Do you want to study Spanish in an affordable destination with scenic cities, history, culture and ancient ruins? Choose Guatemala. Prices for courses here are a fraction of the price compared to nearby Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico – and the cost of living for accommodation, eating out and sightseeing is also very cheap.
About Guatemala
The Central American country of Guatemala is a neighbor to Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador, with coastlines on the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans. A majority of Guatemala is mountainous, with more than 30 volcanoes, three of them active. From lush, tropical rainforests to rich and fertile plains, the country’s rich geography contributes to its variety of climates.
Guatemala is also known for its cultural diversity. The population is a mix between Ladinos, or people of Spanish heritage, Mayans and Mestizos, people that are a mix of both Ladino and Mayan. The Mayan population is made up of 22 different ethnicities all with their own unique dress and language that distinguishes them.
Although present day Guatemala is known primarily for its Mayan roots and vibrant culture, the country has many layers to its rich political history, from Spanish and Mexican rule to many other forms government, to a 36-year civil war that ended with the 1996 Peace Accords. Since then, Guatemala has seen an emphasis on legal, linguistic, and educational rights for the indigenous communities and has enjoyed greater stability and tranquility for the country as a whole.
Learn Spanish in Guatemala
General Spanish language courses are available to students at all proficiency levels (Pure Beginner through Proficient). General Spanish language programs are designed to provide students with the necessary skills to succeed in any Spanish language environment.
All programs are comprehensive, meaning that students will learn to read, write, speak, and listen to Spanish, while also gaining essential cultural understanding. Teachers incorporate text books, videos, audio recordings and many other techniques into each course.
- General Class Types: Class time for language students is split equally between two core classes: Speaking Class and Comprehension Class. Students will have one teacher for each class type, giving them multiple approaches to their language learning.
- Levels: Small group classes (typically 2-6 students) provide an interactive and engaging learning environment. All students begin classes with other students at the same of similar proficiency level. Placement test are given prior to beginning a Spanish course program to ensure proper placement. Schools then constantly evaluates student progress and may periodically move students to the best available class for their rate of progress and proficiency level.
Popular Places to Study
With international students these are where most Spanish language schools are located:
Antigua and Lake Atitlan
Antigua is one of the most scenic towns in the Americas and a really cheap place to study Spanish. If you are looking for nature and a more rural location to study choose Lake Atitlan.
Guatemala City
The capital of Guatemala, Guatemala City, is the largest urban center in the country and is quickly becoming an international hub. Business and trade are both flourishing, while the large indigenous population has been relocating to the city in search of opportunities. Guatemala City is an ideal place to study Spanish, as it has a diverse population and rich cultural learning opportunities. In a single day in the city, one can hear several different languages spoken and see the many people and crafts that make up the rich cultural landscape of the country. In your free time on the weekdays you may choose to visit the many cultural sites in Guatemala City, from the museums to the many markets.
Schedule
Schools have many scheduling options, offering students a great deal of flexibility to choose the right program, class time, and duration to reach individual Spanish language goals. Small group classes are generally available with the following schedule:
- Weekday Classes:
M-F 8:30-12:30 or 14:00-18:00 (20h/week) or M-F 8:30-12:30 and 14:00-16:00* (24h/week) with optional tutoring - *Semester and Academic Year courses have up to an additional 4 hours (optional) of afternoon tutoring class each week. Intensive courses have an additional 2 hours of afternoon class each day M-F.
- Evening Classes:
M-F 18:30-20:30 (10h/w) - Weekend Classes (Sat & Sun):
10:00-12:00 or 13:00-15:00 (4h/week) or 10:00-12:00 and 13:00-15:00 (8h/week)
Other class times and custom schedules may be available.
As part of courses, some schools offer weekly events, excursions and discussions with guest speakers on topics such as the civil war, the country’s topography and earthquakes, Mayan cosmology, and the history of Guatemala. Programming may also include visits to textile museums near Antigua, where volunteers can learn about weaving textiles and the significance of textiles in Mayan culture.
Activities
Guatemala City is a hub for all travel in Guatemala; opportunities include weekend excursions to Antigua, an area that has preserved remnants of Spanish colonialism, or to Lake Atitlan, a beautifiul and mystical lake known for its different ethnic groups and Chichicastenango, with one of the biggest artisan markets in Central America.
For those who like adventure, a climb to the Pacaya Volcano is available from Antigua, Guatemala in a half day excursion. You may also take a trip to the most important Mayan city of the classical period, Tikal, where you will explore an archaeological site while immersing in the beauty of a tropical rainforest, the flora and fauna, and the overall surroundings.
Here are some more highlights:
Discover Your Inner Archaeologist
Fleeing problems with a neighboring tribe, the Maya Kaqchikels created Iximche as a safe haven and as a new city for daily life, including Maya ceremonies, rituals, and activities. As you explore these little-known ruins, where excavations continue to this day, you can feel the power of the Maya rituals that took place here in the late 1400s. Learn about the history of the Maya people, and the significance of the world-known Maya calendar, and engage in a traditional Maya fire ceremony.
Sip Hot Cocoa
Connect with a local family over cups of steaming, frothy hot chocolate and learn their millennia-old family recipe for the traditional Mayan drink. You’ll even have the opportunity to help them roast the cacao beans, peel and clean the seeds, cook the chocolate, and then — and here’s the best part — enjoy the fruits of your labors over conversation with the family.
Cook Guatemalan Cuisine
Spend some time with Esperanza in the kitchen learning to make one of our Guatemalan favorites – anything from pounding your own tortillas to making your own Pepian (the national dish of Guatemala) or wrapping the Saturday tamales in banana leaves – you never know what delicious item is on the menu!
Go Strawberry Farming
An important crop in the Tecpan area, strawberry farming sustains many families in the area. With a local farmer, learn how to plant strawberries about the lifestyle of farming families in rural Guatemala.
Visit a Local Dairy Farm
If you’re an animal lover, here’s your chance to visit the dairy cows who are a key in the whole economy of Tecpan! Visit the baby calves, the maternity ward, learn how milking is really done, as you also visit the factories of production. Make new animal friends along the way.
Studying in Guatemala FAQ
Teachers
Classes are taught by experienced language professionals. Great teachers are essential to providing results-oriented and relevant programs, intimate and engaging learning environments, and a challenging and motivating curriculum.