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Escuela de Español Tecun Uman
6 Calle Poniente N. 34 A
Antigua
(+502)-7832-2792, 5513-4349
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| Rank |
87% |
| Prices |
225 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 15 per week.
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| School Size |
20 to 70 students |
| Openings |
This school currently has openings! |
| Summary |
This is one of the traditional schools of Antigua, founded in 1983. Therefore, many advanced students study here. The school pays a fair salary and bonuses to teachers and thus is able to hold good teachers. The director personally fetches late night arrivals from the airport and introduces them to their host families. Teaching takes place in a colonial building or on a roof terrace with shades.
Total immersion in Antigua is modest because of many tourists in Antigua. But it also depends on each individual´s interest. |
| Registration |
Escuela de Español Tecun Uman is a very established school and fills up during the following months January thru April and June through August. For these months it is recommended to register in advance. Take note that during these months the study costs increment by $25. |
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 earn a good $40 to $45 per week plus Christmas and health payments.
See details for recommended instructors!
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
There are 35 teachers, some of which have 15 years of experience. Teachers have been trained during 2 months and then the best ones were chosen.
Recommended teachers: Cachio, Rosa, Rolando, Victoria, José, Sergio Muñoz, Edgar, Jorge.
(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 |
One on one teaching. The curriculum is the same as in most schools.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
The teacher designs a teaching plan including daily grammar, reading, pronunciation, audition, short stories, conservation and activities. There is an evaluation every week.
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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 |
No official textbook but verb and exercise lists. Teachers develop their own materials. Library: small. Video library: excellent
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
The school has a curriculum with 7 different levels, each level has it′s verb′s list, vocabulary, mini dialogues, etc. Students receive a free notebook and photocopies of teaching materials. Every teacher has his own materials.
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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 |
Cubicles, adapted to students needs. No garden, a good kitchen.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
The school is situated in a pleasing building which has recently been restyled. There are 6 rooms for teacher student teams who would like to study separately. The second location is near the bus terminal on a synthetic soccer ground. This is a quiet estate, maybe not inspiring but apt for teaching. There is an ample cafeteria and there are two rooms to retreat. Persons who are willing to pay about $300 per week can study in a small paradise at lake Atitlán with a good teacher from Antigua. |
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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School's specific Information:
An example for one week: Monday a free city tour, Tuesday a lecture on the history of corn, Wednesday a visit to the Jade manufacture, Thursday visit to a coffee finca and music museum. Friday voluntary work with children. Play soccer. Later a sundown party.
Salsa and Merengue courses.
Optional weekend activities. Note that you have to pay bus fares and entrance fees. .
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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 about $80 per week. Student´s reports about host families generally are mostly good.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Families are ranked into five classes according to what they offer, and the payment varies:
$80: Normal host family.
$60: Price for five nights.
$70: Two students in one family.
$80: General bathroom.
$110: private bathroom.
$150: "five star family".
All families are clean and near the school.
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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 school recommends non profit organizations like "Mi Angel Guardian", "Nuestros ahijados", "El Buen Samaritano" or PGM. |
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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 |
The school offers safe and reliable airport pick up service for $30 one person. Special prices for more than two persons.
[Show Details]
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School's specific Information:
You should take advantage of the schools pick up service for $35 one person, $50 for two persons, $60 for three persons; more than three persons $15 per person. Prices are for a one way trip (Airport to Antigua or viceversa). |
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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Barbara Matheson
barb.matheson@shaw.ca
02 / 2011 |
I spent 3 weeks at Tecun Uman Spanish School in Antigua, all with the same teacher on a one-to-one basis. I asked for a teacher who was older as I find it helpful to work with someone with quite a lot of life experience - at least partly because I like to talk about politics and social issues. The Director of the school provided an excellent and professional teacher with a wide range of knowledge and experience. We were able to use "La Prensa Libre" newsparper's articles as the basis of many of our discussions. My Spanish level improved a lot - from intermediate to advanced -
There were several excursions each week - I only went on one - to a nearby town with a weavers' cooperative - very well-planned and most interesting.
Señora, Ayde Mijangos was a very kind hostess and talked with students at every meal. The first week I was the only student in the house which is very large, but after that there were 2 or 3 other students -
I hope that I can return to Tecun Uman another time - I attended the school in 1994 as well as in 2011 - and I very highly recommend the school and my excellent teacher.
