ONGOING SPANISH PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS

We offer quality language classes year round. Sessions range from two to eight weeks. Participants benefit from individualized, dynamic instruction in a great learning atmosphere that optimizes every moment. During class breaks, our students enjoy cappuccino and hot cinnamon rolls in our garden patio cafe, meet travelers from around the world, and interact with students from our university credit programs. After class, they browse Quito’s fascinating historic center or people watch in the tourist district. In the evening, our students spend time with carefully selected host families practicing Spanish and developing life long relationships.

With over fifty language institutes in Quito, quality and methodology varies widely. We are the only institution in Quito that specializes in university study abroad programs for credit, but also offers language instruction to the public. American universities have trusted us to teach their students for over a decade. We contract the best professors in Quito. Most importantly, we guarantee your satisfaction.

CAREER SPECIFIC INTENSIVE SPANISH

Our year long intensive immersion program, designed for people needing Spanish for their careers, begins with a six week course covering all the main grammar points and includes extensive practice of mastered skills. We assume zero level for beginning participants and our dynamic team maximizes every learning style so that at the end of the six week course, learners feel confident and have a strong base to expand, and polish language skills. Students won’t be fluent, but we can guarantee a level required for survival communication in a Spanish speaking environment. The main focus is to push learners to be able to communicate fluently and accurately. At the outset, input is minimal and practice is maximized so that students can express themselves in present, past, and future tenses within the first weeks of class. The intensive nature of the course aims to force students to start thinking in Spanish. Class pace and activities vary from group grammar instruction, to small group conversation, to conversation exchange with local professionals, to individual study and practice, to reading, and composition. Weekly evaluations allow students to measure progress. Curriculum caters to the needs of professionals such as embassy personnel, oil executives, missionaries, volunteer health professionals, teachers, and business entrepreneurs. Professors on sabbatical, post docs, and researchers are also encouraged to apply.

Schedule and fees for the 2003 – 2004 academic year are listed below. Discounts of 15% apply to organizations registering a minimum of four students. Fees do not include 12% sales tax applied in Ecuador to education as of 2003.

SPECIAL INTEREST 10 DAY TRAVEL PROGRAM

JANUARY ORCHID RESEARCH WITH LOU JOST

High adventure biology students ready for tough field work conditions, on muddy, difficult to reach mountain slopes, will relish this unique field research opportunity. Together with Lou Jost, an internationally recognized specialist in orchids who has discovered over 70 new orchid species, we have designed an experience that allows students to tap into Lou’s expertise and contribute to exciting discoveries in plant diversity. Lou will train you in field research focussed on finding new orchid species. Participants must be in top physical condition and ready for tough work. Field research photographers are encouraged to apply. Limited positions available.

AMAZON AND ANDES VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

Year long internships are available for students seeking valuable work experience between college and graduate school. Interns are given training for their job as well as basic Spanish classes. Internships include volunteer positions in business, medicine, teaching, biology, and social work. Interns pay room and board only. For application, send brief autobiography with areas of interest, future goals, job experience, and recommendations from two professors. Applicants must have successfully completed at least one year of college with a minimum GPA of 3.00.

ECO-SPANISH SUMMER PROGRAM

During our two month Eco-Spanish Program, students live with an Ecuadorian family, study Spanish, visit the Amazon Rainforest, and participate in a volunteer ecology project with local high school students. Ecology projects include tree planting, garbage pick-up, and ecology awareness leadership training with local high school students.

SPRING BREAK PROGRAMS

SPRING BREAK LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
The Spring Break program gives students maximum exposure to language and culture through an immersion experience with carefully selected host families. Classes in Quito are combined with museum and school visits. We create links with local high schools to organize joint mini ecology projects like service learning outings to pick up garbage. Bonds created with local students help Ecuadorians in ecology awareness issues and pave the way for stronger North-South connections. Afternoon salsa classes lead into evening interactive professional Andean or Tropical dance shows. Day trips include excursions to the Cloud Forest, native northern Andean markets, the Equator monument, or to Cotopaxi, the world’s highest active volcano.

SPRING BREAK AMAZON AND ECOLOGY
The Amazon and Ecology program is designed for students interested in a joint language and ecology focus. Five days are spent in Quito, with carefully selected host families, interacting with local high school students on ecology awareness issues. Activities include an outing to Volcano Cotopaxi or the Cloud Forest. Four days are spent in the Amazon Rainforest with a stop at the Papallacta Thermal Springs. Andean Study Programs uses lodges that are socially responsible and a primary focus of the experience is rainforest conservation.

SPRING BREAK AMAZON AND GALAPAGOS
Designed for Spring Break, the Amazon and Galapagos program maximizes Ecuador’s treasures in a short period of time. Unforgettable life changing adventures include the Amazon Rainforest, Andean highlands, Papallacta Thermal Springs, and the Galapagos Islands..