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This is an excellent programme for those who wish to quickly develop a working knowledge of Spanish lingo before embarking on a South American adventure and also to learn something of the culture and customs of the Andean nation of Peru, in the heart of the ancient Incan Empire.
Project Age Limit:
The minimum age for participants is 18 years and there is no maximum age.
Programme Information
The Spanish school is located in the centre of Cusco in a beautiful, historic colonial house, adjacent to the most important site of pre-Columbian Cusco, the Korikancha (Temple of the Sun). We recommend that anyone who is participating in one of our projects in Peru, and is not confident in their Spanish, attend the language school.
Classes are held from Monday to Friday with a total of 37 hours of lessons per week, split into eight lessons of 55 minutes per day. The morning sessions take place from 08:30-10:20 and 10:50-12:40 and the afternoon sessions from 14:20-16:10 and 16:40-18:30. Students can begin on any given Monday.
On your first day at the school you will have a placement test, oral and written, so that we can customise the best course for you, and can place you with other students of the same level. There are nine different levels within the school, ranging from complete beginner to superior. With a maximum of 4 students per class, you can receive the maximum level of individual attention and are able to work at your own individual level.
We place particular emphasis on flexibility; students pick the areas they wish to work hardest on from the four areas that the school deems most important – listening, grammar, speaking and written comprehension. You will be taught using a variety of different techniques and materials; for example in one class you may watch a video and read from a textbook or newspaper and in another you may participate in a debate or discussion about something you listen to on tape. This variety will keep classes entertaining and encourage you to make the most out of them- you’ll be jabbering away with your host family over the dinner table in no time!
All of our teachers are native speakers with experience in teaching Spanish as a second language.
School Facilities
The School is spread over two full floors of its colonial house and has around 17 classrooms for the use of you and your teachers. Other language school facilities include; an indoor patio, video rooms, an auditorium, a kitchen, a sundeck and an entertainment room. There is wireless internet connection at the school which you are free to make use of with your own laptop, should you take one.
The school is centrally located in Cusco, close to all the major facilities – the Post Office, Internet Cafes, banks and money exchanges. It is also only four blocks from the Plaza de Armas, an excellent place to relax and people watch, which is in turn surrounded by a wealth of cafes, restaurants, cathedrals and museums for you to explore.
The school has a capacity of 65 students a day. The student ratio is typically 60% European and 40% North American.
Orientation
On your first Monday at the Language school you will have an orientation to help you get settled in and feel comfortable in your new surroundings. It will cover the following topics:
- The school facilities
- Your homestay accommodation
- The language course
- The Peruvian culture
- Dos and don'ts
- A Cusco city tour
Accommodation
Throughout your Spanish language course you will be staying with a typical Peruvian family in homestay accommodation. The host families belong to the Peruvian middle class but please bear in mind that living standards in Peru may not be the same as what you are used to in the UK, so you will need to be flexible in order to fit in with the Peruvian way of life. All families are known by the language school and have been chosen because they are friendly, welcoming and have homes where you will be safe.
Generally there will be 1 or 2 students per host family and you can expect a private bedroom and shared bathroom facilities. All families have Western amenities such as showers and flushing toilets. Your laundry will also be done for you about once a week. Staying with a host family will give you a unique and invaluable insight into Peruvian culture. You will be seamlessly integrated into their day-to-day activities and will be given 3 meals a day (lunch is the main meal of the day, dinner is usually a light snack).
Some of our homestays are a 20 minute walk to the language school, while others are a 10 to 15 minute bus ride. Either way, all of the host families are conveniently located to ensure you reach class on time!
Project Support
Throughout your stay in Cusco you will have the support and guidance of the coordinator and house workers. They will be able to provide you with any help or advice you may need during your stay.
In addition to the in-country support, you will have access to a 24 hour emergency contact number should you need to contact one of our UK staff at any time.
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