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San Pedro Spanish School
San Pedro La Laguna
Lake Atitlan
(+502)-5715-4604, 4757-1558
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Registration
$ 30
Write to the school
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| Rank |
89% |
| Prices |
150 USD for 20
hours per week including host family
90 USD for 20 hours per week without host family
Study one hour daily more or less: add or subtract about USD 23 per week.
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| School Size |
10 to 30 students |
| Openings |
Since this is a popular school in the Lake area, it is recommendable to register early to assure your space in school! |
| Summary |
The best after school activities in San Pedro, a beautiful environment with the famous view, and a sincere management which does not contract emergency teachers, so inscribe on time (upper student limit is 20, school is nearly always full).
10% of students fees goes directly to help finance the ′Niños del Lago′ education project.
Founded in 1997.
Total immersion in Atitlán is good if you don′t hang out with other students which is hard to avoid. |
| Registration |
San Pedro Spanish School is always pretty full and certainly fills up during high season. You should enroll at least two weeks in advance to assure a space in school with a quality instructor.
Students that pay one month of lessons in advance, get 10% off. |
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 with normal standard earn $30 per week.
See details for recommended instructors!
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Teachers are all in their mid twenties. They have an average of six years of experience. New teachers study for one week first with an experienced teacher, for a second week they observe tuition, and in the third week they give classes under observation. This is a very practical approach to teacher training.
Recommended teachers: Pedro Cruz III, Eligio III, Leidy, Lorenzo II, Edwin, Ramon, Clara, Manuela II, Lety II, Rafael, Estela, Omar.
(Roman numbers refer to the numbers of recommendations.) |
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 |
One on one teaching. The curriculum is the same as in most schools.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
The student can influence curriculum very much. If you opt to do homework in the school, you enjoy supervision.
Lectures: Every Thursday there is a lecture. Topics: A person tells about his being kidnapped during the guerrilla war, the Mayan calendar, nowadays politics of Guatemala, the Peace Agreement etc.
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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 |
AMSCO Spanish Three Years is used as exercise book. Teachers use blackboards. Teachers develop their own materials. Library: small. Video library: good.
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School's specific Information:
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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 |
We have no reports up to now on the school′s childrens´program.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Two of the host families have children. Because the vast garden, children won′t interfere other students if they are noisy. They can also take classes or even accompany the children of the host family to public school. San Pedro is a safe place for children. |
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 |
Study takes place on platforms with little thatched shadow roofs within a well groomed garden. The garden is a beautiful estate with bungalows and ornamental plants. Cafeteria.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
The school is situated in the centre of the tourist part of San Pedro, right at the beach of Lake Atitlán. Probably the most beautiful school in Guatemala. In the close vicinity there are thermal baths, horse riding and canoeing, and you can play volleyball on the beach lawn. |
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 |
Good: talks on interesting topics in Spanish, hikes, videos, visits to local villages, volcanoes and attractive sites. Dancing: Salsa and Merengue.
[Show Details]
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School's specific Information:
Activities are for free: Monday presentation of new students, Tuesday a video, Wednesday there are Salsa lessons, Thursday there is a lecture on local topics like the growth of corn or the guerrilla war, or weaving classes, Friday night there is graduation party. On Saturdays you go on excursions: You climb volcanoes, walk along the lake or go to Chichicastenango (may incur a additional cost)..
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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 |
Families earn $60 per week. Student′s reports about host families are mostly good.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
There is a maximum of three students per family. Families encourage you to talk Spanish. Host fathers are public school teachers.
Recommended families: Ruben and Lucia; Cecilia and Antonio; Juana, Paulina and Juan Tuch y Rosalia. |
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 |
Option to work with "Proyecto Niños del Lago" which is run by the school and student volunteers. It is a program to assist health, welfare, and education of 16 very disadvantaged children from San Pedro.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
By far the greatest need in the project is for self-starter volunteers who can stay for a while and help improve the general structure of the program. |
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 can arrange to meet you at the international airport in Guatemala City.
[Show Details]
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School's specific Information:
The school offers you a shuttle service from Guatemala City international airport to San Pedro for $25, if you arrive at the airport before 2pm.
If you arrive after 2pm, they can also pick you up in a private taxi for $80 per trip. Please contact the school for more information. |
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 San Pedro Spanish School.
