommodation and offers a wide variety of courses in well-equipped classrooms with a maximum class size of ten. All classrooms are air-conditioned and it has a cafeteria, three sunny terraces, and free wireless internet connection. In the on-site student residence, students have the opportunity to enjoy en suite bathrooms, hydro-massage showers, balconies, modern kitchens, and flat-screen televisions in every apartment. The school is located in a lively street in the Eixample neighborhood, a ten-minute walk from Plaza Cataluña and Las Ramblas. Eixample is famous for its many shops, restaurants, and bars — where there are endless possibilities to meet people.
IH Barcelona
International House offers a wide range of top quality Spanish language courses in a number of Spain’s most exciting locations. These include Barcelona, Córdoba, Palma de Mallorca, Madrid, San Sebastián, Sevilla, Valencia, and Vejer (Cádiz). Apart from the language courses themselves, each school also provides a long list of other services including an airport meeting and transfer service, accommodation placement, engaging programs of social and cultural activities and opportunities to meet people from the local community. The details of the courses and other services on offer vary to an extent from school to school, but the quality of service is guaranteed by the fact that all the schools share the same rigorous and externally verified standards.
IH Barcelona is located in the center of that sensational city, within easy walking distance of all the most famous landmarks including the gothic quarter, the Ramblas, Gaudi’s most famous buildings, and the city’s sandy beach.
The school has an international reputation and is one of the largest teacher training centers in the world. Every year thousands of students and hundreds of trainee teachers take a course at IH Barcelona.
Students can follow an entire study program at IH Barcelona, or they can combine a period of study in Barcelona with a period spent in one of the other IH centers in Spain. In both cases, full time students from the U.S. can usually obtain study credits for the course from their own university or college.
inlingua Barcelona
At inlingua, students begin speaking Spanish from their first lesson. Spanish lessons use the inlingua method and focus on specific language skills such as speaking, grammar, listening, and pronunciation. Moreover, it is the only school within the inlingua network authorized to perform the DELE-exams, which are the only exams leading to official certification in the Spanish language. The inlingua Barcelona Spanish Department is located in an old, recently renovated building in the city center, and is equipped with all facilities necessary for a modern school of languages.
Kate Sommers-Dawes is assistant editor for Language Magazine.
Going Deutsch
Kate Sommers-Dawes explores destinations in which to learn the language of Goethe
Spreading from Germany throughout Austria, Switzerland, and beyond to become the most widely spoken language in Europe and the second most commonly spoken language in Eastern Europe (after Russian), the German language has become prominent in business, publishing, and research.
Germany, which possesses one of the world’s largest economies and is among its strongest exporters, also offers a host of business opportunities through its multinational corporations such as BMW and Siemens.
Berlin and Munich are among the most popular destinations for language immersion, however, quality schools are found throughout the country. There are various recognized German qualifications of which the most-widely recognized for university entrance are the DSH — Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber (German Language Test for College Admission for Foreign Students) and the TestDaF — Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (Test (of) German as a Foreign Language). The DZD (Das Zertifikat Deutsch) is an internationally recognized proof of a basic working knowledge of the German administered by the Goethe Institute, and the TELC certificates are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Berlin, the country’s capital, is crisscrossed with Radwege, or bike paths, providing an eco-friendly way to tour the city and its sights. Museums are plentiful and their diverse exhibits cover topics ranging from the Ramones to Jewish history to Checkpoint Charlie, the access point between the former East and West Germanys. Modern art installations abound, such as the Badeschiff, an old cargo container transformed into a public pool as part of a city arts project on the city’s River Spree.
As the capital of the federal state of Bavaria, Munich is located near the base of the Alps and is another bike-friendly city. Millions descend upon the city each year for its world-renowned Oktoberfest, but Munich is also distinguished by its historic architecture, numerous parks, and National Theater, a luminous art space that has played host to the premier productions of opera giants, including Wagner’s Das Reingold. Heidelberg’s romantic Philosopher’s Walk and its fairy tale castle and the towering spires of Hamburg’s many churches add elements of diversity to Germany’s landscape, making the country a unique destination for the language traveler.