Check-in to the school was excellent. Mario Castellanos, the Director of the School met me at the Guatemala City airport and drove me to Antigua. He did my registration that afternoon and then took me to my host family and introduced me to Ayde. Thank you, Barbara. |
Anonymous
01 / 2011 |
I had a positive experience at, Tecun Uman Spanish School; very professional but also a comfortable place to learn. The teachers and staff go out of their way to make sure that you have a good stay, that you're learning well and that things are alright with the host family.
Mario and his staff are really great, and my Spanish improved enormously after 3 weeks!
Antigua is very touristy. I think staying with a local family is good to at least get some taste of Guatemalan culture. |
Philip G Rivera
11 / 2010 |
Hi, I decided for Tecun Uman Spanish School in Antigua. I studied for two weeks in August and 1 week in November of 2010. My instructor, Juan Luis Estrada was outstanding, one of the best I've had in 3 Latin American Countries. My host family's name was the Romero's - very nice, but they make you provide your own bottled water & toilet paper after 1st one. Staying for two weeks or more, this is a pain, and they are not impoverished. I would recommend the school w/ reservations. I highly recommend the teacher and probably many of them. Mario seems to get some of the best. The building has no ambiance, zero. Pics on net site appear to be from the restaurant next door which can be used in the a.m. only. OK, but misleading; at the break, people stand in the street to chat, meet. Plus requests each time as to type of room, Diabetic II needs were not shared w/ the home-stay. Plus cost for ride from the airport is $ 40 when you can get a minivan easily for $10 or less! |
Nancy Osborn
08 / 2010 |
I think the name of the school we chose was Tecun Uman Spanish School. It was right across the street from our hotel. We had two lessons and we were very pleased with their flexibility with us and with the teacher. We did not do home study. We met many people who were in Antigua to do more intensive Spanish study than we did. They were all so happy with their situations. Many were back for their third or fourth stay. One couple even moved there! Thanks, Nancy. |
Roger Unruh
runruh@bell.net
06 / 2010 |
Hey, I decided to go to Tecun Uman Spanish School in Antigua. I studied for 1 week with them. I got a good instructor, Federico, I believe was his name. We had a lot of great conversations & lots of laughter. He definitely knew his grammar, for my purposes, which was mainly to converse as much as possible, he was perfect. As we shared our lives, we found we had a lot in common. We didn't follow any specific materials. He wrote out vocabulary and grammar structures as needed. This would be my only slightly negative comment: I might have benefitted from some practice exercises on some of the structures that I struggle with more i.e., subjunctives. I could have used them as "homework" or future reference. This is minor, though, since it was just one week and I talked & listened a lot, which is what I needed.
There was a good selection of activities, as advertised. We went on a walking tour of Antigua, as well as a 2 day weekend trip to Lake Atitlan, both well worth it, especially Atitlan.
Our host was Lorena López. She was a friendly woman who sat with us at the table always and engaged in conversation which was good. She knew English as well, which was helpful for my wife who was studying for the first time. The food was varied and tasty, as well as sufficient. There were some issues, however, related to some aspects of the accommodations. The sink in the bathroom needed repair, and it didn't have a plug which allowed my wife's watch to go down the drain when she dropped it. The night table was not steady, which caused the lamp to fall and break. For recovering the watch and buying a new lamp, she expected us to pay!! These were small repairs which could have easily been taken care of before. We only paid a portion of what she expected, which of course made it awkward. We would not go back to her place.
