SPANISH
AMIGOS provides up-to-date information on Spanish language immersion studies.
We list Spanish schools, courses, classes, institutes in Latin America and
Spain as well as a developing list of other Spanish language links and links
to Latino culture. We also have a listing of developing Spanish language
schools in England and the United states. We have an online store for Spanish
software, fiction and non-fiction Spanish study needs, including lists of
books, music and videos (CDs, and DVDs).
THE PROCESS OF
LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
VIA IN-COUNTRY LANGUAGE IMMERSION STUDIES
THE ACQUISITION
of a second language requires an understanding of the context of the language
in order to bring it to life. It also requires an intensive integration of
producing spontaneous speech. We receive many inquiries from students who
have studied Spanish in high school, universities, and colleges that start
with the familiar refrain: "I know a lot about Spanish, but I can't speak
much. Even though many colleges and universities place more emphasis on "natural
learning", "the natural approach", "the communicative method" and other
similar methods, these do not compare to the immediacy of in-country
language immersion and very small class sizes of 3-6 students. Language
immersion study provides a living, breathing laboratory for the student
to experience "en vivo" learning for language integration. It also brings
an immediacy to using the language. It is not a "sink or swim" approach,
but a learn to swim approach with strong supports in place in the water with
you! A vital part of an in-country immersion experience
is living with a homestay family. This helps the student
produce continuous spontaneous speech in real time conversations which better
integrates small group or private class on-campus learning. This helps
the student integrate the language in a more natural and useful
way.
MOST SPANISH IMMERSION programs integrate small classes or individual, one-to-one
(mano-a-mano) classes with homestay family experiences, excursions and other
learning integration activities. These programs provide combined didactic
structured learning combined with the opportunity to live in the culture
and begin using the language in a more spontaneous manner.
SPANISH LANGUAGE SCHOOLS begin new classes at all levels every Monday throughout
the year. They are able to do this because the small group Spanish class
materials are formatted into one week modules. Private classes are individually
negotiated between the instructor and the student to individualize the learning
plan. Many schools accommodate flexible start dates for private classes.
Most schools offer family homestays, school arranged apartments or housing
or outside hotel or apartments/houses. Most serious students choose
the family homestays because of the extra time practicing and integrating
their learning. Although many students go to study for one week, serious
periods of studies begin at two and three weeks and
beyond.
SPANISH
IMMERSION LANGUAGE VACATIONS are the way many students are thinking
today. Those needing the language for professional use often take time each
summer or holiday season working visiting a favorite immersion school or
continuing their learning as they visit, study and vacation their ways through
Latin America, the Caribbean and Spain.
WHEN YOU
BEGIN DREAMING IN SPANISH or forgetting how to say something in your native
language, you know you are getting immersed! This level of integration may
take a few weeks, although if you have considerable background in the language
before studying "in-country" this may begin to happen even somewhere in the
second or third week of your studies. |
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT
LEVEL OF SPANISH?
Here
is how many Spanish language schools ask students to code
their level of Spanish prior to arrival.
Most have many more levels to offer you than these six noted
below.
1) Complete beginner
2) Knowledge of some words or phrases
3) Can hold simple conversation
4) Beyond basic survival speaking ability
5) Able to deal with most any topic
6) Near native level of competence
Our focus is on helping students develop their understanding of the Spanish
language in the context of Latino culture.
IF YOU
HAVE QUESTIONS regarding Spanish language immersion studies please email
us!
www.RyanAir-Problems.com
www.SmartFares-Problems.com
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