PROGRAMS

All teachers have university degrees and have received specialized training in the teaching of Spanish to foreigners. The method of International House emphasizes conversation, and also incorporates a great deal of class interaction. The goal is to make you comfortable using your new language in the practical situations that you encounter in everyday life such as travel, meeting people and participating in a conversation effectively. With this communicative and dynamic approach, you will rapidly find yourself speaking Spanish. The combination of outstanding teachers and techniques will give you both knowledge and confidence. Classes are held from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Additional private classes are held in the afternoons.

Books must be purchased on-site for an additional fee of $35 USD

1. INTENSIVE GROUP COURSE - 4 hours daily of class with an average of 6 people in a class (maximum of 10) with formation of groups based on all levels, from beginners to advanced. This course includes a program of cultural and social activities that take place in afternoon and evenings.

2. INTENSIVE + 2 PRIVATE - a group program of 4 hours daily with an additional 2 private classes daily. You can tailor your course to meet your specific interests. This course includes a program of cultural and social activities that take place in afternoon and evenings.

3. INTENSIVE + COOKING COURSE - 1 to 4 week course. Group classes in the morning and cooking courses from 5pm to 9pm three afternoons per week. The first cooking class will take you to a typical grocery store and market in Playa so that students can learn the basic ingredients. The cooking classes themselves start by demonstrating some of the basics of Mexicn cooking - guacamole, fajitas, pico de gallo, tacos, enchilladas, sopes - and then will move on to more specialized dishes such as mole, pozole, pipian, tamales, and adobo. All indredients are included in the course fee. Start dates are the same as the start dates for complete beginners as posted below.

4. INTENSIVE + BEGINNING DIVING - 1 to 4 week course. Four hours daily of Spanish lessons and then a 3 day course leading to the PADI Open water certificate frod dives of up to 18 meters. This course includes theorietical sessions, loan of a diving manual, pool sessions, 4 ocean boat dives, exams, equipment and certification. Students will need 2 passport photos.

5. INTENSIVE + ADVANCED DIVING - 1 or 4 week course. Four hours daily of Spanish lessons and then a two to three day course that leads to the PADI certificate for dives up to 30 meters. You must have the PADI Open Water Certificate or equivalent to take this course. This course includes theorietical sessions, loan of a diving manul, 5 ocean boat dives,and certification. The ocean dives include: 1 navigational dive, 1 deep dive, and 3 optional dives (photography, video, wreck dives, night dives, etc.)

6. INTENSIVE + LATIN DANCING - 1 to four week course. Four hours daily of Spanish lessons and then three afternoons a week you will enjoy an assortment of latin dancing lessons from our expert dance instructors. Learn the Cha Chas, Salsa, Rhum, Samba. There's plenty of opportunity to practice in Playa's many clubs and discos.

7. SPANISH + DISCOVER MEXICO - This course combines an Intensive Group course in the morning with an additional hour of study on three afternoons.  The afternoon classes are designed to give students an insight into the immensely rich Mexican culture.  Topics covered include the history or Mexico, regional and ethnic diversity, folklore, the arts, etc. and class activities are designed primarily to help students develop their communicative skills.

8. ALL PRIVATE COURSE – 4 private classes daily of a special curriculum based on your language needs.

9. DELE EXAM PREP COURSE- 24 one hour lessons to help you prepare for the DELE Exam.  DELE exam can be taken on site at the school.

Start dates: Any Monday; however, please be aware that DELE exams are only held on certain dates in May, August, and November

For closed groups “made to measure” courses can be designed at any time of the year. Please request information based on your group’s needs.

STUDENTS

Participants in this program come from all over the world and are of all ages, although completion of high school or age 18 is required. All levels of Spanish are accommodated, from complete beginners to more advanced students. Although most people travel and study unaccompanied, we often accommodate couples.

CALENDAR

Students may start on any Monday year round and for the length of time they choose to study. If you are a complete beginner you must start on one of the following start dates:

2011 Start Dates: January 3, 17, 31; February 14, 28; March 14, 28; April 11, 25; May 9, 23; June 6, 20; July 4, 18; August 1, 15, 29; September 12, 26; October 10, 24; November 7, 21; December 5, 19

Please note that the week starting April 18 includes two public holidays and has a discounted price.
 

2011 HOLIDAYS

If a holiday falls during a weekday there will be no classes held. These classes are not made up.

2011: January 1, February 4, March 18, April 21, April 22, May 1, September 16, November 18, and December 25.

ACTIVITIES

Connecting the culture to the language is an important component of your program. There is a regular program of social activities including welcome cocktail parties, conversation exchange evenings with Mexican students studying English, and lectures on different aspects of Mexican and Mayan culture. The school also organizes excursions to some of the region’s most interesting locations such as the ancient Mayan cities of Tulúm and Chichén Itzá, the coral reefs of the island of Cozumel or one of the region’s many superb nature reserves. These are at additional cost, but are kept reasonable. Other activities which can be arranged include diving lessons, golf classes, Mexican cooking courses, and bicycle and car rentals.

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