International Spanish Diploma

Academia de Español Quito is a recognized training and examination center for the International Spanish Diploma (D.I.E.) that certifies the degree of mastership and competence in Spanish as a second language. The school is accredited through FIDESCU , (Fundación para la Investigación y Desarrollo de la Cultura Española) which, under the protectorate of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Spain, has the mission to promote Hispanic culture on an international level with emphasis on the different aspects of the Spanish language.
The International Spanish Diploma is an academic accreditation of the title-holder's ability to communicate effectively with other Spanish speakers. The Diploma is expedited by the Pontificate's University of Salamanca (Spain) and follows the guidelines for learning, teaching and evaluation of languages set by the European Community's Frame of Reference and the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).

The International Spanish Diploma is the most thorough examination and language certificate available for Spanish because it offers a complete variety of levels and modes: Ten spoken levels, three written levels and four specialization levels.

Exams' contents are flexible and varied. The candidate may choose the themes for conversation and undertake the appropriate level according to his or her knowledge of Spanish. Likewise, the candidate can choose the mode of the exam: spoken, written, or both. Exams are scheduled for the first Tuesday of every month, year round.
Advantages of the International Spanish Diploma:

• International Spanish Diploma holders can display in their resumes or curriculum vitae their proficiency in Spanish, which will automatically boost their qualification
• The possibility for adults of all ages, teenagers, and children (age 10 and up) to be awarded official certificates on their degree of linguistic competence in spoken Spanish.&
• Flexible and varied exams; candidates may choose the topics of conversation.
• Candidates may prepare for the examination at any level through any of Academia de Español Quito's learning programs.
• Candidates with a determined knowledge of Spanish may take the exam without a preparatory course.
• Candidates are not required to test for every level in progression towards 10th level, instead they may test at a level appropriate to their knowledge of Spanish each time.

Class Styles

Our private program involves from four to seven hours daily of private Spanish instruction. By having your own instructor you are guaranteed efficient progress and rapid learning at your own pace. The instructors are rotated weekly.

Books are provided by the school and cover structure and cultural information. Classes are held Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 12:30pm and 1:30 - 4:30pm.

The Courses

1. Private-4

2. Private-6

3. Private-7

4. ACTIVA
You take your classes emphasizing structure in the mornings for four hours. Each afternoon you and your teacher set off in the city and area to visit various cultural sites, your teacher serving as guide. In this way the community becomes a great classroom. All transportation costs, entry tickets, and an afternoon drink are included in the cost of this program. This is a wonderful way to learn your way around the area and increase your vocabulary at the same time. Some students do a week or two of this program and then have just classes after they know their way around. You can do it that way, in a combination, or you can choose this program for your entire study period.

5. ANACONDA AMAZON JUNGLE PROGRAM
Make your Spanish learning experience an unforgettable ecotour, in a combination of professional teaching and a jungle adventure in one of the most beautiful places in the Ecuadorian rain forest. You will be in a small groups of 3 to 5 students, under the direction of a teacher and native guides (non English speaking). This one week program is available year round and includes four hours of classroom teaching and a daily excursion. Avg. temp 83 F. Your participation helps create indigenous employment and helps preserve the rainforest. Recommended as your last week of study in order to maximize your Spanish.

Departure from Quito Saturday at 7:00am and return back to Quito Friday at 4:00 pm. Transportation: You arrive at Tena by bus, passing through Papallacta and Baeza. In Tena, your last contact with civilization, you take a minivan to Amarongachi Cabins, situated in the Cando Region near a cluster of Quichua families. Upon arriving, you will be introduced to a native family. The cabins are a 15-minute walk from the banks of the Napo River. There are double bed and triple bed cabins, without electricity, but you will have a real bed and running cold water. Candles are used at night. Three daily meals included. Excursion schedule of the Anaconda program is:

Day 1: You begin a long walk to learn about the uses and medicinal properties of plants of the indigenous people. You return to the cabins for dinner and a welcome drink of cane liquor.

Day 2: You take an excursion which begins by walking along the river bed of a small river until arriving at the first waterfall, in which you can swim. Then you climb this waterfall and continue walking and climbing until you reach five waterfalls, each one awe-inspiring. You return through a primary forest, with trees of thousand years old wood. You may also practice balancing and swinging on vines like Tarzan!

Day 3: You begin a 4km walk to a lagoon in the middle of the jungle. You return by canoe (life jackets provided) or innertube, 20-30 minutes of rafting until you arrive at the cabins.

Day 4: You take another 4 hour excursion to canyons in the jungle. Here you see parrots, butterflies, bats, migratory birds and insects, and many wildflowers.

Day 5: Today you go to the riverbank of the Anzú River, where you raft across thrilling rapids. Returning to the riverbank, you meet an indigenous community. You visit a family’s house in which you see how to prepare the traditional drink chicha. Then you continue along the river where you learn techniques for panning gold.

