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Celas Maya Spanish School
6. Calle 14-55, Zona 1
Quetzaltenango
7761-4342
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| Rank |
86% |
| Prices |
192 USD for 25
hours per week including host family
145 USD for 25 hours per week without host family
Study one hour daily more or less: add or subtract about USD 10 per week.
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| School Size |
20 – 70 students. |
| Openings |
This school currently has openings! |
| Summary |
Celas Maya is a very unique Spanish school and is considered one of the best in Central America. It is located in Quetzaltenango (aka, Xela), which is also unique and considered a good place for Spanish immersion study because of the local Mayan culture, surrounding volcanic mountains, and multiple volunteer opportunities. There are many opportunities to practice Spanish in Xela because it is not an expensive English-speaking tourist hotspot.
It is a well-managed and popular school that offers customized Spanish language immersion courses at every level of proficiency. Their immersion approach is very unique and of a very high quality. Over the years Celas Maya has developed an effective combination of Spanish classes, homestays with local Guatemalan families and weekly activities and excursions. In addition, the school features an internet cafè, a travel agency and professional online classes.
Classes take place in a nice colonial courtyard and garden where teachers and students can work in a relaxed yet focused atmosphere. Five hours of free internet access each week is included in tuition. For an extra $48 per week you can receive five hours of private salsa lessons.
Celas Maya is also accredited by the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) of Guatemala and is one of only two schools in Guatemala that is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes (in Spain), which allows them to teach and administer the standardized DELE exams. Preparation courses cost US$247 per week for 25 hours (US$294 including a homestay). For professionals seeking a standardized and internationally acknowledged degree this is the best tuition they can find in Guatemala.
Founded in 1999 by Federico Velásquez and Leslye Rivera Juárez.
Level of immersion in Quetzaltenango: Excellent, if you do not hang out with other students. |
| Registration |
The school has a maximum capacity of 70 students. Therefore it is advisable even in low season to register in order to get a good teacher.
Prices during high season (from June thru August) is $206 with family; $161 lessons only! |
With a timely registration, the school can assign you the best teacher from its list. (Contact us for group discounts). |
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| Teachers |
Teachers have between three and twenty years of experience and have undergone a training in teaching Spanish as a foreign language from the University of San Carlos. Celas Maya trains it teachers constantly with yearly workshops, as well as additional courses taught by the Cervantes Institute. The school draws from the huge pool of under employed university students in Quetzaltenango.
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School's specific Information:
(Roman numbers refer to the numbers of recommendations.)
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General Information:
Spanish language teachers in Guatemala are mostly young people like University students who do this job for very little salary (US$30-$60 per week) and are trying to continue their education. Teachers in our recommended schools have undergone a formal training and know how to make students enjoy learning. By enrolling in advance, you are likely to get a better teacher. This holds especially true during high season.
If you are not happy with your assigned teacher, don’t hesitate to ask the director for another teacher. How to get a good teacher.
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| Methods |
The school uses one-on-on teaching and full immersion like most other schools in Guatemala. The curriculum is well designed and structured. Afternoon activities and host families complement teaching and make learning Spanish in Guatemala so efficient.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Teachers cater to the needs of the student by combining the teacher´s preferred materials with the school´s ample resources, This often includes the AMSCO books "Spanish First Year," and any number of the 500 instructional books available which offer grammatical exercises and instructional lessons.
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General Information:
Spanish Schools in Guatemala promote the most effective 'one student one teacher' method. You spend your time talking and listening with your own personal teacher. This is why Guatemalan schools are probably unmatched in the world. Go to a good school, and get the grammar right, too.
A typical school day:
8:00 to 10:00 Grammar and exercises
10:00 –30 -minute break for coffee, tea, and socializing with teachers and other students
10:30 to 12:00 - Conversation, pronunciation, reading comprehension
After 12:00 - lunch with your host family
Afternoons: previously scheduled activities and homework
(See your curriculum of learning Spanish)
Most schools offer a diploma stating the amount of time studied and the level of Spanish attained (minimum of two weeks).
See more information about diplomas and university credits.
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| Materials |
Teacher compiles their own materials, often including the AMSCO books "Spanish First Year" etc. These books are supplemented by handout sheets with grammar exercises. The school also has a library including 520 textbooks, 800 books on Guatemala and 300 videos. And then there is the schools well managed internet café.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Celas Maya also has an extensive library available to students, including 630 books in Spanish about Latin America, Guatemala and its history, as well as information about the Mayan culture and cosmovision, There are also 330 books in English on such topics and 230 videos in Spanish available for viewing.
