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| Address |
Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School
6 Avenida Norte No.39
Antigua
(+502)-7882-4575
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| Rank |
88% |
| Prices |
245 USD for 20
hours per week including host family
150 USD for 20 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 |
5-20 students |
| Openings |
This school is currently full for morning sessions from the 20th May to 31st; there are spaces for afternoon sessions only! |
| Summary |
Located a few steps from La Merced church, Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School has students learning in a Japanese - style garden with little bridges over narrow fish ponds. Trees have grown and the ambiance is nice and shady, which makes the hot summer months pleasant. Hillary Clinton, Kevin Costner and Mel Gibson have supposedly studied here. The heart of the school is the big cafeteria - kitchen - bar, where students - mentored by Caty and Letti - learn how to prepare delicious local dishes. The best school for Guatemalan lifestyle and social networking in Antigua. Host families are carefully sought out. Internet gratis.
This school was founded in 1972 by Juan and Caty Galindo.
Total immersion in Antigua: good if you avoid other tourists while studying Spanish. |
| Registration |
It is always recommendable to register, at least two weeks, in advance in order to get first choice teachers and host families and in order to help the school plan their staff. The student coordinator is efficient in answering any of your questions.
From January to April and from June to August this school tends to fill up quickly. |
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 |
There are 15 fixed teachers who earn about $45 per week, plus benefits. Teachers are required to have a high school title and are being trained during 3 months. They have 7 to 20 years of experience. The director has a good sense for choosing teachers for the students, when you have 20 hours one-on-one with a teacher its very important to have a good match with the teacher.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Recommended teachers: Rosa ll, Miriam, Claudia.
(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 much the same methods as other Spanish Schools in Guatemala. Upon arrival, students talk to the student coordinator, who in the course of conversation gains insight into the student′s status and where to start the training. He then gets a teacher who fits him or her. The school recommends you to study during 6 hours each day, studying grammar and vocabulary in the morning and practicing conservation during the afternoon activities, using a different teacher in order to get accustomed to different manners of speech (this only costs $20 per week extra). Students progress at their personal speed and are not slowed down by conventional methods.
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School's specific Information:
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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 |
Teachers assemble their own materials like minidialogues, the textbook, Spanish One Year, and materials in other languages. The school uses blackboards.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
There is a library with books in various languages for students use.
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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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| Location |
Located a few steps from La Merced church, the school has a travel agency in the front and a Japanese - style garden with little bridges over narrow fish ponds in the back. Avocado trees have grown and the ambiance is nice and shady, which makes the hot summer months pleasant. Hillary Clinton, Kevin Costner and Mel Gibson have supposedly studied here. There is also a big kitchen - bar, where students - mentored by Caty and Letti - prepare delicious food. |
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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 change each week: preparation of local food, Salsa and Merengue classes, tours to Macadamia and Coffee farms etc. Local foods prepared at this school taste exquisitely because Caty and Letti are gourmets. Caty teaches students some neat cookery tricks. You will make the best guacamole in your hometown.
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School's specific Information:
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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 well sought out and earn $75 to $95 per week. A host family where you enjoy a private bathroom costs $30 per week extra. An example is Doña Araminta Díaz, an elderly widow who has been highly acclaimed by her guests. She has two rooftop apartments and, even more important, a very good cook to spoil the guests.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Recommended host families: Pineda ll, Renee and Sincrid
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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 $35 host family, please do not complain about beans every day. Just eat out now and then.
If you do not want to stay in a host family, we recommend you to visit www.guatemalastory.com for a list of good hotels in Guatemala City, Antigua, Atitlan, etc.
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| Volunteering |
The director, Caty, has contacts in and around Antigua and can tailor a volunteer job to your needs or interests. Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School provides you with contacts to social institutions like Nuestros Ahijados, Ventanas Abiertas (San Miguel Dueñas), Bendición del Cielo (Alotenango) and Familias de Esperanza, among many others. |
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School's specific Information:
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General Information:
Most schools have only loose contact to volunteer social projects or have only poor projects on their own.
