Academia de Español Antigueña
Good for: Learning Spanish, learning, Learning Spanish and traveling, Learn Spanish, Fast learning
Not good for: Extras, spanish immersion, crazy partying, Party scene, Drugs
- Address
- 1a Calle Poniente 10 City Center
- Website
- Phone
- tel, info: 7832 7241
Lonely Planet review for Academia de Español Antigueña
A highly recommended school, only hiring experienced teachers. They can arrange volunteer work in hospitals for social workers, lab assistants and child care workers on request. Also supports an educational project in San Antonio Aguas Calientes.
Traveller reviews for Academia de Español Antigueña (161)
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Highly Recommend
dpoole recommends this,
I just spent two weeks at this school. I have studied Spanish at several schools in Mexico, Central America, and South America. This school ranks among the very best. Julio, the owner and director, understands high quality instruction, carefully selects his faculty, and closely supervises them. He responds quickly to student needs and concerns if there are any. I recommend this school highly!
Dennis
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Highly Recommend!
anfeather recommends this,
I was unsure about language school when I first came to Antigua. However, this school both met and exceeded my expectations! My teacher, Julia, was very professional and very patient with me. Also, my host family was very helpful as I learned more and more each day. Silvia Ramirez always made delicious meals each day and everyone in the family helped me use the correct terminology as I practiced with them in their home. I would recommend Academia de Espanol Antiguena to anyone who wishes to learn or improve on their Spanish language skills.
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Great teachers, homestay family, location, and value
4gater recommends this,
a. 18 tasty meals cooked for you by an excellent cook
b. 20 hours of (one-on-one!) language class
c. 7 days of rent for a room in the cityWhere I lived in the US (St. Louis, MO), I could only choose one of the above and still spend less than $200. In Antigua, Guatemala, with the Academia de Español Antigueña, I was able to choose all three for $205.
The instruction is entirely flexible and individualized. This ensures that I was learning either what I wanted to learn or what I needed to learn to progress. My teachers were Karla, Mara, Iliana, and Gabi. The office was right: all the teachers are good teachers. Part of the flexibility includes the flexibility to change teachers whenever I want. All I had to do was make the arrangements before the end of the current school day, so long as the school wasn't full, as it often was.
For the sake of comparison, when this school was full and I didn't have a class reserved, I tried one class session at each of two other Spanish schools in Antigua--the Christian Spanish Academy (CSA) and a small, possibly unaccredited school that I forgot the name of. The Antigueña and CSA both were good; I learned equally well in both schools. But, if I remember right , I paid $37 for four hours at CSA, which is at least 30% more than at the Antigueña.
Homestay was awesome. I liked the food and there was as much as I could want. Eva takes pride in what she serves to the students and afters years of experience, she knows which dishes the international students tend to like best. But upon request, she'll even make dishes that you ask for. If you visit during Christmas, you’ll see the meals and the house decorated like crazy.
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Some downsides to the school are small but are probably more of a result of being accustomed to the American implementation of these phrases rather that the literal meaning."Free computer use and wireless internet".
I've rented computer time in the states before so I expected more of the same here, only free. Not so. There are two computers provided but they are so old and slow that I literally counted the minutes of loading the lonely planet webpage so I could write this review. It's only free if you'll give your time away to a computer for free. The teachers don't even use the student computers to do their Skype lessons; they have the fast computers for that. Every internet cafe in town provides better service than here, some for only 40 cents per hour."Free bike rental and bike tours".
I've rented bikes while traveling before. It's a leisurely way to cover lots of ground while exploring a new area. Again, I expected more of the same, only free. Again, I would be disappointed to find only old, unmaintained bikes--some with no air in the tires and none of which fit me (I'm only 181cm).Pressure to write a review for the school on Lonely Planet's website.
During one of my last classes, the teacher directed me to the (slow) computer area to write a review of the school while she waited for me. I suggested that I do it outside of the class time that I pay for by the hour, but she insisted that it won't take long. After typing the long URL pasted on the wall by the computers, retyping it because I typed it wrong the first time, loading the review page, making a Lonely Planet account, waiting forever to open my email account because the web browser version was too old to support the frames on regular Gmail website, logging in with my new password at the Lonely Planet site, the computer froze and had to be restarted. It was at this point that the teacher allowed us to return to class and do the review on a different day.Overall, the school was a great experience. Learning Spanish before my extended trip through Central and South America was the most important single activity that contributed to my enjoyment of the trip. I truly believe that this school, Academia de Español Antigueña , was the best place for me to do just that.
Good for: value, learning, homestay
Not good for: Extras
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Great Teacher, Great Time
Ringers recommends this,
Im not usually the person to write a review but i thought on this occasion i needed to make an exception. I stayed for 5 weeks in Antigua and loved every minute of it. Alot of this had to do with my teacher, Lucia, who made learning spanish (a completely new language for me) a real pleasure. She seemed genuinely interested in how i was getting along and managed to get a good balance between the gramatical necessities and fun activities. She even took the time to help me arrange my volunteer project as well as offering any help she could with other aspects of guatemalan life. I am now continuing my travels around central america safe in the knowledge i can have a decent conversation. Thank you Lucia!!
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So helpful and now so useful. I now have tools to get by.
timmygrose recommends this,
I spent 2 weeks in Antigua learning Spanish with Academia de Espanol. My teachers name was Diego and not only did he teach me a lot of Spanish he also taught me a lot about Antigua and the surrounding cultures which I found very interesting. I also stayed with a host family who were really good with awesome food and were very friendly and helpful with what I learnt. Coming from knowing absolutely nothing I can now understand a lot more and am able to survive the basic needs of travelling
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An amazing language experience
bethschultz recommends this,
I cannot say enough about Academia de Espanol Antiguena. I have studied on SKYPE with Martha Godoy for several months. She is a great teacher, with a natural ability to assess my language skills and interests. I thought it would be difficult to learn by SKYPE but it is not. My sessions are good, the information and attention I receive is outstanding. I recently was able to get away from my demanding work schedule and visit the school. I spent two weeks there, and it has been one of my most memorable travel experiences. Antigua is a lovely city of colonial buildings with a college town feeling. There are many schools there, but this one is the best! My teacher, Netty Garcia was wonderful. We immediately not only established a great teacher-student relationship, but also a friendship. She was quick to identify my skills and gave me so much attention. She would notice when I would become distracted and offer me formulas and ideas that enabled me to understand the language. We would study, have great meaningful conversations and sometimes take walks at my request to places in Antigua where I could practice my skills by asking for things, ordering on menus and learning about the local color. My teachers far
exceed my expectations!. Slivia and Carlos Rameriz and their son Carlos Jr. were wonderful too. Silvia would show me how to prepare beans and would take a lot of time to talk with me. We would watch Spanish speaking novellas on television or talk about numerous subjects. Carlos is very funny and patient. I felt so welcomed in their home. I am home for a few days now and looking forward to continuing on SKYPE with Martha and returning in the not so distant future!Good for: language, cultural activites
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A good experience!
underneath recommends this,
Hi! I (f, 29 years) am from Austria and initially I came to Antigua for a 4-week Spanish course at the Antiguena Spanisch academy. I took classes the whole 4 weeks with Paula and as I liked it very much I prolonged afterwards for 1 week. I had basic Spanish knowledge and could only speak in the present tense before. I had an amazing time with Paula, a lot of conversation about different topics. She helped me to get to know some medical Spanish for my volunteer work as well. Many thanks!
Good for: conversation, meeting other travellers, serious studies
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Do I really want to leave?
barbara_walser recommends this,
I am doing an around the world trip for one year, of course Latin America is part of my journey. Since I did not speak one word in Spanish I decided to stop here in Antigua first for about 2 or 3 weeks, attend language lessons and learn the basics. I ended up staying more than 6 weeks! Reasons are obvious and do not need mentioning... What I do want to mention is my amazing teacher Leticia Socorec. She is a trained teacher and knows what she is doing! She is not only a great teacher but also very nice person. I learned that much in 6 weeks with her that I now can travel and actually talk to people! THANK YOU LETI S. FOR AN AMAZING TIME!
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A great experience
daviessm recommends this,
I intended to take Spanish classes in Antigua for two weeks but I enjoyed the classes, the city and living with a local family so much that I stayed for a month. My teacher was very helpful and patient and explained everything clearly. We discussed different topics and grammar points everyday and revisited those I had problems with. The school organises daily activities whcih is also a good way of meeting people if you´re travelling alone. The experience with the homestay was a very special one, the family made me feel at home and cooked the most incredible food!
Good for: Interesting Spanish lessons, Living with a local family, Students of any age
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A good spanish school for easy learning!
uagadu recommends this,
Its really fun and easy to learn spanish with Academia de Español Antigueña, because it is a really relaxed way to learn it. Imagine you are sitting outside in a nice garden with flowers, trees and hammocks speaking spanish with your teacher, doing a little bit of writing exercises or playing games with other students to upgrade your spanish skills. And if once you are not in the mood to just sit around and learn spanish its no problem to tell that your teacher. There are lot other posibilities to do the classes, for example by walking around in Antigua or drinking a coffee in one of the dozens nice coffeshops and and and
I was there for 5 weeks and my spanish skills which were really bad at the beginning increased a lot! But i have to say that i had the best teacher. Her name is Gabi and she is deticated, patient, humorous and really good in teaching! There are also a lot of things you can talk about with her, like movies, news, music, books, famous people, economie or just about all the world and his brother. It will never get borring.
If you decide to go to this school ask for her and you will learn spanish easely... -
Remarkable
franzpander recommends this,
If you don´t know Spanish, studying at at language school in Antigua is a must. First of all, you can learn Spanish, which will definitely improve your overall experience as a traveler in Guatemala as well as the rest of Central America. Second of all, it is an easy way of meeting other travelers. I have just finished 7 weeks of language school at Academia de Español Antigueña, and I would highly recommend studying there. The Spanish teachers are excellent, and especially the flexibility, which seems to be a school value, makes it easy for you. This meaning that if you want to change teacher or homestay you can always do it from one day to the next. Personally, I changed teacher after one week, and it was not because my teacher was unqualified or anything, it was more a question of chemistry. Anyway, I studied with my teacher Iliana for a total of 6 weeks. She has more than 25 years of teaching experience, which was evident from our first lesson. A warm, kind and most intelligent person. She has made it possible for me to step by step accumulate my knowledge of grammar and improve my Spanish remarkable. Therefore, it is my utmost sadness that I have my last lessons today. So with out any doubt you should go study at Antigueño, and see if Iliana if available.
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I'll be coming back
blueagave recommends this,
I've just finished 4 weeks of classes at Academia de Español Antegüeña and it been a great experience. Each student has his or her own teacher which allows tailoring each day to the individual student's need, as well as giving the student more time for putting to practice what is being taught. While the grammar is covered thoroughly, there is a great deal of emphasis on speaking and listening, something lacking in my college classes back home. My teacher, Nidia Santos, was fantastic. She was well prepared to help me improve my language skills. I'm a 50 something woman for whom learning a new language is not easy. Nidia was patient and encouraging; professional, while at the same time being warm-hearted and open-minded.
In general the school does everything it can to make your stay as worthwhile, comfortable and rewarding as possible. They are quite flexible when it comes to adjusting schedules, satisfying dietary preferences, and matching each student with a compatible teacher and host family.
My host family, Cornelia, Irma and the many family members who spent time at the house, was great. I really felt welcome, comfortable and safe. They were always willing to talk in Spanish and explain patiently when I didn't always understand. I think I might be addicted to "Caso Cerrado" now but it won't be the same watching it without my family in Antigua. Irma's love of cooking showed. The food was great.
I also have to give a shout out to Waleska and Byron, who added much fun to my time at the Academia.Good for: Learning Spanish
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An amazing school.
bktravels recommends this,
My name is Beckie Fallon and I studied at Antigueña for 8 weeks. This school was recommended to me by a friend and I will be eternally grateful for the recommendation. My teacher, Lety Socorec was unbelievable and taught me more than I could have ever imagined. She was extremely patient and catered each class to my ability. She is well equipped with books and materials to help the learning process, and I would highly reccommend for you to ask for Lety when signing up with Antigueña Academy.
