Spanish or Spanish « Eternal Dreamer

Spanish or Spanish

So, I’ve basically decided to dedicate this summer to studying Spanish and touring a foreign country. Looking around, there are two programs that I’m wavering between. The first is Celas Maya, a host-family + intensive Spanish immersion program in Guatemala. The second is GeoVisions’s Conversation Corps program. I’d have to work 15 hours a week as an English teacher for a host family. In return, I can take classes in my spare time and wander the country. Both cost around the same.

Does anyone have experience in these programs? Are there other ones out there that are any good? My focus is on quality and the experience, rather than cost.

October 29, 2009 - Posted by crumja | Travel | | 2 Comments

2 Comments »

These programs are ideal for people whose Spanish are above intermediate level. You will gain much more if you can communicate with people in Spanish.

Have fun!

Comment by Andrew Antonio | November 6, 2009 | Reply
I have participated in a number of Spanish immersion courses and camps in Spain, Mexico and Columbia, but I have always had a problem maintaining and even advancing my fluency afterward.

Now, being fairly fluent in Spanish I have found that classes are usually below my mastery level. Movies and novels are OK, but are not as personal and memorable. They are also easy to forget as they are sort of optional. What has worked well for me recently are online classes in which I can chat to someone to improve my conversational skills. I have been happy with http://personalspanish.net/ which offers classes from a variety of teachers that fit my schedule. I work long hours.

Do you know of anyone with a similar problem and how have they managed?

Comment by Peter | November 21, 2009 | Reply