If you want to volunteer, it is best to rely on PMG (Antigua, Rio Dulce and Cobán), or Entremundos (Quetzaltenango) or other non profit organizations in order to find an organization that suits students' interests.
More information on volunteering and jobs in Guatemala.
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| Airport Pick-Up Service |
Upon request private transportation is available from the airport . This is recommended. The cost is US$ 25 per person (groups: please negotiate). Airport pick up of this school is reliable.
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School's specific Information:
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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 Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School.
Located few steps north of famous La Merced Church
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Anonymous
glen33043@gmail.com
01 / 2013 |
The Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School was very conducive to studying one-on-one, with a quiet garden setting. The teacher, Claudia, was very good. I wish I could have stayed longer! I highly recommend this school.
Check-in to the school was very smooth and helpful. |
Tieneke Louw & Family
08 / 2012 |
In August this year our family of 3 went to Antigua. My husband as a native Spanish speaker initially humoured me on this one, but eventually agreed that we needed to get our then 7-yr daughter into a more structured setting of actually studying Spanish. He has spoken to her in Spanish since birth. However, in our trilingual home, the language that got left behind was Spanish. She understands him completely, but started responding in mono sylables and English over time. I had studied Spanish 13 years previously in Guatemala in Xela, but became rusty over time and thought for us, Antigua was a better choice. My husband works remote and internet access was essential. For us, I decided that Don Pedro de Alvarado, was the best choice...and I could not have been more correct. Saskia and I had a fantastic learning experience, while Dad continued with his work. The Darce Pineda family, became much more than only hosts and in all aspects the school and the family were superb. They made Saskia´s birthday an event to not forget with pinata, cakes, parties and more. Even when Saskia were unfortunate to be hit by a motorcycle in the street, the school and the family were there for us all the way. It is when things go wrong that one can really comment on people. THESE PEOPLE WERE INCREDIBLE! Thank you Caty and Lety from Don Pedro de Alvarado and the Darce Pineda family. |
Nancy K
06 / 2012 |
I chose Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School based on other peoples´ recommendations I read on the internet. Those people were all correct. This school is great in every way! I stayed two weeks and learned a lot. I had a great teacher named Rosa de Mendez. From 8 to 10 every morning we went over grammar and verb tenses I didn´t know very well. Although this wasn´t exciting, it´s certainly necessary if you want to speak Spanish well. Now I can really talk in the past tense, rather than guess about conjugations. After a 30 minute break, we read the book Holes together in Spanish until noon. I had brought two copies with me so I could do this. That was very enjoyable and helpful to me as I am a sixth grade bilingual teacher with all Hispanic students. This is a funny book that many of my students might want to read in Spanish or English. So it was good for me to practice reading and discussing the events of this book outloud. In our one-on-one class, Rosa never spoke English to me. If I didn´t understand a word in the book, she would explain it to me with another word in Spanish. This was good for me and kept me from reverting to English.
The family they put me with, Renee and Sincrid, were awesome! They are a super nice family. The food they served was great (3 meals a day) and they even helped me and other students staying there improve our Spanish when we ate meals together. The accomodations were fine too and the location was near the school. The price for two weeks of classes, meals and accomodations was super reasonable.
I also want to say that I loved Antigua. In the afternoon, I would go sightseeing. While I was there, I took a horseback ride up to the Volcano Pacaya and I went kayaking near the Pacific Coast. I also saw many beautiful church ruins inside the city of Antigua. My teacher and I visited one of the ruins one day during class. We also went to McDonalds for fun. It´s one of the nicest McDonalds I´d ever seen since it has a beautiful outdoor patio.
I hope to go back to the school again in five years and bring my husband. He needs to learn Spanish too! |
Margaret Thompson
mthompsonmd@gmail.com
07 / 2011 |
I had a wonderful experience and learned an incredible amount of Spanish in a short period of time at, Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School. My teachers, Rosa and Miriam were great. I did not stay with a host family, but will probably do so next time. I will definitely return to Don Pedro.