I would also like to thank Julio, Julito, Edgar and Waleska, all equally amazing people who made my time with Antigueña unforgettable. I hope to return to this school one day in the future for more lessons. But for now, my travels through central and south America will be made easier thanks to the amazing abilities of the teachers of Antigueña. Thank you Lety, my teacher and my friend.Good for: Learning Spanish
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An amazing experience!
jen1210 recommends this,
I am sad that can only stay 2 weeks. I learned a lot of Spanish in the 2 weeks I have been here.My teacher, Arely, was fantastic! She catered the classes to my needs and brought in readings and vocaublary that related to my job. She was patient and repated things when I needed something to be explained again. The activites at the school are really fun and give you a feel for the area and culture. My homestay was great but I had some friends who changed their place because things weren´t great. The school was really good about changing and it is ok to change after a week if you just want another experience. I stayed with Maria and Otto- the home was clean and the food delicious! However, the family does not live in the home so the experience is a little different. They made sure to come to each meal with us and speak in Spanish.
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Just jump in and learn español
jjkeller recommends this,
I learnt so much about life and language in Academia de Español Antigueña. I enjoyed having Lily Garcia as a teacher. The classes were fun and well structured with plenty of time to practice speaking during each lesson.
The school also provided interesting extra activities to help learn about Antigua, the customs and food available in this wonderful country.
The world now seems to be much closer with friendship via the family stay plus connections with other students enjoying the same learning adventure.Enjoy it for as long as you can 5 weeks was a great start!
Good for: helpful information
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a great way to experience central america and learn spanish!
aliceyaya recommends this,
My name is Alice Whitehouse and i have been studying here at the school and living with a guatemalan family for 3 weeks now. i have loved every moment of it from the kind hospitality of Eva ane cezar´s family to the fun and extensive teaching at the school. my teacher was Iliana, she has made learning spanish such a fun experience and has not just been a teacher but a freind who has shown me much about the town and culture! she is patient and always looking out for all the students well being. The family were so welcoming and Evas cooking was exquisite! i came knowing only a few wordsa but i leave with the confidence to travel round central america on my own with good spanish. i will remember my trip to guatemala forever.
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great school, fantastic teachers, nice host families
laurenvaske recommends this,
I studied Spanish at the Academia de Español Antigueña for 5 weeks and loved every minute of it. My teacher, Lety, was fantastic. She explained concepts clearly and patiently. THe school is very flexible and they are willing to do pretty much anything to make you happy. The school offers activities during the afternoons and there is a good variety to choose from. Great h ost families, and overall the food was excellent.This is an excellent school, and I highly recommend it.
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Leticia Socorec is a great teacher
piercejs4 recommends this,
I studied with Leticia for two weeks and learned a lot. I wish that I had more time here, but I´m an American and time off of work is a rare commodity. I studied Spanish for 6 years when I was in college and high school, but five years of not practicing makes you forget a lot. Studying one on one is the only way to learn a language. Ask for Leticia, you won´t regret it.
Good for: Learning Spanish
Not good for: spanish immersion
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Muy Bueno!
Nonitalu recommends this,
I studied Spanish at the Antigüeña Spanish Academy in January and February 2012. The School is fantastic, the teachers are well prepared and most of all very good at teaching you the language fast. The school has warm and homely atmosphere that makes you feel welcome instantly.
My teacher was Maria Elena, not only is she a lovely and charming person, but she is also a fabulous teacher, with a great deal a patience and humor. More than anything I was impressed with her pedagogical skills, my lessons were a great mix of conversation, grammar, games and activities, that made learning Spanish a breeze.
Recommended!
Good for: learning the language
Not good for: crazy partying
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Buena escuela, maestra y familia
mjudge55 recommends this,
I just wanted to add to the long list of positive reviews for this school. Yesterday I returned from six weeks in Antigua, and I'm really pleased that I chose Antigüeña Spanish Academy to study Spanish.
My teacher, Claudia Tecún, was a real pleasure to study under. She worked with me four hours a day, five days a week, for six weeks. Not only does she have an impressive understanding of grammar, she is also an interesting person, and a joy to talk with -- this is very important when you consider how much time you're spending with your teacher. She was also good at selecting fun activities to apply the lessons I learned in the more formal period of class. The time really flew, and I feel like we formed a great friendship. A+.
I have nothing but good things to say about my homestay family too. Cornelia Reyes and her family were all extremely generous to me, in terms of providing food and making sure I was comfortable. Beyond that, they always made themselves available for conversation, and particularly Cornelia's son Sergio was good at making sure I understood conversations, and keeping me included. Sergio is also very knowledgable about fun things to do nearby Antigua, and gave good travel advice. The family included me in the ceremonies and fiesta surrounding Novena Termina, and this was a phenomenal experience: witnessing and participating in a very traditional holiday, eating homemade tamales, and dancing. My family is a wonderful group of people, and I feel honored to have been a part of their home, if for a brief time.
Lastly, I'll just say that the staff and all the other teachers I met at the school were always very friendly and helpful. My interactions with them were more brief, but I can say that the total atmosphere of the place is very positive and conducive to learning.
In sum:
Mi educación en Antigüeña Academia de Español fui una experiencia muy importante para mi. Gracias a mi maestra y mi familia por su trabajo y amistad durante mi visita. Yo recomiendo esta escuela mucho!
Good for: spa, Learning Spanish and traveling
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good scool with serious but friendly teachers
88louise recommends this,
Antigueña Spanish Academy is a great place for learning Spanish. You can create you own program and you can choose to stay with a family. There is also a possibility for having classes in a very nice garden. Go for it! After classes you can go on short trips with fellow-students which is a nice way to get to know each other, see the sights and practice your Spanish or English.
I came with no knowledge of Spanish and now, after 6 days of 5 hours, I understand people when they talk slowly and I know how to make clear what I want.
Method: hablar, hablar, hablar. Every morning I had 2 hours of very effective grammar and the rest of the day I just talked with my teacher. It's a good way to learn, because you constantly need to construct sentences ( witch is difficult when you don't know the language) and you're making your own vocabulary at the same time. That's handy because you're not waisting your time with words you don't need.My teacher Arely is really friendly, patience and she really wants you to learn as effectively en good as possible. And I haven't heard bad stories about other teachers.
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Antigua is a great place to learn Spanish
karenevab recommends this,
I've just completed three months of school and I am happy to recommend the Academia de Español Antigueña. I found a teacher I liked - Leticia Socofec and she worked hard and with patience to give me a positive learning experience. With Lety, learning Spanish was fun. It is possible to design your own course and go at your own pace depending on what you want. Don't be shy to communicate your ideas and needs.
The school management is flexible and cheerful and will happily swap teachers or homestay if you want to make a change for any reason.
The homestays vary, but then so do people's expectations so it is possible to find the right accommodation to fit.
Antigua is a great town to hang out in. -
Exactly what I was looking for
markffrye recommends this,
This school worked well for me.... My Spanish was already at an intermediate level, so what I really wanted was conversational skills. This school customized the program for me so that it was 90% conversational and only 10% grammar, but other students did it the other way around. Nice people, nice host family, and Antigua is beatiful.
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A good experience and I hope to return.
canvaldav recommends this,
I arrived in Antigua having taken one Spanish class and some independent self study. My speaking and listening skills were almost non existent. I studied Spanish with my maestra Nidia in the mornings for 4 hours each day. The classes progressed at a speed appropriate to my ability to retain what was being taught and we reviewed whenever it was appropriate. Nidia and I had discussions on all manner of things and they became more in depth towards the end of my stay.
While in Antigua I stayed with a host family. The food was ample and varied and I was able to talk with the mother, Rebecca, and daughter, Irma, quite extensively after meals and other times during the day. The talks with the family helped to improve my listening and speaking skills.
I am pleased with the time I spent studying at the school and with the host family and plan to return.
Good for: beginners
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Great school for beginners!
DasaBlue9 recommends this,
I studied at Academia de Espanol Antiguena for a total of 3 months. My experience at the school has been positive. I love my host family and teachers.
Especially my teacher Paula Tecun Garcia. She is my favorite teacher. I enjoyed talking with her about the Guatemalan culture and we also had an agenda of study which I really like.I'd recomment this school for someone who's looking to learn Spanish in Antigua.
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The best school, the best price with true passion to teach
growingchampions21 recommends this,
The truth is there are many schools in antigua to study and learn spanish at however they are all different... I did my homework and studied up and also got recommended a teacher at this school. The facts are that ..teachers are the key to a great experience and learning alot. This school to start with offers without doubt great price .. the best I have seen beyond run down far out uncredited schools. You wont find a better price for one on one teaching. The location is great a few minutes walk from central part and a few yards from La merced its in great location for whatever you may have a desire to do and getting to class.
For me its simple wether your looking to study for one week to learn for travel or stay a long time and learn spanish this is your school. I am a missionary in guatemala and spent weeks studying here and wouldnt change to any other school or want to try any other school simple because the curriculum, attention from teachers, and the price were the best. I had friends at other schools paying an ungodly amount for stuff.
To conclude I would suggest ILIANA for your teacher. she is the longest tenured teached here and does a great job assessing where your at and focusig your curriculum on what you want to do. The truth is your experience the teacher you have as with any school or class in the states or in the world for me Iliana was great and would highly recommend her.Good for: Families, Anyone, Older learners, young learners, Missionaries
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A fantastic experience!
looooseeeeeee recommends this,
Just spent 2 weeks studying Spanish here and it´s been absolutely great - only wishing I was staying for longer. Booked the trip through the school website before I arrived, and Julio was really helpful replying straightaway and reserving a place at the school. 2 weeks of 1 to 1 lessons with my fab teacher Maria Josefa have been time well spent, and have helped improve my confidence speaking Spanish greatly. 4 hours a day sounds like a long time, but is great fun, so the time goes really quickly. Also stayed in a homestay arranged through the school with a lovely family. Would definitely recommend this school and also Antigua as place to come and study Spanish as it´s a beautiful city.
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Great teacher and flexible set up
chrisyo recommends this,
Before I came here I only knew some basic spanish from a self teach cd. I had never had a full conversation with someone else and so was quite nervous to start one on one lessons.
However, I really enjoyed it. My teacher, Judith, put me at ease straight away and was very encouraging when it came to my spanglish. I also learnt a lot about the local culture from her as we spent most lessons exchanging stories as we talked - it builds your confidence without you realising.
Our host family were great - 3 nice meals a day and they would all talk to us when they joined us at the table, slowing their spanish down accordingly for me!Good for: Learn Spanish, spanish immersion
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I love this place
kateceline recommends this,
I have studied twice with this school and I love it. The teachers are so nice and patient, and the one-on-one teaching style is amazing. My teacher Waleska was AMAZING. The school offers daily free activities like cooking a traditional Guatemalan dish and trips to nearby towns. I really enjoyed my experience with my homestay also. In general, this is a fantastic spanish school and probably the best in Antigua.
Good for: everything, Learning Spanish
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Great School, Good Teachers, Nice City!
installwest recommends this,
I spent a week working on my Spanish skills in Antigua at the Academia de Espanol Antiguena and it was great. My instructors Lily and Paulo were extremely helpful and pointed out several errors that I was making. The school and classes were fun and very helpful, the school has an obvious system that they use to try and help students understand the language.
On top of the great instructors my family homestay was great as well. Unlike other homestay situations I have seen I actually spent alot of time with the family, who were also very helpful with my spanish. The children really wanted to speak to me and help my understanding. My house was very close to the school and was very comfortable.
I highly recommend this school, it is one of the best I have yet seen after living and traveling in Central America for almost 2 years.
Good for: learning, All levels of experience, Making friends, Spanish, Seeing Antigua
Not good for: Drugs, Party scene
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It was a great school.
myork5887 recommends this,
I really enjoyed my time at the school. I was only able to stay for one week but I felt that I learned a lot while I was there. My teachers Lety Socorec and Claudia were very helpful and always had fun activities to do. The classes went by quickly and were different each day. I would recommend this school to others wanting to learn Spanish in a great place!
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Excellent Spanish School
bigwavedave2011 recommends this,
As a beginner,I found the school very accomadating,and my teacher Waleska very helpfull in teaching me the language.