German Immersion Schools
Berlin Language Center — Iberika Group
The German capital has recently become one of the most attractive capitals of Europe, evident in the millions of tourists that visit Berlin each year, drawn to the history of the city as well as its cultural and artistic wealth, nightlife, and extraordinary festivals. Berlin’s lifestyle is perfect for learning German, because it is easy to meet new people and practice the language in its cosmopolitan atmosphere. The Iberika Group was founded in 1996 as a representative of the languages of the Iberian Peninsula.
Since 1999, the center has offered a wide range of German courses designed for visitors from abroad; from intensive to semi-intensive as well as long term programs. The center is an official TELC center and DZD examiner, and provides expert preparation for the DSH. The team of instructors is composed of highly qualified native speakers with extensive experience, and classes are small so that every student receives personal attention. The school organizes guided tours of the city by boat, bike, or on foot as well as various excursions to lakes and cities nearby.
The accommodations have been specifically chosen to provide students with a comfortable and pleasant stay in Berlin.
For further information, visit www.iberika.de
GLS Campus Berlin
prides itself as the only language school in Germany with its own campus, which is located in a trendy district in central Berlin, and consists of a garden, two student residences, a restaurant, and book store. In October 2008, GLS Berlin was voted “best language school in Germany” by educational travel professionals in more than 60 countries. GLS offers German language courses all year round and is an official testing center for the DZD.
For further info, visit www.gls-german-courses.de
Six months ago, the A – Z Deutsch school…
was opened in Freiburg by three experienced teachers intent on creating a relaxed school with dynamic teaching. Students can start on any Monday and after classes, computer exercise programs are available for individual study along with flexible evening classes. Also on offer are a variety of activities such as guided city tours and evening get-togethers. The school offers German intensive courses at all levels and prepares students for exams like TestDaf and DSH, which must be passed before studying at a German university. Accommodation and tandem partners can be arranged.
Students who learn German in Berlin study in the heart of Europe, in a city of contrast and fusion: East meets West, history meets future, arts meet underground. As a European center of politics, culture, and arts, thousands of students are attracted to Berlin’s unique cultural vibrancy, sizzling creativity and raw charm. Freie Universität Berlin is one of Germany’s premier institutions of higher education, founded in 1948, with an enrollment of about 32,000 students.
The university has a large percentage of foreign students and numerous partnerships with foreign universities. The university offers two ways to learn German, both in line with the American academic calendar. FUBiS offers intensive four to six week-long sessions in the summer or winter in which students can earn academic credits. Students in FU BEST, the Berlin European Studies Program, commit themselves to a full term or even a year at FU Berlin.
Both programs offer intensive German language classes at various proficiency levels and subject classes in cultural studies, art history, comparative literature, the European Union, German history, German and European politics, sociology/psychology, film studies, comparative religion, and philosophy mostly taught in English by distinguished German and international faculty.
During various field trips students explore the German capital, enjoy Berlin’s rich museum landscape, monuments and memorials, concerts halls and opera houses, stage and movie theaters, pubs and clubs, and range of recreational offerings. Students are offered a choice of housing options, including home stay.
The German Academic Triangle is made up of the Universities of Dortmund, Bochum, and Duisburg-Essen and is an alliance of innovative universities along the Ruhr river, called the University Alliance Metropolis Ruhr.
The universities are currently selecting American university partners for the co-development of language and learning programs, focusing especially on dynamic programs for engineering, natural and social sciences students. Currently-offered programs include Dortmund’s International Summer Program (ISP), which allows students from partner universities to learn German while taking experiential courses in applied engineering, mathematics, and European business, Bochum’s REACH program, where German lessons and global competency training are combined with hands-on summer research internships in Bochum’s laboratories, and Duisburg-Essen’s Automotive Summer program, focusing on courses in robotics and automation, combined with German culture and language classes.
Hessen International
Now that courses are widely offered in English, students without German language skills can take advantage of Germany’s excellent reputation in fields such as engineering, business, and the sciences. The school’s students want to can earn credits in their major while gaining insight into German culture and a head start at learning the language.