The physical conditions of the school were excellent. Margaret Thompson |
Rheyna Laney
07 / 2011 |
Our time in Antigua was fantastic. The school Don Pedro de Alvarado was everything that had been mentioned in the reviews and the school literature. The teachers and administrators helped make our time in Guatemala productive and interesting. We brought our 5 year old daughter with us and the school made every effort to accommodate her. By the end of her stay she was initiating conversation in Spanish and generally having a great time.
The experience with the host family was definitely one of the highlights. We had very nice accommodations and every meal was very good. This part of the experience allowed us to escape the feeling of being tourist and see how the local residents live in Antigua.
Overall, this was one of the best traveling experiences we have had. Thanks for the memories! We all loved Antigua. It is a beautiful city in a unique setting. |
Antoinette Linterman
06 / 2011 |
I had a great time at Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua. Starting from scratch and after 4 weeks, I was able to speak a Little bit of Spanish. At this school, you have one to one Spanish classes, so you can learn at your own pace. I had a morning teacher (4h) who I really liked. She was very patient and open for suggestions how to teach me Spanish. In THE afternoon I had a different teacher. We would practice what I had learned in the morning or play scrabble or just practice conversation. For me it was a very good formula. Relaxing and fun.
I also stayed with a family in home-stay B. I have stayed in 3 families. All were very clean, very kind and helpful in speaking Spanish to you. Most difference between the families was the food. But I guess that depends on every persons taste. At the school you had lunch on Tuesday and dinner on Thursday. Also almost every day and Saturday there was an activity planned. It's a school for everybody, young & old and family. I had a great time at Don Pedro de Alvarado in Antigua.
Check-in to the school was smooth and helpful, I arrived on Sunday morning. Had a pickup at Guatemala airport and was brought to my home-stay family |
Timothy Scott
timscottocc@gmail.com
01 / 2011 |
Hello, I brought a group of 9 students from Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY and we set up a for credit program offering three different levels of Spanish. Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua, bent over backwards to accommodate us in every way; the instructors were great, the students learned a lot and absolutely loved it. I am planning to return with more students in May 2012. Feel free to e-mail me if you are thinking about bringing a group or would like to know more about our experience. Regards, Tim Scott
Associate Professor of Spanish
Coordinator of Chinese and Italian
Onondaga Community College-SU, NY. |
Anonymous
01 / 2011 |
The Don Pedro de Alvarado School offered an opportunity to meet other singles like myself. I am retired and found new friends with whom to share a meal and to travel. The activity program was ideal, with excursions, special events, and cultural experiences. I stayed with them for three weeks because I liked the staff, the activities, and my fellow students.
However, I did not learn as much Spanish as I had hoped. By profession, I am an educator and so I am sensitive to instructional practice. At Don Pedro the teacher and student converse about whatever topic that is of interest. The language instruction is random and does not follow a sequential pattern of building skills. I am also a visual learner and it was hard for me not to have any written material from which to study. The entire approach was oral. Because it was so random, I had difficulty making connections with the language. My frustration grew over time to the point when I finally changed schools. I learned much more in a shorter period of time at another school because they had an actual curriculum and textbook.
The school is small and intimate. All instruction is outdoors, which was difficult on rainy and cold days in the fall, although they do have cover. |
Susan Feinstein
sufei10536@aol.com
08 / 2010 |
I returned a week ago from Guatemala, having spent 2.5 weeks at the Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua. I must say, being a bit of a cynical person, I never expected the school to be as good as everyone was saying on Facebook- but it was even better! I thought the instruction was wonderful- my teacher was incredibly... patient with my inability to remember much of what she tried to teach me; the setting was beautiful; the weekly lunch, dinner, and dance lessons were great; and I loved the tours offered every week. I thought the whole experience was perfect (and despite myself I learned quite a bit of Spanish). Antigua is a wonderful, fun, safe city. I stayed in the guest house, but will do a home stay next time I go to the school which I hope will be soon!
Susan Feinstein, sufei10536@aol.com |
David F.