However, I would recommend the school though. Regards, Roger. |
Craig Peters
craig.peters.sa@gmail.com
09 / 2009 |
Hello, I decided to go to Escuela de Español Tecun Uman in Antigua. I studied there for 3 weeks. My instructor Rosa, was very opinionated but very fun and entertaining. Study materials were good, notepads and exercise books. My Spanish improved fantastically! There were loads of after school activities, I saw the volcano Pacaya, had some tours of the city, went to a macadamia farm, it was very fun in the afternoon. The familia Sanchez, was excellent, great food and very accommodating. I would certainly, recommend the school to others. Thank you, Craig. |
Elisabeth
isil@gmx.at
08 / 2009 |
Hallo, I decided to go to, Tecun Uman Spanish School in Antigua. I studied for 2 weeks there. My instructor, Catalina Rodriguez, was great!! I really enjoyed working with her. Also on a personal level, she was great and we discussed lots of interesting topics, from Guatemalan politics to women rights,... (I was already advanced) Study materials were quite good, although I preferred to focus on oral exercises and free discussion. My Spanish improved very much. The after school activities, were a bit disappointing, often, promised activities, were not provided (maybe because I studied there in the low season). However, in the second week, I had met enough people to organize my own activities. The family of Thelma de Reyes, was great and the food, very, very good!! Very much, everyday, there was something different. Thelma, tried to cook a variety of different Guatemalan dishes. It was a great experience to try all different kinds of traditional dishes. The family, always had dinner with us (there were 2 more students) and it was a good change to further improve my spanish. The room was also very nice, spacious and clean. I would definitely strongly recommend this family. I would also, recommend the school, the spanish learning experience was really worthwhile. Best wishes, Elisabeth. |
Mary Kay Giesecke
kay_giesecke@yahoo.com
07 / 2009 |
Hello I decided to go to Tecun Uman Spanish School in Antigua. I studied for one week there. I had a great instructor, Carlos Enrique Valle Garcia. Study materials were adequate. My Spanish improved, quite a bit. After school activities were fun and educational. My host family was good, can't remember their name. I would recommend the school and I already have. Thanks, Mary. |
Cynthia Paulson
cpaulson@vyger.net
03 / 2009 |
Hi, my daughters (16 and 13) and I studied with one instructor, Carolina, at Tecun Uman Spanish School, in Antigua. We were there only a week. We all had an instructive and good time. Carolina was funny and responsive to us. My youngest daughter has studied Spanish but, has had little experience speaking it. I learned the basic concepts of present and past verbs in only one week. I just now, need lots of speaking practice and more vocabulary. The school had activities every day that we could participate in (walking tour, coffee plantation, dance lessons, etc.). We volunteered at Casa Angeles, an after school program for children. My children went 4 days. I went 2 days. On the weekend we went on a school sponsored trip to Lake Atitlan and the market town. Our host family was very pleasant. Sara was the hostess name. The house was on a fairly busy and noisy street. My children had a room on the street. My room was back by the garden. The accommodations were fine and the food was fine. Sara only spoke Spanish so we had more practice speaking. I recommend the entire experience. My children would go back in a second. Thank you, Cynthia. |
Thor Bastholm
thorbastholm@hotmail.com
01 / 2009 |
Hi, we studied at Tecun Uman Spanish School in Antigua. We studied there for 7 days. Every instructor was good. The study resources were good and everybody very helpful and professional. The host family was fantastic. Very good food and a welcoming atmosphere. Also, a good place to practice the Spanish I learned in school. The host mom′s name was Aracely. I would definitely recommend the school. Sincerely, Thor. |
Rejean Lessard
lessardr@videotron.ca
10 / 2008 |
Hello, I elected to go to Tecun Uman Spanish School in Antigua. I studied for 6 hours a day. I got a good teacher, his name is Jorge. My host family was, So So. I would recommend the school. Thanks, Lessard. |
Kristine Cummings
kac_high@yahoo.com
07 / 2008 |
I remember I picked Escuela de Español Tecun Uman in Antigua. Mario Castellanos was the director and he was very helpful to me in finding accommodations and my way around Antigua. I studied for 1 month there. I had excellent teachers, very friendly and very helpful. I would definitely recommend this school to anyone! Thanks, Kris. |
Lynn Alexander
lynntesh@gmail.com
06 / 2008 |
I ended up at Escuela de Español Tecun Uman in Antigua. I studied there for two weeks. My teacher was very good, but I cannot speak for the whole school. Each teacher had their own materials and the ones I used were good for me. There were a lot of teenagers studying in groups which I found to be distractingly loud. I did not stay with a host family. I′m not sure I could rate the school exactly but I would give my teacher, Edgar an A. Thanks, Lynn. |