At the Hessen:ISUs — Hessen International Summer Universities – a diverse group of students meet at universities in the scenic and lively state of Hessen to participate in four-week long summer sessions in fields as diverse as Bioethics and Law, European Integration, Environmental Engineering, and Music Therapy. The five locations in Frankfurt, Fulda, Giessen, Kassel, and Marburg represent the diversity of the state with a major financial capital, a Baroque city surrounded by rolling hills, and one of Germany’s most charming university towns, complete with half-timber houses, winding rivers, and cobblestone streets once traversed by the Brothers Grimm.
Language courses – at all levels – are mandatory at each of the Hessen:ISUs, but learning also comes naturally through day-to-day interactions with German students and people in the towns and cities where the courses are located. At the University of Kassel, students live with host families and are assigned German “tandem partners” to practice their growing language skills and programs include excursions which take advantage of Hessen’s own natural and cultural resources, as well as its location right in the center of Germany.
Trips to wind farms for the groups working with renewable energy or the European Central Bank for the finance majors coexist alongside rafting, hiking, and, of course, exploring castles, museums, and cafes.
Munich is a safe and beautiful city filled with both old world tradition and all the vitality and culture of a big city with a small town atmosphere. In less than an hour on public transportation lie the Alps with their beautiful castles surrounded by rolling hills and glistening lakes.
The Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU)…
is located in the heart of the city and is one of the leading research universities in Europe. Fifteen percent of its approximately 44,000 students come from abroad. During the summer months, LMU offers an extended program of German language courses and other Summer Academies through MISU – the Munich International Summer University.
MISULMU participants enjoy an attractive program of extracurricular activities. The language courses on various levels are designed to teach German within its academic, cultural and social context, so that students deepen their knowledge of Germany whilst simultaneously developing their language skills. Extracurricular activities include lectures, films and field trips to points of local and national cultural significance (Castle Neuschwanstein, the Dachau Concentration Camp, for example).
Tutors also participate in these activities and are available for consultation. Affordable housing is arranged in LMU’s student dormitories (single rooms in shared apartments with high-speed internet access).
Language International
is a leading global language travel agency with 12 language schools in Germany located all around the country, from the northern river-port city of Hamburg, to the political capital Berlin, to the financial center Frankfurt, to the Bavarian cities of Munich and Erlangen, to the smaller but equally exciting cities of Constance, Ellwangen, and Freudental for those looking for something off the beaten path. With the option to choose multiple locations in Germany, students can maximize their experience by seeing more of the country while improving their language skills. Language International has a team of German-speaking student advisors who have all studied in Germany and know the country intimately.
Universität Heidelberg,
Germany’s oldest and according to the most recent U.S. News & World Report ranking best German university, provides their students with a deeply cosmopolitan atmosphere. The International Summer School on German language and culture offers three different courses, each with their own diverse set of challenges.
The comprehensive language-course program for all levels of proficiency is supplemented by a large variety of seminars, lectures, work groups and talks concentrating on literature, philosophy, history, current affairs and area studies. A special continuing-education course is designed for international German teachers and students of German language and literature. Its goal is to expand the participants’ language abilities and enrich their German teaching skills.
The third course provides training in business German. The range of topics include among other things the EU, German business culture, banks and stock exchange, and social systems. Lectures by Heidelberg academics, excursions to other interesting areas and cities within Germany, cultural events and social get-togethers compliment all programs of the International Summer School.
Language classes are held in the morning; in the afternoon, participants can take part in a variety of classes related to their course level as well as other workshops and lectures. All participants receive a certificate of attendance. Additional diplomas are issued to those who pass a written examination. The diploma is equivalent to 4 credit points on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All courses run from August 2nd to August 27th, 2010. The International Summer School also arranges accommodation.
The Humboldt-Institut e.V.
is a non-profit association established in 1977 for teaching German as a foreign language. They maintain 20 (mostly summer, but also several year-round) language centers all over Germany where they offer highly intensive courses for juniors, teenagers, adults, 50+ students and executives. Hence, they have courses for nearly every type of learner.
