Spanish Language School for Mom in Costa Rica

Hello there, I am trying to help my mom (who is a very lively and fit 60 year old) find a language school for a 2 week course in Central or Latin America in August. We are very strongly leaning towards Costa Rica. Does anyone out there have any recommendations or experiences they can share? She is probably at a high beginning/low intermediate level. She is interested in good quality instruction and all day courses. Some attempt to teach business Spanish would be ideal. Also, she would like it if there were a wide spectrum of ages represented (in other words, she doesn't want to be in a classroom with only 18 year olds, but also doesn't need everyone to be over 50). Thanks very much!

Can I make a suggestion other than Costa Rica? Last week I was in Arequipa, Peru and stayed at the Casa del Avila Hotel and they run a Spanish School. There were several older travelers that take a 1 on 1 classes sitting out in the beautiful garden setting. The hotel was about 25US a night and they said the classes were very good and reasonable.

Arequipa is a beautiful and safe city.

I have taken Spanish classes in Guatemala, Mexico and Venezuela, all past the age of 50. Guatemala would be my recommendation; lessons are usually one on one, the teachers are usually very experienced and there are many activities to support language learning in the community. Antigua is quite well known for the language classes although I personally prefered Xela. The second half of August (or later) would be better as the university students often have left by then.

That's nice.

And can either of you speak Spanish now at even the most rudimentary level?

Hey, I didn´t say I took the classes, I just said that the people who were taking the 1 on 1 classes were enjoying them and felt they were learning. Why is your question relevant Meddler?

You said that the classes took place in a beautiful garden, which would
probably make them enjoyable on that account, but also that you'd heard
they were "good and reasonable"

The relevance of my question pertains to the suggestion that they were "good".

If actually good, they should leave one able to speak a little Spanish, shouldn't they?

Unless (I wouldn't), you can say that RLS's attitude towards travel, applies also to language studies:

("...I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move. --Robert Louis Stevenson")

Snerk

Actually, Meddler, yes, I speak/read/write Spanish quite fluently. I was taking more classes as I was teaching Spanish at this point and I wanted to keep my Spanish fluent and current; I felt that was one of the responsibilities of being involved in that area as a teacher. Now that I am retired, my Spanish is not at the same level as I don't use it as much. It is my 5th language, and my brain cells have decided that they are not going to retain it to the same degree as my first (and mother) tongues.

I find your attitude quite questionable. It is almost as if you are trying to find something to pick on when I answered the OP's question.

¿Quién sabe qué acecha del mal en la mente de los hombres?

El Shadow sabe.

Edited by: Meddler

El shadow = la sombre!!

I have scruples re emasculation. Don't you?

My wife & I took 2 weeks of classes in Samara, Costa Rica - Intercultural Language school this past winter. The classes are 1/2 day's but the opportunity to take part in extra ciricular activities at the school allows you to imerse yourself in spanish for the complete day.

Ages of the students ranged from 18 - 75 years of age. We are in our fifties and had a small class with 6 students and we weren't the youngest or the oldest.

e-mail: info@interculturalcostarica.com