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General Information:
At most Spanish schools in Guatemala, teachers write examples and grammar on paper; at others, blackboards are used. And at some, students receive a notebook for their own use. Teachers generally have to supply their own teaching materials. The most widespread book is AMSCO “Spanish Three Years” (Nassi, Levy), a very helpful grammar and exercise book in three levels, written in Spanish and English. A few schools have good libraries, video collections, and many have board games like Scrabble and others, to make teaching more entertaining.
If you are not an English speaker, you may want to bring grammar- and exercise books in your language. In any case a good and small dictionary is very helpful for homework.
(See recommendations on good Spanish Textbooks.)
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| Special Programs |
There are also Kiche lessons and online lessons via Skype. It is also one of only two schools in Guatemala that is accredited by the Institute Cervantes (in Spain), which allows them to teach and administer the DELE exams.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
The school offers Kiche classes, which are also one-on-one. Teachers and students frequently visit rural communities in order to hear and practice K iche. Classes cost an additional $15 per week.
The school has a professional online program via Skype, see www.celasmayaonline.com. Classes cost $10 - 13.5 per hour and come in five to fifty hours packages. Preferred payment is via Paypal.
DELE exams come in 6 levels and cost from $80 to $149 each. The school recommends three weeks of study in order to prepare for each exam. Preparation courses cost US$9.50 per hour. For professionals seeking a standarized degree this is the best they can find in Guatemala. |
General Information:
Special Programs are available for medical students and nurses, lawyers, missionaries and business people. You study Spanish as any other student, but with emphasis on the vocabulary of your profession or interest. Schools also get you in contact with Guatemalan professionals of your field and organize practical courses upon request.
A few schools have good programs for children. Guatemala365.com recommends schools in safe places and with a garden or ample cubicles. This way the children feel free to play while learning.
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| Location |
Classes are conducted courtyard garden located in a historic, colorful hacienda in the heart of the city. Every student-teacher team can request their own study room. Free coffee, tea, and purified water. During the morning break with snack. |
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School's specific Information:
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General Information:
Many schools have big halls or patios in a pleasant environment, with tables that seat two. You can often hear teacher-student conversations from nearby tables. Some schools have separate cubicles for each teacher – student team. Most schools have small patios or gardens to relax and get to know each other at break time. Some schools also have a cafeteria or even kitchens where students and teachers meet to cook local or food from their home countries.
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| Activities |
Activities during the weeks like films and lectures are included in the tuition fee (excluding bus fares and/or entrance fees). Weekend activities like volcano tours have an extra cost.
[Show Details]
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School's specific Information:
Some examples of recent activities include:
· A guided hike to the summit of the nearby Santa María volcano
· A trip to the beautiful and lush hot springs at Fuentes Georginas
· A participatory ceremony led by a Mayan priest
· Salsa and merengue dance lessons
· An overnight trip to a beach lodge on the Pacific coast, with trash collection to make a bonfire and conservation activities in a nearby mangrove reserve
· Feature-length films and discussions revolving around Central American themes
· A weekend day-trip to a fair trade coffee and macademia nut plantation
· Excursions to an indigenous weaving cooperative run by women and a glass-blowing cooperative run by men
· A weekend project volunteering at the tree nursery of a local reforestation project, with the option to hike up to visit Mayan altars in the hills above the tree nursery
Regular conferences sponsored by the school, given by guest lecturers with interpretation into English, on themes such as:
· The Anthropology of traditional dress
· The Mayan number system and calendars
· Guatemala 1944-1954: Revolution and Counterrevolution
· The Independence movement in Central America
· Children rights
· Labor struggles in the context of armed conflict
· Womens weaving cooperatives that invest in community development
Last, but not least, there is the schools travel agency Icaro Tours..
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General Information:
During afternoons, a school staff member takes you to the most beautiful places, interesting projects and Maya traditions of the
area, where you have the opportunity to practice your newly learned Spanish and get to know teachers and other students. These activities make your stay a real holiday. Some activities like weekend trips have an additional cost.
Note: small schools have fewer activities during low season.
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| Host Families |
Host families are experienced and within easy walking distance of the school. Service includes:
A private, furnished bedroom with a bed, desk, and lamp
Hot water showers
Purified water for drinking at mealtimes (Celas Maya has a water purifier in the school which students use to fill bottles)
Three meals a day, Monday through Saturday, dinner on Sunday
Special menus for students with special needs
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School's specific Information:
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General Information:
Generally host families provide each student with their own private little room and three meals a day/six days a week. On Sundays, most families provide no meals. There is nearly always hot water and electricity. It is recommended that you bring your own towels, soap, shampoo and other personal care from your country or you can buy it here. Your host parents help you with any problems and encourage you to talk Spanish. It is pretty interesting to see how people live in Guatemala.
