Buenos Aires

Program Outline

We have designed a variety of programs that fit almost anyone interested in learning Spanish! Students have made our Group Spanish 20 hour/week course the most popular option to learn and practice Spanish and meet other international students at same level. Classes are held in the morning and afternoon. Students are not only separated by level of ability, but also by age. This helps make the social interaction easier. All of our programs include a social program that starts every Monday with a city tour for the different neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. Students who take private lessons are also invited to take part, so they do not feel isolated even if they are studying specific topics as medical Spanish, business Spanish or taking a DELE preparation course.

Another very popular program is our Tango & Spanish package. Through this special course, students will not only improve their Spanish, they also learn the uniquely Argentinean Tango. The Medical Spanish Program allows professional and students to immerse themselves in Argentinean culture and local medical language and environment. We put you in direct contact with local doctors and patients. If you are thinking of getting university credit for your course or get involved with a volunteer institution, simply let us know about your interests and you can take advantage of our different program options.

Lodging

Our homestay option is with specially selected Argentinean families. With homestay you receive half board, a private room, and pickup from the airport. Staying with a family is the best way to practice the Spanish you learn in class in a conversational setting. Those students not wishing to stay with a family have two options: they can stay at our shared apartment option (no meals), or they can stay at a nearby student residence with a private room and breakfast. All our accommodation choices include airport pickup.

Cultural

Argentina is a large country with many different geographic zones as well as cultural diversity. Different regions of the country include dessert, the Pampas, Atlantic coast beaches and Patagonia. Argentina’s population is made up in great part by European descendants who mixed in with indigenous peoples. Buenos Aires is also called the “Paris of the South” and strongly influenced by European culture. It is one of the most sophisticated cities in Latin America, renowned for its nightlife and cultural activities. It seems hard to find another city in Latin America with so much passion and excitement. Believe it or not, but amazingly Buenos Aires is still largely undiscovered by most tourists. You will be quickly embraced by locals (porteños) who are happy to meet foreigners. With high standards of living, very low crime rates, and an underdeveloped tourism crowd, our students have found Buenos Aires an ideal place for learning Spanish.

Location

The school is located in the premiere part of the capital city of Buenos Aires, Barrio Recoleta. Buenos Aires boasts European sophistication while retaining Latin charm. With countless bars and cafes, flavorful neighborhoods, and a nocturnal population, the city offers diversions for many weeks, or even months, of exploration.

Climate

The temperate climate of the city is characteristic of the Río de la Plata’s coastal plain. The city is hot and humid during the summer months of December to February, with a mean high temperature of 83°F (28°C). We recommend you to bring light clothing. The autumn and spring are characterized by fluctuating temperatures and quickly changing weather. The winter months of June to August are mild but humid, with strong winds. We recommend that you bring warm, woolen clothes as well as a coat and umbrella.

Local Color

The Recoleta neighborhood is an excellent location for students who are interested in the cultura of Buenos Aires. There are a number of interesting places to visit nearby such as the Recoleta Cemetery and the Plazas Las Heras. For those who want to go out at night, the area has plenty of bars, discos, night clubs and coffee shops. Foreign students benefit greatly from the excellent exchange rate which means cheap prices in Buenos Aires stores.

School Benefits

The following are some of the benefits that our students receive at this location. Free tutorials, our own book, free internet access, wi-fi capability, full time activity coordinator. Activities held throughout the week and on weekends, friendly staff, beautiful premises with traditional architecture, free snacks and purified water at break time, tourist and city info assistance and welcome lunch for our new students.

Hot Tip

Tango and soccer culture are 2 hot tips to bear in mind. You will breath soccer in Buenos Aires and couples dancing tango on the streets will transport you to the beginning of century and origin of this magic rhythm.

Start Dates

Group sessions begin every other Monday. Students with no Spanish background should begin on one of the official start dates. Students with prior Spanish can generally join an existing group, any Monday of the year. Individual (one-to-one) courses may begin any time as well. Classes are either from 9 until 1 or 2 until 6 with two short snack breaks. The official start dates for 2007 are: Jan 2, Jan 16, Jan 30, Feb 13, Feb 27, Mar 13, Mar 27, Apr 10, Apr 24, May 8, May 22, Jun 5, Jun 19, Jul 3, Jul 17, Jul 31, Aug 14, Aug 28, Sep 11, Sep 25, Oct 9, Oct 23, Nov 6, Nov 20, Dec 4, Dec 18. If you are a true beginner (no previous Spanish) and cannot start on one of the above dates, we recommend taking one-to-one classes until you are ready to be placed in an existing group.