Near Restaurant "Tintin" on the connection path between the two piers of San Pedro. Follow the signs
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Angus Macaskill
goose997@hotmail.com
09 / 2009 |
Hello, I decided to go to San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro, La Laguna. I studied for 3 weeks there. My instructor, was excellent, her name is Andrea. She had a textbook which was good, but a copy of it, was not available for me, so I could not write on it. It would have been useful to have more handout materials. My Spanish improved significantly. The conversation club was useful and other activities were fun. The host family were very nice and the food was excellent. Their names were Pedro and Deborah. I would definitely recommend the school to others. Regards, Angus. |
Sarah Goldberg
sarahgoldberg2@gmail.com
08 / 2009 |
I also studied at San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro, La Laguna, for 5 weeks. I liked both instructors. My teacher in San Pedro was, Antonio. I think the instructors at this school, were better... Study materials were sufficient. I definitely recommend bringing your own English-spanish dictionary though. My Spanish improved tremendously. I spoke absolutely no Spanish before I arrived in Guatemala and when I returned home to Chicago I took a placement test for the extension school of ′Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico′ and was placed in Intermediate 2. I learned in 6 weeks, what took me 6 years of middle school and high school to learn in French. After school activities were great. At both schools, we had hiking and salsa dancing, both of which I loved. San Pedro have lots of opportunities outside of the school for exploring on your own. This school, also, has a volunteer-run school for under-privileged kids, where Spanish students can help out. If you like kids, I definitely recommend it--the children were friendly and adorable. If you plan to study at San Pedro and volunteer at the school, I would also recommend having some lessons in mind and possibly bringing some materials or donations--the school has limited resources. My host family here, was lovely--they were, Rosa and Benjamin and their three sons. We always ate together, they talked with me all the time and they did their best to make sure I was comfortable. I would definitely recommend staying with them. I would recommend both schools I studied at though--I had good experiences at San Pedro and the other school I attended, although they have different atmospheres. At San Pedro, the school is right on the lake and is absolutely beautiful. Classes are held in individual grass huts scattered on the property and you never mind studying, because it feels so tranquil and relaxing. However, it is a much bigger school than the school in Quetzaltenango and in a more touristy town. There are often 10-20 students at the school at once. It is really fun to meet other travellers and explore together, but, it means you make less of a connection with the local teachers. At break the teachers tend to gather in one area and chat, while the students gather in another. I am glad I had both school experiences, though, I′m not sure which I prefer, but they are definitely different and worthwhile. Sincerely, Sarah Goldberg. |
Robin Park
robin.park77@gmail.com
07 / 2009 |
Hi, I decided to attend, San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro, La Laguna. I studied for ′una semana′ there. I asked for a teacher who can speak English. They assigned one for me. They have their own book and they offered handouts to me. My Spanish definitely improved. There were several after school programs, but it was not interesting for me. I did not stay with host family, as I was staying at hotel near the school. I would recommend the school, they are fine. Take it care and Thank you. Robin. |
Kevin McLean
hulagon@gmail.com
07 / 2009 |
Hello, we ended up studying at two different schools in Guatemala. We studied for one week in San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro, La Laguna. The school was well organized and they found us an amazing family to stay with, which we thought was wonderful, considering there were 4 of us and a large dog. We all improved our Spanish. We did not attend any of the school organized events at this school, so I cannot comment on them. Our teachers were fine, but not exceptional. The family we stayed with was exceptional. They went out of their way to make sure that we were comfortable and happy in every way. Both schools were very helpful and I give them full marks for being able to accommodate our requests, sometimes with little notice. We were very appreciative that they found a home that would let us have our dog with us as well. We would recommend both schools to anyone interested. Kevin McLean. Calgary, AB. |
Brienne Thomson
raceher_b@yahoo.com
06 / 2009 |
