Teachers help the student focus on their specific language skills and needs in oral comprehension, reading, writing, speaking, etc. Each student's course is designed to give students ample opportunity to practice and improve grammar and vocabulary. Course work focuses on practical, real life situations and whenever possible the city is used as a learning laboratory. Depending on each participant's interest and level of Spanish, assignments might include reading a local newspaper, listening to the news on radio or television or even accompanying the teacher to the market or main town square, museums and other places. Classes are normally held four hours per day, Monday through Friday, except on official holidays.
Specific schedules are flexible.
Typically, a student will have two hours of class in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. Some students prefer a more intensive 5 hours daily Monday to Thursday to sight see during the weekend. Students may begin any week of the year except during the winter holiday season, generally between December 15 and January 3, when the Institute is closed. The length of the program is determined by the student. All teachers are qualified and experienced teaching professionals.