Carol Rushby
carol.rushby@verizon.net
04 / 2008 |
Hi, I spent one week each in 2 different schools. The first week I attended Escuela de Español Tecun Uman in Antigua. I studied for 4 hours a day. The teachers were great and each taught in a different manner. Study materials were ok at this school. I did a home stay at Tecun Uman. My family was great. The food was good. I had a private room with bath and wish I had a window I could open in the room. The whole experience was wonderful and hopefully I will be able to go back next year. I would grade this school with a B+. Thanks for the site, Carol. |
Joyce A
02 / 2008 |
I decided to go to Escuela de Español Tecún Uman in Antigua. I studied for three weeks there. My teacher, Liliana De Muñoz is an excellent instructor. While the director of the school, Mario, provided some nice vocabulary sheets, most of the materials we used were provided by Lili personally and were based on my specific needs as a language learner --- stories, newspapers, CD′s, targeted grammar exercises from a variety of texts. I was very happy with my stay at the home of Blanqui and Julio Romero. At first I was dubious --there were so many of us, it was more like a pensión than a home stay-- but in the end it was fun living in this tiny ′International House′ with this incredibly gracious (and tolerant) family. I think that Mario (es muy cumplidor) is very reliable -- he really comes through for the students and delivers what he promises. This school, in my personal view, has everything it takes to be a superior school -- very strong teachers, long-standing relationships with exceptional families and a director who takes customer satisfaction very seriously. You want a number? This is hard... well, it′s got a good [salsa] beat...(por supuesto que) of course that, you can dance to it...I would really recommend this school ;). Oh, and I really like guatemala365. I′m very grateful to you for creating and maintaining this helpful resource for all of us. ¡Muchas gracias! Saludos. |
Warren
07 / 2007 |
I attended Escuela de Español Tecun Uman in Antigua. I studied 4 hours a day only for one week. My teacher was Silvia, and she was excellent. Friendly and helpful. She spoke to me exclusively in Spanish, and by the end of a week, my skills were much higher than I expected. All the study materials were provided and were fine. My host family was the Perez family, just down the road from the school. They were amazing. They truly made the experience an unforgettable one. They were friendly, enthusiastic about spending time with us, and funny. They ate almost every meal with us, and always made time to talk with us. The food was restaurant quality every meal, every day. They were just excellent. 10+/10!!! 100%. The school was excellent. Study time was always started and finished on time. The teachers were great, and there were interesting extra-curricular activities. They really have their act together. I heard from friends that were studying elsewhere that the studying part was good, but the home stays were not that good. I had no complaints, and only the nicest things to say about my stay in Antigua, and I will almost definitely return. Thanks! Warren. PS. Your website was really an excellent service. We had the ability to review all the schools, see photos, and read reviews by other students, which really is one of the most important parts. |
Jana Schweitzer
11 / 2006 |
Hello, I studied for 4 weeks at Tecun Uman Spanish School in Antigua (director Mario Castellanos). My teacher Sergio Muñoz was excellent. I am an advanced student, and he (and the school) have an excellent system for improving a student′s Spanish. The afternoon activities were well organized, varied, and interesting. The homestay was comfortable. I highly recommend this school. Thanks for asking--Jana Schweitzer. |
Anonymous
smith.holly1@comcast.net
07 / 2006 |
I studied at Escuela de Español Tecun Uman in Antigua for 3 weeks. My teacher was very good. There were many diverse activities which I enjoyed very much. I stayed in the students′ guesthouse. It was nice and the food was great. |
Anonymous
mjsinkwich@aol.com
07 / 2006 |
I studied at Escuela de Español Tecun Uman and had a great experience. My teacher was wonderful. I opted not to stay with a family because of travelling with a friend who thought she would be uncomfortable. We stayed at a hotel instead, Casa Florencia. Overall I had a great experience. The school offered cooking lessons, dancing, etc. I loved Antigua, Panajachel, Chichi and Tikal. I really want to return. MJ Sinkwich |
Eugene Aydelotte
eaydelo@charter.net
05 / 2006 |
I attended Escuela de Español Tecun Uman for two weeks. I had an excellent teacher. My family was the best; they serve good food and plenty of it, I had a clean room and there was plenty of hot water. Very friendly family and lots of conversations. |
Zachary Yohalem
ronayo@sbcglobal.net
02 / 2006 |
