Guatemala - Student Information

COURSE CONTENT

The Spanish program is all private classes, one teacher to one student. All levels are taught, and classes are conducted completely in Spanish. Teachers are experienced with all levels, including beginners, and all students benefit from the complete immersion techniques. The aim of complete immersion is to enable you to speak Spanish from the first minute. The all private classes allow you to work at your individual level. Flexibility is vitally important. You can pick the area you wish to emphasize such as conversation, comprehension, writing, or specialized fields such as medical or business terminology. The courses are designed to begin with mini-dialogues as a total system for learning grammar, vocabulary and survival skills. Course work focuses on daily life, and your assignments might include reading the local paper, listening to the news, or discussing politics, local entertainment or current events. Textbooks used have been developed by PLFM and are provided on a loan basis.
You will change teachers every week and may request keeping the same teacher a second week, but no longer.

Classes are held for 7 hours daily Monday through Friday (a 4 hour daily program is available except from mid May to mid August), from 8:00 am to noon, and then again from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. There are two 30 minute breaks.

To ensure quality, all Spanish teachers are native Guatemalans who have taken courses in education. All teachers receive 100 hours of intensive training in teaching Spanish as a second language, and the training is updated every six months. In a one-on-one learning situation, the skill and ability of the teacher are of utmost importance, and PLFM's teachers are highly regarded.
After an orientation on Monday morning, you will be given a brief oral exam by your teacher to determine your strengths and weaknesses. At the end of the course, students interested in having their Spanish competency evaluated may choose to take a half-hour interview, a Foreign Service Institute (FSI) style exam to determine Spanish competency. You may also request a written exam.
If you need documentation of your study including contact hours, the school will be pleased to do this upon request. They can grant a letter grade if necessary and provide a written evaluation of your skills and areas of study. PLFM is an accredited school with the Ministry of Education of Guatemala.

STUDENTS our participants are of all ages, ranging from college age to retirees. Younger children and high school students can also take classes if they are traveling accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Participants come from all over the world and are at all levels of Spanish, and there are many purposes for study. The majority travel alone, although we also have couples, families and organized groups. If traveling alone, it is very easy to meet other students and have a full range of social activities.

HOMESTAYS / ACCOMMODATIONS

You may choose to live with a Guatemalan family in Antigua. All families are within walking distance of the school, have been carefully screened and are constantly evaluated. The accommodations are modest and simple, but each student has his own room. All meals (except on Sundays) are included. Please see Fees and Registration area for costs. Arrangements can be made for families and couples. Most students arrive on Sunday, but if you need to arrive earlier, you will just pay for the additional homestay days on a pro-rated basis.

If you prefer a guaranteed private bath and a higher level of comfort, it is best to have us arrange rooms with private baths in Bed & Breakfast accommodations. All include breakfast and prices are per week. Sample ones are Casa Alonzo - $175 single, $225 double, amd $250 for two twin beds or Casa Rosales - $140 single, $225 double (no breakfasts served on Sundays at B&Bs). 

IMPORTANT DATES

Length of Program/Study Schedule

Classes start every Monday throughout the year. If an official holiday falls on Monday, classes will start on Tuesday. These holidays are prorated only if two occur in a four week period of study. There is no make up given if a day is missed due to an official holiday, nor reduction in tuition.
The length of the program is determined by you, from one to twenty four weeks. We suggest a minimum of six weeks for intermediates; beginners usually study a minimum of eight to twelve weeks. These are suggestions, however, and many students have schedules which require a shorter number of weeks. We require a minimum of two weeks during the months of June and July. At other times of the year you may choose a one week study period. There is no official deadline for registration, but we often reach full capacity in the summer months and have to place potential students on a waiting list. Please reserve early!
Classes are held Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 2 - 5 p.m., except official holidays. The seven hour schedule includes two 30-minute breaks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

National Holidays

Holidays falling on Saturday or Sunday are sometimes celebrated on the Friday or following Monday. Following is the list of official Guatemalan holidays.

• New Years Day- December 31, afternoon only and January 1 all day
• First Friday- Six weeks before Lent, afternoon only
• Easter- Maundy Thursday and Good Friday
• Teacher Day- June 25 (Classes will be held this day but banks will be closed)
• Army Day- June 30 (Classes will be held this day but banks will be closed)
• Independence- September 15
• Revolution Day- October 20 (Classes will be held this day but banks will be closed)
• Christmas- December 24, afternoon only and Dec. 25 all day