Welcome to Spanish Schools Abroad!

Want to learn Spanish as you travel? Always wanted to immerse yourself in the Spanish language and culture? Spanish Schools Abroad is a blog designed just for you!

The site includes a complete, and continuously updated, listing of Spanish language schools all over the world that can be used in your search of a Spanish school.

Use the country search below, or scroll down to the label section 'Search Spanish Schools' to search by city or country.


Caribbean

Dominican Republic
Europe
Spain
North America
Costa Rica
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
United States
South America
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Venezuela



Thursday, June 25, 2009

Tips for choosing a language school

There are many considerations when choosing a language school. What considerations are the most important will be determined by you, depending on your language learning goals and travel plans. Still, some general guidelines and basic information would be useful for all language learning travelers.

These tips I have compiled from my experience traveling and attending a number of language schools through the years.

Tip #1: Be realistic about your language learning goals.
It might be possible to establish a good solid foundation in a new language in a few weeks. But it might be unrealistic to expect "fluency" in a short period of time. Learning a new language is a long-term process, with many advances and plateaus. A short time learning a language at a language school will definitely get you started; the rest you will need to continue when you return.

Tip #2: Research your language school well and make plans in advance.
Some people choose to have an agency make their plans for them, which takes care of a lot of work. The downside of this plan is that you are then limited in your choice of schools. On the other hand, going with an independent school requires that you make your plans in advance by directly emailing and/or calling the school. The advantage of a smaller school, outside of the agencies, is the choice one has between unique experiences. It goes without saying that you will need to plan in advance how you will arrive at the school. The Spanish schools are very helpful in helping with transportation. Some will even pick up their students at the airport! But if you are planning your trip on your own, check out the Lonely Planet guides sold in my Powell bookshelf (icon in the sidebar).

Tip #3: In choosing an independent school, research the atmosphere and values as a primary factor.
Schools have different philosophies and values, and they offer different types of services (host families, afternoon excursions, evening lectures and movies, etc.). Sometimes educational philosophy of a schools makes a difference, but it just one factor among many.

Tip #4: If there aren't many independent listings in your country of origin, try searching the international schools. Some countries are primarily served by the very large international companies and agencies. Two such countries are Spain and Cuba. Search for such schools with the International agencies tab.

Tip #5: Switch instructors periodically within a school.
It is oftentimes the case that the experience within a school can vary greatly, depending on the instructor. It might be a good strategy to switch instructors periodically at a school for this reason. On a shorter trip, perhaps you would want to switch weekly; on longer trips, biweekly or monthly. As a bonus, having different instructors exposes one to individual variation in the spoken language.

Tip #6: Force yourself to speak Spanish the vast majority of the time, even to people who speak your first language.
Of course everyone everyone gets tired speaking and listening in a new language. But in an immersion setting, you want to take advantage of the second language experience as much as you can. Those who aren't as disciplined don't learn as much as those who are and are committed to learning the language. Also, taking part in most of the cultural activities and spending time with your host families will be important. On these issues of taking advantage of your immersion experience, there is a book titled Maximizing Study Abroad that has many strategies for second language learners.

Tip #7: Immerse yourself in study of the culture and the history of the place where you are learning.
Learning a language is that much more easy when you are engaged in activities that interest you. For me, when I was studying in Guatemala, that meant studying the history of the culture. But you can choose many different avenues to become immersed in the culture. Connecting your language study to a discovery of a new place and its people is the best way to learn.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

International Schools and Travel Agencies

This is a listing of Spanish language tourist agencies and international schools. Such agencies might cost more, but they could make travel planning easier. Also, the international agencies might be useful for those countries where there are fewer independent schools.
A Broader View
Amerispan
Babylon Idiomas
Cactus Language
Cela
Council on International Educational Exchange
Don Quixote
Escuela Internacional
Enforex
Green Tortoise Adventure Travel
IMAC
International House
IPSA
Institute for Spanish Language Studies (ISLS)
Language Courses Abroad (LCA)
Languages In Action
Learn Spanish and Surf
National Registration Center for Study Abroad
Peterson's Study Abroad
Plus Languages
Spanishcourses.info
Spanish Abroad
Study Abroad