I studied for one month at Escuela de Espanol Tecun Uman and had a wonderful experience. My teacher was excellent and I thought the director and staff were extremely helpful and supportive. I also found there other cultural activities to be valuable and varied. I would be happy to recommend this school. I had 2 good living experiences - one a very pleasant family in a lovely house and also at a guest house run by the school. Overasll I was very pleased with the environment created for the students and the responsiveness of the staff to student needs. However I used several differnt sites to choose which school to attend including yours but relied heavily on TeachMe123 because of the student ratings.These ratings were more impressive that any objective criteria. The 2 sites together promted me to select this school and I was very pleased that I had, Thanks for your input as well. |
Liesbet De Wit
liesbet_dewit@yahoo.co.uk
08 / 2005 |
I studied in Escuela de Español Tecun Uman in Antigua for one week. Unfortunately, I didn′t have more time, so I took 5 hours a day (which is kind of hard, 4h is ideal). I was very happy with the teacher (José) I got, he was very professional, new perfectly how to screen my knowledge of Spanish, was very structured, and new a lot about a whole range of things (Guatemalan culture and history, but also general philosophy, ...). I was also very pleased with the personal treatment you get in this little school. The director knows you by name, regularly asks you how you are doing, and picked me up from the airport on a Sunday night (of course I paid for this, but it was a big help anyway). The family I stayed with wasn′t a real family, but rather a pension with some 10 people living there. I found this a little bit disappointing, although I was very happy with the clean and comfortable room, and with the talks I had with the lady of the house, and the other guests. I′m also satisfied with your website, there is enough information on it, and it works fluently! Thanks a lot for your help, and many greetings from Guatemala! |
Petra Vujakovic
petravujakovic@yahoo.com
08 / 2005 |
School Tecun UmanI spent 3 weeks in Antigua this summer (July 2005), in Tecun Uman Spanish school. I took contact with a couple of schools on account of information and comments I found in the internet, and decided for Tecun Uman because I got a very good first impression via e-mail form Mario, the director, who answered all of my questions instantly and very friendly. And I didn′t regret the decision, because I was very satisfied with the school. Especially the friendly atmosphere and nice and kind people at the school made it a wonderful experience. I learned more than just Spanish, because there was a lot of very interesting extra activities, every day, actually. And wonderful excursions on weekends. I was there in summer, when there were a lot of students in the school, so I don′t know if there are all the activities also when there are only a few students at a time. My teacher, Victoria, was great, she taught me a lot. The family I stayed at I chose on a recommendation of an ex-student of the school, and it was great - everything clean, good food, friendly and nice people.. I loved them! |
Christie Walton
cwalton1@bellsouth.net
07 / 2005 |
Escuela de Español Tecun Uman 2 weeks. Yes, my teacher Rolando was terrific. He was flexible enough to adapt to my level and push me in the areas where I was weakest. He also challenged me with interesting homework assignments. After one false start.. just fine. When we arrived, we realized we were not going to be in a true "home" setting. More like a B & B. The kids were nice, but we could tell interaction would be limited. Because of that, we asked to be moved into the school′s version own version of a guesthouse... and it was perfect. One tip.. I think by requesting a private bath.. I limited the school′s options in assigning me to a family in a "real" home. In the future, I would designate that I would be willing to share a bath as a trade-off to be in a more natural home setting. On one other note: I am from New Orleans and was 1 week into my studies when Hurricane Katrina hit my hometown. The people at Tecun Uman could not have been more sympathetic or accommodating once they recognized the seriousness of the situation at home. In fact.. one of my "classes" was spent in front of a television in a bar as the storm came in along with my friends from N.O.. .. trying to explain to our teachers what was happening in fractured Spanish. |
Gail
gailjup@aol.com
02 / 2005 |
My husband and I spent 10 days in Antigua, Guatemala in Feb 05. We went to the Escuela de Espanol Tecun Uman mostly as recommended by your web site. It was very good. The director picked us up at the airport, introduced us to the school and took us to the host family. We stayed with a very nice woman in a very nice home. Only complaint was the food could have been better. Not in terms of cooking skills but quality. For example we had no meat and only chicken bits once during the entire 6 days. Mostly macaroni and cheese type food. The teachers were very good and selected for our needs. Teaching materials are limited but that was not so important. Every student had their own teacher. Site was acceptable in an indoor/outdoor setting with few distractions. Extra curricular activities were good. Lectures in Spanish etc. We studied 4 hours a day for one week and toured the city on the weekends. All in all it was fun, interesting and very worthwhile and an excellent value. The city is great to spend time in with good restaurants and great people watching. Regards, |
