Learn Spanish in Guatemala - Spanish Courses in Guatemala

Learn Spanish in Guatemala and you will experience a country spread across a verdant and mountainous chunk of land, Guatemala is endowed with simply staggering natural, historical and cultural interest. Though the great Maya temples and hidden rainforest cities have been long abandoned, ancient traditions remain alive throughout the Guatemalan highlands. Uniquely in Central America, at least half the country's population is Native American, and this rural indigenous culture is far stronger than anywhere else in the region. Defying this is a powerful ladino society, typically urban and commercial in its outlook. All over the country you'll come across remnants of Guatemala's colonial past, nowhere more so than in the graceful former capital, Antigua. Enroll on our Spanish Courses in Guatemala and experience this outstanding cultural legacy, combined with Guatemala's natural beauty that makes the country so compelling to learn Spanish.

Guatemala - History

In prehistory Guatemala was culturally linked to the Yucatán peninsula and witnessed the rise of pre-Maya and Maya civilizations. The modern Guatemalan population descends from Maya ancestors. Spanish Conquistadores arrived in 1523, seeking new American conquests, and the region soon became overthrown and named the Audiencia (a high court with a political role) of Guatemala, under the vice royalty of New Spain. For nearly three hundred years, Guatemala stayed under Spanish rule.

In 1821 it declared itself independent from Spain and joined the short-lived Mexican empire of Iturbide. When that collapsed (1823), Guatemala helped to found the United Provinces of Central America (1823-38). Strong opposition to federation, led by Rafael Carrera, resulted in its collapse, Guatemala declaring itself an independent republic with Carrera its first President (1839-65).

His successors as President became increasingly tyrannical. A left-wing government under Jacobo Arbenz (1951-54) instituted social reforms, before being forced to resign, following US intervention through the CIA.

In May of 1993, then President Serrano was overthrown following attempts to acquire dictatorial powers. Ramiro de Léon Carpio was elected President in June. Peace talks resumed between the government and URNG guerrillas in an attempt to end the 33-year civil war.

Spanish Courses Guatemala - Geography

Guatemala is mountainous, except for the south coastal area and the northern vast lowlands of Petén department. Two mountain chains enter Guatemala from west to east, dividing the country into three major regions: the highlands, where the mountains are located; the Pacific coast, south of the mountains; and the Petén region, north of the mountains. All of the major cities are located in the highlands and Pacific coast regions; by comparison, Petén is scarcely populated. These three regions vary in climate, elevation, and landscape, providing dramatic contrasts between hot and humid tropical lowlands and colder and drier highland peaks. Volcán Tajumulco, at 4,220 meters, is the highest point in Central America. The rivers are short and shallow in the Pacific vertient, larger and deeper, such as the Polochic which drains in Lake Izabal Río Dulce, (Motagua) and Sartún that forms the boundary with Belize in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico vertient (Usumacinta, which forms the boundary between Chiapas, Mexico and Petén and its tributaries such as La Pasión and San Pedro.

Learn Spanish in Guatemala - Economy

Guatemala's Gross domestic product for 2000 was estimated at $19.0 billion, with real growth slowing to approximately 3.3%. After the signing of the final peace accord in December 1996, Guatemala was well-positioned for rapid economic growth over the next several years.

Guatemala's economy is dominated by the private sector, which generates about 85% of GDP. Agriculture contributes 23% of GDP and accounts for 75% of exports. Most manufacturing is light assembly and food processing, geared to the domestic, U.S., and Central American markets. Over the past several years, tourism and exports of textiles, apparel, and nontraditional agricultural products such as winter vegetables, fruit, and cut flowers have boomed, while more traditional exports such as sugar, bananas, and coffee continue to represent a large share of the export market.

The United States is the country's largest trading partner, providing 41% of Guatemala's imports and receiving 34% of its exports. The government sector is small and shrinking, with its business activities limited to public utilities--some of which have been privatized--ports and airports and several development-oriented financial institutions. Guatemala was certified to receive export trade benefits under the United States ' Caribbean Basin Trade and Partnership Act (CBTPA) in October 2000, and enjoys access to U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) benefits. Due to concerns over serious worker rights protection issues, however, Guatemala's benefits under both the CBTPA and GSP are currently under review.