Good for: Fast learning
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una escueala buenisima
cashp recommends this,
Mi tiempo en la escuela fue muy bueno. Mi maestra Mary de Zuleta fue buena. Las classes fueron muy buenas. No solamente aprendi mucho espanol, tambien tuve mucha diversion. Que es para mi muy importante.
Las actividades de la escuela fueron muy interesantes.
Muchas gracias por un tiempo increible. Voy a regresar hasta pronto. Espero ver nuevamente a mi maestra.
Saludos CasparGood for: learning
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you want to learn spanish / Academie de Espanol Antiguena
ostrasse169 recommends this,
When I came to Guatemala I could not speak any words in spanish. I decided to go to the Academie des Espanol in Antigua and take lessons. After 5 days my spanish knowledge was much better. My teacher was Lucia and she was very patient to me. So I could learn in a good atmosphere. During the week we excercice outside, for example on the market or somewhere in Antigua.
Its a pity, that I must leave this place. Thanks a lot to this school.
Rene Koerner, from Berlin (Germany)
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This was a great experience to learn the language.
midwesttraveler recommends this,
I studied with Sheny who was an excellent teacher. She and I were able to develop a good relationship and in turn made it fun and easy to want to continue learning. The home stay was also a good experience and I know feel I have a second family here.
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The school is great!
huxley73 recommends this,
The teachers are very well trained and the information presented in class is very clear. The school offers many free activities other than just classes. I highly recommend this school. It is set in beautiful Antigua. I plan on returning to this school someday to continue my Spanish studies.
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Finally I am fluent Spanish
stefboe recommends this,
I found this school by coincidence passing by on my way to the laundry. Talking to the staff who are so friendly and helpful made me feel very comfortable that I decided to take on a course over 3 months in this school. My teacher Lety is so friendly, patient and explained so well that finally I became a fluent Spanish speaker in 3 months time. But besides Spanish I have learned a lot of interpersonal things and Guatemalan jokes from her and we became very good friends. Furthermore the school lent a bike to me for free to make it easy for me going to school everyday, because I lived a little further away. And they are so flexible in regards to the hours and times that you like to take. I am very happy and could not have selected a better school nor a better place than Antigua to learn Spanish. People in Guatemala are so friendly and I made such good friends here in such a short amount of time. And I love the beauty of the nature here, that the sun is out everyday, the wildness of the black sandy beaches of Paredon and Monterico, that the people on the street are smiling, that there are flowers in every corner, climbing the volcanoes, the beautiful lakes and that there are so many places to party and dance salsa, cumbia and bachata. The place is magical!
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Great school to start your Espanol !!
petemadsen recommends this,
The Academia de Espanol Antiguena was a great place to start my spanish. After just a couple of weeks here I am confident enough with my spanish to continue my Lantin America adventure. My teacher (Mayra) was very good and always patient with me. The home stay was fantastic - I had a nice big double room with my girlfriend with a bathroom. The food was always enough and amazing. Antigua is a beautiful city to top it all. Fully Recommend!
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A brilliant school with great teachers and homestays
hayleygcrowden recommends this,
My experience at Academia de Espanol Antiguena was fantastic. The teachers are really patient and experienced, my teacher, Maribel, especially was lovely, and we chatted about all sorts of topics. I liked that the study was mostly conversation based as I am better at learning by doing rather than reading. Julio who runs the school was really accommodating and flexible with us, and always wanted to see how we were doing and if we were happy with our teachers and family. The family we were put with for our homestay were brilliant. The food was seriously, seriously good (not just rice and beans, its better than we´d eaten our whole trip so far!), our room was lovely and well furnished and the family chatted to us during meals and made us feel completley at home. I´d highly recomend the school, its well priced, central and really welcoming. In the busy times book ahead, its very popular!
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This was a good choice to start learning spanish
brenbyerley recommends this,
I had been traveling for a few weeks before I came to this school. I only had time to stay a week but I was happy that I was able to start learning Spanish. The school also offered various free activities around Antigua, such as salsa lessons, museum tour, hikes, etc. Everyone was friendly and happy to help me learn. I had fun learning for the week I was here.
Good for: Learning Spanish, activities
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a good place for tourists from all of the world---
nakoakimana recommends this,
great school! with great teachers! especially my teacher WALESKA is one of the best! good explanations, patient, very friendly, funny, and know how to motivate.
just come and see:)
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A lot of fun, great place to learn
tikaljaguar recommends this,
Great school. The teachers are very good, and this school includes activities every weekday as well. I recommend staying with a family, so you can practice your Spanish after each school day.
Good for: learning, adventure activities, activities
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Friendly Teachers, fast learning and loads of fun
gotinixa recommends this,
I stayed for 3 weeks at this school and I learned a lot of Spanish in this time. My teachers (Lucia and Paula) were very friendly and sociable. I came here with no Spanish and after 2-3 days I was starting to talk Spanish with my Host family. I really enjoyed the time in the class (one on one) and the activities. I highly recommend this school...
Good for: fun, activities program, Learning Spanish fast, sociable
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Learning Spanish with a lot of fun
krokofant22 recommends this,
The school offers one-to-one clases.
My teacher was in a good mood everyday and taught me spanish and the guaetemalan way of life in a very interesting and funny way.
The school also made it possible to work with poor children which was a beautiful experience.
After 4 weeks your spanish is on a level which allows you to travel through spanish-spoken countries without problems. -
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Good school for immersive and intensive Spanish.
lunsh recommends this,
This is a great school to learn Spanish. I elected to do the homestay and I´m glad I did, because my host family is accommodating and I have a better understanding of general life in Antigua now. I only wish I could stay longer to learn more Spanish because a week was very short and intense. The school has private instruction - my teacher was very patient and kind. I received homework every night and a lot of words to memorize. The free activities in the afternoon were helpful and very fun - I didn´t need to plan any others during my stay in Antigua. The school definitely has everything you need to learn Spanish quickly and easily.
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A great educational experience.
donsime recommends this,
I had a very good experience at Antigua Spanish Academy. Bittia, my teacher, was excellent; she was patient and thorough. She explained the difficult concepts in terms I could understand and she did´t mind going back over words I forgot. She gave me homework that was challenging and illustrated the concepts we had discussed. It was a demanding, but great educational experience.
My home stay was equally good. My family was friendly and helpful. The food was good and plentiful, and provided a unique look into life in Guatemala. The room was clean, the bed soft, and I was never too hot or too cold. The home stay was as much an educational experience as the classes.
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The experience was more than I could have expected.
annadon7 recommends this,
The Antigueña Spanish Academy more than met my expectations in every way. Prior to arriving, registration was easy and the response to questions was rapid. During my 5 week stay questions were addressed quickly and completely by the school owners and secretary, teacher, and my the owners of the home where I stayed. I attended the school for 5 weeks. Activities scheduled in the afternoon were interesting and they were free.
My teacher Lily was attuned to my needs and my comfort level from the start. Her level of experience was evident. My initial nervousness was taken in stride and she adapted her teaching to meet my needs. The homework assigned was appropriate for the amount of time expected that I study each day. I recommend Lily as a teacher for any level of student but especially for those loving the nuances of Spanish grammar. She is an expert teacher in every sense of the word.
I chose to have a home stay. The family of Lydia, Rudolfo, and two teenage children were in attendance at all of the meals and they showed interest in my classes, new things learned, and my life away from school. They took their job very seriously of including me in their family. Most of the time they had 4 students in their home. The three full meals each day were delicious and more than ample.
I hope to return to Antigua for more classes and I will choose to return to Antigueña Spanish Academy. I will definitely ask that Lily be my teacher.
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A one month experience
antigua07 recommends this,
I´ve been in the school for a month and didn´t regret the school. A nice and clean place, with good teachers, and I personally enjoyed my home stay.
It´s a friendly atmosphere in the school so you don´t get the regular boring school experience.
Enjoy your studies in the Academia de Espanol Antiguena
Good for: Friendly vibe
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Fun, great teachers, and very reasonably priced
lyndsey1234 recommends this,
We found Academia de Espanol Antiguena through the lonely plant central america book, it was a great find. It´s one on one teaching with great teachers and they have the curriculum planned out but also catered to your needs and amount of knowledge. I signed up with 3 other people, so they made an effort to do activities together so it wasnt just always one on one. They are very reasonably priced and offer great value for what you pay! I highly recommend asking for Claudia as a teacher, she was great!
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Great School, Great Teachers, Nice Families & Yummy Food
jameshabla recommends this,
I had a great time in antigua, i went to learn spanish and that is what i did, the school was great fun and i was able to learn extremely fast as all of the teachers were well trained, i especialy enjoyed the family stay, I had a large room to my self and 3 home cooked meals a day provided allowing me to taste some of the tipical guatemalan cusine. The school is flexible as well and can tailor a course to what you want as all of the lessons are private one on one tutition. also if you want to go and travel between like i did it is easy to come back into the school and start your lessons and family stay when ever you want. Most importantlñy it is a great oney saver and extremely cheap when you take into account food and accomidation as well as the spanish lessons. Hope you enjoy.
Good for: cheap, fun, great atmosphere
Not good for: Nothing
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Great experience
nadineblackie recommends this,
I had a great teacher who was super helpful and made learning the language fun. Good overall experience.
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Fantastic Spanish School in Antigua! Must do!
nicola16 recommends this,
With lots of classrooms, a beautiful terrace and enthusiastic teachers Academia DeEspanol Antiguena is a great place to start learning Espanol. Gabby is buena excelente!! My experience herehas been great and will aid me greatly in the rest of my travels throughout Central America!
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Studying here was incredibly helpful for our Spanish!
jesse_bell3 recommends this,
My boyfriend and I studied here for one week, and it was incredible. The teachers are patient and friendly, and extremely knowledgeable when it comes to helping new students. They help us to avoid frustration when studying, and it is all done in a friendly and fun environment! My favourite part about this school is the game days, as well as the opportunity to stay with a host family while studying. We recommend it wholeheartedly! Mi Espanol es muy beuno por la escuela! Teachers Rosario e Iliana were incredibly friendly and I truly enjoyed the environment that they provided. Fun, helpful and funny! The best way to learn.
Good for: Fast learning, Learn Spanish
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Good experience!
jpg32 recommends this,
I´ve been at the school for 2 weeks and it was time and money well spend! My teacher was Leticia Socorec and she did her best to teach me espanol! I´ve learn a lot in 2 weeks and will continue the learning process by speaking in espanol in other country of Central America! I lived in 2 family an it was 2 great experience!
Thank you!
Good for: 1 on 1 teaching
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Professional learning with a family vibe
jinza recommends this,
My girlfriend and I stayed for a month with a family, learning Spanish with separate teachers. My teacher (Waleska) was fantastic and had a good balance between social chat and strict learning. I recommend her highly because I got more out of the experience than I ever could have expected. My family treated me like one of their own and were always positive (lots of laughter). I can´t really fault this school. p.s. if you are sick, see a doctor!
Good for: Quality service with a smile
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An enlightening experience!
yolande87 recommends this,
Academia de Español Antigueña laid the foundations for an amazing experience in Antigua. My teacher Maria was a wonderful guide through the complexities of the Spanish language and the family my boyfriend and I stayed with were very friendly and welcoming. The school offers everything one's heart could desire for total cultural experience including free activities in the afternoon. This has been one of the highlights of my travels!
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Hola de Guatemala, Atnigua!
Carthur recommends this,
I will have to say that my time with this school has been very productive. I enjoyed the personal (one on one) classes with my instructor. While I am writing this message in English, I have learned more Spanish here than I have with pass educational institutes. I highly recommend Academia de Espanol Antigua for anyone looking for a personal immersion experience.
My classes were with Julia Hernadez. She was very understanding around my level of Espanol and helped me to progress at my own speed.
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Goede sfeer, leuke docenten en veel geleerd!
petravandenberg recommends this,
In slechts 8 dagen les heeft mijn docente ´Rosario´ mij veel geleerd. Grammatica en huiswerk hoort erbij, maar tijdens de les praatten wij veel over van alles en nog wat. Daardoor leerde ik snel en was het nooit saai. Van andere studenten hoorde ik dat hun docenten ook leuk waren, maar ik zou toch willen aanraden om te vragen naar Rosario!
