I raised this in another thread- but I don't want to derail that thread.
In November, I went to San Pedro la Laguna in Guatemala, on the shores of the beautiful Lake Atitlan, to try to improve my Spanish. I previously spoke some Spanish, enough to get me by in restaurants and taxis, but I wanted to be able to converse with my wife's family in Mexico.
San Pedro is a little village, one of a number around this stunningly gorgeous lake. There are a number of places in Guatemala where Spanish can be studied- most notably in the lovely colonial city of Antigua, and in several of Lake Atitlan's villages. Spanish schools have become an industry in the town- there are quite a number there. They are in fact keeping the town alive- much of the employment in the town is due to the Spanish schools.
I chose to go to Casa Rosario, the oldest school in the town, and one with a good reputation. Classes were outdoors, next to the lake- which was sometimes distracting.
I also stayed with a local family who spoke no English, which really helped the immersion experience. The people are mostly Maya, and speak the local Maya language, but learn Spanish from the beginning of primary school. It was a big advantage speaking some Spanish- it would have made communication extremely difficult for a beginning Spanish speaker.
The village is extremely poor. Unemployment is high- and those who are employed often have to work long hours for little pay. Hotel workers might get around $1 per hour.
Being poor, the standard of accommodation and building is well below what we in the west have come to expect.
Homes don't generally gave internet, but there's good wi fi available in cafes, restaurants, and internet shops.
The classes cost $US80pw for 20 hours one on one instruction (most people choose 8-12, but there are afternoon classes available). Lodging with the local family, which included meals for 6 days, cost an additional $US60pw.
I found the classes well worth while. I learnt something in the way of vocabulary and conjugation- but a lot more in being able to understand much more rapidly, and in expressing myself.
When I went to my wife's family, I found I was able to understand a lot of what was going on around me- understanding perhaps 80% of the conversations- and I was able to express myself. It was really great being a part of the family, and not an outsider looking in.
There are schools which offer Skype lessons for around $US10-15 per hour. I'm working with Casa Rosario to enable them to offer Skype lessons themselves. I feel it would offer some extra employment to people who are desperately in need of support, as well as offering excellent value to people wishing to practice their Spanish conversation and expression.
Casa Rosario actually started through the sale of Maya Art.
In November, I went to San Pedro la Laguna in Guatemala, on the shores of the beautiful Lake Atitlan, to try to improve my Spanish. I previously spoke some Spanish, enough to get me by in restaurants and taxis, but I wanted to be able to converse with my wife's family in Mexico.
San Pedro is a little village, one of a number around this stunningly gorgeous lake. There are a number of places in Guatemala where Spanish can be studied- most notably in the lovely colonial city of Antigua, and in several of Lake Atitlan's villages. Spanish schools have become an industry in the town- there are quite a number there. They are in fact keeping the town alive- much of the employment in the town is due to the Spanish schools.
I chose to go to Casa Rosario, the oldest school in the town, and one with a good reputation. Classes were outdoors, next to the lake- which was sometimes distracting.
I also stayed with a local family who spoke no English, which really helped the immersion experience. The people are mostly Maya, and speak the local Maya language, but learn Spanish from the beginning of primary school. It was a big advantage speaking some Spanish- it would have made communication extremely difficult for a beginning Spanish speaker.
The village is extremely poor. Unemployment is high- and those who are employed often have to work long hours for little pay. Hotel workers might get around $1 per hour.
Being poor, the standard of accommodation and building is well below what we in the west have come to expect.
Homes don't generally gave internet, but there's good wi fi available in cafes, restaurants, and internet shops.
The classes cost $US80pw for 20 hours one on one instruction (most people choose 8-12, but there are afternoon classes available). Lodging with the local family, which included meals for 6 days, cost an additional $US60pw.
I found the classes well worth while. I learnt something in the way of vocabulary and conjugation- but a lot more in being able to understand much more rapidly, and in expressing myself.
When I went to my wife's family, I found I was able to understand a lot of what was going on around me- understanding perhaps 80% of the conversations- and I was able to express myself. It was really great being a part of the family, and not an outsider looking in.
There are schools which offer Skype lessons for around $US10-15 per hour. I'm working with Casa Rosario to enable them to offer Skype lessons themselves. I feel it would offer some extra employment to people who are desperately in need of support, as well as offering excellent value to people wishing to practice their Spanish conversation and expression.
Casa Rosario actually started through the sale of Maya Art.