Spanish Schools Guatemala - Food

Generally, food doesn't come high on the list of reasons to learn Spanish in Guatemala. However, most of the towns most popular with tourists boast a variety of cuisine and you'll be able to feast on French, Italian, Asian, all-American and even Middle Eastern dishes. Up in the highland villages it's a different story and many menus consist of little more than grilled meat and rice, or a soup.

Traditionally, Guatemalans eat a breakfast of tortillas and eggs, accompanied by the inevitable beans. Lunch is the main meal of the day, and this is the best time to fill up as restaurants often offer comidas corridas, a set two- or three-course meal that sometimes costs as little as a couple of dollars. It's always filling and occasionally delicious. Evening meals are generally more expensive

Maya cuisine is at the heart of Guatemalan cooking. Maize is an essential - in Maya legend, humankind was originally created from corn - and it appears most commonly as a thin pancake, the tortilla. The maize is traditionally ground by hand and shaped by clapping it between two hands then toasted on a comal, a flat pan of clay or metal placed over the fire. Tortillas are eaten while warm and are usually brought to the table wrapped in cloth. Mexican-style tamales (steamed cornmeal often stuffed with meat, wrapped in a banana leaf) are not that common, but when you can get them are usually delicious.

Beans (frijoles) are served as they are in the rest of Central America, either refried (volteados) or whole (parados) in their own black juice. Most truly Guatemalan meals include a portion of beans. To a lesser extent, chilies, usually served in the form of a spicy sauce (salsa picante), are the final ingredient in a Maya meal.

Along with this essentially Maya culinary style, you'll find ladino food everywhere, often on the same menu. Bistek (steak), pollo frito (fried chicken) and hamburguesas are popular with all Guatemalans, though they do tend to be greasy. Chile's rellenos (stuffed peppers) make a healthy change from other cholesterol-saturated dishes and pepián (meat stew with vegetables) and caldos (meat broths) are usually excellent.

Popular market snacks include pupusas (thick stuffed tortillas topped with crunchy grated salad vegetables) and tostadas (corn crisps smeared with avocado, cheese and other toppings).

You will find a distinct Creole cuisine on the Caribbean coast. The food is heavily based on fish, seafood, coconuts, plantain and banana. Tapado (a coconut-based fish or shellfish soup) is the signature dish in these parts.

Healthy-eating Western-style food is also available anywhere where tourists travel in numbers, so many places geared to gringo tastes will have muesli and fruit for breakfast, vegetarian dishes and treats like carrot cake and brownies.

While Indians have the diet of beans and corn Ladinos (western citizens) mostly consume wheat and meat in Guatemala, because of where most of the food is grown or raised. Served at every meal no matter where you live are tortillas and beans. The food is simple and not as spicy as the traditional Latin food you would think of. The coffee is much lighter brewed then the American or European. Some products grown are cereal, wheat, rice, barley, maize, cassavas, soybeans, sugar cane, bananas, cotton, cocoa beans, tobacco, and coffee.

Spanish Courses Guatemala - Climate

The bulk of Guatemala enjoys one of the most pleasant climates on earth, with typically warm or hot days and mild or cool evenings all year round - only in the lowlands does it get really uncomfortably hot and humid.

The immediate climate is largely governed by altitude. The Guatemala tourist board calls the country "the land of eternal spring", and since most places of interest are between 1300 and 1600m (including Antigua, Lago de Atitlán and Cobán) there's some justification in this. However, in Quetzaltenango and the Cuchumatanes mountains the climate can be cool and damp and nights distinctly cold. In low-lying Petén it's a different world, with sticky, steamy conditions most of the year. The Pacific and Caribbean coasts are equally hot and humid, but here at least you can usually rely on the welcome relief of sea breezes.

