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Program & Admission Information - San Jose, Costa Rica
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Programs are scheduled either in the morning or afternoon depending on the type of program, and the total number of participants. Morning classes start at 8:15. Afternoon classes start at 13:15. Students must attend classes at the times assigned after they take their placement exams. Each class is 50 minutes in duration. Classes can be scheduled Monday - Friday. If need be classes can also be scheduled Monday - Thursday upon request.
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Day - At - A - Glance
Sample Schedule of Spanish & Excursions
08:30 - 11:00 Fieldtrip TBA
11:00 - 13:15 Lunch
13:15 - 17:15 Spanish Classes
* Day-At-A-Glance is a sample day and will vary depending on enrollment, time of year, lodging, etc. It is designed to show content rather than precise scheduling.
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Orientation:
NRCSA programs will held an Orientation session locally. The orientation designed to provide students with important information about immigration, law of the countries, and the services offered by the school. The orientation program also helps you to acquaint to the educational and cultural atmosphere and provide an opportunity to meet other students.
First Day:
With regards to the program, all levels of the language are accepted, from complete beginner to advanced, and your exact level is determined by a placement test to make sure we put you in the right class. One of the unique things about the NRSCA program is the ability to combine the language classes with an extensive choice of culture classes. In addition to the language classes, we also include our culture and social events program in the afternoons for students to interact with other student and learn about the culture.
Materials
Teachers use our own course book, developed by a team of our teachers, for about half of the class, while the other half of the class is devoted to special class needs and supplements, such as selected audios, videos, and current readings.
Teachers
All of our teachers are native speakers with university educations and are very experienced teaching Spanish to foreigners. Most have learned a second language themselves and understand the student's perspective. They are devoted to helping students best reach their goals and to keeping the classes enjoyable and entertaining.
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Standard Spanish Programs
Group 20 or 30 hours per week. Group Spanish classes are available for 4 or 6 hours daily, Monday - Friday, in group settings with a maximum 10 students. For those students who would like to have 3-day weekends in order to travel. Also offers 4-day weeks, Monday - Thursday.
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Excursions Program
Several field trips weekly combined with 20 hours per week of Group Spanish. A minimum of 10 students is necessary for the field trips portion of this program. If the minimum is not met, the student will be given just the language classes. The local staff will help the students to arrange their own side trips. It is more frequent that this program fills well in advance rather than not having enough students.
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Elementary School Spanish Teacher Program
20 hours per week. Non-native Spanish teachers wishing to improve their language proficiency and Spanish teaching skills are welcome to enroll in this program. Participants will be introduced to a variety of classroom activities, materials and techniques. They will have access to children's literature, books and materials developed in Costa Rica and other Latin American countries. Visits to local schools are included.
The program cost includes four 50 minute lessons daily (Mon.-Fri.), textbooks and handouts, visits to local schools and other outings. A single room with 2 meals daily (breakfast and dinner) and laundry service in the home of a carefully selected local family are included and will be arranged unless otherwise specified. Free daily Latin dance classes (Mon.- Thur.), free Internet access in the school's Internet room and complementary Costa Rican coffee throughout the day are available.
Classes are held in the afternoons, from 1:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mornings are reserved for school visits and other activities. Teachers who wish to extend their stay may enroll in any of the other programs offered by the Institute, at the additional week rates.
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Spanish for Professionals Program
30 hours per week - 20 Group Spanish + 10 Tutor. This six lesson per day program is designed for students with specialized Spanish needs. Business people, nurses, doctors, flight attendants, law enforcement personnel, etc. are candidates for this program. It combines the standard program, which covers Spanish for everyday use, with two additional private lessons daily, focusing on the students' individual fields.
The program cost includes six 50 minute lessons (four group and two private) daily (Mon.-Fri.), textbooks and handouts. A single room with 2 meals daily (breakfast and dinner) and laundry service in the home of a carefully selected local family are included as well. Free daily Latin dance classes (Mon.- Thur.), free Internet access in our Internet room and complementary Costa Rican coffee throughout the day are available.
Depending on the total number of participants, students are scheduled to attend classes from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or from 10:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Students are required to attend classes at the times indicated by the Institute. Please Note: This program is not offered in June or July.
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Daily Dance Classes
Students participating in the Spanish language programs are welcome to join our Latin dance program at no additional cost. Classes are taught by professional dance instructors in our special mirrored classroom. Participants with no previous knowledge, as well as those with experience, enjoy themselves while improving their abilities.
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Volunteer Opportunities
are available for interested students. An Intermediate level Spanish and a minimum 2 week Spanish course is required. A special introduction course of local culture is provided, and the school coordinates the volunteer program for each student at the volunteer site.
Resume is required. These are unpaid positions. To be considered for one of the volunteer positions, please write "volunteer" in the Program Options box when you register.
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Teen Summer Program
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It is intended for those teenagers who will be traveling by themselves, with a friend or sibling, etc.
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Children Programs
Families that wish to travel with their children and have them participate in the learning experience are welcome. Children are usually between the ages of 6 and 15. Private classes consist of a variety of activities using numerous teaching materials and learning resources.
Arrangements can also be made to accommodate families with children who are too young to participate in a classroom setting. In those cases, families can be placed in homes with children of the same age, where the host mother would provide care while the parents are in classes.
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Admissions and Academic Credit
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Students age 18 years and older are welcomed regardless of educational background, occupation or nationality. Students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult unless enrolled in the Teen Program. No previous knowledge of Spanish is required except where otherwise indicated.
Students desiring credit for their study programs should contact their home school or request the NRCSA Credit Fact Sheet. Generally, U.S. universities consider 15 hours of study to be equal to 1 semester credit.
Students applying for academic credit must complete special homework assignments, and a daily record of their performance is kept. A description of the student's course work and final evaluation will be provided. The administrator of the student's home school must agree to his/her participation in the program. Usually one semester credit is granted for each 15-20 hours of class time.
For more information about academic credit in Spanish speaking countries, please click here.
For general information on academic credit, please click here.
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