Playa el Angel (Margarita Island), Venezuela

Cela

Playa Colorada, Venezuela

Jakera

Mérida, Venezuela

Jakera

Bilbao, Spain

Instituto Hemingway
Olé

Alicante, Spain

Alhambra Instituto
Olé

Tenerife, Spain

LSC
Olé

Sevilla, Spain

LSC
Mester

Santander, Spain

LSC
Olé

Córdoba, Spain

Academia Córdoba
Olé

Toledo, Spain

Olé

Málaga, Spain

Alhambra Instituto
Lingua Schools
LSC

Granada, Spain

Carmen de las Cuevas
Castila
Delengua
Escuela Montalbán
Lingua Schools
LSC
Mester
Olé
Sociedad Hispano Mundial
Toronja

Valencia, Spain

Lingua Schools
LSC

Barcelona, Spain

ABC College
Alhambra Instituto
Camino Barcelona
Lingua Schools
LSC
Olé

San Sabastian, Spain

Lingua Schools
LSC

Salamanca, Spain

Lingua Schools
LSC
Mester
Olé

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Mazatlán, Mexico

Centro de Idiomas de Mazatlán

Panajachel, Guatemala

Cooperación
Jabel Tinamit

Nuevo San Jose, Guatemala

Hermandad Educativo, La / PLQE

San Andrés (Peten), Guatemala

Eco-Escuela de Español

San Clemente, Ecuador

Simon Bolivar Language School (Pacific branch)

Puerto Francisco de Orellana (Amazon), Ecuador

Simon Bolivar Language Schools (Yarina Lodge)

Cuenca, Ecuador

Centers for Interamerican Studies
Simon Bolivar Language School

Quito, Ecuador

Academia de Español Guayasamín
Academia de Español Quito
Academia de Español Surpacífico
Academia Latinoamericana de Espanñol
Galapagos Spanish School
Ruta del Sol Academy
Simon Bolivar Language School

Manta, Ecuador

Academia de Español Surpacífico

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Hispaniola

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Costa Rica Spanish Institute
Escuela de Idiomas D'Amore
Paraiso, El

San Jose area, Costa Rica

Academia Tica (Coronado)
Centro Cultural de Idiomas
Centro de Idiomas Logos
Centro Lingüístico Conversa
Conversa Spanish Institute
Costa Rican Language Academy
Costa Rica Spanish Institute
Forester Instituto Internacional
Ilisa Instituto de Idiomas
Instituto de Español Costa Rica
Instituto Pacífico de Idiomas
Intensa
Intercultural Costa Rica (Heredia)
New Learning Academy
Universal de Idiomas

Cochabamba, Bolivia

Escuela Runawasi

Santiago de Chile, Chile

Argentina Idioma Español (Sister School)
Escuela de Idiomas Violeta Parra
Newen Escuela de Idiomas
San Andrés Language School

Ushuaia, Argentina

Argentina Idioma Español

Córdoba, Argentina

I.L.E.E.

El Zunsal, El Salvador

El Salvador Spanish Language Schools

San Miguel, El Salvador

El Salvador Spanish Language Schools

San Salvador, El Salvador

El Salvador Spanish Language Schools

La Libertad, El Salvador

Escuela Punta Roca

Santa Ana, El Salvador

Sihuatehuacan
(part of El Salvador Language Schools)

Isla Ometepe, Nicaragua

La Casa Escuela Rosa Silva

Laguna de Apoyo, Nicaragua

Laguna de Apoyo (Proyecto Ecológico)

Matagalpa, Nicaragua

Nicaragua Spanish School

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Masaya, Nicaragua

La Mariposa
Nicaragua Language School

Managua, Nicaragua

Ave Maria International Language Institute
Managua Spanish Language School
Nicaragua Spanish School
Nicaragüita
Viva Spanish School

Jinotepe, Nicaragua

Futuro Mejor

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

La Casa Escuela Rosa Silva
Latin American Spanish School
Nicaragua Spanish School
Nicaraguan Spanish Schools
Nicaspanish Language School
San Juan del Sur Spanish Language School
San Juan del Sur Spanish Language School
Spanish Ya

León, Nicaragua

Dariana Language School
Leon Spanish Language School
Nicaragua Spanish School
Nicaraguan Spanish Schools
Olé