Their schools offer one of the few residential German language school available and open year-round for young international students (10-17), as well as the Germany’s only residential school for executives, located in a beautiful Baroque Castle, where they teach highly intensive German courses (40 lessons/week) either in mini-groups or one-to-one tuition.
Their residential,schools enhances the learning process as well as the enjoyment of the common experience. Students are taught in small classes of approx. 5 – 10 students. A standard course comprises 30 lessons per week.
At the Humboldt-Institut a total beginner with no previous German skills can usually complete the TestDaF exam in as little as 8 months, with a close to 100% success rate! They guarantee a swift learning process due to the total immersion program and reliable tutoring.
Course fees usually include tuition, books, accommodation, full board, excursions (to cities like Munich or Berlin and important sights like the Fairy King’s Castle Neuschwanstein) and an interesting leisure time program (with a variety of different sports, creative and cultural activities).
Kate Sommers-Dawes is assistant editor for Language Magazine.
Instituto Andalusí de Español in Málaga Costa del Sol
Our school opened in 2002 and offers spanish courses for people from different countries. We offer Intensive Courses for adults and children but also preparation courses for the D.E.L.E. exam and business Spanish.
The school is situated in a very quiet area near the sea and therefore it is possible to hold classes in the garden. In the schools garden there is a swimming pool which invites you to cool off while improving your tan. Our andalusian patio, with its shady trees and a barbeque provides an ideal opportunity to become better acquainted to other students.
In our Arabian style “bodega” we provide computers with free internet access as well as a TV with international channels and a library, where you can rent both movies and books.
The school building consists of seven tastefully decorated classrooms.
Excursions and activities
The Instituto Andalusi offers a variety of excursions and activities, which focus on the Spanish language and culture, such as excursions to Cordoba, Granada, Seville and Morocco but also visits of museums, memorials and churches in Malaga. Moreover we are offering activities in the school building like cooking class of Paella or other Spanish specialities. At the beginning of the course (once in a month) our students are welcomed with a party and at the end of the course (once a month) they get a farewell party. It is also possible to rent cars, motor bikes and bicycles in the school.
Link www.instituto-andalusi.com
Argentina
With more than 330 million native speakers around the world, the ability to speak Spanish has become imperative. More than 50 million people speak Spanish as their second language, and each year this number is increasing. Not only is Spanish taught in local high schools and universities, but more students are traveling around the world to fully immerse themselves in the Spanish language and culture.
Because Spanish is so widely spoken, it is only natural that a range of dialects, pronunciations and accents have emerged in various parts of the world, leaving those who want to study Spanish wondering where they should begin. Whether it is the old world of Spain, or a Spanish-speaking country in the new world, there are quality institutions which will provide the committed learner with the opportunity to improve their language skills in just a few weeks.
Mendoza
Intercultural is a private language school and teacher education center located in Mendoza, Argentina- at Los Andes foothills- five blocks away from the bus station. Restaurants, buses, banks, supermarkets, etc. are within easy walking distance.We offer intensive Spanish courses, as well as specialized language-learning programs, as it is shown in our web site. In addition, we are able to set up internships, volunteer opportunities and accomodation for our students.
Intercultural is the first center to become an associated member of Instituto Cervantes Network, in Argentina. The school is also affiliated with Congreso University. Students have access to academic credits transferable to their universities. There are a variety of programs offered, (i) General Spanish in all levels, (ii) Academic Spanish as Preparation for Studies at Universities in Spanish speaking countries, (iii) Immersion program: Spanish lessons and homestay accommodation, (iv) Special programs: Spanish and Wine, Adventure, Latin American Studies or History, (v) Courses for ex pats, (vi) Preparation to sit for the international exam DELE, or national exam CELU, (vii) Contact organizations for volunteer and internships, (viii) Afternoon activities to improve fluency and knowledge
The main objective at Intercultural is for the students to be completely immersed in the culture and language. Students can start group courses, with a maximum of 6 students, any Monday throughout the year. Intercultural has over fifteen years of experience and is a reliable place for students and groups to learn Spanish, to volunteer, to do an internship, and to experience a life-changing-learning opportunity.
