Learn Spanish in Mexico - Spanish Courses in Merida, Mexico

Course Prices Accommodation Prices School Facilities Course Details Accommodation Details

Learn Spanish in Mérida, Mexico

Mérida is considered one of the most beautiful and culturally enriched cites in all of Mexico, and it enjoys the famous Yucatán climate of year-round sunshine. The balmy weather is perfect for enjoying the 231-mile stretch of beaches only a 20-minute car or bus ride from the city. Many inhabitants of Mérida enjoy visiting these beaches, and the quaint port city of Progreso, throughout the year. Learn Spanish in Merida, Mexico, an ideal location to become familiar with Mexican culture and customs. You're sure to enjoy Mérida immensely.

The Yucatán Peninsula is an incredible region. The northern half of the Yucatán Peninsula is flat limestone covered with a low scrub jungle. There are no surface rivers; water runs under the porous terrain. When flying over the peninsula you get birds-eye view of the numerous round cenotes, which are sink holes that dot the area. The coastal edges provide the most beauty and natural interest: mangrove lagoons on the Gulf coast where flamingoes and others birds breed. The Caribbean shore is lined with powdery, pure white sand lapped by warm, clear, turquoise water.

Mérida itself is a colonial city. After the Spaniards defeated the local Mayans; a Spanish-style city was built on top of the defeated Mayans' city. It is said that at Mérida, the Spanish forced the Mayans to tear down their buildings. Then, the Mayans were forced to use their stone and labor to build the Cathedral and other buildings. The ruins here reminded the conquerors of the Roman ruins at Mérida, Spain; hence, the name.

Learn Spanish in Merida, Mexico and you will experience a fairly big city (a million or so) that has been able to keep a small town charm. Local people are very friendly and the pace of life is just right; neither too fast nor too slow. The culture there is amazing: live music and/or dancing is presented every night in one of the many plazas downtown. On Sunday, the streets in the center of town are closed to traffic and the restaurants, singers, vendors and dancers set up in the streets. Some stroll about with no cars around. Others ride the calesas, or horse drawn carriages.

Then there are the ruins; Mayan ruins are abundant on the Yucatán. Chichen Itza is the most famous and easily accessible by car or bus from both Cancun and Mérida. It is about halfway between the two cities but an hour closer to Mérida.

Mérida, and the surrounding area, is a truly amazing place.

Spanish Courses in Merida, Mexico - Fees

Accommodation Fees

Our Spanish School in Mérida, Mexico

Our Spanish school in Merida, Mexico, the most important city in the Yucatán Peninsula, opened in 1995, to develop educational programs devoted to the instruction of the Spanish language and Mexican & Latin American culture through full language immersion. Located in the State of Yucatan, our Spanish language and Mexican culture school provides students with the opportunity to learn Spanish in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico which is considered one of the most beautiful and culturally enriched cites in all of Mexico and Latin America.

Our Spanish language school is based on a new concept of language learning called Integrated Spanish Language Learning. Our programs integrate Spanish language classes with a unique Mexico cultural experience with family home stay. By replacing memorization of Spanish language grammar rules with a total cultural experience, we enable our students to leave our programs with a knowledge of Spanish that is practical, culturally applicable, and long-lasting. Our programs explore the language as it is used in today's Spanish speaking communities around Latin America and throughout the world.

Our Spanish language school faculty is experienced in teaching all levels of students--from beginners to the most advanced. Our Spanish language immersion courses integrate all aspects of Spanish language learning--speaking, listening, reading, and writing. We feel that this is the best method of teaching the Spanish language as it is used in today's world. Furthermore, we use a variety of language teaching methods to ensure that all learning styles enrolled in our Spanish language school are met.

Our comfortable facility includes air conditioned classrooms, swimming pool and wireless internet.

There are several Internet Cafés scattered throughout Mérida, in the Northern residential area conveniently close to the Institute and the host families, as well as in the downtown area. Most Internet Cafés charge the equivalent of US$1 to US$3 per hour for Internet Access and are opened convenient hours. The Institute's office and host families can provide directions to these Internet Cafes. Bear in mind that there is free wireless internet at the school for those who bring their laptops.

Our Spanish Courses in Merida, Mexico

Beginning Spanish (40 to 50 hours)
Designed for students with no prior experience with the language, in Beginning Spanish students learn the basics of Survival Spanish. Students are introduced to the structure and usage of nouns, verbs, and simple sentences.