There is also a rainy season, roughly from May to October, which Guatemalans call winter, though the rain is usually confined to the late afternoon and the rest of the day is often warm and pleasant. As a rule it's only in remote parts that rain can affect your travel plans. This is especially so in Petén, where the rainy season extends into December and it's advisable to delay any real exploration until February.

The busiest time for tourism is between December and March, when many North Americans seek respite from the cold; and again in July and August - this is also the busiest time for the language schools.

Spanish Courses in Guatemala - Advice

At our Spanish schools and courses in Guatemala and throughout Latin America our advice can really be summed up with one simple word - practice! What kind of study materials you use is not quite as important as how or how often you use them. Your hard work and determination will be one of the biggest factors in successful language learning.

The Spanish school and course you choose in Latin America is going to be the core of your Spanish study, so make sure you choose a Spanish language course that gives you structured lessons and lots of opportunity to practice your new language skills. Our Spanish courses at our Spanish schools in Guatemala and throughout South America, will give you the perfect opportunity to study, learn, and practice Spanish in a supportive, well planned and friendly environments.

You must work at your new Spanish language skills every day. Ideally, you should study Spanish an extra hour or more every day. If you can get at least an extra half-hour of study time, that's pretty good too. Try to at least get a little review and study, learn and practice Spanish every single day.

If you attend one of our Spanish courses in Guatemala and you learn Spanish everyday, you will have a good basic knowledge of the Spanish language in a reasonable amount of time. Your knowledge and ability will increase and improve depending upon what other tools you use and what kind of experiences you have using the Spanish language.

Grammar book. A good old-fashioned grammar book may be boring but they are a great way to really get to grips with the details of the language.

Phrase Book

These are extremely helpful books that you can carry with you. They can be useful for practicing pronunciation, or for quickly finding a lot of more commonly used phrases, words and idioms. Phrase books are always a nice supplement to learn Spanish and they are convenient and cheap.

Dictionary. Absolutely necessary in the long run. You must have a dictionary if you wish to expand your vocabulary, and you will need one in order to take full advantage of many of the Spanish language learning tips set out here. Make sure you get one that translates both ways e.g. English to Spanish AND Spanish to English. It is also helpful to find a dictionary that contains idioms - the phrases particular to the language which you are studying - as well as phrases that are commonly used in the Spanish language, but may be difficult to translate. As an example in English - 'to give the cold shoulder' or 'it's a piece of cake!'

Flashcards

A simple Spanish language learning tip, but a very effective way to review, refresh your memory and expand your vocabulary. There are pre-made flashcards that can be purchased, or for extra help, you can create your own. Keep them with you at all times, in your pocket or in your car, and look at them for a quick review or language lesson at every opportunity. They are very convenient.

Talk to yourself

It may be obvious, but the best way to learn Spanish in Latin America is to speak Spanish in Latin America ! This convenient method can be use at all times, as you can even talk to yourself. Even if you are in public and don't feel comfortable talking to yourself out loud, you can make it your habit to practice Spanish by thinking Spanish. Throughout the day, think of the Spanish words for everything you pass - objects in your house, things you pass when you are traveling, things you use at work or school, etc. Learn basic Spanish phrases like - ‘it is cold today' or ‘it is sunny today' and use whichever is appropriate when you first look out the window. By putting this tip into use on a regular basis, the vocabulary and phrases will become more routine and automatic.

Practice with friends

Taking it even further than talking to yourself, you can practice with your friends. Even if they don't speak Spanish, talk to the people you know by using your new language. Warn them in advance that you are practicing your new knowledge and they'll know what's coming. Even a simple 'good morning' or'see you later' in Spanish will make those phrases more natural to you. Your friends may even begin to learn a few words and join in the fun too!

Listen to music

Listen to Spanish music. You'll hear the Spanish language used in a real context and this will help you pick out the rhythm and pronunciation even better. This method will also give you a further understanding of, and appreciation for, the culture and customs of the people. Music in Spanish might be easier to find than others, but Amazon or eBay and many other global websites will enable you to find music in Spanish and many different languages.