I also, studied at the San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro, La Laguna, for 11 days and stayed for 14 nights. Out of the 3 teachers from 3 different schools I had during my trip in Guatemala, Javier Mendez at San Pedro was by far the best! He had material and activities prepared, was creative, patient, energetic and had a sense of humour. I highly recommend Javier as a teacher. The school also provided daily conversational classes and weekend excursions, including hikes and kayaking; where we ended up at an awesome cliff-jumping location! My host family, Debora and Pedro Gonzalez were outstanding. The house was close to the school and it was an art gallery. Pedro is an artist. So I studied in the front room surrounded by paintings! and Debora made fresh tortillas on a special wood burning stove they had just outside the kitchen, yummy! They were also very interactive and had a "Spanish only’ rule at the dinner table, which was excellent practice. They took me to their corn farm, to a soccer game and to the beach ′Playa Finca′, for a picnic. I highly recommend both Javier Mendez and Debora and Pedro Gonzalez. My experience with them was so great I want to go back! Gracias, Brienne Thomson. San Diego, CA. |
Julianne Wiebe
juliannewiebe@gmail.com
06 / 2009 |
Hello, my husband and I attended San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro, Lake Atitlan. We studied for 2 weeks with a home stay. Our instructors, Rosalia and Vilma were excellent. They gave us their full attention and taught us at our level. They adjusted the curriculum according to our needs. The study materials and resources were adequate, though it would have been helpful to follow a textbook. There were fun activities organized by the school on weekends, such as hiking, kayaking, and trips to the market in Chichicastenango. Everyday there was a conversation club where students would get together and talk, facilitated by an instructor. Our home stay couldn′t have been better. We stayed with Tula and Luis, the Mendez family. Their house and garden was beautiful, quiet and peaceful. We had our own room and bathroom with a hot water shower, and a gorgeous view of Lake Atitlan. The food was more than plentiful and absolutely delicious. They treated us like family. I would definitely recommend studying in San Pedro, as it is a beautiful, tranquil town, everyone was so friendly, there are a lot of outdoor activities to enjoy in the afternoon and most of all, we learned a ton of Spanish in a short time. We wished we could have stayed longer! Sincerely, Julianne. |
Lucile
lu.t@hotmail.fr
05 / 2009 |
I studied for 3 weeks at San Pedro Spanish School. I had three different teachers : Diego, Leti, and another young new one I really liked... but I don't know how I can't remember her name. I asked to have different teachers in order to try different methods and to get used to differents accents and I learned a lot with them. Even though I had some basis I learnt at school in France, when I arrived having a conversation was kind of hard, after only 2 weeks I was able to speak easily. Moreover the teachers were aware at my needs : that is to say they weren't giving formated classes but asked me what point I wanted to emphasize.
We didn't have special study materials (except pens and papers), but the teachers were very imaginative. Indeed, we were sometimes playing games in Spanish so that I could learn grammar in a funny way and, as I was there in order to work in a Human rights Organisation. Diego was focusing my classes on newspapers articles related to this field in order that I could have the adapted vocabulary. I didn't feel that I would have need special material: teachers were competent and knew how to give fun to their classes.
I had 2 host families. I stayed longer in the first one : at Deli and Venicio's. They welcomed me in a really nice way, were really kind with us trying to make meals funnies and educative and to make us discover our culture while being really interested in ours (we were about 4-5 people from differents countries). I'm still in contact with their nephew Juan Carlos.
While i was there there was a walk to the Cruz and salsa classes as "extra-scholar activities". But to be honest, I wasn't looking for a big school with a lot of activities so it was Ok with me. As for the relations after school activities, Diego -the one in charge of the school- was really kind to me, always helping when I needed something
I would really recommend the school for people who are not looking to a big school full of tourists.
It was more like an intimate school, with a beautiful and peaceful garden where to have classes, nice teachers and workers with whom you feel close. It was my first travel out of France, they sent me someone to pick me up at the airport , I arrived in the middle of the night and Diego was there to show me the family. So finally I was so comfortable that this first travel was a really easy one. I went to visit other schools while I was there, by curiosity, and finally decided to stay in Don Pedro cause I almost felt like in a family.