Objectives of Institute of Modern Spanish Course:

• Students will gain confidence in their ability to learn a second language.
• Student will be prepared for further Spanish language instruction.
• Students will gain sufficient vocabulary to form simple sentences.

Elementary Spanish I & II (40 to 50 hours each)
This course consists of an introduction to Spanish in the context of the Mexican culture. The students will be taught in Spanish about Spanish grammar and syntax. They will read selected authentic texts and produce language both orally and in writing.

Objectives of Institute of Modern Spanish Courses:

• Students will gain confidence in one's knowledge of the Spanish language.
• Students will learn the basics of the Spanish language sound system.
• Students will be prepared students for further Spanish language instruction.
• Students will master the ability to describe orally and in writing aspects of oneself.

Intermediate Spanish I & II (40 to 50 hours each)
In our intermediate Spanish courses students will further practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in Spanish. The focus in this course is on fluency and cultural understanding. A variety of class activities are used to ensure all individual learning styles are reached.

Objectives:

• Students will gain confidence in one's knowledge of the Spanish language.
• Students will master the use of the Spanish language sound system.
• Students will be prepared for further Spanish language instruction.
• Students will master the ability to describe past and future events.

Advanced Spanish I & II ( 40 to 50 hours each)
In our advanced Spanish language courses students work toward full fluency in speaking and writing in both informal and formal contexts. Advanced listening and reading practice is provided through inclusion of authentic texts applicable to many interests.

Objectives:

• Students will increase fluency in the Spanish language.
• Students will improve their ability to communicate in formal contexts.
• Students will expand their vocabulary to include a wider variety.
• Students will perfect their use of the Spanish sound system.

Spanish Conversation (40 to 50 hours of instruction)
The students will engage in conversation and role play at a formality level appropriate for their language knowledge. Beginners will practice survival Spanish, Elementary Spanish students will practice present aspects of self and others, Intermediate Spanish students will practice conversing about past and future events, and Advanced students will practice formal conversation.

Objectives:

• To learn idiomatic expressions used in everyday conversations.
• To improve communication skills--listening and speaking.
• To develop an awareness of local cultural values and conversation styles.

Flexible Programs
Study for 4, 5, 6, or 8 hours per day for 1 to 16 or more weeks in Group or individual classes. (2 week minimum suggested*.)

Classes average three students per level.
Maximum of five students per Spanish language class.

*Note: There is a recommended minimum of 2 weeks of study when studying 4 or 5 hours daily. Individual Instruction, Intensive courses may be taken for one week.

Our school in Merida also offers Spanish courses combined with Biking, Yoga, Salsa, Golf, Mayan Mysteries, Kayaking, Fishing, Sailing,. Diving, Horse Riding. Please contact us for further details.

Individual placement tests and outline formats are taken before arrival online or via mail/fax.

Learn Spanish in Merida, Mexico - Accommodation

Family Home stays:

In order to obtain the most benefits from our Integrated Language Learning Programs, we arrange for you to stay with local families selected by our institute for their willingness to welcome students into their homes.

With these families, you will be provided with a clean, private or shared room and three delightful home-cooked meals daily. Safe water for drinking, warm water for bathing, clean sheets and bath towels will also be provided. Any special dietary needs will be met. This is an excellent opportunity to practice Spanish and experience the local culture firsthand.

Information about your family including name, address, and telephone number will be available prior to your departure. We recommend you bring a small gift which is representative of your country or state for your host family to enjoy.

• Housing is in the home of a local host family and includes three meals a day.
• Approximate meal schedule (varies): Breakfast 8:00AM, Lunch 2:00PM, and Dinner 8:00PM.
• Private housing includes a private bedroom in a family's home.
• Private housing Plus includes a private bedroom & bathroom in a family's home (limited availability).
• Shared housing includes a bedroom shared with another student or family member.
• Students traveling together can select to be assigned to the same shared housing arrangement.
• The weekends before and after study at the Institute of Modern Spanish are included.
• Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of host families are sent / e-mailed to students the week before their study is to begin.

Please note that students who travel alone cannot sign up for shared homestay housing unless they register with a roommate.  

Alternative Accommodation

• Student housing outside of a host family's home is available. The charge is US$22.00 per night. No meals are included. Space is limited. Early registration is advisable.
• We are happy to suggest a hotel for those who desire alternative arrangements. Our responsibility is limited to locating and reserving such accommodations.

Please note: All prices are quoted in $US. For the equivalent in your currency, please visit www.xe.com/ucc.