A word on food:
By looking at what families earn at different schools you can assess the quantity of food given. The range is from US$30 to $85 per week. If you are in a $35 host family, please do not complain about beans every day. Just eat out now and then.
If you do not want to stay in a host family, we recommend you to visit www.guatemalastory.com for a list of good hotels in Guatemala City, Antigua, Atitlan, etc.
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| Volunteering |
Celas maya connects volunteers to host institutions like Caras Alegres, Corazón para los Niños, Hogar Temporal . The school also provides host families for volunteers for $65 per week.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Some volunteering opportunities:
Teach painting and art, home economics and nutrition, sports for children who have problems studying
Orphanage in Quetzaltenango
Nuevos Horizontes (New Horizons
Centro de Salud (Health Center)
Support women and their children in situations of personal difficulty and social risk.
Clean water, clean energy and sanitation projects for the rural poor.
Animal welfare project.
Collective of 400 back strap loom weavers.
Eco-actors in San Juan La Laguna.
Organic coffee production in La Florida.
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General Information:
Most schools have only loose contact to volunteer social projects or have only poor projects on their own.
If you want to volunteer, it is best to rely on PMG (Antigua, Rio Dulce and Cobán), or Entremundos (Quetzaltenango) or other non profit organizations in order to find an organization that suits students' interests.
More information on volunteering and jobs in Guatemala.
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| Airport Pick-Up Service |
The school offers a recommended hostel for pick-up service to students arriving at the airport in Guatemala City. If you arrive before 11:30, you can opt for transfer to the bus station and bus ride to Xela ($10, but pay in Quetzals), and once in Xela, take a taxi to the school.
If you arrive after 11:30, you should stay the night in Guatemala City ($20 including transfer to hotel, breakfast, and next day to bus station). The school recommends airport pick-up service provided by Patricias Bed & Breakfast in Guatemala.
[Show Details]
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School's specific Information:
Option 1: Pick-up and overnight stay in Guatemala City.
Cost: USD 20 per person, includes:
--Pick up service at the airport.
--A room for the night in Patricias Guesthouse.
--Breakfast.
--Transportation to the bus station.
Option 2 : Pick-up and travel directly to Quetzaltenango.
Cost: USD 10 per person, includes:
--Pick up service at the airport.
--Transportation to the bus station.
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General Information:
If you don?t want to worry about closed banks on the airport, late night hotel search or unsafe zones of Guatemala City, take advantage of the airport pickup service of your school.
For hotels in Guatemala City please see www.guatemalastory.com.
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How to get there 
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Send yourself an e-mail with information on how to get to Celas Maya Spanish School.
Celas Maya is located about 2.5 blocks west of the Parque Central on Calle 6 between Avenidas 14 and 15.
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Sara Skinner
09 / 2010 |
Hi, I decided to go to, Celas Maya Spanish School in Quetzaltenango. I studied for 5 weeks there, during September and October of 2010. My instructor Maggy Mendez, was an excellent English teacher. Study materials were very well prepared. After school activities were excellent, great variety. I got an excellent host family, their name is, Diaz family. I would absolutely recommend the school. I loved my time at Celas Maya and would love to return. Sincerely, Sara. |
Els Boeren
09 / 2010 |
I studied again at Celas Maya Spanish School in Xela. I studied the second time for 2 weeks in September 2010. I had different teachers, but they all were good. Their names were Miriam, Monica and Lucy. Study materials were good. There were a lot of after school activities I liked, so I joined them a lot. It is also possible if you want to go somewhere or to organize something to tell it so they can plan it for you. My host family was fantastic. They are my second family! The first time I lived with them for 3 months. When I came back the second time it was like I came home again. The last name of the family is Aparicio. I would definitely recommend the school to others. Regards, Els. |
Jeffrey
08 / 2010 |
I spent four weeks studying at CELAS Maya Spanish School in Quetzaltenango, this past summer, and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. The location was beautiful, and the instructors were extraordinarily friendly and professional. Having studied Spanish ten years ago in college, but not having used it in the meantime, I was looking for a way to recover my lost Spanish. My instructor, Loyola, designed a personalized curriculum to suit my specific needs, and gave me great exposure to Guatemalan and Mayan culture as well. Although, this was my only experience with a Spanish language school in Guatemala, several of the other students indicated how fantastic the school was in comparison to other schools that they had attended.