08 / 2010 |
We studied for 2 weeks at Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua. We both had good instructors. We didn't really get study materials other than what we wrote down during class. We did not partake in many after school activities but the ones we did attend were very enjoyable. The host family was excellent. Yes, we would both would recommend the school. |
Anneke Plaisier
07 / 2010 |
Hi, we studied Spanish at Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua, for 4 weeks. Both my daughter and I, had good teachers their names were Elsie Guzman and Angela. My host family was kind but there was not much contact with students/family, so we did not practice our Spanish very much. Later I heard that more students changed that family for another one. The name of the family was Margarita and Jorge Sentiz.
We can recommend the school as being a good and very social school with nice activities such as meals and dancing, in order to get more social contact with the other students. We had a great time, but it depends on your teacher and other students who are studying there the same time. Thank you and regards, Anneke. |
Michaela Garcia
michaela_elise@yahoo.com
06 / 2010 |
I'm happy to share my experience, I decided to study at Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua. I studied 6 hours a day for 8 weeks, from June 3rd until July 22nd, 2010. I had two excellent teachers. I worked with Amabilia Hernandez in the morning for four hours, and 2 hours in the evening with Cristina Moran. I would recommend both of them to anyone. The school provided books that could be checked out for studying.
Tuesday's the school provided a lunch with typical Guatemalan food, beverages, and dancing with our salsa/merengue teacher. We also had a similar fiesta on Thursday nights for dinner. We also had a few weekly activities that changed week to week. These included trips to local museums, farms, sights, etc.
I stayed with Irma and Salvador Guerra. I absolutely loved my family, the environment, food and hospitality was excellent. I would recommend this school to anyone and everyone. I had one of the best experiences of my life, and I would love to return again. I have a special place for this school in my heart and I would love to share my experience to help prospective students. Thanks, Michaela. |
Coriel Bouchard
cebouchard@students.nic.edu
05 / 2010 |
Hi, I decided for Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua. I studied for two weeks, mid to late May of 2010. My teacher Betty, was a wonderful instructor. The teacher always showed up with a prepared lesson plan and flash cards. I was supplied paper and refreshments during class.
The school planned weekly dinners, dance lessons and lunches. One day, we went to the coffee plantation and Mayan music museum.
Soyla was a very nice host. She tried to help us practice Spanish and provided us with tasty food. Mostly kept to herself other than meal times. I would recommend the school. I had a wonderful time and the teachers were amazing.
Thanks, Corrie Bouchard. |
Kim Carr
bumpercarr@netmdc.com
04 / 2010 |
Hello, my husband and I attended Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua. We attended school 5 days per week, 6 hours per day for 4 weeks. We were in Guatemala in April and May, 2010. We had several instructors, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Occasionally our instructors were unavailable, so we would have substitutes. All of the staff are professional and the program of instruction is designed for the student's needs. My husband wanted to study very seriously and I was interested in more social studying. Both of these needs were met by the great staff. The study materials were great. I also brought some of my own books to read and study from. I loved going to the macadamia nut farm, the coffee plantation and all of the other activities that the school planned for us. The very best though, was the time that we spent at the school for lunch or dinner, taking salsa lessons and just socializing at the school. Some of the teachers also went with me on a Saturday when I hired a car to go to the outlying pueblos (towns). The school was also very helpful in
suggesting tours and other places to visit in Guatemala on the weekends. We didn't stay with a host family, but we did stay for the first week in the private room that the school arranged for us. We needed some additional services, such as WiFi, so we moved to a local hotel. The school also assisted us with those arrangements. I would absolutely recommend the school. As a matter of fact, I can't wait until we can go back again!
Regards, Kim Carr.
Tularosa, NM |
Kayla Buston
kayla_buston@hotmail.com
04 / 2010 |
Hi, I had a great experience at Don Pedro De Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua, on my trip to Guatemala during the months of April and May. My main teacher was Ana Maria, whom I studied with for 3 weeks, 4 hours a day. In addition, I studied for an extra 2 hours during my last week with Elida. Both teachers were wonderful and very patient. They used textbooks along with language games which kept everything interesting. My favourite part was just speaking with them, or listening to them tell me about the country.