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Good course, good teacher, exactly what i was looking for
maryse68 recommends this,
i decide to take a spanish course in guatemala and i chose this school, i am very satisfied. I had just for days to study and the school fix my schedule for my need, i did 4 clases of 5 hours and i really improve my spanish, my teacher was Mayra and she teach really good i learn a lot and i gain confidence to speak spanish.. i recommend this school to everybody, i really enjoy to learn here
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Overall, an excellent experience; fantastic teachers!
rpie recommends this,
I learnt more than i thought i would in the week we were in school, it was one of the cheapest in antigua, we lived in the families house next door which was also very good value and convenient.
Just tell them refried beans are off the menu or you will get them for breakfast lunch and dinner!
adios
Good for: Learning Spanish
Not good for: swimming. sunbathing
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Good value for money and great teachers!
linz1980 recommends this,
I studied at The Academia de Español Antigueña for five days as I had already taken a beginners class in Spanish but realised that I needed to know more to help me with my 6 months of travelling in Central and South America. The teachers´ are really good, you can study 1:1 or in a pair It was quite hard listening to so much Spanish but that is how you learn and improve. They teach you the correct grammar which is essential and combine the lesson with fun games towards the end. I now have to practise what I have learnt! They can also sort you out with a host family where you get three meals a day and get to practise your Spanish! During the afternoons the school puts on free activities such as walks, tours to a macademia nut farm and cooking local dishes. I now feel I know so much more Spanish and have a lot of information to use and practise.
Good for: Learning Spanish, Experiencing local Culture, meet people, seeing places
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highly recommended
gatjev recommends this,
antiguena is a great school. I've studied here for 3 weeks and i learned loads. the teachers are really good, but at the time funny and friendly and very patient ( my teacher was ana ). My family was great too, very friendly, we always ate together and the food was great ( family sactic, room for 4 students ) its a great experience and I highly recommend it. there are also enough other students, who you meet during the activities.
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A great way to learn Spanish and more about Guatemala
the_kouchers recommends this,
We had only 1 week in this beautiful town. It was a great decicion to sign up for the classes. My teacher Bittia was very pacient and helped me to excell my Spanish knowlede. The entire staff and atmosphere in the school is fantastic. The activities offered are great to bond to other sutends and pratice more your learned Spanish skills. My host family was most caring and welcoming. The food was fantastic and I couldn´t get enough of it. I recommend everybody to come to Antigua and study with the Academia de Espanol Antiguena. If you come only for a couple of days of for a longer time... They also offer to help with the placement for an volunteering job.
Thank you for a great time.
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Era fenomenal
cameronblake67 recommends this,
I would highly recommend the school for a number of reasons. The teachers are highly experienced, extremely friendly and very easy to get on with. My teacher was called Silvia Flores and she was extremely experienced and it was a great privilege to learn the language with her- The teachers are also extremely flexible in terms of basing your classes on what you want to learn and how much you want to learn and also are happy to change the times of classes if there is something that you want to do at a particular time. They were all very helpful whenever I had any questions about where to go or what to do or where to buy something etc. As well as classes, the school runs activities almost every day (trips to museums, salsa classes, cycling tours etc.). My home stay family were all very welcoming and it was a pleasure to live with them for four weeks. All in all, after my four weeks in the school my level of Spanish has improved massively and I have had an amazing time with the teachers and the students in the school.
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Best teaching at the best price!
katiebrewer6 recommends this,
I highly recommend this school! I came to Guatemala seven years ago and studied at La Union for two weeks but the teaching did not compare with that of La Academia de Espanol Antiguena. The teachers are highly experienced, the school offers excellent cultural activities, and my home-stay was an unforgetable experience. I have done language immersion programs in four other countries and the teaching/one-to-one experience here tops them all! Best price too!
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I wholeheartedly recommend this total immersion package!
hltaylor recommends this,
My story is probably like that of 90 percent of students who come to Antiguena. I knew a few words of Spanish and had traveled only to Mexico on a family vacation before.
My friend an I wre welcomed into the school imediately. I feel very at home with my teacher and have developed a friendship with her. All of the teachers are knowledgable in English and well-trained teachers. You can set the pace and decide what you want to learn. If you want to focus on restaurant talk, verbs or just to converse for hours about the culture, they are more than happy to oblidge.
I was truly blown away by the flexibility of the school. If there is an activity you´d like on the schedule, they will help make that happen. It´s easy to change teachers or homestays if you´re unhappy. They are truly here to serve all your needs.
I honestly can´t think of a way that I could improve either my homestay or teaching experience. Inexpensive and fantastic. In two weeks, I´m conversational in Spanish and I think that´s extraordinary.
Good for: Learning Spanish, immersion, activities, teachers, living with a family, flexibility
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I honestly can´t imagine a better experience
childsmd recommends this,
I came to Antigua with only the most basic grasp of Spanish (one summer school session at a community college) and am leaving now after two weeks much more confident and competent. Mi maestra was very knowledgable, fun, and interesting. From her I learned not only Spanish but also so much about the culture of the area- their traditions, beliefs, and values. My host family was great and absolutely invaluable to my learning experience. I would recommend this school to anyone!
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I enjoyed myself while improving my spanish
tommyfoster5 recommends this,
I highly recommened this school for many reasons. The teachers are all highly experienced and teach spanish in a way that is easy to pick up quickly. There are students at all different levels studying at the school and youlearn at your pace which makes you feel very comfortable. The school is in a great location and it was all that i hoped for. If you want to study spanish in Antigua this is by far the best choice.
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Very good school
cbmitchell recommends this,
I spent two weeks studying Spanish at the school. I came to the school with a good grounding in the basics and a desire to practice and become more confident with my Spanish. My teacher, Iliana, tailored my lessons exactly to my needs, focusing on exactly what I needed and wanted to work on. In sum, I felt it was an excellent school for me, as a pupil with prior knowledge of Spanish, because the flexibility of it's programme and the experience of my teacher allowed me to focus and improve on my weaknesses meaning I culd make the most of the short time I had at the school.
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This school is a great place for people of all ages who want
christinafoster recommends this,
to learn or improve their Spanish. The teachers are amazing and teach all levels so it doesn't matter if you have never spoken a word of Spanish before coming. I have studied at the school twice in the last 2 years and each time my Spanish has improved. The host families are very kind. Although the accommodations are simple, everything is clean and the food is great. Antigua is a great city to stay in because it works well as a base for your travels. Many students study during the week and travel on the weekends. From Antigua you can easily get to Lake Atitaln, Monterrico, Semuc Champey, Tikal and more. There are travel agencies on almost every street and the school can help you find one that is reputable and well priced. The teachers are also very flexible and are always willing to adjust their schedules according to your travel plans. For example I am heading to Panajachel today and wont be back until Tuesday morning. I usually study 4 hours every morning but the school is letting me study in the afternoon on Tuesday and for 5 hours each day next week to make up for Monday. The school offers free activities every day and they are a great way to learn more about the Guatemalan culture and Antigua. The school is also a great place to meet other people from all over the world. Everyone tends to be very outgoing and friendly. I highly recommend this school to anyone who wants to improve their Spanish!
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Spanisch studieren in Antigua
gianoralisa recommends this,
Sich bei den vielen Spanischschulen in Antigua fuer eine zu entscheiden ist schwierig...die Academia de Español Antigueña wird von vielen Seiten her empfohlen.
Ich habe 7 Tage in dieser Schule studiert und konnte viele positive Erfahrungen sammeln. Die Lehrerinnen und Lehrer haben viel Erfahrung im Unterrichten. Dank meiner Lehrerin Bittia kann ich nun doch etwas spanisch sprechen!
Die Schule ist sehr guenstig und man kann selbst entscheiden ob man morgens oder nachmittags lernen moechte und auch am wochenende wird Unterricht angeboten!
Die Raeumlichkeiten zaehlen nicht zu den schoensten in Antigua, aber man ist ja schlussendlich da zum lernen!
Viel Spass beim Spanisch lernen! -
Para estudiar Español mui bueno
griesgram recommends this,
La escuela es buena yo estudio a qui por una semana y tres dias. El presio es mui bueno para los estudiantes. Los miembros de la escuela son mui amables. Y la escuela es mui tranquilla para estudiar. recomendacion para para mi maestra Gabby Carrillo ella es exelente maestra. Porque aprende Español y practicque mucho. Las clases de Español son agradables e interesantes i divertitas. Yo soi de Suiza.
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from zero to hero
brett0 recommends this,
I thought I knew some spanish when I got here... After a month of one on one classes I learn a lot more. From Present to past to future and everything in between! Being a one on one setting I was able to go at my own pace and ask questions when I needed to. My maestro Ana was awesome! She matched me perfectly and seemed to know exactly what I wanted to learn and what I needed to learn. I have expended my vocabulary and have a stronger grasp on grammar and conversational Spanish. Was it worth it? Every penny and every second! If your really in it to learn this is the school to choose. There are also fun free activities provided by the school to practice your Spanish while seeing more of Guatemala and Antigua. Lots of young people are here studying and this is a great place to meet other travelers interested in learning Spanish.
Good for: Learning Spanish and traveling
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Too much fun back in school
vburges84 recommends this,
Great teachers, central location, flexible in the times (study when you want to) and amazingly priced. Really made my time in Antigua. Highly recommend to those that want to learn/impove their Espanol. Found that after a month I had a firm understanding of Espanol and confident enough to use it! Yay for Antigueña!!!
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I highly recommend this school. Attentive and friendly staff
jumpman1 recommends this,
My girlfriend and I had amazing experience in Guatemala while studying at the Antiguenas Spanish Academy. We both stayed with host families who were extremely accomodating. The one on one study program with highly qualified bi-lingual tutors made learning comfortable for both of us. I am at an itermediate level and my girlfriend hadn't studied Spanish before the trip but it worked out because the course was tailored to our individual needs. Also, the staff was helpful in recommending volunteer projects for those interested in serving the community while in Antigua. The activities planned by the school are included in the tuition cost and include things like visiting a macedemia farm, swimming in volcanic hot springs, touring Antigua, etc. I give the program as a whole 2 thumbs up!
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Great learning experience for our 11, 13, and 14 yr old kids
tshields recommends this,
This was a great experience for our 3 kids (age 14, 13, and 11). They had varying levels of Spanish in middle school and had no confidence in their abilities. They loved coming here to Antigua and learning here at Academia de Español Antigueña. They really appreciated the one on one with the teachers and the manner in which they were instructed. The games they played were also fun and instructional. They enjoyed the non-stressful environment with positive, kind teachers. On top of the great ´school´sessions they enjoyed the excursions. Antigua is a beautiful place with great, friendly people and awesome food. We only had a short time here this summer but will be back for 3 or 4 weeks next year. The kids want to bring friends along because it is such a great experience. The school is run exceptionally well. This is where you want to learn Español.
Good for: language, Cultural experience
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Excellent teacher, one-on-one instruction, friendly place
kherbst1 recommends this,
My two weeks at the school went by fast - I learned a lot and they were completely accommodating of my work schedule which required different class hours every day. My teacher Maria Josefa was very experienced and an excellent teacher. They placed me with a delightful host family next door to the school - very convenient!
Good for: Spanish language school
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Studying Spanish in Guatemala - some tips and advice
mandyerush recommends this,
Academia De Español Antiguena
Last day of class today and I went to Santa Domingo del Cerro with Claudia. Carlos (host dad) had said there was an ‘all you can eat’ buffet but it turned out this is only on Domingo or Feria (holidays ). Still it is a gorgeous place to have breakfast perched on top of a hill which overlooks Antigua and the three Volcanoes and the weather was gorgeous.