Marc Lafrance
lafrance.marc1@videotron.ca
11 / 2004 |
Escuela de Espanol Tecun Uman 2 weeks with a good teacher. My family was nice, but meals no too much of meat |
Christine Koyanagi
10 / 2004 |
Escuela de Espanol Tecun Uman, Antigua Length of study: 2 weeks, 4 hrs/day - not very long, but I will return to Central or South America to study again, hopefully for 3-4 weeks and make sure I study outside of class the next time. Teacher: I had 2 teachers, 1 each week, who were both good, personable, knew some English which helped as I am a beginner. I definitely needed to study outside of class to learn what I did in class - vocal, conjugating verbs, etc, but chose to go on outings, run, go to the gym (very cool gym that is exposed to the outdoors with a tent), hang out with other students. Family: I requested to be the only student at my home stay (which I got) thinking that I would learn Spanish better and not speak English. My family was friendly and the food was good - I received a satisfying amount of food each meal. I had my own room with a lock & key for the door and it was slightly damp in my room - probably not that unusual for the area. The tub for showering was decrepit and the water was luke warm to cool. However, out of the 6 times I was home and available to eat dinner with the family; I only ate 2 xs with a member of the family - once because I asked the teenaged son. However, the mom & dad did get sick my last week and were in bed, so the adult son cooked for me. My family also left for 2 days without telling me - strange - and they had the mom′s sister come cook for me. Due to my home stay circumstance, my last night in Antigua, I had dinner at another home stay which was beautiful where 6 students were staying. They sat down at a large dining table for each meal with the hostess (had a cook & maid) and they all did their best to speak Spanish at the table. I experienced how valuable eating and speaking Spanish with the host family was. Next time I will ask to be with other students. Antigua: Although students want the best school for the best price, I think students should book a school without stress, try it a week, change teachers, home stays, or schools if desired and don′t sweat it. Good luck. |
Julia Mcevoy
jmcevoy@chicagopublicradio.org
06 / 2004 |
Actually my son then switched to Escuela de Español Tecun Uman for two weeks of our 6 week stay. He then studied for 2 hours a day with them. He really liked Escuela de Español Tecun Uman because he was able to learn through playing sports, and with less formal written work. So the style of that place worked much better for him. (He then came home and played soccer in the streets with local kids, so he got to put the language into practice!) The school is good. |
Kris Cummings
kac_high@yahoo.com
06 / 2004 |
I decided on Escuela de Español Tecun Uman because it was located in Antigua. Since I was travelling with my two sons, one is 14 years old and doesn′t know any Spanish; I felt he needed to be in a city setting (cafes and internet). We studied for two weeks and all of us liked our teachers very much. My older son has studied Spanish 5 yrs and is taking it in college and would probably be ready for more adventures in more remote areas of Guatemala and beyond. My sons stayed with one family and I with another. Both of our accommodations were excellent. The hosts were very friendly and helpful with information. I got more understanding of the Spanish language from these 2 weeks than all the years I′ve taken in school. I wish I had planned on a month to six weeks! I learned so much about the culture and history of Guatemala, that I am definitely planning a return trip. During our weekends, we tried to see as much of the country as possible. We went to Monterrico, Lake Atitlan, and Tikal. The website was very instrumental in arranging our trip. I have several friends who are interested and I have directed them to the website. Thank you, I hope this helps. |
Matt Zemon
mzemon@tbfmiami.com
06 / 2004 |
My wife and my eight month old daughter used your site to find Escuela de Español Tecun Uman We each had a private teacher for 5-6 hours per day, depending on the day. As a whole we liked both of our teachers. They were knowledgeable, personable and experienced. They agreed to come to our hotel each day for lessons so that we could take turns watching the baby. We loved Antigua and would highly recommend the experience. The only negative was the apartment that the school recommended was a solid ten-minute walk from the city. It was nice and cleans but just too far with a baby.We ended up moving into a hotel. |
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