Learn Spanish in Costa Rica at Epifania Spanish School

  Costa Rica

• Eastern Lowlands: 
San Pedro Montes de Oca

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Dates: all year

Description: Classes Schedules at Epifania Learning Spanish School

The Spanish School will open at 7:30 am each morning, Monday to Friday. The most common schedule is at morning, however we recognize that there are many Non Spanish Speaking people living and working in Costa Rica that want to learn Spanish as a second language. For this reason we open to Evening and Night Classes.

Classes Schedules are as follows:

Morning and Evening Classes
8:30 - 10:15 am
10:15 - 10:30 am
10:30 - 12:15 pm
12:15 - 1:15 pm
1:15pm - 3:00 pm
03:00 pm - 03:15 pm
03:15 pm - 05:00 pm

Night Classes
06:00 pm - 08:00 pm

Epifania Spanish School offer weekend Spanish classes for those unable to attend Spanish classes during the regular school day. The Spanish School will open at 8:00 am each weekend. Classes Schedules are as follows:

Morning Classes ( Saturday )
8:30 - 10:15 am
10:15 - 10:35 am
10:35 - 12:15 pm

Morning Classes ( Sunday)
8:30 - 10:15 am

Spanish School Homestay Program:

Most Spanish students will choose to stay with a Costa Rican family while attending Epifania Spanish School (Your Learning Spanish School). Each family is carefully chosen based on their friendliness, cleanliness and willingness to help our Spanish students. By staying with a Costa Rican family, you will be able to practice your Spanish Language as much as you like, while experiencing a traditional Costa Rican lifestyle. Homestays begin on a Sunday and will end on a Saturday of your final week of Spanish classes. If needed, someone will pick you up at San Juan Santamaria International Airport and take you directly to your Homestay family. Someone from the family will go with you to the learning Spanish school on the first day of Spanish classes to show you the way.

While you are staying with a family you will have your own private room, breakfast and dinner and laundry service.

* Meals:
Your Costa Rican family will serve you two meals daily, breakfast and dinner. Please indicate on the registration form if you prefer only vegetarian dishes and if you cannot eat certain foods. Costa Rica has an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables that you will enjoy with your family.

* Laundry:
Your family will provide laundry service and will change your bedclothes weekly.

* House Key:
A front door key will be provided for you if you are over 18 so you will be free to come and go. However, if you are going to be late or go away for the weekend please let your hosts know so they will not worry.

* Airport Transportation:
Someone from Epifania Spanish School (Your Learning Spanish School) will pick you up at the airport and take you to your new home. You will also be provided transportation to the airport when you leave. Please keep us informed of any changes in your travel plans.

* Your Family:
Epifania Spanish School (Your Learning Spanish School) is located in a residential/commercial section of San Pedro, a quiet suburb of San Jose. While we are located in a quiet secure area, it is only a 15 minute walk to the Mall San Pedro and less than that to many other shops and restaurants. A 10 minute bus ride will have you in the center of San Jose.

Each family is selected by the Epifania Spanish School (Your Learning Spanish School) Homestay coordinator and will have clean, secure homes. Our families enjoy hosting foreign Spanish students for the experience of sharing their homes and culture and learning of the culture of the students as well. As long as the host family is looking forward to hosting a Spanish student and the student is also friendly and considerate, your stay will be very pleasant and educational.

* Homestay Changes:
Living with a Costa Rican family can be very rewarding and pleasant. Your host family is carefully chosen to provide a friendly and productive stay. However, things change such as family illnesses, problems at work that could affect the Homestay experience. Should you have any problems with your family, please inform the staff at Epifania Spanish School (Your Learning Spanish School) so we can make the necessary changes.

* Other Accommodations:
If you prefer to stay on your own in a hotel or bed and breakfast please feel free to do so. If you wish, we can help you with arrangements.

We have furnished apartments available for the week or month. These apartments are located next to the school and include internet access, TV with cable, stove, refrigerator, and microwave. These apartments rent for $225 weekly and $450 monthly.

Highlights:
* Internet use
Internet access and use of computers is available to all learning Spanish students free of charge during regular school hours. A wireless network is available at the school for those wishing to use their own laptops. There are also many internet cafes nearby where learning Spanish students can have access to the internet for a small charge.

* Money
The currency in Costa Rica is the Colon. As of January 2007, there are approximately ¢515 Costa Rica colones to one U.S. dollar. Most restaurants and stores accept credit cards and U.S dollars while very few accept traveler's checks. However, traveler's checks may be changed at local banks. There are also many ATM machines where you can get dollars or colones.

* Climate
There are only two seasons in Costa Rica, the rainy season and the dry season. In San Jose, the rainy season is normally from May through November and the dry season is from December through April. Even in the rainy season the mornings are normally dry and warm. It normally rains every afternoon for 2 or 3 hours and the rest of the day and evening is usually dry and cool. Temperatures do not vary much from month to month. The average temperature in San Jose is 75" F (24"C). It is warmer at the beaches and cooler in the mountains.

* Telephone
Local calls are free at the Spanish school and learning Spanish students may make long distance calls at the Spanish school by calling collect or by using a telephone card. Epifania Spanish School also sells calling cards for international calls.

* Clothing
Dress at Epifania Spanish School is informal. Learning Spanish Students usually wear jeans, shorts, or T-shirts. For evenings you might need a sweater or light jacket. Slacks and a sport shirt or blouse are appropriate for evening wear. For the rainy season, there is no need to bring a raincoat. Few Costa Ricans have one. It is better to bring, or buy locally, an umbrella.

* Local Transportation
Local transportation is plentiful and much less expensive than in the U.S. For example, a bus ride from near the school to San Jose will cost approximately 35 cents. The same trip in a taxi from the Spanish school to San Jose will cost less that $3.00.

Cost in US$: Contact us for more information.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Written Application

Epifania Spanish Language School's Mission Statement: Epifania Spanish School (Your Learning Spanish School) is a small to medium size Spanish language school with a team of highly qualified and dedicated Spanish professors. Their skills will enable you to progress at your own speed in a friendly, warm and inviting atmosphere. Our main priority is to give the most attention to each student's specific needs. As a result, our expert team has carefully put together educational learning spanish packages consisting of high quality Spanish courses and accommodations as well as a widely varied leisure learning spanish program.

Year Founded: 2006