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Program & Admission Information - Santiago, Chile
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Course Overview:
We use an immersion approach to Spanish language instruction, meaning that the student and the teacher speak only Spanish. There is never any translation in the classroom, which forces the student to think in Spanish. Students are often surprised at how easily they learn. Rotating teachers allows the student to be exposed to many types of speakers and ensures that students will understand different spoken forms of Spanish. Teacher rotation also keeps class fresh and interesting.
The use of the direct conversational method as well as small class size, minimum of 3 and maximum of 10, allows students to receive the personal attention they need. The Spanish language and culture program is made up of conversation, grammar, vocabulary and brief lectures on Chile and its culture. All classrooms are equipped with televisions to aid in the learning process and students also have access to a computer laboratory. Each class hour is 45 minutes.
Methodology is focused on speaking and listening. Grammar is very important and teachers will teach the student how to use it through a very practical approach without being tedious, boring and repetitive. Students will speak Spanish, not analyze it. The key to learning a new language is communication. Because communication includes reading and writing, they are included throughout the school's programs.
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Group Course
20 classes per week. Classroom exercises emphasize conversation, so you should plan on speaking Spanish. That is why the school limits group size to never more than ten people in a class. The school and teachers take pride in doing a great job of fine tuning the formation of groups based on the level of the students. Using the results of the oral exam, the school will place each student in a group within one of seven levels which helps reduce the differences in language proficiency between participants. Classes are held Monday - Friday from 9.00 to 13.00 (1:00 PM) or in the afternoon (2-6).
Note: If there are only 1-2 students per class, the number of group class hours will be reduced from 20 to 15 hours per week.
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Semi-Intensive Tutor Course
20 classes per week. A special curriculum is designed for each student based on an assessment of the student's language needs, interests, and the written test and oral interview taken during the first day. Depending upon the intensity of the program students will be assigned two or three instructors during the course. Classes are held Monday - Friday from 9.00 to 13.00.
The advantage of private instruction:
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Students learn at their own pace, not that of the slowest student in a group class.
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Because he/she is the only student, they will be speaking and thinking more in Spanish. Consequently the student will learn faster.
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Group/Tutor Course
30 hours per week: 20 hrs/wk Group + 10 hrs/wk Tutor. As an alternative to taking just a private or group course, students have the option of taking the combo course. This allows the student to combine the Group Program with a two hour per day private course, in order to improve not only general communication skills in the language, but also to tailor the course to meet specific needs or interests of the student. For example, if a student is interested in learning specific vocabulary and expressions used in business, law, medicine, etc., he or she can focus on those topics during your afternoon private classes.
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Study & Internship Program
This Study & Internship program in Santiago combines a minimum 4 week Standard Group Spanish Study program followed up with a minimum 8 week Internship Work Experience placement in the community.
All internship opportunities will work in partnership with local people in a variety of community-based projects.
This unique program offers exciting hands-on work opportunities, meaningful cultural immersion, and an enriching language program.
Internship placements in businesses and organizations are available in the following fields:
- Marketing
- Tourism & Hotel Management
- Economy
- International business
- Language Teacher (English, French and German)
- News reporter
- Others may be available upon request
For more information about this program, contact us!
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Study & Volunteer Program
This Study & Volunteer program in Santiago combines a minimum 4 week Standard Group Study program followed up with a 4 week minimum volunteer placement in the community.
All opportunities will work in partnership with local people in a variety of community-based projects to help the local people and community.
Volunteer placement opportunities include the following:
• Health Care
• Child Care
• Teaching
• Women, Men and Elderly
• Indigenous Community
• Environmental Care
• Others may be available upon request
For more information about this program, contact us!
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Typical day in Santiago
Classes normally begin at 9 AM. Students and teachers generally show up a few minutes early for coffee, tea, etc.
Bloque 1: 09:00- 10:30
Recreo: 10:30- 10:50
Bloque 2: 10:50 - 11:50
Recreo: 11:50- 12:10
Bloque 3: 12:10- 13:00
For a change of pace, your class may occassionally take place outside of the school, at a cafe or a park for example.
After class most students get lunch with other students and/or teachers.
Afternoon classes (2 PM to 6 PM) are usually reserved for students requesting additional hours.
Many days include school actvities in the afternoon or the evening.
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Admissions & Academic Credit
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Students age 18 years and older are welcomed regardless of educational background, occupation or nationality. No previous knowledge of Spanish is required except where otherwise indicated.
Students desiring credit for their study program 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.
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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