For further info visit www.spanishcourses.com.ar
Bariloche
Bariloche, recognized as the portal to Patagonia, is a wonderful place to learn Spanish. This small city surrounded by mountains and lakes is safe and you can combine your Spanish study with lots of activities in the afternoon and weekends.
Spanish School “La Montaña” offers three different courses.
The Standard course consists of 20 hours of group classes per week, lasting from 1 to 8 weeks. Classes will be Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm, with a maximum of 4 students per class
The Intensive course is the Standard course plus 10 hours of private classes. The group classes are being held in the morning, followed by 2 hours of private classes in the afternoon to improve your own weaknesses and to sharpen your strong points.
The Private course is taught by private teachers in the afternoon The amount of hours will entirely depend upon your own goals. We can design a program completely focused on you specific needs of attention.
They encourage students to stay with host families, as a way of continue practicing Spanish. La Montaña offers various after school activities as Salsa and Tango lessons, different afternoon hikes, visiting secondary schools and one of our volunteer projects. These activities are all included in the course price, except the out-of-the pocket costs, such as a bus ticket and drinks.
Buenos Aires
Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, is a South American city with European flair, offering a range of cosmopolitan cuisines and a riveting nightlife. One cannot escape dancing in the birthplace of the passionate tango, where tango houses or “milongas” litter the city.
Home to more than three million people, Buenos Aires is located on the southeastern coast of the continent. Bordered by the Rio de la Plata and the Riachuelo, the city’s inhabitants are frequently called “portenos,” emphasizing the city’s role as a major port.
As for the language, Spanish learned in Argentina will be understood worldwide, however, there are a few subtle differences. According to Professor Monica del Milagro Plaza, the director of Bien Argentino, Instituto de Idioma y Cultura Argentina, “All of the varieties of Spanish are correct Spanish. Since Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, regional particularities are to be expected. If you learn all your Spanish in one place (Argentina, Ecuador, Spain, etc.), you will understand Spanish speakers all around the world. However, the [Argentine] differences are lexical. For example, [Argentines] use voseo instead of tu and they use only one “s” sound, as in “song,” for words with s/z/c.”
COINED has schools in every strategic point in Argentina, giving the participants the chance of enjoying the different options, climates and locations this country has to offer. If you want to experience a cosmopolitan way of life then Buenos Aires or Cordoba should be a perfect choice. But if you want to enjoy cold weathers, glaciers and snowed hills then you can’t miss our schools in Ushuaia, Bariloche or Mendoza. In every school we provide the participants with comfortable facilities, audio and video room, internet and a cafeteria.
At COINED their priority is to make sure our programs meet your expectations because we they understand that your choice to pursue an experiential education entails risk and some degree of adventure. They have a wide variety of courses so that you can choose the one that suits you the best with the advantages of experience-based learning in small groups. Also they offer a minimum of two recreational activities per week so you can submerge in the local culture. You will get qualified and professional teaching. COINED offers you the possibility of obtaining credits in cooperation with various international colleges and universities. Their goal is to help you develop the skills and concepts necessary to feel comfortable in any speaking situation.
For further info, visit www.coined.com.ar
Buenos Aires Spanish School, which is located two blocks away from the National Congress, offers a variety of courses including an immersion program which consists of 20 hours of instruction per week, a semi-immersion program (10 hours a week), private classes, and Spanish language classes for children. Group courses consist of no more than six students per class and courses begin every Monday of the year. The school is a member of the Asociación Argentina de Centros ELE, an organization which ensures that students are receiving quality instruction.
For further info, visit www.baspanish.com
Academia Buenos Aires is dedicated exclusively to teaching Spanish as a foreign language, with emphasis on academic excellence, professional service, and complete immersion. Located in an exclusive, completely restored historic building in downtown Buenos Aires, on central Plaza de Mayo, the Academy caters to students from around the world in search of a high-quality academic experience. Motivated teachers with degrees in linguistics, specially-designed study materials, and years of experience, have earned the academy a cooperation agreement for university credit with the prestigious Universidad de Buenos Aires. The professional service at Academia Buenos Aires is guaranteed through multilingual staff available 24 hours a day. The complete immersion approach is based on rich study materials, the possibility to live in homestays or shared apartments with Argentines, and the extracurricular program of the Academy — at least twice a week, staff accompany students to museums, exhibitions, different barrios, concerts, tango classes, asado dinners, wine tastings, etc. All activities are free of charge. The Academy has recently opened up a second school in Montevideo, Uruguay, based on the same approach and study materials, allowing students to switch destinations seamlessly. Montevideo is a three-hour boat ride from Buenos Aires across the Rio de la Plata.
