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Student Comments I can thoroughly recommend the school both for academic excellence and for its activities and ambiance. I had two teachers whilst learning Spanish and both were attentive and knowledgeable. The learning structure was methodical and practical and I soon found that I understood many things that were confusing before. I have no regrets about my choice. Chris Ixchel is a beautiful and excellent school. I learnt more spanish in a week than I did in a 10 week course back home. My teachers were excellent and attended to my needs as best as possible. Helena Sracek My teacher Cintya at Ixchel was absolutely phenomenal. In just three days she gave me a grand tour of the Spanish language. In just three days I learned more Spanish than in my years of study. I thoroughly enjoyed the staff, the organization of activities, and the family atmosphere at Ixchel. I will definitely return next year when I know more Spanish so I can talk at a higher level. Cintya is an extraordinary teacher, and I'm so honored to now have her as my first Guatemalan friend! Jane Scott We knew zero Spanish when we started school. Thanks to a very patient teacher we were able to understand and communicate in Spanish. We also enjoyed being placed with a family and believe this immersion greatly helped improve our Spanish learning curve. Thanks to the staff for running a great school! Marisa & Dave |
Frequently Asked Questions:
Spanish Courses at Ixchel
Do I have to begin my course on Monday or can I start on any day of the week?
Unlike other Spanish school in Antigua, we are very flexible with our schedules and allow our students to begin their courses whenever it's convenient for them. You can begin on any day of the week, even on Saturday or Sunday.
Can I have classes on Saturday and/or Sunday?
Yes, if you are in a hurry or have only a short time in Antigua, we can arrange for you to have classes on Saturday and/or Sunday. We recommend, however, that you take off at least one day per week. You can't study all the time!
How can I pay for my course? Do you accept credit cards?
You can pay with US dollars, travelers checks or Guatemalan Quetzals. We also accept all major credit cards, but due to the high bank fees in Guatemala credit card payments carry an 8 percent surcharge.
Can I get college/university credits for courses I take at the Ixchel Spanish School?
Yes, you can! We have special courses that are accredited by the Universidad Rural de Guatemala, a private and highly respected university in Guatemala City. Credits you receive for those courses can be transferred to many colleges and universities worldwide. Please see our page about college/university credits for details.
Will I get another teacher every week or will I have the same one for my entire course?
That's up to you! Unlike other Spanish schools in Antigua, we don't force our students to change teachers, but if you want another one, you'll get another one. Most of our students don't change their teachers for the duration of their courses, though, and that's fine with us.
Can I change my teacher if we don't get along?
Certainly! We want you to be happy and enjoy your classes. While our teachers are well-trained and very competent, we recognize of course that there are personality conflicts occasionally. Requests to change teachers are rare at the Ixchel Spanish School, but if you want to change, we can usually give you another teacher from one day to the next.
Do I need to bring textbooks and a dictionary?
We provide all the class materials you need, so bringing textbooks is not necessary. A dictionary is something no Spanish student can do without; we can lend you one for the duration of your classes if need should be, but we recommend that you get your own dictionary and bring it. You can also buy one in Antigua if you don't want to burden your luggage with it. Be aware, though, that while Spanish-English dictionaries are readily available in Antigua, other languages are hard to find here.
I've never participated in a language course. How many hours a day do you recommend I take?
Four or five hours a day is a good schedule to start with. One-on-one instructions are very intensive and we recommend that you choose a schedule you know you can handle. You can always change your schedule later on if you find you'd benefit from an additional hour or two a day. Please see our page about available schedules for more detailed information.
Can I change my schedule if I find it's too much for me or not enough?
Yes, absolutely! If you feel that another schedule would be more beneficial to you, you can change the following week; or even the following day, if need be.
How long in advance do I need to sign up?
Normally, a week or two in advance will be fine. If you plan to be in Antigua during the high season — Christmas to New Year, Easter week, and June thru August — we recommend you sign up as early as practical.
Do you have a question that's not answered here? Contact us and we'll assist you any way we can!
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Studying in our beautiful garden courtyard is so much more enjoyable than sitting in a stuffy classroom for several hours!
Individual instructions are the most intensive way of studying Spanish. They allow for very rapid progress because your teacher can fully concentrate on you and you'll have much more time to speak and practice your Spanish.
Occasionally we arrange group classes, mostly for couples who want to study together, but they are the exception rather than the rule. Group classes are effective only if all group members are at the same level.
Our teachers use a large selection of class materials to keep the instructions varied and interesting.
Our team of well-trained and experienced teachers will adapt their instructions to your needs and interest and go at the pace that's exactly right for you.
More Frequently Asked Questions:
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