Cuenca Language Schools
I'll be in Cuenca in mid-June to study Spanish. I'm a female in late 50's. I've researched Sampere, Si Centro, Simon Bolivar and Amauto Schools. I want to do a homestay, not so interested in galavanting around on field trips, would like to learn Spanish without breaking the bank. I was hoping to get some feedback on these schools. Thanks!2
I was in Sampere. Really liked the school and the fact that it's small (<20 students, you know all the teachers and all the students). Quality of teaching is high. Class sizes were between 2 and 6, most of the time we were 4. We had field trips on weekends (Sat or Sun), they are entirely optional though, as are the cultural classes in the evening (cooking, movie watching, Salsa dancing). I believe that Sampere is among the more expensive schools though.Demography: There are always a few 40-65 year old people but the main customer pool is 18-35y. This is composed from Swiss people (because the school is marketed by 2 language school agencies in Switzerland) and a few students from Minnesota State University (because they have a partner program with the school), plus a few people who found the school by other means (often from the US).
Besides the "standard" class courses, they also have one-to-one lessons (20 to 40 h/week, which are clearly the most efficient way of learning Spanish, but also the most expensive.) For me, the "Intensive" course (4h classes + 1h one-to-one per day) was ideal. They also have 4h + 2h I think.
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BANOS has a reasonable language school look for Mayras Spanish school. She also rents out rooms- around $105 /per week!- to those who take the lessons. It is around $140 for one week either AM or PM. I am also 55+ and going solo to Ecuador in April and May- good luck!6
Cuenca vs Quito. —I am wondering which place would have less English speakers, leading to an overall full Spanish immersion environment. Cuenca or Quito? Thank you.