The school as a whole was great. Every Tuesday there was a group lunch and every Thursday a group dinner. Both were wonderful, and Caty, the director, even made vegetarian food for me, as well.
There were fun activities and trips almost daily. The teachers also attended these trips so students could practice their Spanish outside the classroom.
I stayed with a host family during the first two weeks of my studies. Although they were very nice and helpful people, I left a week early because of the many misunderstandings that came up with my vegetarianism. As well, I was the only student staying in the house and it got a bit lonely at times.
Overall, I would recommend this school to anyone looking to have a great learning experience in Guatemala! I'm sure I will be a returning student in the future. Thank you, Kayla. |
Daniel Lavoie
lavoie.daniel.pratte@hotmail.com
04 / 2010 |
Hola, I went to the Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua, because of its excellent reputation on some internet sites and blogs. I stayed 2 weeks (6 hours a day, 5 days a week). But for sure I would have stayed for another couple of weeks. I studied in April 2010. Both teachers I had (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) were excellent. Their names were Christina and Gladys. There is one book that you have to buy. In fact, it's not really useful. Teachers have their own material adapted to your level. I brought my own dictionary and Spanish grammar.
People from the school were so friendly. I never missed the after school activities. It's a very good way to feed the conversations in Spanish and to get acquainted with the other students.
The host family was very friendly. In fact it was a couple. Their children were married and living elsewhere. We were five people from several countries in that host family (Canada, Germany, US). They were really dedicated to receive people from other countries. The meals were simple but very healthy (fresh fruits all the time, very good coffee from their own farm, etc.). Really nice people! So sympathetic! Unfortunately, I can't remember the family's name. I would recommend the school without hesitation, I would recommend this school warmly. Good luck! Daniel Lavoie. |
Annie Turgeon
niniturgeon@hotmail.com
04 / 2010 |
Hi, I went to Guatemala during 3 weeks (april 3th to april 22th) and the first week, I lived in a family. I don't remember the second name of my family but the first name of the girl is Ester and the house was on street 8th. I had a great time with us. I studied one week at the Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua, and my teacher was Angela Beatriz. I really had fun with her. We talked a lot together. The school organized activities but I went only at the dinner. During the day and I visited coffee plants with school.
I didn't have much study materials, only a little book for write notes.
For sure I recommend this school. I had a great time and Antigua is a good town and a lot activities to do.
I hope you have enough information. Annie Turgeon
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Philippe Lambert
phy.lambert@yahoo.fr
02 / 2010 |
First of all, I went to Guatemala and I studied Spanish in Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua, for a 15 days, a period from late February 2010 to early March 2010. In that school, Betty has been my teacher and another teacher Cecilia. In this school, there are individual lessons and group lessons. For me personally, I have preferred the individual courses that are particularly effective and fully adapted. It's the best and also fastest way to learn Spanish. Teaching is very good, progressions in the language are very fast- (we talk much in studies).
Extracurricular activities may be dance, meetings between students and teachers, various workshops where each student can express themselves and share their experiences. For me, I was actually the solution 'family home', but I've been staying with friends during my time in Guatemala. I recommend the formula 'host family', students are immersed and this formula allows complete academic progress in the language. The host families are accustomed to students. All students are particularly satisfied with this formula. This school helps place students in these families.