One thing that separates CELAS Maya from other Spanish language schools is that it is truly a whole-life experience. There were so many interesting evening and weekend activities that a student had to be careful to set aside time for actually practicing Spanish. Whether climbing the Santa Maria volcano at midnight, traveling to Lake Atitlan, visiting Tikal, visiting San Simon in Xecul, San Andres or Zunil, visiting a local women's sewing cooperative, attending a lecture on traditional Mayan homeopathic medicines, visiting a women's prison, participating in cooking lessons for indigenous dishes, taking the weekly salsa dance classes, or attending the weekly graduation party, there was nobody who could not find a lot of diversion through the school outside of class.
The facilities are first-class, and the attached internet cafe is of great convenience, providing a ready-made way to communicate back home to friends and family, whether by internet, email, or Skype.
My host family experience was excellent as well; they made me feel very comfortable, and invited me to return at any time!
I have recommended CELAS Maya to all of my friends and family, and I thoroughly recommend it to any student who wants to grow in his Spanish knowledge, learn about Guatemalan history and culture, and have some fun at the same time. Thank you, Jeffrey. |
Blake Learned
08 / 2010 |
Hi, we attended Celas Maya Spanish School in Xela. We studied for two weeks in August of 2010. Our family had four instructors since there were 4 of us. Their names are, Vivi, Maria, Jessica and Antonieta. Study materials were very good. For after school activities, we traveled on a one trip which was very good. Our host family was excellent!!!! I would definitely recommend the school!!! Regards, Blake. |
Anne Schlesinger
08 / 2010 |
I spent three weeks last August in Guatemala to learn Spanish. The classes I took at Celas Maya Spanish School in Quetzaltenango (Xela), were intense but great! The teachers and other staff were excellent. I was supposed to travel to Guatemala with a group for Spanish immersion, but the others cancelled a week before the trip.
I was very nervous about traveling to Guatemala alone because I did not speak any Spanish. But the school took care of all the details to get me to Xela safely on my own. I was treated with care and utmost respect. When I experienced any difficulties, they were quickly solved by attentive staff members. Each afternoon we were given interesting activities to do as a group, keeping us safe and learning about local culture in Spanish. I am still a beginner, but my Spanish comprehension grew with leaps and bounds!
I highly recommend Celas Maya Language School to others. Sincerely, Anne Schlesinger. California, USA |
Jodie Madigan
08 / 2010 |
I recently returned from 3 weeks studying Spanish at Celas Maya Spanish School in Quetzaltenango. I found the school to be inviting, welcoming and safe. I had 2 different teachers during my 3 weeks there. Both of them were excellent. Very professional, followed guidelines and made my classes interesting. I liked the structure of the classes with a break included and enjoyed the various activities offered by the school after classes. The location was great and the family I stayed with provided me with an enriching cultural experience. The staff were approachable and willing to assist me with anything I required. All in all, an enjoyable and productive experience.
I would (and already have) recommended Celas Maya to others wishing to study Spanish whilst visiting Guatemala. Sincerely, Jodie Madigan.
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Heather Curl
07 / 2010 |
Hi there, I took two and a half weeks of classes at Celas Maya Spanish School in Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala from the end of July to the middle of August, 2010. I had an amazing instructor! Her name is Monica and I hope to return to Celas Maya and work with her again in December. She was a lovely person and taught me a lot. My comprehension improved a great deal and I also got to know her. We made copies most days of homework, and I took time taking notes and learning rules, and then applying them in conversations and/or reading paragraphs (where sometimes the words were quite hard). Each week we would make a study plan and we generally stuck to it pretty well. We also went shopping a few times and I learned a lot of vocabulary that way as well.
The school activities were good - the travel agency, Icaru tours did a great job of supporting students and arranging for trips. Josue who works there is really great and helpful! The smaller activities which Cesar ran were also enjoyable - I particularly liked the afternoon hilkes and/or trips to saunas around the city. It is such a beautful place!