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Kurtis Weiman
kurtis_weiman@hotmail.com
04 / 2009 |
Hi, I attended the San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro, Atitlan, directed by Ramon. I studied there for 3 weeks and would recommend it to everyone. I was interested in having a good time as well as learning Spanish and the school′s environment was very conducive to having fun while learning. My teacher was David, who I had for all three weeks as we got along well and I always enjoyed conversing with him. The activities in the evenings and weekends organised by the school were always a highlight. I stayed with a family, Cheto and Micaella, close to the school in San Pedro and they were very welcoming and a pleasure to stay with. I found Guatemala365 just by searching Google and found that it is a great, honest website and has all that you need to choose a school that is suitable. Regards, Kurtis. |
Renee Wilson
nightowlspirit@hotmail.com
04 / 2009 |
I also attended, San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro La Laguna, and I loved it! It was a great experience. Ramon, the director of the school, is very smart and very nice. I went rappelling with him for one of the school′s activities, and he was awesome! I studied at the school for two weeks. My instructor′s name is Omar. We quickly became friends, and I learned a lot from him. I think Omar was born to teach, he is excellent, precise, and has many methods of teaching. The school is very nice as well, secluded from the rest of the city, and right on the lake. There were school activities every day, one being Club de Conversacion (conversation club), which is an extra 45 minutes a day of interactive study. I found this very helpful. There were also salsa dance classes, a Saturday outdoor activity, and visiting the market in Chichi on Sundays. I loved my host family. Felix and Francisca are wonderful people. Felix is very friendly and helpful, and Francisca makes delicious homemade food every day. I am a vegetarian, but it was no problem at all. Francisca was even nice enough to make me a licuado (milkshake) for breakfast, as I don′t usually like to eat a lot in the morning. My stomach wasn′t doing too well, until I came to their house, and the homemade food made me feel so much better. I absolutely recommend this school. It was a wonderful experience. Anyone who wants more information can write to me at nightowlspirit@hotmail.com. Sincerely, Renee Wilson |
June Messmer
june.messmer@gmail.com
04 / 2009 |
Hello, I decided to go to San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro La Laguna. I received 8 days of school for 32 hours of instruction. I did get a good instructor, Margarita was her name. It took me a long time to understand her as she is very soft spoken. Although, I did learn, she may have been better for someone with intermediate Spanish and not a beginner. To learn the cadence of the language, it would have been easier for me the have had someone with a stronger voice. As for study resources, the staff gladly supplied everything I needed. For after school activities, the conversation club was great and I did a Saturday market trip. When I come back to San Pedro, I would like the same host family..., Señor and Señora Mendez. They welcomed us, were very patient with me, and integrated us into their family. I can not have asked for more! I would recommend the school in a minute! I am hoping to return next year! Thank you for all your help. Regards, June Messmer. |
Frank Leszczynski
fleszczynski@hotmail.com
02 / 2009 |
Hola, Yo estudie 3 semanas en la San Pedro Spanish School en San Pedro, La Laguna. Mi maestro en San Pedro fue Eligio. El fue muy bueno. Las clases me gustaron mucho. Las actividades por la tarde eran muy interesantes y divertidas. Mi familia fue muy amable. El cuarto y la comida estaban muy bien. En San Pedro viví con la familia de Cecilia y Antonio. Yo recomiendo esta escuela. Disculpe mi faltas, pero mi Español no es muy bueno todavía. Te deseo buen día. Saludos cordiales, Frank. |
Gerald HOSTIER
geraldH75@aol.COM
01 / 2009 |
Hello, we all loved the school and the prices charged. When compared to what we would have paid in other countries it′s not expensive. In other countries we cannot enjoy the nice weather of Lake Atitlan and the mild relationships we had with local people. We all appreciated the lush campus and teachers. Even my nephew who complained about having to wake up early during his vacations is now rhapsodizing about his experience at the San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro, La Laguna. My teacher (Omar) was a nice and interesting chap. My nephew did not stay with his girl friend in the family you selected because the standards of comfort were rather low. I think that a programme could be implemented to help these families in upgrading their offer to foreign students. But, the hotel Amanecer (sunrise), close to the school was such a good place and offered so much for a low price. It′s the best "value for money" we found in Central America. We just stayed one week in San Pedro Spanish School and are ready to fly back to Guatemala for more. Our greatest fear was landing over in Miami or Dallas where immigration is not especially nice to Europeans. I answered in English which is, as you know, not our favourite foreign language! For the reasons listed above we do remember the time we spent with you and will definitely recommend the school. The evening social activities were excellent. I was moved by what I heard regarding the civil war. Regards to Huguette, Omar and..to you. Sincerely, Gérald HOSTIER. |