I attended the School ‘Academia De Español Antiguena’ for 8 weeks and I graduated today (Friday the 19th of August 2011). My certificate states I am a ‘Advanced Beginner’. I do love a certificate and this is printed on a lovely high quality cream paper with a ‘very official’ looking stamp, oh the simple joys…
I had contacted lots of schools via information from The Lonely Planet. After corresponding with various schools, I choose Antiguena for various reasons.
a. they always responded with answers to the questions I asked. Their answers were specific to my questions and not ‘copy and paste’ responses.
b. they offered me a discount based on my duration of stay.
c. they have free wifi, water and coffee.Full review -
http://mandyerush.wordpress.com/2011/08/20/academia-de-espanol-antiguena/Antiguena Academy
The staff are, the owner Julio (senior), Olga (the manager), Julio (junior).
Olga speaks English and this is whom I corresponded with before I arrived. She is a strong and fiery business woman. She manages everything. If you are not happy with something, go to Olga, this includes your home stay, or if you want to change your teacher, or the hours or times of class. (Don’t pay weeks in advance, or you will be stuck. No school has to accommodate you if they have received payment already).
At Antiguena, Olga did try to ensure your satisfaction but you have little power if you have paid already. E.g. it could be a great idea to do 5 hours 4 days a week and then you have Friday to Sunday free for weekends away.
Julio junior is a happy, friendly young man, he is always around, asking people about attending activities or handing out the feedback forms. Julio senior, mostly lets Olga and Julio junior get on with the business matters but he is friendly and cheerful too and can be approached concerning matters about the school but predominantly Olga is the negotiator.
Activities
The school offers free activities in the afternoon, so bare this in mind if you end up with afternoon lessons, you won’t be able to participate. The school had trips to hot springs, city tours, the macadamia farm, movies and cycle tours.
The school also offered tours during the morning lesson session, remember if you want to participate you will miss the lesson which you have paid for. Also movies are shown during lesson time, which may be fine if you don’t mind forsaking your lesson.
I got to borrow a bike from the school for the duration of my 8 weeks which was very kind, although it was hard work of the rattley rickety streets of Antigua.
Teacher - Maestra
I had two teachers for the duration of my stay. Sisters, Paula and Claudia. You will spend a lot of time with your teachers and most people I spoke to really enjoyed their teachers company.
In some cases however some students felt the lessons had got a little stagnant, or they weren’t getting enough or even any homework and requested a change of teacher. Again if you are after a specific teacher, request the teacher from Olga. I did this with Claudia, I had to wait until she became available, but when she finished with her previous student, she was transferred to me.
Claudia came recommended and she is a excellent teacher. We connected well, I found her to be very kind, happy, entertaining and intelligent. There was a good mixture of grammar and conversation in my lessons. She also listened to me e.g. I don’t like scrabble in Spanish, especially when I have next to no Spanish vocabulary.
Also your Spanish teacher is a fantastic source of local information. Claudia was great at knowing or finding things outGood for: study spanish, antigua, homestay
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Great School and Teachers
yunkomery recommends this,
La Academia de Español Antigueña es muy buen lugar para aprender español en una forma feloçiz y rapida. Todos los profesores siempre tienen los respusçestas para todo. Normalmente las clases son individuales. Ademas hay muchas actividades despues de las clases. Entonces estudiar en esta escuela es muy divertido. Por toda esta experiencia yo recomiendo esta escuela y especialmente mi profesora Mary de Zuleta que tiene muy alto nivel de conocimiento y muchos años de experiencia. Etonces, solamente en dos semanas yo aprendi mucho mas.
Tambien recomindo a la familia donde yo estuve. Especialmente a la señora por su amabilidad y respeto.
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Great City, Wonderful School!
davekujan recommends this,
The past two weeks marks the second year in a row that my daughter and I have visited Antigua and taken classes at Academia de Antigua. As before, Antigua continues to be a wonderful city that is safe and very friendly to foriegners. The instruction at the school is excellent. I requested, and received, the same maestra, Lily Garcia, as last summer. I recommend Lily wholeheartedly. She is patient and methodical in her approach and able to adjust her teaching to all levels. She is a certified teacher and veteran at the school. Lily is willing to go above and beyond to help her students with their goals, whether they be acadmic or otherwise. For instance, my daughter and I wished to volunteer with children during our stay. Lily introduced us to an organization called Casa Jackson. We volunteered in their facility for several days in the afternoon feeding and playing with infants and toddlers. It was extremely gratifying.
The school also arranged our homestay. Although there were a few minor challenges with our homestay this year, the school adminstrator, Olga, was proactive in resolving the problems to our satisfaction. All told, I recommend learning Spanish in Antigua and at the Academia de Antigua.
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The best way to learn Spanish
acarmic recommends this,
So here I am in Antigua, Guatemala, as gringo as I can be with a very minimal background in Spanish and yet I find myself able to hold at least a quick conversation in the language. I´ve been here for two weeks, working with a private tutor four hours each day, making small strides in learning to read, write, and speak Spanish. If you´re like me, and you want to learn the language but you don´t have much to stand on, come to the Antiguenas Spanish Academy. You´ll be paired with a tutor who has you skill level in mind, the administrators of the school will find you a familty to stay with or provide you with information hostels and hotels in the area and basically take care of you as though you were their own.
Good for: Learning Spanish and traveling
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Don´t Regret My Time Here
mdl_11 recommends this,
I studied here for 5 weeks and although I had studied Spanish in the past, I had forgotten much of it. I had 3 teachers while I was here. One for 3 weeks, one for 2 weeks and 1 for 2 hours in the afternoon for 1 week. My daily classes were from 0800-1200 (with a 30 min break from 1000-1030). The week I did afternoon classes I went for 2 hours in the afternoon and it was based solely on practicing my conversation skills. The two teachers I would highly recommend are Arely and Paola. They are both great teachers and very helpful with any questions I had about Antigua or Guatemala in general. Paola went with me a few places during class time-for example we went to the market and looked at fruits & vegetables to better learn their names. Arely has decades of experience and is great at teaching grammar. The highlight of my time here (other than meeting great people) was the family I did my home stay with. I lived with Cornelia (the Mom) and Irma (her helper) in El Manchen. The family atmosphere was great and the extended family was helpful too. Their son Sergio is a certified guide (for 29 years) in Antigua so he is great at practicing Spanish with. He has a lot of experience with tourists and has a great amount of patience with those just learning Spanish. Cornelia & Irma are great cooks also. If you are interested in eating typical Guatemalan food (although I´m not talking just beans) you should ask to live with them. After talking to the other students, I am sure I had the best home stay of everyone. The family was amazing, the food was great, the house was comfortable, etc. The only 2 things I wasn´t happy with while I was here were 1) the shuttle service provided by the school when I landed in Guatemala City and 2) I should have been more proactive in the beginning of my lessons when I wasn´t happy with my teacher. I should have asked to switch sooner instead of being afraid of hurting someone´s feelings. Lesson learned. Overall I am really happy with my time here. I learned a lot and am able to converse with people. I traveled on the weekends with other students to Tikal and other places. I met some great friends. I really can´t complain and I really do think I´ll be back here one day.
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Great School
laela recommends this,
11 de Agosto 2011
I would highly recommend Antigua School Academia. The staff are very friendly and professional people. Would highly reommond staying in a home stay you will get a whole lot more out of your experience. Would suggested doing this with friends, family, couples or even solo. Myself and 2 girlfriends studied for 3 weeks and can now speak converstaional spanish. Would also reommend my teacher Gabby is a very good teacher considering I could not speak and spanish before starting and now I am not to bad.Good for: Speaking Spanish
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Great place to learn Spanish fast
aniak recommends this,
I have just finished 2 weeks Spanish course in Academia.It was my first attempt to learn Spanish, but I already feel I made a big progress and will be able to travel and communicate with local people during my continue holiday in Central America.
Its really great way to start your holiday if you dont speak any Spanish. School is great, Antiqua beautiful and its easy to meet lots of nice people at school because of activities they organize after lessons.
Try to get Rosario as your teacher if you can-great, knowledgeable, easy going teacher always eager to answer your questions and explain grammar also very patient with your repeated mistakes...Good for: meet people, Learn Spanish
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I stayed here for four weeks´and I am to say the least satis
LowTideAesthetics recommends this,
fied. I had taken two years of Spanish in High School so I had already learned the basics of the language but the school well prepared me for the extra elements of learning Spanish. My grammar and fluency increased in proficientcy and it definitely gave me a taste of Guatemalan life.
Good for: Learning the Spanish language
Not good for: Complete Emersion
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here i learned more in 2 weeks than in 1 years in school !
luchador1985 recommends this,
i really appreciate the teaching and also the activities that the school organized after class. I met really interesting people from all over the world and we had a lot of fun in antigua and also while traveling during the weekend. ill come back for sure!
vincent paquin
Canada -
Good teachers
samuel618 recommends this,
I just completed 2 weeks and this school and so far i had a great experience, the staff and the teachers are really profesionnal and theres alot of stuff to do and alot of activities. Thanks for making my vacations in Antigua great!
Good for: Learning Spanish
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A very pleasant experience.
kmand27 recommends this,
I just completed four weeks at the Academia de Español Antigueña- and absolutely loved it! My host-mother, Ericka, and my teacher Bittia made the entire experience wonderful. Each were very patient with me and willing to help me in whatever way necessary. Everyone within the school and community were very welcoming and friendly. I would give my highest recommendations of the school to anyone interested in learning Spanish!
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You Can't Beat It!
michelleroyer recommends this,
My 16-year old son and I just finished attending the Academia de Espanol for the past three weeks and can't say enough about our experience! First and foremost, Olga, the office manager was amazing in her correspondence prior to my arrival. Any question I asked, she responded to promptly. In fact, she left me with nothing to worry about that I worried-it just seemed too good to be true. But it wasn't! She worked with us on our schedule so that we could have four days of 5 hours each so that Friday-Sunday were left open to travel. The school provided opportunities for even the wary traveler to venture out to see the sights outside of Antigua. Roberto, the owner of the travel agency, located right next to the school, Colonial, was also a godsend. With so many agencies to work with, I didn't know where to start. Olga wisely pointed me to him. Olga also did an exceptional job matching us up with our teachers and our home stay. Our teachers were there to work us but more importantly to laugh with us too! Ethan's teacher, Ileana, was right there teasing and giving the jokes back to my son which of course made his time with her a delight. My teacher, Lily, and I never ran out of material to talk about. She quickly assessed my level and worked with me on it-giving me ample time to self-correct and had the patience of a saint during those long pauses when I searched for a word. Our teachers were encouraging and delightful to spend time with...five hours a day with them was never too long! As for my time with my family, they are family. Our hostess, Janet, and her "children" (ages 21/19) were fabulous! They always welcomed us with smiles and not only opened up their home to us-but their hearts too! Before long, the other students and I were truly in the middle of a family meal. A meal which was always fantastic-Janet is an exceptional cook. She was always introducing us to new food that was interesting and delicious. And after dinner, well, we could retire to our rooms and study....or, you might even find us all dancing to salsa music around the living room and kitchen! You can't beat Antigua either--a small town feel with lots of hopping night spots! We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and can't say enough about the school and more importantly, the people who make the school run the way it does.
Good for: 14 Years and Above
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A week to remember
kobrien recommends this,
My wife and I just returned from Antigua yesterday. We are so eager to recommend the Academia de Espanol Antiguena. It is an excellent school. My wife is a beginner and I am on a higher level. I was interested in conversation and my wife targeted the verbs ser and estar and the preterit tense. My teacher was Waleska Santos. My wife's teacher was Maria Josefa. They were both patient but made sure we learned from our mistakes. The school has various games and activities suitable for many levels. I played Scrabble with Waleska. we each one won game. Although I am sure she wanted to win she tried to help me find words for my remaining letters. I learned so much about Latin American society from Waleska. Maria Josefa was extremely patient with my wife. In one week, I could actually see the progress she had made. Both teachers can adapt their methods to work with students of all abilities.The 4 hours every day of intensive Spanish flew by.Thanks to Waleska and Maria Josefa, we had an enjoyable and fruitful week of learning. It was an unforgettable experience.
My wife and I rented the apartment behind the school. It was very nice. It had a shower and kitchen facilities. My wife was able to cook some meals there so that we did not have to eat out all the time. The television had multiple channels in Spanish and English.
We contacted Olga in the office. She responded quickly to all of our questions and was quite helpful. We both highly recommend the Academia de Espanol Antigua and especially our professors.