My family was WONDERFUL! I still keep in touch via email with the 12 year old, Tanya, from the family and I plan to stay with them if I return in January. The mom. Aura, and I became particularly close. I also stayed there with another American woman and we all had a party to celebrate the day before I left. Lots of fun! I would definitely recommend the school as I plan to return. I have continued to take spanish classes here throughout this semester at the university where I teach, and so am trying to improve on my own so that I might return and further my learning/speaking abilities. Thanks, Heather. |
Ingrid Quigley
ingridquigley@sbcglobal.net
07 / 2010 |
This past summer my husband and I attended Celas Maya Spanish School in Xela, for three weeks from July 19-August 6, 2010. The experience was extraordinary and we speak glowingly to anyone who will listen about the experience. Our host family was extraordinary as were the staff. I had three different teachers over three weeks, following the school's recommendation to get a broader and varied experience. I'm glad I did. Rebecca, Carlos and Norma were all excellent in their unique way and I believe I learned more by changing. Study materials were excellent. The host family was Esmeralda Aparicio, and her three children and two dogs. We loved them! We had many opportunities to practice our Spanish conversation, from talking about mundane needs for our room and meals to discussions about culture, religion, education and politics. The optional afternoon and weekend activities were great, offering time to stay close by and go further out into the region. We would highly recommend Celas Maya Spanish school and most definitely the city of Xela as a place to study. We visited Antigua for a weekend, which we enjoyed very much, but we were glad that our studies were in Xela. Regards, Ingrid. |
Anne Howard Lindquist
06 / 2010 |
Hi, we decided to go to, Celas Maya Spanish School in Quetzaltenango. We studied for 1 week there. Our entire family of 5 got good instructors and enjoyed them very much. Gloria was one of them - wonderful knowledge and soccer enthusiasm! Study materials were basic, but fine. Instructors were resourceful and played some games with the kids. Unfortunately mudslides wrecked the lovely hot springs. We went instead to an outdoor man made pool with hot springs water. Not really so great, looked fairly unsanitary. But it was an interesting experience seeing the countryside. Our host family was pleasant, kind to our children, and quite flexible and helpful. We suggest having 2 blankets per bed as it was quite cold at nights, so we wore lots of clothes to bed. I would recommend the school. A fabulous location and lovely place even in cold, damp weather of June. The tea and bread mid-morning, and the coffee shop for studying were so wonderful. The staff was very pleasant and helpful for our Spanish studies. I suggest the school ask students who are planning to come study to bring donations of games and books in Spanish for kids. A few more games and action would be wonderful for the youngest students, and maybe the older ones too!Sincerely, Anne. |
Rob Fuller
06 / 2010 |
Hello, I have a recommendation for Celas Maya Spanish School in Xela. I studied at three different schools in Guatemala this year (and I've been to language schools in a few other countries too), and Celas Maya was outstanding. Their teachers are all highly experienced (unlike some schools), and the school is very well-organized about defining learning objectives and making sure that students make progress. It's also (I think) the biggest school in Xela, which means there's a good community of students and usually the critical mass they need to organize good activities. I had originally enrolled to attend this school for two weeks, and ended up staying for three months. I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone. Hope this is helpful to others.... Rob Fuller. Winchester, England. |
Jennifer Hess
jhessdc@gmail.com
05 / 2010 |
Hello, I elected to go to Celas Maya Spanish School in Quetzaltenango. I studied for 2 weeks at this school. I got excellent instructors, their names are Carolina and Ligia. For study materials, the professors had many texts that we worked from and/or copied homework. This school, partners with a local tour company (Icaro) and had weekend trips that tended to be big trips, like to Tikal or the east coast. These trips meant either missing class or rescheduling makeup classes with professors, which I did not wish to do. Activities during the week at the school tended to be great cooking classes, ping pong etc. Some of this was due to Tropical Storm Agatha (at both schools) which created bad weather and washed out roads). I did wish that the school had more 1-day trips on the weekend, like climbing Santa Maria volcano. I did contract with Icaro Tours to go to Chicabal one Sunday. Celas Maya also had weekly evening movies with hot chocolate, and soccer games once a week. The activities program at the school were very similar to other school in Xela, where I have studied several times. This school, also had Thursday lectures. I only attended one, which as a Mayan ceremony and very interesting. I forgot my host family name. The contact was an older Mayan woman named Berta. I liked this school, the program of study, after school activities, quality of education, and families were all excellent... The one thing I missed here was the emphasis on social justice issues that is very present at other school. I would recommend this school. Thank you, Jennifer A. Hess, DC, MPH, PhD |
Els Boeren
05 / 2008 |
I decided to attend Celas Maya Spanish School again when I went back to Quetzaltenango. The first time I was in Xela I stayed at Celas Maya for 4 weeks, two years later I was only able to stay for 2 weeks, but those were the most amazing weeks I ever had. Not only the Spanish teachers and the study materials are really good, but I also, had a lot of fun meeting new people, some of them turned out to be really good friends and doing a lot of different activities with them. Also, my host family was really nice, I ended up staying with them for 3 months. Everyone made me feel so welcomed that, I can say that I found another home and family in Guatemala! Regards, Els. |
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