Located a few yards away from Plaza de Mayo and Puerto Madero, Alem Spanish School offers a relaxed and comfortable ambience for learning Spanish. Each class is balanced with vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, conversation, reading, and writing exercises. Students are given numerous opportunities to practice their Spanish in a wide variety of formats. Aimed at maintaining quality programs for its students, Alem offers private lessons as well as group lessons with no more than five students.
Argentina Idioma Español, with four locations in Argentina: Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Cordoba, and Ushuaia, is the only Spanish language school in Argentina that specializes in teaching Spanish for adults and professionals. All of the school’s professional teachers hold a university degree in Spanish as a Foreign Language, which guarantees intensive and solid learning progress in a minimal amount of time. AIE offers a wide variety of immersion Spanish programs in a private or group setting as well as a Business Spanish Program, a Medical Spanish Program, internships and volunteer programs.
With locations throughout Argentina, including Buenos Aires, Argentina I.L.E.E. Spanish Schools provide the same levels of instruction at all their locations in order to provide consistent instruction for students who want to transfer to a different location.
All teachers at I.L.E.E. hold a University of Buenos Aires Master’s degree in either Literature or Education, and have taught Spanish as a foreign language for more than three years.
Bien Argentino has two locations in Argentina, one in Buenos Aires and one in Salta. While most readers may only be familiar with Buenos Aires, Salta is located in the foothills of the Andes mountains in Lerma Valley. Also known as “Salta La Linda” or “Salta the Beautiful”, tourists visit it every year for its magnificent landscapes, architectural wonders, and museums.
Because of Argentina’s rich culture, the school emphasizes the importance of culture in its programs. The school offers three main kinds of programs: Spanish language, Argentine culture, and cultural immersion. For its cultural immersion program, Bien Argentino arranges cultural immersion activities in groups of four led by experts in Argentine art and history.
DelPlata’s Casa de Idiomas, located in Recoleta, offers different private and group Spanish courses, including programs for beginners to prepare them for a trip through Argentina. The school also provides each student with intensive advice before booking a course, individual guidance during the learning process, reliable organization, and frequent teacher supervision.
ECELA Spanish Immersion Schools is the perfect opportunity to improve your Spanish while enjoying what Latin America has to offer. Combine different destinations (Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Santiago, Lima and Cusco) and learn about the local cultures. Having fun while you learn is possible al ECELA!
Instituto de Español Rayuela is located in Buenos Aires’ oldest barrio, the San Telmo, which is full of colonial houses and cobblestone streets. Founders decided to call the school “Rayuela,” which also means “Hopscotch,” as a tribute to Julio Cortázar’s famous novel, and as a reminder that teaching and learning a language should always be an enjoyable game of communication. In addition to the traditional Spanish courses, Instituto de Espanol Rayuela also offers online Spanish courses for the convenience of their students.
Mundo Español was one of the first in Argentina to offer Spanish as a Foreign Language. It is located in the touristic and historical neighborhood of San Telmo. Not only does Mundo Español provide students with Spanish instruction, but they also seek to get them involved in outside class activities. Some examples include internships and volunteer programs, sports lessons or tango lessons, which all provide a context in which the student is immersed in the Spanish language and in the Argentinean Culture,while not being in the formal classroom setting. Mundo Español offers classes at an affordable price and is the program to choose for the serious student intent on developing their skills of the Spanish language.
Mundo Español has the support of government entities and agreements with numerous international universities and national and foreign institutions. They also provide university credits. Mundo Español’s director is the former president and co-founder of the Argentine Association of Schools of Spanish as a Foreign Language (AACELE). They also offer accommodation and tourism services.