Kevin O'Brien & Jane O'Brien -
¡do it!
cmckenna2164 recommends this,
I studied here for three weeks. My teacher, Aracely, was incredibly kind and created a curriculum to best improve my Spanish. She also knew that I was interested in cooking and created an afternoon activity especially for me so I could learn how to cook chilles rellenos, which is an absolutely delicious dish. Overall, it was a great experiences and a highlight of my time in Antigua. I also did a homestay with Janet. She is incredible welcoming and cooked delicious food everyday. Her family helped me with my spanish and we often spent time together either in the house or out at a cafe or bar. They also taught me to salsa. Again, between the classes and homestays it was a great experience, where I really became familiar with the language and culture, and developed incredible relationships!
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Oveall a great experience here in Antigua
damfool recommends this,
I would say this school is suitable for everyone.I have stayed here for three and half weeks everything goes well and I can communicationa but with localsa nd its quite important for people . I would definetly come here again if I have more time. The teachers here are basically nice, my teacher is Gabby she is nice , but she is one of the reason i am here now ..........
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An excellent place to learn & gain confidence in a language.
sjmargo recommends this,
Everyone at the school is extremely friendly, and the teachers will work one-on-one with students. At university I did not enjoy learning Spanish, but at the Spanish Academy in Antigua, I was excited to come to class each day. My teacher Claudia was very warm and an excellent teacher - she helped me gain confidence in speaking and taught me a huge amount about local traditions and politics in Guatemala. Also the free excursions with the school are not to be missed!
Good for: Learning Spanish, meeting people
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Gorgeous friendly teachers in a beautiful town - best place!
BonniePerris recommends this,
I absolutely loved the week I spent at this school! My teacher Bittia and her big smile made learning Spanish so much fun, and is the best teacher I have ever had. I did not enjoy studying spanish at university, but now I am so much more comfortable and love the beautiful spanish language! I only want to do more classes with Bittia!
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wonderful, friendly, fun school :)
nicolemekler recommends this,
i was really not enjoying spanish in australia at university and this place reminded me that spanish is supposed to be fun and an amazing skill to get to know a new place. great fun teachers and games and learning. i had Leticia Socorec, she was really lovely and very understanding, and also was very adaptable to the pace i needed for different things that i found easy and difficult.
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Recommended for all!
cel221 recommends this,
I can't say enough about Academia de Espanol Antiguena in Antigua. The whole staff -- Olga in the office, and my teachers, Lily Garcia and Rosario -- were courteous, professional, and engaging, and my lessons were interesting, valuable, and relevant. My host mother, Janet, and her family, were so lovely. I recommend this school to anyone seeking an entry into Central America. My only wish is that I could stay longer, but I hope to return!
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I only have good things to say about Antigueña Spanish Acade
rross recommends this,
I only have good things to say about Antigueña Spanish Academy, especially my maestra, Lily Garcia. The school is very helpful and flexible and has high standards for their teachers, which they live up to. Lily really individualized my lesson plans, recognized not only my strengths and weaknesses with the Spanish language, but also my interests in general and found ways to incorporate them into our class time. Lessons were a perfect fusion of grammar work and conversation, and we even took a few trips to the market together. I had only planned on studying two weeks at the academy, but have appreciated my time studying here so much that I extended my stay a week to continue more classes.
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This school far exceeded my expectations.
fsayre recommends this,
The quality of the teachers, instruction, family, food, and accommodations was really great. I was only able to stay one week but I made a big improvement and want to return for more. My family was super and made me feel at home. The other students were very nice. My teacher had many years of experience and made my learning process seem easy.
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Overall, an excellent experience; fantastic teachers!
jules_knutson recommends this,
Great, caring staff. I had the pleasure of working with Julia, who willingly tailored lessons to my interests and needs. Antigua itself is beautiful, and a wonderful place to spend a few weeks studying.
Good for: History & general students., language learning
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amazing spanish school. Must check it out!
chililola recommends this,
Highly recommended! This school is very popular in Antigua. I took 8 weeks of classes along with homestay. I lived with Rebeca´s family. They made lots of effort and engaged us, students, to have conversations in Spanish during meals. My teacher was Gaby Carrillo. She is very fun and is a great teacher. I love her teaching style! My spanish has improved dramatically. I´m very happy with the school and its quality of teaching. Definitely, I will come back in the near future. Mi experiencia fue muy buena en este escuela y con mi maestra. Por favor saludos para mi ciruela (Olga). Hasta la pasta Guatemala!
Good for: Learning Spanish and traveling
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I was able to take my Spanish to the next level.
wteccom recommends this,
I can high recommend this school. I spent a month studying in October with my husband, and this spring when my son (27 years said he was planning to come to Guatemala to study Spanish, I had to return. The 2 teacher I had in October were excellent. My husband and I traded teachers after 2 weeks. They offered different views of life in Antigua, and both were excellent at working on areas of weakness in our Spanish. Their names were Maria Josefa and Eugenia.
When I came back in May, I had 2 new teacher. I decided to take classes both in the morning and in the afternoon and 2 additional hours on Saturday and Sunday. Both teachers were wonderful. I had Arely in the mornings and Claudia in the afternoons. My son also liked his teachers, but I am afraid I don´t remember their names.
When I arrived last October, I could speak basic Spanish. I had taken 3 semesters at a local college. I didn´t understand Spanish well and was frequently at a loss for vocabulary. Needless to say I made a lot of grammar mistakes. I am not totally bilingual yet but I am working towards it. I can understand almost everything, watch movies and carry on intelligible conversations on just about every subject.I just want to say a word about whether you should study in Antigua or in a location with fewer tourists. I must say that I found the people of Antigua very eager to speak Spanish with me. The family that I stayed with had 4 sons who had been studying English at school, Except for occasionally helping when I lacked a vocabulary word, we always spoke Spanish. Occasionally one of them asked me a question about an English assignment and I helped them. I stayed with the Morales family in a lovely room with a private bath that was immaculately clean and always had hot water.
A little bit more about my son´s experience. After his first week, he decided that he wanted to try studying in Coban because he thought it would be a more intensive environment. He was very disappointed. The housing was very primitive, but more importantly, people in the town were not eager to talk with him. He came back in a couple of days and said that he spoke 10 times more Spanish here than in Coban. But I have to say that it is up to the student; if you don´t want to speak Spanish there are plenty of English speaking foreigners in Antigua. Some students seem to think that all they have to do is live in a Spanish speaking country and the language will grow in them. It won´t, it takes work, but this school will give you the tools to work with. Write me at whitefamily -at- mac -dot- com, if you want more information.
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The best learning experience I´ve ever had!
kinkleas recommends this,
I highly recommend this school! I came to Antigua speaking absolutely no spanish. I was only there for a week but I left with the ability to hold entire conversations in spanish. My teacher, Lily Garcia, was wonderful. She structured her classes entirely around my needs and was able to determine my speaking ability within the first minutes of meeting me. I learned more in a week with her than I did in four years of french at the collegiate level and left every day with an increased desire to learn more!! Everyone at this school is focused on making sure you get the most from your experience here and that you leave speaking more proficiently than when you arrived. All of the teachers are knowledgable and you are paired with a teacher depending on your level of fluency. I would recommend this school to everyone, from beginners to proficient spanish speakers!
Good for: Learning spanish quickly
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A great school, with wonderful homestays and teachers!
empressinkcloude recommends this,
I had a truly wonderful experience with this school, my teacher Mary de Zuleta was incredibly helpful, she immediately tailored the lesson plans to my fluency level and was extremely flexible about scheduling classes at different times when I requested. My homestay was fantastic, truly a wonderfully warm and inviting family. I am a vegetarian, adn they prepared the most delicios and varried meals I have had thus far in Guatemala. They were very engaging, helpful and flexible as well. I felt welcome in their home, and also free to take time to myself when necessary. The school is a bit more pricey then some, but I think worth it, and it´s a great place to connect with other travelers, as they tend to have many international students, much more I think than most other schools in Antigua, but you still get plenty of 1 on 1 attention.
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Great way to learn!
titaaa recommends this,
Ofcourse it depends on the teacher. I had different teachers and found Paula the best! She explains it all very well and speaks very clearly. I improved a lot while studying with her. The prices vary for everyone, so make sure you negociate on the price. Even the quality of the families you can stay with differs, but you can always change family. All the students in the school were nice too, so I had a great time during class, as well as after classes!
Good for: Fast learning
Not good for: Staff wants money..
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Que Bueno!
chiguy recommends this,
I researched a lot of Antigua Spanish schools before settling on Antiguena, and my research paid off! I spent four weeks at the school in December/January and the experience was so positive that I returned for another week in March and again in May. The teachers are first-rate (I'll give a special shout-out to Leti and Carlos!), the "vibe" is laid-back and comfy, the location is terrific, and they are so accomodating. I participated in a couple of the field trips, which were well-organized as well as fun. I would recommend Antiguena to anyone who is looking for a top-notch school with excellent teachers and a pleasant ambiance.
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Marta VERY good, home stay quite good, front office, eh?
secarlisle recommends this,
I found AdEA simply through searching and chose it based on reivews on Gautemala 365. When I contacted AdEA, Olga replied that I first had to go through Guatemala 365, pay the 50 dollar non-refundable fee, and then I could register with the school. I did as told and got registered with the school. I did not pay in advance. I have no idea why I had to pay this fee, and was a little frustrated when, after speaking to other students, I found they had just contacted the school directly to make their reservations in advance, or just showed up and enrolled without having to pay this fee.
The frustration with the front office started, however, on the first day when I went to pay and was told the amount would be about 40 dollars more than I had been told, and which had been confirmed in an email two weeks before I arrived. I reminded Olga of this, and she quickly backtracked saying that yes, my fee was 205 USD per week including a private bathroom in my home stay. This amount seemed perfectly fair, I knew what I was getting into cost-wise, so I was happy with what I was paying. Of course, talking with other students I found that many had just shown up, said they were considering other schoosl, and were given a much better deal. Certainly, had I been one who is accustomed to wheeling and dealing I would have asked for a better deal too, but I am not and did not, and am perfectly happy with what I paid and that others got a good deal. What really left a bad taste in my mouth was that I was asked to pay a higher amount each week after making a reservation with a confrimed amont. I did not ask for a deal, I just asked for an amount. So, the lesson I would pass on here is to ask for a deal.My teacher Marta was very good, and very patient- more patient than I would have been with a slow learning student like myself. She tailored the lessons for me, and I developed a good vocabulary and understanding of grammar. I arrived with no skills, and after three weeks left with a good basis upon which I can build. I am very happy with my experience with Marta!
My home stay was very good. I shared the home with four other students, and four family members. The food was very good, accomodations basic but clean and comfortable, and an opportunity for conversation existed at each meal. I would recommend Caeser and Eva's home to anyone.
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I had a great time learning Spanish here|
sjdesai1 recommends this,
The teachers are all warm and friendly- hey are very patient and do a very good job making sure that you are comftorble and able to speak spanish conversationally. I highly reccomend the school if you want to learn spanish beyond the classroom level.
Good for: Learning Spanish
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Good teachers
malissa72 recommends this,
Like some of the other reviewers, my lawschool made arrangements with Academia de Espanol to teach us spanish while we took compartive legal classes comparing Guatemalan and US law.
The price for the school was included in the entire summer law program so I´m not sure how much they charge, but I asked some others and they say it´s around 100dollars US for 40hrs of lessons.
I had a very positive experience. My teacher was Delia and she had over eight years of experience as a spanish teacher. She was very fun to talk to and really knew her stuff. My spanish was pretty basic when I started but after 4 hours a day for three weeks spanish is better than i could have ever dreamed. I didn´t think the lessons could do much because I knew that I was only going to be in Guatamala for three weeks but it was truly worth it.
My only real critizism is that they are kind of pushy at making you write reviews for their school on lonelyplanet...
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Excelente escuela de Español en Antigua
alisa1220 recommends this,
This Spanish school is really great because instead of coming forth with a pre-made plan, they ask you what YOU want to learn in terms of the Spanish language. So wherever you need work, or whatever you are most interested in, you can learn more about.
Ask for Iliana! She is very very sweet and fun to work with.
