Class Styles

The core Spanish program consists of twelve different levels from complete beginners to advanced. You are carefully grouped in a class of six students maximum. In addition, there are private classes offered (prior approval required) which can cover special areas such as business, medical, and other areas of individual interest.

Classes are designed to provide an intensive immersion experience for students. This means that they incorporate all aspects of language acquisition - grammar, conversation, reading, writing, general comprehension and idiomatic expressions. In addition to formal textbooks the school uses a wide variety of current materials. These include newspapers, magazines, advertisements, radio presentations, music and short stories. This ensures that your classes remain interesting as well as educational! Classes are four hours daily, Monday through Friday.

There are private classes offered to enhance your experience, and these are available for all levels at certain times of the year. Any private program (Group Plus 1-2 Hours Private or Completely Private 4-6 Hours) requires prior approval before registering year-round. Private classes are not available in the summer.

Groups consist of two to six people, with the average size of three to four students. During summer months students should expect to have six students in their class. From September through April, group classes run from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the morning session, with private classes (if granted prior approval) given only in the afternoons beginning at 1:30 PM. From May through August, the school may assign morning or afternoon group classes and the schedule may vary for private classes.

In case you are unable to keep up with your group class due to varying circumstances, the school reserves the right to assign you to three hours private classes per day instead of four hours with the group. This ensures that you have an adequate learning environment for special circumstances.

The Courses

1. Group

(The following programs require prior approval from the school because they involve private hours.)

2. Group Plus One

3. Group Plus Two

4. Private Four Hours

5. Private Six Hours
 

6. Spanish & Salsa- Classes plus 8 hours of private Latin dance per week

7. 50+ Spanish- Classes, guided daily excursions, 2 hours of private instruction per week. 

Beach Program

A unique feature of Intercultura is its beautiful alternate location at Sámara beach on the Pacific Ocean.

When you register, you can indicate your choice of one or more weeks at this location. Most students begin classes in Heredia for at least a week before studying at the beach. Most students take the option of a family stay at the beach location with 7 nights included and two daily meals provided. Alternate accommodation is to substitute 5 nights in a shared room at an upper level hotel with a large pool or 7 nights in a shared room in a hostel type setting.

The cost of a week at the beach is the same as in Heredia. However, 5 nights of hotel , 7 nights of hostel or 7 family stay nights are included. No meals are included with the hotel or hostel option, but there are many inexpensive restaurants. Hotel accommodations are 2-3 people per room, both single and double beds available. Private rooms are available at extra cost, and you can pay the hotel directly for additional nights.Activities include a protected coral reef bay for swimming, diving, snorkeling, kayaking and surf/boogie boarding. The local town has many oceanside seafood restaurants and activities such as sunset football games and a disco. At the beach campus, in case your level would cause you to be the only student in the class, the school reserves the right to reduce your classes from four to three hours.

Round trip private transport by the school is $40 and offered several times a month, or you can travel by the cheaper public bus.

Students

The student population is made up of great people who want to return from Costa Rica with more than a souvenir in their suitcases. Some are experienced travelers, while others are making their first foreign trip. Ages range from teens to 80 plus. Some have studied Spanish previously, and others have no experience with the language. Minimum age is 18 years or the completion of high school.

All professions and interests are represented. There are usually college students (heavier on this age range in the summer months), couples, singles...a little of each. The environment lends itself to quickly making new friends. Some participants have a definite goal in Spanish, and others come just for the exhilaration of learning a new skill or sharpening their minds.

We also have students who are studying for academic credit, granted by their own university. Participants come from throughout the world, and this creates a stimulating environment for all.

Calendar - closed most of December and Holy Week

Programs start every Monday, almost year round. Most students stay three to six weeks, but shorter or longer stays are also possible. If you only have one week to study, we strongly recommend private classes in order to maximize your stay, but these are not available in the summer months.

There is no makeup or reduced tuition for holidays.. 

Official holidays 2010: January 1, March 29 to April 2, April 11, May 1, July 25, August 15, September 15, October 12, December 13 to December 31.

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