Margaret Holmes
holmesarg@hotmail.com
11 / 2008 |
Hi, my husband and I attended San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro. We studied for one week, including a home stay. Ramon, the director, and I corresponded back and forth and he was very kind to make our transport arrangements back and forth to Antigua. Since we have never been to a language school in Guatemala before, we cannot speak to the quality of our teachers in comparison to any others. We did like that we had one-to-one, individualized teaching and did feel we were learning a lot. We especially benefited from the extra "conversation club" that was available each afternoon. We enjoyed our home stay family - again, no other experience to compare with, and found accommodations and food to be very basic. We did like that we were the only students at the home and that the school tries to have no more than two students per home. We would recommend the school based on our experience, and we would go back there. I believe I learned about your site from the Lonely Planet guide or its online forum. There are so many schools in Guatemala, I think it is helpful for prospective students to have some way of comparing and making choices. So keep up the work! Regards, Meg Holmes. |
Barbara Adams
barb.adams@telus.net
10 / 2008 |
Hi, I decided to go to San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro, La Laguna. I studied for 2 weeks there. My teacher, Lety was very patient, thorough, professional, and organized. I would highly recommend her, especially for an intermediate or advanced learner. As I am not a beginner, I cannot say what she would be like instructing that level. My host family was good, Cecilia and Antonio. I rarely saw the father though, but Cecilia was very friendly and easy to talk to. I didn′t interact much with the family, except at meal times (it felt a little more like a border house than a home stay situation). The food was very basic but good and quite varied. The accommodations were fine, not the same standard that I′m used to but fine. I would recommend the school, it is very professional and well organized. Friendly director and staff. I really enjoyed the volunteer project the school runs. Thanks, Barbara. |
David Barth
dbarth@worldacord.org
09 / 2008 |
I also attended Escuela de Español San Pedro in San Pedro, La Laguna. I studied for 3 weeks there. My teacher Rafa was also had a good teacher. My host family was good. I would highly recommend Familia Gonzalez Ramirez. The food was local, simple, fresh and never once had problems with it. The family was friendly and always helpful with the language learning. I was always invited when they visited relatives or for special occasions. I would highly recommend this school as well. Thanks, David. |
Erin Frey
erinkellyfrey@yahoo.com
09 / 2008 |
I decided on San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro, Lago Atitlan. I studied for two weeks, Monday through Friday, five hours per day. I could not have asked for a better teacher. Her name is Leti, and she was amazing. She was an extremely clear, knowledgeable and effective instructor and we became friends fast. Not a day went by that we didn′t laugh during a lesson. Every member of my host family was very nice and I bonded with the 10 year old. I cannot remember their last name, but the father′s first name was Felix and the mother′s was Francisca. I would absolutely recommend this school. I know that it′s hard to believe that it was so perfect, but I really did have an amazing experience there that I will never forget. They were such wonderful people and I learned a great deal of Spanish very quickly. I would be happy to answer any questions in the future. Best, Erin. |
Josh Johnson
sp@thetechtable.net
09 / 2008 |
I have just finished six weeks of study at San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro, La Laguna and I can heartily recommend it. The staff are most welcoming, friendly and helpful. The study materials were not that great. Guatemala365 mentions that they have a small library and video collection, neither of which I ever saw. Unless you′re talking about the film screenings once a week. The evening programs are interesting and fun. They show films about the civil war, bring in speakers to talk about different aspects of Mayan culture, and even have salsa lessons and dancing one night a week. These programs are all free (included in the price of school). Speaking of, their prices have recently risen, so check with them directly to find out the latest. They′re definitely not the cheapest school in town, but I do think you get your money′s worth in comparison. Another optional free activity are the conversation clubs. These are divided into experience levels, and are a chance to practice your Spanish with a small group of other students while the conversation is facilitated by one of the teachers. It′s a fun way to practice, and I made a lot of friends this way. On the weekends, the school organizes different adventure outings: climbing the volcano, kayaking across the lake, tours around town, etc. These activities cost extra, but are cheaper than if you book them yourself. I participated in most of these activities, and they were all great. It′s a good way to make friends while having a fun day. In my six weeks at the school, I tried three different teachers, and all three had different styles: Lorenzo is very intelligent, dedicated, and has an excellent grasp of English, which is necessary when explaining different concepts. I think he