Esta escuela es excelente!
Good for: students
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Lily Garcia at Academia de Espanol Antiguena is the best!
atopmtolympus recommends this,
They say it´s not the school, it´s the teacher that really makes a Guatemalan language school experience.
I came to Antigua for a three week study abroad program for law school. In addition to substantive law classes, I took Spanish for Lawyers that included 16 hours a week of one-on-one tutoring at the Academia de Espanol Antiguena. Not only did Lily help me with my Spanish, bust she helped me with my LEGAL Spanish. That is where it became obvious just how great a teacher she truly. She is truly an intelligent and patient instructor and has the respect and deference of all the other teachers in the school as well.
Her handle on grammar is undeniable. And she is able to figure out where you need the most help. We spent loads of invaluable time on direct and indirect objects, which has helped me immensely.
In short, I recommend that you not only come to Academia de Espanol Antiguena, but you specifically request Lily.
Cheers,
Katie
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Awesome Place, Awesome School, Awesome Experience...
95integra recommends this,
Academia de Español Antigueña---Excellent, excellent, excellent!!
I know that is an overused word at times, but it simply describes my experience at the Academia de Español Antigueña. My teachers Julia, Byron, Claudia, and Ilena, were skilled teachers, excellent listeners, and positively reinforced my Spanish through positive correction. I went for a 2 week crash course, with 6 hours per day, but my teacher kept it fresh by expanding my horizons much faster than I ever thought was possible.
I honestly learned more in 2 weeks than 2 years in a university.
Julia was my primary teacher is skilled in Spanish grammar and literature. She also provides interesting commentary on daily and historical events. I appreciated her help and patience, as with my skill level, we didn't always follow the lesson plan 100%. She was always able to answer my questions without skipping a beat and got us back on track. Byron was my afternoon teacher. Bryon is energetic and took me around the city on 1-to-1 walking tours so we could get out of the classroom and really just chat like friends, while at the same time reinforcing my conversational skills. I also shared a short 1-to-1 time with two other teachers named Claudia and Ilena, both of whom were able to quickly assess my skill level and tailor the course/conversation to my needs.
The talent level of the teachers is second to none, and the prices for one week of 6 hours per day is like getting 2 hours with a private tutor in the USA. 1-to-1 learning is truly the best way if you want to learn. This really allows you to focus on understanding all aspect of Spanish grammar and comprehension.
By immersing yourself totally, you gain the reading, listening, and conversational skills that you will never receive without the 1-to-1 experience.
The school provides you with pickup to/from the airport, and Roberto (driver) was great. The home stay was wonderful too. Please do not expect a 5-star residence, as this is a real home, with real people. In the mornings, the kids would all say goodbye on the way to school…
At every meal (3 per day except Sunday), the family would talk to us about a myriad of topics, and quite often, but quite sadly, our food would get cold because of the engaging conversation. That was quite a shame too because the food was excellent. If you like tropical fruits and Latin food, you'll be in heaven. My favorites were the Cucumber/Mango salad (it was awesome!) and the Carrot/Pineapple Salad. I'm a plantain fanatic, so obviously I was able to eat to my heart's content.
Antigua is a charming, historic, and safe city. Yes, the CIA, FBI, and State Department's website will try to scare you away, but don't believe the hype. You have to be vigilant, but not paranoid. Several nights I walked home after 10pm without incident.
1. If you want to learn Spanish go to Guatemala
2. If you want to see a beautiful historic city go to Antigua
3. If you want the best Spanish learning experience in Antigua-Guatemala, go to Academia de Español AntigueñaThe people were warm and inviting, the city was charming and enchanting, and the learning experience was the best!
Please ask for Olga, she will ensure your trip will be wonderful.
I HIGHLY recommend this school!
Good for: Learning Spanish, spanish school, Spanish classes, Spanish Courses, Spanish
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Made my time in Antigua very special!
wellard1987 recommends this,
During the 2 weeks that I studied at the school I learnt more than I thought I would. The teachers are really friendly and helpful when you encounter problems and they will talk through the problem until you understand it. You sit down with your teacher at the start and talk through a learning programme that suits you, however if there is something you particularly want to learn during your time at the school that´s also possible. The homestay was great, I got to practice speaking spanish over meal times with the mily and I was given my own bedroom also.
Highly recommended!Good for: All abilities, All ages
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excellent school and teachers
minivan175 recommends this,
I was in Antigua for only a week. In that short time I learned vocabulary and grammar. This has helped me alot in speaking and understanding Spanish. My professor, Leticia, was patient and understanding; the other students say the same about their teachers. The family that we stayed with was very friendly and helped me expand my vocabulary.I highly recommend this school to anyone who is a beginner.
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Academia de Espanol Antigua has great teachers!
joe19uk recommends this,
I studied Spanish in AdeEA for 4 weeks. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here as my teachers were extremely friendly and patient. There was a mix of grammer and games to help you learn at a gret pace. It´s up to you how to tailor the classes... all you need to do is tell your teacher what you want and they´ll do all they can to help.
I recommend it highly.
Muchas gracias Claudia Tecun - mi maestra!
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I highly recommend this school. My instructor was fantastic.
nichollcaruso recommends this,
Classroom time was a good mix of structured instruction and activities that encourage your use and practice of Spanish. The home-stay option was a wonderful experience.The ¨house mother¨ prepared delicious meals and conversed with us in Spanish during every meal. The entire experience was wonderful!
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Excellent school; flexible, affordable, nice people...
frottageondabus recommends this,
I just finished a month and a half of studies at Academia de Espanol Antiguena and my Spanish is vastly improved over what I arrived knowing. I went from needing to speak almost exclusively in the present tense (something I had learned from three months of Pimsleur Spanish tapes, which I also highly recommend as they gave me a good foundation for being able to speak more like a native before taking classes) to knowing all of the different Spanish tenses and being able to read Spanish newspapers.
I didn't stay with a family, but the classes themselves were very affordable. Well worth the money and the time I spent there. My teacher, Dilia, did a superb job of answering even my most contrived, grammar-nerd-y questions and made learning very enjoyable. Highly recommended.
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had a great time!
ailartsua recommends this,
i studied 7 weeks spanish in the 'academia de español' in antigua and would highly recommend it. the school offers private teachers and daily afternoon-activities which are free and fun. also good place to get in contact with other people. the stuff is friendly and always helpful.
my teacher during all this time was paula, who i'd also recommend. always happy, flexible, good organised and always knows a lot to tell :)
i really had a great experience and would love to come back one day... -
This is a great school with excellent teachers!
amlevy10 recommends this,
I studied at Academia de Espanol Antiguena for ten weeks and had a great experience. The majority of the teachers are excellent, the afternoon activities are fun and free, the staff is very helpful and the school is also centrally located. I studied with Paula for all ten weeks and would recommend her highly. I would also recommend staying with the Sactic family if you are interested in doing a home stay. They are incredibly gracious, warm and welcoming.
Good for: Learning Spanish, meeting people
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Great school for learning spanish in antigua, guatemala
jasperaj recommends this,
We spended 5 days in this school and both got our private teacher. We learned a lot during these days (5 ours lesson a day) and now we are able to make small conversations in spanish. Thanks to Rosario and Mayra we can continue our journey through central america with a better understanding of the spanish language and are able to communicate with the local people.
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Great Spanish school
jop_esmeijer recommends this,
I've spent two weeks at this great Spanish school. They're very flexible, have great teachers and great homestays. My teacher (Waleska) spoke perfect English (which can be very helpful if you run out of Spanish) and found a perfect, challenging balance between new input and practicing the things we've done earlier. I really learned a lot in those two weeks!
Good for: Learning Spanish
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Good school with experienced teachers
santry recommends this,
I have just returned from spending 3 weeks at this school. I took 6hrs of classes each day and 4hrs on the weekends. The school is very flexible when it come to days and times. I was extremely happy with my teachers. Chiki Sheny and Lilly. They were very patient fun and have many years of experience teaching.
My host family Eva and Cesare Sactic were really wonderful. Together with the other students they spent many additional hours at the dinner table talking to us and correcting our spanish. This was my second time attending this school and although I am happy with my progress I intend to return next spring. -
Excellent Spanish teachers and families!
holachica recommends this,
I spent about 6 weeks studying spanish at Antigueña Spanish Academy with a wonderful teacher, Mayra. I loved conversing in Spanish and learning more about this fascinating place and the people here. The family was great, always willing to help with my spanish, and the food...Johanna is a great cook. I would definitely come back. If I had to give a critique, it would be that the families and teachers should get a raise for their good, hard work. My experience here was incredible.
Good for: Learning Spanish, meeting people, Learning about culture
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Great Spanish teachers!
hawthorne55 recommends this,
This school was amazing. I had three different teachers during my two months here and they were all top notch. I hightly recommend Lorena as a teacher and the Sactic family to stay with. The family had the best food in town and gave hours of their day, every day talking with students during meal times. Many families have more of a boarding house feel but this family made you feel at home and comfortable in your first few minutes. My boyfriend and I are going to travel around the country a bit more, going to other schools but we plan on returning to study again for a few weeks before we return home.
Good for: Learning spanish in full
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Brilliant and very patient teachers
bosrup recommends this,
I only spent a week at the Academia de Español Antigueña but I wanted to keep the tempo as high as possible to get as much out of it as possible. I signed up for 8 hours per day, which in hindsight might have been a bit too much, and really got my hands full. My two teachers, Claudia and Leti, where very patient with me when my brain wasn´t as quick as I had hoped, and they adapted the teaching accordingly. When the scentences weren´t comng from me they´d happily pick up where I left of. Leaving the school, I have a notebok full of grammar (past, present and future tenses), rules and words for me to study on my own while on my way through central america. This is really valuable, and becuse of this really feel I got more than a weeks worth of teaching out of the week I signed up for. Very highly recommended school!
One minor downside is that the school itself does not have a common area or a place to sit and chat to your fellow students and have a coffee on a break. A very minor complaint.
Good for: Learning Spanish
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Loved my teacher and the family with whom I stayed
cmniel1 recommends this,
I spent two weeks at the Academia de Espanol Antiguena to improve my Spanish. Maria Terete, my teacher, was great. She tailored the one on one sessions to my level and reviewed all the materials we agreed upon for the two weeks. Based on this experience and what others have told me, the teacher is what makes the difference. I was very happy with Maria. Add my stay with Sylvia and Marvin, with their three boys and visiting uncles and cousins, and it was a great immersion experience for me. Olga at the Academia was also very helpful. Highly recommend the school, Maria and a family stay.
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Best spanish classes I´ve had in latin america
panchit0 recommends this,
I´ve studied for the past 6 years for a couple of weeks each vacation I´ve had and have studied in a number of schools in Guatemala and in other countries in latin america. I´ve enjoyed visiting and studying in different places but as for learning spanish I´ve found that Academia Antiguena in Antigua Guatemala is far superior to any of the other schools at which I´ve studied. Julio, my teacher this time (my second time at Academia Antiguena) is excelent and I´ve improved my ability particularly with the subjuntive in my short time here than in longer study periods elsewhere. If you´re interested in mastering spanish, this is the school to attend.
Good for: Learning Spanish, living with guatemalan family
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My Spanish was noticeably better every day.
laurathegypsy recommends this,
Academia de Espanol Antiguena wasted no time in getting me started with my lessons and was very flexible in terms of the frequency and duration that worked for me. The very day after I walked into the door to inquire, I was sitting with my Spanish teacher, Lily Garcia. Fantastic teacher and person! (I miss her already.) Lily immediately identified the skills I needed to hone and we worked on them in a structured and focused way. We also spent time just chatting - about our holiday celebrations, family dramas, recipes, books, politics, to the point that I often forgot I was having a Spanish lesson and felt like I was chatting to my new Guatemalan friend. In fact, on several occasions we both lost track of time. Because of her impeccable accent, I picked up on many useful phrases during these chats that I actually use. Studying at AEA is the best decision I've made to improve my Spanish.
