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| Address |
Academia de Español y Mam Hispanomaya
Canton Los Matias.
Todos Santos Cuchumatanes
(+502)-5991-3994
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| Rank |
75% |
| Prices |
160 USD for 25
hours per week including host family
125 USD for 25 hours per week without host family
Study one hour daily more or less: add or subtract about USD 25 per week.
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| School Size |
2 - 8 students |
| Openings |
Although generally, lessons at this school are imparted in the afternoons from 2 pm to 7 pm, they can be arranged for mornings with at least two weeks advance notice. |
| Summary |
Founded in 1998, this is a small school located in a very safe and tranquil neighbourhood of Todos Santos, in the lush hills of Los Cuchumatanes near Huehuetenango.
Staff are primary school teachers, for this reason Spanish classes take place in the afternoons.
This school is sponsoring scholarships for children, of low income families, that can not afford to go to school.
This is one of the few remaining original towns where people still wear their tipycal clothing including men and children.
If you go to Todos Santos, be sure to go to this school and experience Guatemalan rural culture at its best.
Total immersion in Todos Santos, Cuchumatanes, is very good because, it is located well off the beaten touristy path. Recommended. |
| Registration |
This is a relatively small school, and it tends to fill up any given time. During summer (mid-May thru August), this school tends to fill up early; the director recommends that you sign up at least two weeks in advance, to help them plan for staff and host families and lessons schedules. |
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 |
This school has 8 permanent qualified teachers, which work in the local school. Most teachers work only in the afternoon.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Most of the teachers in this school have a job in the local school, which is the reason most of the Spanish lessons are held in the afternoon. Lessons can be held in the garden if it is not raining.
Upon finishing the course, the school will give the students a diploma stating their Spanish level achieved. The school observes the following holidays: November 1st, December 24th and 25th, January 1st, Friday and Saturday of Holy Week. (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. The school can also accommodate students′ needs to study more or less hours a day and specials requests.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Lessons are organized in teams of one-on-one (student-teacher) for the students rapid advancement of the Spanish language. They will also accommodate student′s special requests.
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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. Normal library, interesting video library. Internet available for a small fee per hour.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
They have variety of materials available for students and children.
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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 |
The school has special programs for making children learning enjoyable.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
The children program include teaching via phonetics, games, puzzles, etc... all lessons of course conducted all in Spanish.
This school is also sponsoring Scholarships for children of low income families that can not afford to go to school. |
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 |
This school is located in a very tranquil neighbourhood in a small two storey building in Todos Santos. Watch for the signs, it is located on a narrow road near the museum. It can be cold during December and January, but not extreme.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Cubicles are normal, adapted to students´ needs. Small garden and a simple comunal kitchen. |
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 |
There are various activities offered throughout the week, including mountain hikes, movies and cooking.
[Show Details]
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School's specific Information:
Activities includes: hikes to different parts near Todos Santos, conferences relating to indigenous life, medicinal plants, history of the war in the 1980′s and educational documentaries and movies, soccer games, etc.
Dancing lessons available upon request. Weaving lessons for Q15 ($2) per hour..
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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 carefully selected to meet students criteria. Generally, students? reports about host families are excellent.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
If you opt to stay with a Guatemalan host family in Todos Santos, don′t expect a family with the quality of Antigua or Xela. Todos Santos is one the few remaining towns where most of the people are indigenous and therefore still wear their tipycal clothings. You will experience Guatemalan rural culture first hand!
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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 |
Students can volunteer at the local school, teaching English and helping children with homework. Donations are also welcome to help sponsor scholarships for the children.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Option to teach children English or any other language at the local schools, other contacts to other volunteer organizations are made upon request. |
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 optional pick up service packages upon request. You can also contact a trusted hostel in Guatemala City.
[Show Details]
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School's specific Information:
The school offers various packages for airport pick up. It might be a little expensive.
You can also find different options for transportation to get to Todos Santos. |
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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Anonymous
04 / 2011 |
La familia fue muy simpatica, la habitación muy agradable y la comida local con mucho atención, y unos cursos de cocina improvisados.
Los cursos en Academia de Español Hispanomaya fueron normal. Yo pregunte un profesor por la semana, y recibí una semana de cursos con 3 profesores diferentes; entonces, este aspecto no fue bueno. Sino, cada uno hizo su trabajo con profesionalidad, y ponctualidad.
Todos Santos Cuchumatanes es un lugar muy agradable, con un monton de caminatas, muy lejos de la vida urbana. Tranquilidad y naturaleza fueron los dos aspectos mas interesantes de la semana. Gracias. |
Atieno Fisher
04 / 2004 |
HispanoMaya was more informal and the instruction not as structured, but a great experience in a setting that is my favourite in the whole country. Didn′t want to leave, it hurt actually. My family actually gave a damn there and I miss them. I had good teachers there too. |
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