would be an excellent teacher for an intermediate or advanced student. As I was a total beginner, after one week with him we both felt frustrated since I was not up to the level he is used to teaching at. I actually thought he was a bit condescending and not very patient, but that could just be me. Other people liked him. So for my second week, I changed to Estela. In many ways, she is the opposite of Lorenzo. Instead of drilling the grammar, rules, and conjugations, we simply talked. This is exactly what I needed at the time, since I simply wanted to learn how to communicate. We also took walks as we talked, which was a nice change from sitting in front of the whiteboard for hours. The downside to her relaxed style is that she let me get away with a lot of mistakes that I wish she hadn′t. Estela also does not have the advanced level of English that Lorenzo does, so it′s difficult to ask her a complex question. Thus in my third week, I changed teachers again, to Manuela. I stuck with Manuela for my remaining three weeks because she strikes a good balance between being strict (teaching the necessary rules) while also encouraging relaxed conversation. Learning with her is actually fun. She has a good grasp of English and grammatical rules; more than Estela, but less than Lorenzo. I heard good things from fellow students about other teachers, but can only personally report on what I experienced. The family I stayed with was excellent: Cecilia and Antonio. They are better off than most of the families in San Pedro, which means you reap the benefits (modern electrical appliances, for example). I had a private room with a bathroom right outside the door. This bathroom was shared with only one other person (another student), the family used another bathroom. Cecilia is a good cook, very friendly, and welcoming. Antonio drives a tourist van so he wasn′t around that often, but when he was it was fun. They have three daughters ages 1, 11, and 13. The baby is really cute, and the older ones were friendly and very patient with my lack of ability to communicate. You get three meals per day. Lunch is the biggest meal. The dinners get a bit boring, so I would go out to eat occasionally for variety. The family doesn′t eat all together (which surprised me), but you always have at least one of them sitting with you during your meal if you want to chat. That was fine with me, I could hang out with them in the living room if I wanted to chat, or I could squirrel away in my room if I wanted to be alone - they were fine either way. San Pedro is a nice town, and there are a variety of things to do and see. There are a number of gringo bars and restaurants showing English-language films if you get homesick or want to hang out with other gringos. It′s a safe town as well - I never felt in danger, and many of my women friends would walk home at night alone. Thank you so much for your website Guatemala365. I used it to help me find a Spanish school, and it was a great resource. Feel free to write me with any questions you might have. I′m travelling for the next year so it might take me a bit of time to respond, but rest assured I will. Safe travels! Josh Johnson USA (D.C., Seattle, New York). |
Barbara Lindemann
lindemannb@cox.net
04 / 2008 |
Hi, my adult daughter and I studied at the Escuela de Espanol San Pedro in San Pedro, Atitlan for one week. We were each very satisfied with our teachers. Both were knowledgeable, personable and conscientious, and both were good at assessing our respective level of competence in order to find the right materials for us. The study materials were adequate, but delivered usually orally. Next time I would bring a text book with me. We did not stay with a host family. We found the school to be well-run with a friendly and efficient staff and good field trips. I would highly recommend this school to anyone. Thanks, Barbara. |
Eric Fox
04 / 2008 |
I studied at different schools! (I got the travelling bug and wanted to have a bunch of different teachers!). First I went to San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro La Laguna. I studied there for 2 weeks, approx 4/14/08 to 4/25/08. I had probably my best teacher of all at this Spanish School, a young guy by the name of Omar. He was energetic, knowledgeable, etc. Study materials were great, Nassi/Levy Spanish texts that we could take home to study after class. My host family was great. A very friendly environment and helpful. My Señora knew a very small amount of English which helped and they were very interested in talking with me and making me practice! I got to play some street soccer with the little boy in the family too! I had a fantastic experience at San Pedro Spanish School. I went there on a friends recommendation and was very pleased with the choice. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to others interested in fantastic Spanish lessons by knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers in a beautiful location (the garden classroom is amazing, not to mention the lake!). While San Pedro doesn′t have quite the dominating numbers of Spanish schools as Xela (Quetzaltenango) or Antigua, don′t let others try to convince you that you would be sacrificing quality by going to San Pedro (which people in Antigua, especially, will try to do...). I had 2 different teachers, and both were energetic, engaging, and knowledgeable. Though most speak the Mayan language T′zutujil, as a first language, their Spanish was clean, clear and fluent. The school organized enjoyable get together, outings, dance classes, and conversation clubs, and the whole experience felt much more closely knit and family-like than other schools I tried in Guatemala. And the School itself was very involved and concerned about students having a positive experience. If one were studying at San Pedro Spanish School and something wasn′t working out (personality clash with teacher, etc.), the school would go way out of its way to immediately address the problem. They are well aware that you could take your investment elsewhere, and they will work hard to make sure you are quite satisfied with your experience. My Spanish improved significantly and I learned a great deal about the local history and culture as well. As I understand it locally, (and based on other students experiences in the area), San Pedro Spanish School is by far the best place to study in San Pedro. The town itself is an interesting place, with a healthy tourist industry near the lake, and a more traditional village setting up above. If students are motivated to meet with locals and really practice Spanish, San Pedro is a great place for them. If students prefer to interact more with tourists (and not practice Spanish as much), they will also find that easily accessible. As in most places (cities or tourist spots alike) in Guatemala, this choice is up to the motivations and goals of each of the students. If one is concerned about getting sucked into the tourist crowd and not practicing Spanish (due to weak self discipline, etc.), San Pedro might not be the best city for you...maybe try Xela or a smaller village somewhere in the highlands (Nebaj or Todos Santos). Disciplined students, or those looking to combine touristy stuff with study will find no better place than San Pedro. Great site for those beginning to think about and plan a trip to Guatemala to study Spanish. The detailed instructions, packing guide, directions, and FAQ were a great compliment to my guide book... It would be cool to be able to contact previous students to hear it first hand as well. Again, a fantastic site. Thank you for all your help and hard work. Don′t hesitate to contact me if I can provide more information! |
Carol Rushby
carol.rushby@verizon.net
04 / 2008 |
The second week I attended San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro. I studied 4 hours a day at each school. The teachers were great and each taught in a different manner. The study materials at the school were better. On the whole I liked San Pedro better. The school seemed to care more about the students and everyone was very helpful. I stayed at a hotel in San Pedro only because I felt I may be tired of staying with a family , but everyone in my classes stayed with families and really enjoyed their stays. The rooms were much nicer in San Pedro. I would give this school an A. The whole experience was wonderful and hopefully I will be able to go back next year. Thanks for the site, Carol. |
Andreas Butzek
mexico2008@vollbio.de
03 / 2008 |
I also attended San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro La Laguna. I studied for 1 week there. My teacher Estela, was good. Study materials were good, there were books and workbooks for lend, copies of expressions in 3 columns: German/English/Spanish. They offered very good understandable (cognitive) copies for the students and exercise sheets to fill out, there were also the use of whiteboards. I did not stay with host family. I would recommend this school, because of the environment of the lake it is a very pleasant and calm location to study. I was studying at my own every evening there and after 3 days I moved to the school property for lakeside camping, no shower though. There is only one hour Internet per week gratis. Regards, Andreas Butzek. |
Stephen Pleadwell
steviepleadwell@yahoo.com
01 / 2008 |
I decided to attend San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro, Atitlan. I studied for 1 month all together. Teachers were great for the first few lessons...then seemed bored. Some teachers were much better than others. Study materials were good enough. My host family was the highlight of the experience. I would recommend this school, but I have no other to compare it to. I am a student who had an unfortunate incident his first day catching the chicken bus in Guatemala City. My daypack was stolen by "friendly" criminals posing as bus employees. Some explicit warnings are necessary in the welcome email. All in all, an unforgettably positive experience however. Thanks, Stephen. |
Mimi Imre
mimre@hotmail.com
01 / 2008 |
I also, went to San Pedro Spanish school in San Pedro. I studied another week there. My teacher there was also patient and very competent. Study materials were adequate. I was focusing on conversation, so materials were not always necessary. I also stay at a hotel in San Pedro, so no family review. I would recommend this school. Ciao, Mimi. |
Adam Bell
adamb000@gmail.com
08 / 2007 |
I decided to attend San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro, Atitlan. I studied there for three weeks. My teacher was good, his name is, Eligio. The study materials were so, so. My host family was fantastic, warm and friendly. Thanks, Adam. |
Greg& Family Russell
grsurfsail@yahoo.com
07 / 2007 |
I have been at Escuela de Español San Pedro for one week now and am very satisfied with it. The teachers are good and the family we are staying with, are nice people and are good cooks. We have two rooms at the house, my wife and I are in one room and my daughters in another adjoining room. Good hot water is hard to come by but we are making do. We have two more weeks and will write more then. There is no internet at the school, weaving or Mayan taught at the school. We are mostly studying anyhow although my wife would like other things here, in San Pedro la Laguna, Atitlan. Thanks, Greg Russell |