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A great learning experience
norwalk recommends this,
From P: I just completed a week with the director of the school, Julio Garcia. His teaching ability exceeded my expectations. He seemed to really understand how to bring the best from me and to push me to learn. I felt challenged yet supported. Students with other teachers seem to have had similar experiences. I would recommend this school to anyone. I did not do a home stay, but others who did enjoyed the experience. Afternoon activities are fun and interesting and reinforce the language lessons.
From B: My teacher was Martha Godoy and I had a wonderful week of lessons with her. I really enjoyed her attention to grammar and sentence structure. It was well organized and thoughtful. Our conversations were very interesting and informative. I would love to have more lessons with her and would recommend her and this school to everyone.
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Excellent for all sorts of reasons!
gfbrown recommends this,
Me and my girlfriend came to look at this school after recommendations from friends. We were greeted by the director Julio who explained to us what the school was about. After brief deliberation and visiting a couple of other schools we decided this was the one for us and we have just completed 4 weeks here combined with a home stay.
The school is fantastic we have both learned so much in the last 4 weeks and it has set us up nicely for our travels in latin america. Our homestay has been a brilliant experience that will never be forgotton, our host family were so welcoming and patient with our growing vocabulary of spanish.
All in all couldn´t of asked for better. -
Great experience for beginning and advanced students
keithhadley recommends this,
The Academia de Espanol Antiguena is an excellent choiced for both beginning and advanced students. The teachers are excellent and matched perfectly with the needs of each student. I have studied Spanish in several public schools in the US and in another excellent school in Quito, Ecuador but none matched the content and presentation of the Academia in Antigua. The people are exceptionally friendly and helpful. The cost is unsurpassed for what you get and Antigua, dispite the many tourists, is a great place to spend time and close to many great sites in Guatemala. My highest recomendation for the Academia and its teachers.
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Really postitive experience! Highly recomended!
bethgoralski recommends this,
The academy was really great. The teachers were awesome--they didn´t mind my butchered spanish! We laughed a lot and I learned so much in a week of classes; I now feel confident visiting Spanish speaking countries. Leticia Socorec was mi maestro and she´s great fun to take class with. I highly recommend this school to anyone seeking to study spanish. Antigua is muy bonita!!
Good for: sp
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Streng, aber gut
isabellesg recommends this,
Ein grosser Vorteil ist, dass man eine Lehrerin fuer sich hat. Man lernt extrem viel, was auch streng ist und man wird gefordert. Zudem sind die Gespraech zu zweit sehr hilfreich.
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We learned a lot
andreaschoen recommends this,
My husband and I were looking for a school, where we could learn spanish easy and fast. Espanol Antiguena was the right choice. It was recommended by travellers we met on the way, so we went by and booked a course for the next monday. We enjoyed the week very much and learned a lot!
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A Great Experience!
lynnmeyer recommends this,
My husband and I just finished...today...5 weeks of study in Antigua at Academia de Español. I had 4 teachers through this process, all 1:1 for 6 hours a day. The teachers are all excellent here, and my teachers especially! We enjoyed our homestay very much as well. It took a bit to find a place for me because I wanted a room with a private bathroom, but we found a home where that was possible, and to our surprise the room was very large and comfortable as well! Though the school provided afternoon activities such as walks and bicycle rides, we usually did not attend, though when we did, our afternoon teacher would go with us so that we could continue to converse and learn Spanish.
I would definitely come to this school again.
I highly recommend Marta, Mayra, Dilia, Anna, and Claudia as excellent teachers!
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don´t want to leave!
wallaceworld recommends this,
i spent two short weeks in antigua. i wish it could be longer! i studied at the academia de espanol antiguena with claudia tecun -- i walked in the door knowing not a word of espanol and leave with a great foundation. she´s wonderful, i met many mates at the school, i adored my host family... only great things to say about about my fantastic teacher, the town of antigua and the school. would recommend to anyone.
Good for: Learning Spanish, meeting fellow travelers
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¡Perfecto! The teachers, homestay, and location are great.
jerrymountjoy recommends this,
My wife and I just competed 5 weeks at Academia de Español Antigueña. We chose a 6 hour per day program and we´re glad we did. The one-to-one teacher/student ratio allowed us to be totally immersed for 6 hours a day. And at the end of the day we conversed with each other and with the family where we stayed.
We were concerned, at first, that there would be too many gringos in Antigua and that there would be too many opportunities to speak English. There probably were opportunities, but we weren´t bothered by them. The shops, people in the streets, and families all spoke Spanish.
Best of all, the teachers are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I worked with several while here and found all a lot of fun and perfect for our needs.Good for: prospective students
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A tremendous culture and language experience
mcrainey recommends this,
A real culture and language experience, Antigüeña Spanish School offers one-on-one instruction from beginning Spanish grammar and conversation to advanced literature of the student’s choosing in a flexible schedule. Located amidst Spanish colonial architecture and Mayan art, the school provides tours to museums, plantations, a Kakchikel village with a cooking class, and participation in local festivities.
My teacher, Julia, has an extensive background in education, social work, and law. For eight weeks we met in the school for about an hour, then (unlike most of the others) we usually sat in one of the cafés nearby. We ended our sessions in many ways, looking at art, books, and the ruins. Her literature discussions and understanding of social issues are compelling. She is an excellent grammarian with highly structured lesson plans, but I chose to improve my grammar through conversation, getting pointers along the way.
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Nice Spanish School!
seekingsurf recommends this,
Bien Spanish School, i only attended for 5 days learning the basics. the terachers are pretty funny and speak slow so you can understand. the school wont break the bank account either, 5 days cost 90US for 3.5 hours per day.
if you´re more advanced like my friends the school would be able to accommodate.
thanks Lucia for the class. Muy Bien!
simon
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Great opportunity to learn spanish!
daanvandenbroek recommends this,
Snce we are travelling through Central America, we thought it useful to learn a bit of spanish. At Antigua we signed in at the Academia de Español Antigueña, where we studied spanish for 5 days. Here we got a very good teacher (Rosario), flexible houres and the opportunity to chose what we specifically wanted to learn. All in all a useful week in a beautiful city!
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Fabulous for bringing your Spanish up to the next level!
jaime23 recommends this,
The school is as advertised on the web. They offer excellent one on one instruction that in my experience was tailored specifically to my needs. My speaking ability before beginning my week of study was intermediate, and my teacher (Rosario) did an excellent job balancing grammar instruction with practical application and conversation. I found our detailed discussions regarding cultural issues, relationships, and our respective countries to be exceptionally informative, interesting, and very helpful in bring my conversational ability to another level. I would highly recommend Rosario in particular and the school as a whole. In addition, my wife (who was just beginning to learn Spanish) felt that her experience in Antigua and with her teacher was " a highlight of her life". Finally, I also found our stay with our host family to be essential to the learning experience (Sactic Ordenez). They were very warm and engaging, and really made us feel at home.
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Great Spanish and cultural learning experience
jgiblock recommends this,
I began with NO Spanish and after 2 weeks I feel I have made terrific progress. Though I am certainly not fluent, I know understand much of the conversations around me, and can construct simple sentences. My teacher for the 2 weeks was AnaE, who provided 1 on 1 teaching for 4 hours each morning and is a terrific teacher. Excellent coverage of grammar, as well as conversational opportunities, and living at a homestay helped with using the language in a practical way. There were activities most afternoons, traveling to nearby cultural museums and other areas of interest. I had a terrific experience!
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Highly recommended
kdaaja recommends this,
We spent 2 weeks learning basic Spanish and will return for further study in a few months. The school provides a great immersion experience along with the homestays it organises. Definitely a great introduction to Spanish for us. My very patient teacher (Rosario) along with other teachers at the school made the experience a very enjoyable one.
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Great school, very effective instruction
dshats recommends this,
I studied here for two weeks during the winter break of my junior year in high school. I was a relatively advanced student (4 1/2 years in school) trying to improve my fluency and grammar, and also trying to prepare for the SAT Subject test in Spanish (college entrance exam). Most of the teachers do not speak English, but still manage to teach and converse effectively. This is great because it practically forces you to learn and use the language, and it teaches you how to use circumlocution to get your point across with a limited vocabulary.
I took 6-hour classes with two different teachers, Julia and Roselia. The classes involved grammar lessons and exercises, literary analysis (I provided my own textbook), and lots of conversation. In two weeks, I was able to get through almost all of the language’s 22 verb tenses, my fluency improved tremendously, and, when came back, I got a perfect score on the Subject Test. So, in all, this was a very enjoyable and highly worthwhile experience. I regret that I could only stay for two weeks. -
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Well run school, making things possible
mdelang recommends this,
Good school in the middle of Antigua, Lessons available at all times of the day.Individual timetables easily to get. Lots of experienced teachers. One-on-one Lessons will make you speak spanish very fast.My teacher Leticia Socorec was bilingual and very experienced. I came completely blank and and after a month now am very happy with my spanish skills.
School offers daily afternoon activities which all are free such as Salsa Lessions, Guided Tours of the city and to various other places such as the Beach, monastries, Cofee/macadamiafarms, bicycle Tours, Lookoutpoints and the like. -
tres bonne ecole au guatemala antiguia
gaetangravel recommends this,
bonjour je suis preseñtement en voyage et j aimerait partager avec vous une experience que j ai eu l an passer j ai suivi un cours d espagnol et j ai ete tres decu .ceci dit cette annee j ai trouve une ecole digne de ce nom.j ai etudie a l ecole academia antiguena en antigua guatemala cette ecole est superbe les proffesseurs sont tres professionnel et leur cours sont tres bien structurer et ils s adaptent a chaque etudiants en plus d etre prive et je comprends pourquoi cette ecole est en premiere position dans mon livre lonely planet dont je possede plusieurs pays depuis 25 ans alors si vous voulez je vous sugere julio et en plus il est directeur de l ecole c est un plaisir d etre son eleve merci de me lire gaetan gravel
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Good teachers and a nice enviroment with fun activites
annsoholm recommends this,
I went to the school for three weeks and learnt a lot of spanish and about Guatemala living. The people who are conneted to the school are nice and helpful. I can highly recommed this school and the teachers.
Good for: Learning Spanish
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Went to this school for three weeks, and learnt a lot!
christinalund recommends this,
I had a very good teacher, the school is nice, and it is posible to do diferent activities with the school for free. For example did I go to the beach on a friday with all the other students, at that was nice. The school offers a lot of diferent activities, and there are free sala lessons.
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Learn Spanish in a comfortable and fun environment.
wbyrd recommends this,
I attended Academia de Espanol Antiguena for 4 months. It is a school of excellence with experienced and disciplined teachers. There is room for students of any level in Spanish. There are lessons in grammar and also time to practice verbally with other students in the school. It is Guatemala run and carries with it all the kindness and patience of the Guatemalans. There are free activities in the afternoons that provide cultural experiences along with meeting other students from all over the world. The price is affordable and the home-stays are filled with great food and practice with your family. Flexible hours and weekend availability allow you to learn Spanish within your schedule. I highly recommend you check out this school and enjoy every minute of learning Spanish! My teacher, Liliana Garcia, is excellent. She is experienced and not only teaches great Spanish grammar, but also can educate you about the culture and costumes of the people. She is patience and will work with whatever your level of Spanish is.
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Practice your Spanish on an authentic way
jasmineg87 recommends this,
I studied spanish with the Academia de Español Antigueña for 4 weeks and enjoyed it very, because they have a lot of activities where you can practice your spanish on a playful way. I also had a very lovely teacher (Rosario Ixcamey) we spoke a lot and I learned lot about the guatemalian culture, their live and mentality. So I didn't only learn spanish, I discovered the culture and found a really good friend ;-). I really can recommend the school and of course Rosario.
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I was extremely satisfied with this school!
abriand1 recommends this,
Before studying in this school, I had been in another school in Antigua and had been disapointed. I then decided to choose another school and visited several of them in Antigua. I chose to study at Antiguena Spanish School because of the warm welcome I'd had and because it seemed very serious and professional. My intuition was right: the school is simply excellent. There's a real program and real methods, in a couple of weeks I was able to have a real conversation with Guatemalan people. In addition, the school offers free activities everyday: it goes from cultural activities to volcanoe climbing. It's a great way of meeting people and getting to know more about the country. For all these reasons I highly recommend la "Academia de Español Antiguena".
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