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 We
are a Spanish language school in Quito, Ecuador offering intensive Spanish
language instruction and Spanish immersion programs. Our spanish school is
located in a spacious, yet cozy, colonial house near the Mariscal tourist
district of Quito. While studying with us, you'll not only receive quality
Spanish instruction, you'll also have the opportunity to live with an
Ecuadorian family, learn about the various Ecuadorian cultures through
innovative lesson plans and embark on excursions that emphasize the
richness of the diverse Ecuadorian environment and its people.
While participating in our language program, you'll
have the chance to visit one of South America's
largest and most famous open markets, learn how to cook classic Ecuadorian
dishes, dance the meringue and learn to salsa. You may also choose
to combine studying Spanish with ecotourism by
participating in our Study on the Coast or Study in the Jungle programs.
Whatever you choose to do, while studying Spanish at the Vida Verde
Spanish Center you'll not only be learning Spanish,
you'll be living it!
Spanish Programs
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Our Spanish program is divided into 3 levels:
Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. No previous knowledge of Spanish is
necessary to study at the Basic level. Upon enrollment, students with
some previous Spanish knowledge are given a placement exam (both
written and oral) to determine at what level they should begin classes
and also to identify areas of weakness. The professor and student then
work together to design a customized study plan. Most all of our
students who start at the basic level can communicate with basic
fluency after 5-6 weeks (100-120 class hours), though you have to do
your homework! |
Learning One to One: It’s
no secret that the best and quickest way to learn Spanish is through
intensive, one-to-one individual instruction. This is the primary teaching
method used here at the Vida Verde Spanish Center. One-to-one instruction
allows students to learn at their own pace and enables teachers to
custom-design study programs to best meet the needs of their students. By
using this method, teachers can provide immediate feedback, minimizing the
formation of bad habits.
 Small Group Lessons: We
offer small-group instruction for groups of 2 to 4 students. To form a
group, it is necessary that the students are at relatively the same level.
Students wishing to form a group may be required to take our placement
exam so that we may determine the exact experience level of each student.
For the group program, the same teaching method and content is used, just
in a group setting. The group program is suited for students desiring
increased interaction, a slightly slower learning pace, and/or a more
economical means of study.
Rotation Method: In order
to expose students to slightly different teaching styles, accents,
dialects, and help them to recognize the variations of spoken Spanish, we
have designed our program so that students generally study with a
different teacher each week. This rotation method also allows students the
opportunity to build relationships with more of the staff here at the Vida
Verde Spanish Center.
Excursions: Ecuador and
the city of Quito provide a boundless outdoor classroom in which to study
and practice Spanish. This has inspired us to develop a program in which
students have the option of spending a day out in Quito accompanied by
their professor. We find that the students who participate in this program
enjoy the opportunity to study Spanish outside the confines of the school,
as well as appreciate the chance to get to know the city. Some of the most
common excursions enjoyed by our students include visiting a lively
outdoor market, taking in a museum, seeing a Latin American film and/or
marveling at the numerous churches of Quito.
 Homestay Program: Our school has a
relationship with a number of Ecuadorian families who are interested in
hosting international students for a reasonable price. If you wish, we can
arrange for you to stay with one of these Ecuadorian families in a
residential area close to the school. We call this our "homestay" program
because when you participate in this program, you are not only renting a
room in somebody's house, you are being welcomed into their home as if you
were a member of their family. The homestay gives you the opportunity for
additional practice speaking Spanish outside of the classroom, as well as
the opportunity to experience some of the cultural aspects of Ecuadorian
life, such as food, family life, and holidays. We prefer to place only one
student per family because when students live together we have found that
the temptation to speak their native language -instead of Spanish- is too
great. However, if it is important to you to live with other students or
with a traveling companion, arrangements can be made to accommodate your
needs.
Address:
18 de Septiembre E4-135 y Avenida Amazonas
Quito, Ecuador
Phone: (593) (2) 256 8501
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