Jason Kramberg
jkramberg@yahoo.com
05 / 2007 |
I studied Spanish at Escuela de Español San Pedro for 2 weeks in June 2007. It definitely seemed to be the most established school in San Pedro. Overall I had a good experience; though I got the feeling my teacher (a guy) would probably have preferred a female student, he was competent and spoke very good English. The school offered activities such as salsa dancing and weekend trips to local markets. I lived with a local family for the first week then moved to a nice and cheap ($8 a night) hotel right on the lake. The family I lived with was very nice but there was only one bathroom to be shared among 10 people. Since I was also in Guatemala on vacation I decided to move into a hotel for the second week. Regarding guatemala365, it was a great help. Thank you very much. |
Samantha & Morgan Puentes
samanthapuentes@gmail.com
04 / 2007 |
I went to the San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro and had a wonderful experience. I was going to study there for one week only, but ended up staying for two. I learned a lot more than I realized I could from my fantastic teacher Manuela. The owner, Ramon, was also great and allowed us to pitch our tent on the property for free! It′s a beautiful location, overlooking the lake, and I′m so glad I chose that school! Thanks, Samantha. |
Cheryl Hartt
laskeyhartt@vtusa.net
04 / 2007 |
Hi, my husband and I spent two weeks each in San Pedro at the San Pedro Spanish School. We stayed with a wonderful family and the experience on the whole was quite wonderful. There was fun tango lessons each week and some very interesting people at the school. It was a great experience and we hope to return next year. Thanks for you help Cheryl |
Marshall Morrow
marshmorrow@yahoo.com
03 / 2007 |
I attended San Pedro Spanish School in San Pedro, La Laguna. I studied there for one week, then on to another school in Xela. My teacher was very nice. I was surprised to learn that she speaks Spanish as a second language. Her mother′s language is Tzutujil. This lead to a totally unexpected and delightful introduction to Mayan culture, local customs, and dress. We touched on the deep and powerful sense of spiritual connection with all creatures, all places in the Mayan philosophical system. My visit turned into a priceless cultural adventure. Oh yes, I did advance in my Spanish studies as well. The activities were rather haphazard, I thought, with little value. Management showed little interest in the personal side of the equation. Ho-hum, one more student. My family was wonderful; their tutelage in Mayan culture and values was the real treasure of the trip. I was able to cross-reference my new learning from my teacher with these fine people. Best Marshall. |
Mary mc Cluskey
carpevita93401@yahoo.com
03 / 2007 |
Hi, we attended San Pedro Spanish school in San Pedro. We studied there for four weeks each. Overall it was a good experience. My husband changed teachers 3 times, once to be challenged more and once to accommodate the needs of another student. I stayed with the same teacher the whole time. I should have changed teachers after two weeks, to get a new perspective and new blood, so to speak. My teacher was actually very good, and I learned a lot, but we started to get tired of each other. On the whole, there is a lot of emphasis on learning, and it is hard to assimilate so much information coming in over a period of 4 weeks. If I had to do it over again, I would do 3 weeks, then take a break and go back for review and concentration on areas that were more difficult for me. I started as an intermediate, and I am comfortable at the advanced level now. I can hold my own in about any conversation with another person. My family was very nice, and I got a good look at what Guatemalans at the lower middle class socio-economic level face from day to day. We faced problems with lack of water supply, so much that the dad wound up taking containers to the lake to fill them so that I would have enough water. I ate a lot of rice, eggs and beans, but that is life in Guatemala. The reality is that these people rent their rooms to make extra money. Many of the families want to build on to their houses so that they can take more students, earn more money, and give the students privacy and their families privacy. This translates to less interaction between families and students and more interaction with students to students. That is not necessarily bad, but it is a reality. Having had a foreign exchange student live with us for a year, I understand some of the dynamics of bringing a new person of a different culture into the family circle. We did it because we wanted the experience, not the money, there was none. I can understand the desires of the families to create a space for the students and a space for themselves. It is very hard on family life to have new people in your living room all the time. Students need to expect that families will welcome them and work with them, that is their job as host families, and the students also need to understand that they are only one of many who have passed through those doors. That is a long winded answer, and if you have more questions, I would be happy to answer them. The experience was positive and I would do it again. Thanks, Mary |
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