The University Language Center, part of the University of Buenos Aires, currently has more than 1,500 overseas students enrolled in its Spanish language program. Due to its affiliation with the University, the language center is also able to provide different courses, such as Business Spanish. Assistance is given to overseas students with housing and obtaining visas.
VerBaires Spanish School, which is also located in San Telmo, offers the perfect blend of antique and bohemian households, with modern lively cafés, bars and restaurants.
The school offers various courses: from a three-day survival course, to regular, semi- and intensive programs, five days a week. Courses are tailored to each student after their level of Spanish has been assessed by a placement test.
Also located in the Recoleta barrio, VOS Buenos Aires incorporates the cultural beat of Buenos Aires into its daily activities for students, such as visiting milongas to dance the tango, restaurants to taste Argentine food, and museums to learn about the different artistic styles and movements of the country. Included in the language programs, VOS Buenos Aires offers tours that are different from the typical tourist fare.
Lessons are task-based, which means students learn by doing. During class and according to each student’s level, students go shopping, order food, ask for directions, make a documentary, or invent a magazine to learn Spanish in a practical setting, in addition to formal language training. Students can choose a variety of programs, including private lessons, intensive courses, and Spanish immersion programs.
Cordoba
Espanex is the Spanish department of Academia Argüello, a well known Institution with more than 50 years of experience supporting education and learning and recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Education of Cordoba, Argentina. Espanex offers different types of intercultural programs in Argentina, among them; volunteering, internships and Spanish courses in the cities of Buenos Aires, Cordoba and recently Bariloche. The Spanish courses are from 10 to 30 hours per week and we also offer special courses which include tango, history and literature lessons for example. The internships are offered in Buenos Aires within first level and highly competitive companies. They are personalized focusing primarily on the intern’s training and learning.
Cordoba is the University city par excellence in Argentina since the UNC (National University of Cordoba) was the first one to be created, and one of the oldest in Latin America. It has around 200.000 permanent students coming from all over the country; that is why there are many things you can do every night. Today we are proud to say that all students that visit Espanex take with them great memories of Cordoba and of course, of us. This is thanks to the human quality of the people who take part in Espanex.
SET-IDIOMAS is a Spanish school located in historic Cordoba, Argentina’s second largest city. Nestled at the foot of the beautiful Sierras de Cordoba, this area is plentiful with lakes, rivers and valleys. Cordoba itself is home to an active student life. From the National University founded in 1613 to the fun and safe night life, this major city and its hospitable citizens provide a wonderful learning opportunity.
Whether students are just beginning the study of Spanish or becoming proficient, the intensive classes are an enjoyable way to learn the language. Classes meet two to four hours each day, allowing time to practice during planned excursions and free time in and around Cordoba. SET-IDIOMAS offers Spanish + tango/salsa, Spanish for academic purposes, special programs for university groups, DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) preparation and Spanish on the road which combines courses in Cordoba, Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Bariloche.
Students can live with host families (includes half board) or share an apartment with Argentine students.
Learning English in the US
inlingua Engilsh Center
The mission of inlingua® English Center is to provide instruction in English as a Second Language to international students for their academic, professional and personal needs, and to promote cross-cultural understanding and academic excellence. Its mission is to also provide students with an opportunity to evaluate their performances through various test mechanisms, so that they may better respond to academic and immigration needs.
Classes are offered at 12 levels, from beginning to the most advanced. inlingua® Washington, DC is also an official TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) test center. It is administered monthly, and is also open to those not enrolled at inlingua®. Classes are held all year round, except for national holidays.
California Destinations for Language Learning
California is not only one of the world’s most popular tourist hotspots; it is also a popular destination for international students. According Open Doors 2005, over 75,000 international students enrolled in the state last year — over 13 percent of the nation’s total. Of course, the majority of these students took graduate and undergraduate programs, but enrollments on intensive English programs (IEP’s) grew by 7.5 percent from the previous year in which over 10,000 students enrolled on IEP’s in California.
Language Magazine asked program providers why the state is so popular with English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students.
