Course Overview
• Classes average three students per level. Maximum of five students per Spanish class.
• Individual placement tests taken in advance of arrival either online or via Email/Mail
• Classes include two to three hours daily in beginning, elementary, intermediate, or advanced Spanish language and additional hours in Spanish conversation and/or cultural classes.
• Optional volunteer work in one of five categories including child care, animal care, special needs, environmental research or teaching English. (Registration fee required)
• Excursions available to the famous Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá, Uxmal & Dzibilchaltun.
• Stay in a private room with a carefully selected local host family or in our dormitory style housing.
• We accept all major credit cards, personal checks from U.S. banks, and USD or Mexican peso
Spanish Language Classes
One day Spanish Course: Designed for students who need a special language boost to get through their travels in the Yucatán. Content is choosen by student and can inlcude basic survival Spanish or SSP (Spanish for Specific Purposes) such as preparing for volunteer work.
Beginning Spanish (Spanish 100, 40 to 50 hours)
Designed for students with no prior experience with the language, in Beginning Spanish students learn the basics of Survival Spanish. Students are introduced to the structure and usage of nouns, verbs, and simple sentences.
Objectives of Institute of Modern Spanish Course 100:
Students will gain confidence in their ability to learn a second language.
Student will be prepared for further Spanish language instruction.
Students will gain sufficient vocabulary to form simple sentences.
Elementary Spanish I & II (Spanish 150 and 151, 40 to 50 hours each)
*This course consists of an introduction to Spanish in the context of the Mexican culture. The students will be taught in Spanish about Spanish grammar and syntax. They will read selected authentic texts and produce language both orally and in writing.
Objectives of Institute of Modern Spanish Courses 150 and 151:
Students will gain confidence in one’s knowledge of the Spanish language.
Students will learn the basics of the Spanish language sound system.
Students will be prepared students for further Spanish language instruction.
Students will master the ability to describe orally and in writing aspects of oneself.
Intermediate Spanish I & II (Spanish 250 and 251, 40 to 50 hours each)
In our intermediate Spanish courses students will further practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in Spanish. The focus in this course is on fluency and cultural understanding. A variety of class activities are used to ensure all individual learning styles are reached.
Objectives for Institute of Modern Spanish Courses 105, 120, 220 & 320:
To learn idiomatic expressions used in everyday conversations.
To improve communication skills–listening and speaking.
To develop an awareness of local cultural values and conversation styles.
In our intermediate Spanish courses students will further practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in Spanish. The focus in this course is on fluency and cultural understanding. A variety of class activities are used to ensure all individual learning styles are reached.
Objectives for Institute of Modern Spanish Courses 250 and 251:
Students will gain confidence in one’s knowledge of the Spanish language.
Students will master the use of the Spanish language sound system.
Students will be prepared for further Spanish language instruction.
Students will master the ability to describe past and future events.
Advanced Spanish I & II (Spanish 350 and 351, 40 to 50 hours each) .
In our advanced Spanish language courses students work toward full fluency in speaking and writing in both informal and formal contexts. Advanced listening and reading practice is provided through inclusion of authentic texts applicable to many interests
Objectives for Institute of Modern Spanish Courses 350 and 351:
Students will increase fluency in the Spanish language.
Students will improve their ability to communicate in formal contexts.
Students will expand their vocabulary to include a wider variety.
Students will perfect their use of the Spanish sound system.
Spanish Conversation (Spanish 105, 120, 220 & 320, 40 to 50 hours of instruction)
The students will engage in conversation and role play at a formality level appropriate for their language knowledge.
Beginners will practice survival Spanish, Elementary Spanish students will practice present aspects of self and others, Intermediate Spanish students will practice conversing about past and future events, and Advanced students will practice formal conversation.