Day 6: You go to the port of Misahuallí to the riverbanks of the Napo River. By morotized canoe you travel to the Jatún Sacha Biological Station, where you are guided through the forest. You can climb a tower to view the landscape along the river. Later you go to the Botanical Garden before returning to the cabins for a farewell with traditional music.

Day 7: Return to Quito

6. MINDO CLOUD FOREST
The area northwest of Quito is a paradise of biodiversity. The area from Mindo to Puerto Quito, is one of the planet’s richest areas with respect to the concentration of bird species, including hummingbirds (recognized as the bird of Quito) and the cock of the rock, as well as numerous butterflies, insects, amphibians, and mammals
Take a trip along with your teacher to this extraordinary area. For students’ comfort, there is a full-equipped kitchen who like to cook their own meals.
The Academia de Español Quito house, built with ecological materials, is located between the Saguambi and Mindo rivers, surrounded by trees and flowers.
You will work one on one with your teacher in the morning and take tours of Mindo’s main attractions in the afternoon.

LODGING: in a quiet and nice hostal, cabins with private bathroom, gardens, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, bar/cafeteria, breakfast.

ABOUT MINDO:
Mindo, settled in beautiful cloud forest, 90 Km. Northwest from Quito, is a fairly small village but a world famous spot for bird watchers and for Nature lovers. Mindo area ranges between 1200m and 4780m above sea level and its most popular attractions are typical of the cloud forest flora and fauna.
Its weather is nice, warm and humid, the air is clear and rich with Oxygen, temperatures range from 15ºC to 24ºC (60ºF-75ºF). The nickname for this valley is “The Land of Eternal Spring”.
Near the village is the Mindo-Nambillo Protected Forest. This forest housess more than 450 species of birds, including 39 species of hummingbirds. About 32 species of birds are unique to Mindo. Examples of rare exotic species of bird life in Mindo include: Toucan-Barbet, Cock-of-the-rock and the Golden-headed Quetzal.
This area is a large variety of butterflies, insects, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and a wide variety of species of orchids, making Mindo a paradise for Eco-tourism. Mindo was declared by Birdlife International as First Area of Birds’ Reservation in South America.
Mindo certainly attracts birdwatchers, but it also has fun attractions for everyone. There are beautiful waterfalls, rivers and treks where it is possible to practice sports such as rafting and hiking. Mountain Bike and horse rental are also available.

Common Activities that students like during their Mindo trip:

• A visit to the butterfly farm reserve and to the Orchid gardens are well worth while. This region boosts a remarkable variety of orchids (around 300 hundred species) and butterflies.
• Mindo is an ideal place for visitors who want to feel relaxed in a nature surrounding.
• See the birds of Mindo. There are ziplines to fly over the ravines, you can go tubing in the river, and hike in the rainforest with nature guides.
• Birdwatching Tours In Mindo, birding tours of the local surrounding and interior cloud forest are available.
• Bird of Paradise Tours offers birding tours to see the Andean Cook of the Rock, the Long Wattle Umbrela Bird and others. You can also do the Lloa-Mindo trek, Rappelling, Canopy and more. tourmindo@gmail.com, 02 2 170 045
• At Reserva Ecologica Pachijal, an Eco & Bird Lodge, they offer guided birding tours inside the reserve and excursions to Yanacocha Reserve, Tandayapa Pass & Bellavista Reserve, Birds Sanctuaries of Milpe and Rio Silanche.
• Tours de Fotografia day and night photography tours for professionals or those who are interested in birds and nature.
• Visit one of the orchid farms.
• Visit the cascada (waterfall): entrance is about $3, and it takes about 45 minutes of walking to reach the waterfall and its mini-resort. Be sure to take some drinking water with you, and check with a guide at the resort before using the water-slide or (for the adventurous, but only when the river is at the right height) going over the fall.
• Try to entice tropical butterflies to eat banana from your hands at the Mindogarden butterfly farm.
• Travel downriver in an inner tube. This is called a regata and can be arranged in almost any shop. You can do a short trip (20 mins or so) down the river near Mindo or you can go to Rio Blanco, which is a much longer (2 hour) and altogether faster and more furious experience! Ask around for prices, you may be able to barter as well.
• Hire a local guide to take you birdwatching.
• Chocolate Making Tour, El Quetzal de Mindo, 9 de Octubr. Mindo Chocolate Makers, Chocolate making demonstrations everyday 4:00 pm. $3.50. Coffee roasting on site. Organic gardens tours for free but by appointment. You can shop for Mindo chocolate and coffee freshly roasted in Mindo.
  
  

Students

Students come from many parts of the world, creating a stimulating atmosphere for all. We accommodate people of all ages (children also) and at all levels of Spanish. Students stay varying lengths of time and have various purposes. Most come unaccompanied, but we do accommodate couples and families. Because classes are one on one, we have had many entire families with children of all ages participate.
 

Calendar - open during Christmas holidays

You can begin classes any Monday year round, and you determine the number of weeks and program. Most students stay four to six weeks, but shorter or longer stays are also possible.

HOLIDAYS: No classes made up nor are discounts in tuition provided on these days:

• Good Friday
• January 1

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