I recommend this school for several reasons: The courses are given in the flower garden, calm, tranquility, serenity. Learning of the language is done in the best conditions. Conviviality and possibility to change teachers, which provides more in studies, Student-teacher relationship is particularly high in the Quality. I note in passing the high quality of the teaching staff is very high, competent and very responsive and very reactive. Sincerely, Philippe. |
Lynda Wrigley
lyndawrigley@telus.net
12 / 2009 |
In Nov. 2009, I went to Guatemala as a volunteer interpreter for a Vancouver based surgical team, arriving in Antigua a few days in advance to get my head back into Spanish at Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School. I'm a professional woman with a background in 2nd language teaching and was very pleased with the wonderful reception & professional instruction I received at Don Pedro. On the strength of a short notice email, a corteous driver met my plane promptly & gave me an entire "lesson" in Mayan culture during the drive to Antigua in a modern van. I was delivered to my homestay where a tasty dinner awaited me along with 3 other students. Director Cathy Galindo did an admirable job of trying to get me up to speed for my work at a clinic in the highlands. When my team members arrived, she arranged for Spanish coaching for several of them. I will be returning to Guatemala regularly & will make a point of returning to Don Pedro whenever I can. I would not hesitate to recommend this school. Lynda West Vancouver, Canada |
Rina Steenkamp
catharinasteenkamp@gmail.com
10 / 2009 |
Hi, I went to Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua. I studied for 5 weeks during October / November 2009. I was very happy with my two teachers, Amabilia and Miriam. No study materials were provided - we concentrated on conversation. I enjoyed the after school activities very much and this school has so much more to offer regarding socializing after hours than any of the others, in my opinion.
My host family was delightful - Delia and Venicius, I wholeheartedly recommend it - in fact, 7 of my friends from Panama
followed me to this school to study Spanish. Regards, Rina |
Sarah Bramblette
sbramblette@yahoo.com
08 / 2009 |
Hello I studied at Don Pedro De Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua, for 4 hours/day for 2 weeks, in August of 2009. I had an excellent instructor, her name was Clara. Study materials were very good, she had many different types of books, and we did several different types of lessons each day which helped keep my attention. She also made suggestions for study cards. There were daily afternoon activities. Tours of local attractions such as coffee farm, jade factory, textile mill. The host family and their staff were very nice, the house was two blocks from the school, and very close to other needed shops such as laundry and coffee. I would certainly recommend the school, everyone was very helpful and nice. They assisted with transportation to the airport, and any other question I had about the area. Regards, Sarah |
Mary Kelly
mkelly4956@aol.com
07 / 2009 |
Hello I decided to go to Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua. I studied for two weeks from July 27th to August 7th, 2009. My instructors were Betty Najera Lopez and Enriqueta Pellecer. Mostly the instructors' own materials, handouts and magazines, which worked great. There was an excellent range of activities, very enjoyable. My host family was excellent; very willing to converse with students over meals. The food was very good too! The host mother's name is Irma Diaz de Guerro. I would definitely recommend the school to others. Sincerely, Kelly. |
Maryline Chabanis
07 / 2009 |
Hello, I decided to go to DON PEDRO DE ALVARADO in Antigua. I studied for 6 weeks there, during July & August of 2009. My instructor was (is) great; CATHY. Study materials were great and customized to my students' needs and wishes.
There were various activities proposed everyday... but I quickly spent time giving time to "NUESTROS AHIJADOS" as it was on my personal agenda to combine Spanish study and volunteering.
My host family was good, their names are Zincrid & Rene Pineda.
