Spanish Study and Cultural Immersion in Samara Beach

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Samara

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Dates: Start dates every Monday, all year round.

Description: Our school could not be in a more perfect setting located in Playa Samara, in a beautiful beach front building surrounded by tropical gardens!

Imagine learning the language in your classroom whilst looking out over the beach and ocean, this is truly an ideal location for beach lovers. Typical Tico seafood restaurants, bars, a local art gallery, internet cafe, pharmacy, laundry, supermarket, post office, medical clinic and car/bike rental are all within walking distance.

The modern school facilities include: air-conditioned rooms (all with a view of the ocean) and each classroom is equipped with standard audio equipment, white board, and a large communal study space. During breaks and after class students can relax or study in a large open-air rancho used for dance classes or special cultural activities. The beautiful gardens also offer several lounge areas with chairs, hammocks and students can even go for a quick swim during their lunch break.

Students also have access to a kitchen for cooking classes and the school reception offer a tour services desk, where you can book and organize weekend excursions. Nearby restaurants and open air cafe bars provide ample places to relax and chat with friends, drink a coffee or try the delicious local fresh fruit shakes.

Our programs cater for all language levels from absolute beginners to the more advanced, include the use of course materials and provide a variety of options to enhance your program. We have a total of 12 levels, followed by 6 levels of specialized courses, and all are taught entirely in Spanish.

Note:Classes begin every Monday, and you must have a placement interview prior to arrival, either by phone or in our facilities in the capital region (in Heredia, close to San Jose and the airport).

Lessons are held in the mornings or afternoons, alternating in the green season so that everyone has a chance to enjoy the sunny mornings! Each week, students will complete one level, moving up in weekly units through the comprehensive program. Students missing classes or falling behind may be asked to repeat a level, so we advise you to come to class and make sure you do your homework! In order to maintain academic consistency in material covered, classes containing only 1 student may be reduced to 3 hours per day instead of 4. Exceptions apply for academic credit candidates, and/or at the discretion of the program director.

Teachers are native speakers, university educated and have the credentials to teach Spanish as a second language. They are all certified by the schools "Professional Development Training Program" and regularly participate in ongoing seminars, both in Costa Rica and overseas, in order to remain abreast of current methodology trends and teaching concepts.

They will help enhance your speaking, listening, grammar and general comprehension skills entirely in Spanish. They will also use interactive techniques such as role-play and games to support lesson content. Current political, social and cultural materials are integrated to add interest and increase knowledge of the host country, history and culture. Homework assignments are given and students will be tested.

Highlights: Samara Beach is quite simply known as one of the safest and prettiest beaches in Costa Rica.

Located on the Northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the Guanacaste region, which is also known as the Gold Coast, no other region of Costa Rica displays its cultural heritage as overtly as does Guanacaste. This region is also known for its beautiful weather and the sun bathes this region with a golden hue and gilds the surrounding landscape.

The Guancaste region is bordered by two mountain ranges, the Cordillera de Tilarán and the Cordillera de Guanacaste which provide splendid craggy backdrops to some of the country's most beautiful countryside. The perfect time to visit Guancaste is, luckily enough, year around. No matter if you visit during the dry season or during the wet season, both provide spectacular advantages. The dry season affords the serious sun lover with plenty of beach time, while the wet season brings the trees into bloom with explosions of colors and fragrances. The rolling hills become carpeted in brilliant green.

The culture of this region owes much to the blending of Spanish and Chorotega, a pre-Columbian culture, descended from the Olmecs of Mexico. Costa Rica's nationals costume, music, and the national tree "the Guanacaste", all emanate from this region.

Pacific Ridley Sea turtles (the smallest of the world's six varieties of sea turtles) nest on several of the region's beaches, two of which are specifically protected: Ostional and Grande Beach. They nest more or less monthly in such quantities that the beach is literally covered with female turtles. Apart from the turtles, there are iguanas, crabs, howler monkeys, coati-mundi and many birds to be seen.

Samara is a small town and students quickly come to know the local population and to feel at home in this warm and welcoming 'pueblo'. The beaches of Samara and Carrillo also offer a superb coral reef, 5 km of white sand and its own picturesque wooded island in the bay - Isla Chora.

Cost in US$: 2 weeks from $1030 USD

- Use of teaching materials and instructional documents.
- Host Family accommodation in private room, 2 meals daily.
- Laundry service.
- Maximum class size: 6 students.
- Cultural and social activities: some organized per week and daily Latin dance classes.
- Language proficiency certificate at end of program upon request.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 6

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application