Granada, Nicaragua

Casa Xalteva
Cocibolca
Granada Spanish Lingua
Nicaragua Spanish School
Nicaraguan Spanish Schools
One-on-One Tutoring
Proyecto Lingüístico Eco Cultural (Nicaragua Spanish School)
Spanish School Express
Viva Spanish School

San Carlos de Briloche, Argentina

ABC Spanish
Argentina Idioma Español
GIC Argentina
I.L.E.E.
Pantagonia School
Spanish in Bariloche

Mendoza, Argentina

Argentina Idioma Español
GIC Argentina

Buenos Aires, Argentina

ABC Spanish
Academia Buenos Aires
Argentina Idioma Español
Buenos Aires Center
Buenos Aires Spanish
Daniela Wasser
Expanish
GIC Argentina
Íbero
I.L.E.E.
Into Words
Interhispanica
Latin Immersion
Lucem Institute

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Solexico

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Playa del Carmen Language Institute
Solexico

Enseñada, Mexico

Baja California Language College (Centro de Idiomas de Baja)
Center of Languages
International Spanish Institute

Cancún, Mexico

Cancún Spanish Language Institute

La Paz, Mexico

ABC Spanish Tuition and Homestay
Centro de Idiomas, Cultura y Comunicación
Se Habla...La Paz

Chiapas, Mexico

Schools for Chiapas

Tepoztlán, Mexico

Experiencia Tepoztlán

Zacatecas, Mexico

Fenix Language Institute
Spanish Academy and Cultural Institute (Awaken Spanish Within)

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Instituto de Lenguajes Puerto Escondido

Guanajuato, Mexico

Academia Falcon
Escuela Mexicana
Instituto Miguel de Cervantes

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Academia Hispano Americano
Habla Hispana
Instituto de Allende (Art and Spanish)

La Manzanilla, Mexico

La Catalina Natural Language School

Mérida, Mexico

Institute of Modern Spanish
Lengualternativa

Valladolid, Mexico

Linguistic Center Yucatan

Oaxaca, Mexico

Amigos del Sol
Becari
Español Interactivo
Instituto de Comunicación y Cultura
Instituto Cultural Oaxaca
Oaxaca International
Solexico
Vinigulaza

Querétaro, Mexico

Interamerican University Studies Institute
Olé
Queretaro Language School

Puebla, Mexico

Livit Immersion Center
Spanish Institute of Puebla

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Buenavista de Cuéllar (Guerrero), Mexico

Tlatoani

Mexico City Area

Academia Hispano Mexico
Centro Interactivo de Lenguas
Frida Spanish School

Guadalajara, México

IMAC
Linguas Centro de Idiomas

Morelia (Michoacán), México

Baden-Powell
Casa Camelinas

Hermosillo, México

Department of Foreign Languages (University of Sonora)

Cuernavaca, México

ACALLI Intensive Language Program
ASLI
Cemanahuac Educational Community
Center for Languages and Cultures
Center for Bilingual Multicultural Studies (Centro Bilingüe) of Cuernavaca
Centro de Lengua, Arte, and Historia para Extranjeros
Centro Tlahuica de Lenguas e Intercambio Cultural (CETLALIC)
Chac-Mool
Club de Español y Lenguas Internacionales
Cuauhnáhuac Spanish Language Institute (CICLC)
Cuernavaca Language School
Encuentros
IDEL
Intercultural Languages and Culture Center
Kukulcan
Universidad Internacional (Center for Linguistic Multicultural Studies)

Estelí, Nicaragua

Escuela Horizonte (please email me if you have this URL)
Nicaragua Spanish School
Sacuanjoche

Antigua, Guatemala

Academia Antigüeña
Academia de Español Guatemala
Academia de Español Sevilla
Academia Colonial
Amerispan
APPE
Casa de Lenguas
Centro Lingüístico Internacional
Centro Lingüístico La Unión
Centro Lingüístico Maya
Christian Spanish Academy
Cooperación
Don Pedro de Alvarado
Interactiva
Intercontinental Spanish Academy
Ixchel
Mundo
Proyecto Lingüístico Francisco Marroquin
San Jose el Viejo
Spanish Academy Antigüeña
Tecun Uman
Zamora Academia