I would recommend the school without doubt!!!! Kind regards, Maryline. |
Johanna McGlauflin
josiem51180@comcast.net
07 / 2009 |
Hello, I took classes at the Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua, in July. I studied at the school for 5 days. I had an excellent teacher, her name is Sandra. I didn′t have any study materials. We mostly talked and I took notes in a notebook which worked very well for me since I was mostly interested in conversation. She did give me a few handouts that were helpful. My host family was fabulous, better than I could ever have imagined. Their names were Vinicio and Deli and lived across the street from the school. The afternoon activities that the school took us on were amazing. We went to a Mayan village, a coffee plantation and macadamia farm, these were some of the highlights of my trip to Guatemala. I have already recommended the school and host family to a number of friends, one of whom is planning to go in next year. Kind regards, Johanna McGlauflin. |
Cynthia Beck
cynthiabeck07@mac.com
05 / 2009 |
Hi, I decided for Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua. I studied for 9 weeks, there in May-June of 2009. I got a good instructor in Amabilia Hernandez. Study materials were lacking. I had to find and buy my own books. I enjoyed all the after school activities
My host family was fabulous, Señora Aramita. I would recommend the school to others. Warm regards, Cynthia. |
Chris Buckshaw
cbuckshaw@hotmail.com
04 / 2009 |
Hello, I would be happy to share comments. I decided to study at Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua. I took 4 weeks of lessons, full-time in April/May of 2009. My instructor was Cathy Galindo. She was an amazing instructor. We got along very well, and she was wonderful at working at my pace. We used some older text books, but they were perfectly fine and effective. We did several things such as visiting coffee and macadamia plantations, and they were really great about helping us visit schools, which we wanted to do. We actually did not stay with a host family. We stayed at a volunteer guesthouse one block away from the school. I have recommended this school to many people and will continue to do so. They were fantastic, and I strongly recommend them to anyone. Their location and atmosphere is beautiful, and all the instructors are really great. Lety, the reservations person is also just fantastic to deal with. They are the best school in Antigua! Sincerely, Chris. |
Kirsti Roysko
kirsti_roysko@hotmail.com
01 / 2009 |
Hello! I hope you all are well there and schools are full of students! I attended Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua. I studied for 5 days (4 hours/day) there in January of 2009. I had Cathy Galindo as instructor and she was good (I liked the discussions about Guatemala life) Study materials were not much, discussion mainly. I did not attend any after school activity. Family Lopez was ok, discussions while eating were nice. I would recommend the school! The patio was so beautiful and peaceful place to learn. Regards, Kirsti. |
Nora & sons
levesqun@friscoisd.org
06 / 2007 |
Hi, we did go to Guatemala; my daughter went to Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua. She took 5 hours a day of Spanish and did very well. Her teacher was great. Thanks, Nora |
Cécile Cadilhac
03 / 2007 |
Hello, I studied spanish in Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua, in March 2007. I have been studying there for two weeks. My instructor was a young lady, and I don' t really remember her name! I have been living with two families: the first one was nice, but there were other French people and I wanted to practice my Spanish, so I decided to move. The second family was nice too. I would recommend this school, I had a good time there. Thank you, Cécile. |
Anne Groombridge
annegroombridge@yahoo.co.uk
01 / 2007 |
I have recently returned from studying Spanish in Antigua Guatemala, and I would like to recommend my school as one of the very best in Antigua. I studied at the Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School in Antigua. It is located right next door to La Merced Church, in a central and convenient location. My teachers were wonderful; I studied there for four hours per day for two months. The total immersion method was used to great effect, and we studied all four areas of language (speaking was most important, but we also concentrated on listening, reading, writing at one time or another). The teachers were patient and well versed in their subject, and they always corrected when necessary without ruining the flow. I stayed with a Guatemalan family the whole time I was there. They were also wonderful, and really made me feel a part of the family! The meals were wholesome and the food plentiful. The house was clean and tidy, and I enjoyed my interactions with them immensely. The added bonus was that I always had the opportunity to practice what I had learned in class, thus furthering my ability to speak the language. They were also very patient with me! The activities provided by the school were really good fun as well. I enjoyed the salsa dancing lessons (given by a professional dance teacher) every Tuesday evening and also the weekly fiesta on Thursday evening. During these fiestas, we had the opportunity to continue speaking Spanish with the many people who attended; both students and friends from outside the school. The administrators were wonderful as well. Caty Galindo, the Director, did everything she possibly could to make my stay with them as productive and comfortable as possible. She cooked for the fiesta each Thursday evening and her cooking was a real treat! It was fun to sample the local cuisine in this way; ′carne asada′ with ′chirmol′ and ′guacamole′ was a real favourite! The environment of the school is very beautiful and well taken care of as well. It is an easy, relaxing place to study. I really looked forward to going to class each morning. Now that I am back in England I find that I am missing the school and the lifestyle there very much. I hope that I have managed to convey my delight with my studies at the Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School. Please let me know how I can formally nominate my school for a place on your website. Thank you very much! Sincerely, Anne Groombridge. Cheddar, Somerset, UK. |
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