Starting about an hour north of San Francisco, Helen Kallenbach of the Sonoma State American Language Institute believes that California’s diversity is the key to its success, “There is a large variety of students in California, so one group doesn’t really dominate. There are also many types of climate, geography, and activities in this state. Students can live near the ocean, the mountains, the desert; they can surf, ski, camp, play golf. California has several national and state parks such as the Sonoma Coast State Beach, Yosemite, and Death Valley. There are several major cities in California including the capital Sacramento, Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Jose, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and San Francisco. Each one offers opportunities to experience the California culture including museums, shopping, restaurants, and sightseeing.”
Kallenbach adds that the institute typifies the diversity and friendliness of California, “Our school is located on the park-like campus of California State University Sonoma. It is close to the Pacific Ocean, the redwood forest, the wine country (Sonoma and Napa counties), Sacramento, Berkeley, and Lake Tahoe and all the activities that those locations offer. CSU Sonoma is one of the finest small liberal arts universities in the Western part of the U.S. Our town and campus are safe and welcoming. Our school is small (around 50 students) and each student receives individual attention including academic counseling. Most students agree that ‘SSALI is like a family.’”
Helen Davaran of LSI in Berkeley stresses the state’s diversity of attractions, “The mild weather, varied geography including mountains, deserts, and beaches, the laid back California atmosphere, its proximity to Asia, many good colleges and universities to go on to, all of the attractions and activities available from the Golden Gate Bridge, the Wine and Gold country in Northern California to Disneyland and Hollywood in Southern California; activities run the gamut from skiing to surfing and can often be done from one week to the next!”
Climate Culture
In southern California, the weather adds to the attraction of diversity, according to Dr William Price of OSULA Education Center in Los Angeles, “Many people choose California as a study destination for the good weather and sunshine. Another reason is the lifestyle and the great variety of opportunities to learn and see things outside the classroom that are found in California. Yet another reason is that there are many language and ethnic communities in California cities where international students can find a touch of home on weekends.” Dr Price adds that his school’s location is particularly appropriate for international students, “OSULA Education Center is located in a safe neighborhood within walking distance of shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and parks, and yet only a 20-minute commute from downtown Los Angeles. From our front door, students can easily navigate to other parts of the city…and Southern California…using public transportation. We provide on-campus student housing, a gymnasium, tennis court, and swimming pool. Here, in upscale Studio City, students can easily meet people in coffee bars or elsewhere for conversations and friendship.”
John F. Akapito, the manager of English Language Programs at National University in San Diego, is unequivocal about the attraction of California and San Diego in particular, “Because of its diverse population, California is proven to be one of the best, if not the best, locations for international students to study. Southern California has more to offer, including its most envied ever-pleasant weather. San Diego unquestionably is America’s finest city.”
Vince Burns of ELS San Diego shares this enthusiasm for his city and state, “California is a magnet for young people from around the world. Besides learning English, there are so many things the students can do during their leisure time. The climate in the southern part of the state is the best in the United States which makes it a very attractive place to live year-round. The diversity of the population is amazing which makes it much easier for students to fit in. San Diego has the best climate in the U.S. It is a very moderate and mild climate which our students love. They can spend a lot of time outdoors year round. Our school has been in San Diego for almost 30 years. We take learning English very seriously. A majority of our students study in our 30-hours per week Intensive program and then move on to seek their degrees at colleges and universities. Many of them do not need to take the TOEFL exam as many institutions accept completion of our program as a way to meet their English requirement. In addition to our serious academics, we offer an extensive student activities program.”
For once, the old cliché of having something for everyone rings true.
Contacts
Since 1990, OSULA Education Center in Los Angeles has provided students from around the world with practical English courses. Small classes, American teachers, and an interactive curriculum build fluency fast! OSULA is located in an upscale neighborhood with easy access to Southern California’s many attractions.
Sonoma State American Language Institute [SSALI] in Northern California — The best word to describe the SSALI experience is family. SSALI is on the park-like campus of CSU Sonoma near the California Wine Country and one hour from San Francisco in the safe community of Rohnert Park. www.sonoma.edu/exed/ssali or contact by email: ssali@sonoma.edu.
