How we teach at IPAI

HOW WE TEACH SPANISH AT IPAI

At IPAI language schools we focus more on the conversational part of Spanish by addressing certain aspects of it. The different activities we organize go in great harmony with the intended communicative side of the Spanish language. This is achieved through a series of books specially designed to have you grasp Costa Rican language in a short time. To reach a fairly conversational level, starting from a beginner stage, it will take approximately 4 weeks, a very short time for the results we get. The interaction with our local English students is an essential contribution to immersion as well as the families that host our Spanish students. Also, dexterity in both English and Spanish on our teacher’s side is an important asset to consider.

Some of the activities include visits to the farmer’s market where Spanish interaction is provided naturally. Here the students have a direct interaction with locals, put into practice what was taught in class and learn new vocabulary. Once a week, meetings between both English and Spanish students are held in order to promote hands on situations to foster cooperative learning. During the latter there are always opportunities to share culture and language. Additionally, during our Tours, the Spanish language is also used extensively.

Our books greatly cover the most important communicative issues of Spanish language. IPAI language school has 5 books that include many useful Costa Rican expressions and idioms. We have carefully organized the Spanish books for a gradual exposition of a conversational of Spanish method. The realia presented in our books will easily allow students to further review and practice Spanish in terms of communication.

IPAI teachers are always ready to help you understand every little detail or explanation. Weather it is by examples or by clear explanations of the peculiarities in the Spanish language or by simply translating a phrase or word. We are fairly bilingual and above all, patient. We will go the extra mile to help you throughout the entire process of learning Spanish in our beautiful Costa Rica.

The following is couple of appreciation letters sent by two former students of ours:

Lauren Nelson

Dear IPAI,
I've written this recommendation of your work to share with other LinkedIn users.

Details of the Recommendation: "I completed IPAI's Advanced Spanish Language course and taught english classes at IPAI in Jaco Beach. During my time at the school, I greatly enjoyed the open and friendly environment and benefited from the experience, both personally and academically.

Thanks to IPAI, I often reflect on my many fond memories from my time in Costa Rica."

Wendy Hershey

Dear IPAI,
I've written this recommendation of your work to share with other LinkedIn users.

Details of the Recommendation: "IPAI and Augusto were easy to work with. We enjoyed every facet of our experience with IPAI. From the moment we booked our trip and until being dropped off at the airport, everything was simple, seamless and fun. I went with 2 girlfriends and had no idea what to expect. When we met Augusto at the airport, I knew right away by his friendly demeanor we were in good hands. The Spanish language instruction was great and the time and attention we recieved was off the charts great. I would go again and wish I could convince my husband to go back to Jaco with me. We are seriously considering a trip to Peru with Augusto/IPAI."

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

            Emerging onto the tourism map is the country of Costa Rica. It has long been hidden by its meek personality and low level of advertising. Surfers frequented this country for decades, but not until the past twenty years has Costa Rica really begun to attract visitors from all over. Costa Rica is the oldest Latin American democracy with more than one hundred years of political stability. The country prides its self on the environmental protection policies which have preserved the lush tropical landscapes. Looking on a map one can view that the landscape of Costa Rica is very mountainous and vast areas around these mountains, as well as coastal areas, are protected nationally as parks.  In addition to these attractions, economically, Costa Rica is a great destination to travel to and made fairly easy for those speaking little to no English. For this reason Costa Rica is a great location for those seeking a little adventure and a Pura Vida or pure life.

            Pura Vida is a phrase often used here in Costa Rica as a salutations or greeting. It can be said that this is a national phrase and one that is literally lived by. The environmental resources of Costa Rica are kept pure by the protection of the national parks system. While a nominal fee is often charged to enter these parks, it is certainly worth the ten dollars to see a vast variety of wild life and eco systems that cannot be seen together anywhere else in the world. Costa Rica has seven different eco systems within its borders. One park in particular on the pacific coast called Manuel Antonio National Park contains a wide variety of creatures. From monkeys, sloths, snakes, to poison dart frogs, all can be seen within arm’s reach living fruitfully within this protected environment where green palms hang over white sandy crescent beaches held nestled by protruding rocky ledges that extend up into the misty cloud forests. The famous poison dark frogs live there. Their vibrant colors can be seen easily with a keen eye, a soft foot, and a desire to explore.

            Apart from the national beauties, it is nice to get around cheaply and see all of these wonders at a small cost. Costa Rica has a fairly good exchange rate for the U.S. Dollar. One U.S. dollar is roughly worth 500 Colones. To get an idea of what you can get with your colones let us take a little trip down the supermarket isle. One gallon of milk roughly costs $2. A loaf of bread costs around $0.75. Now, that being said, many of the American products being sold here are ridiculously overpriced. So an adjustment in taste has to be made, unless you like paying six dollars for your favorite box of cereal. However, this is all part of experiencing a new place and culture isn’t it? So my advice to you is if you just absolutely cannot handle changing some things, or many things, then this place in economic terms just is not for you. I say this because, while it is cheaper to live here, the locals-Ticos- have gotten wind of the conversion rate long ago and use it to their advantage. If you can live like a Tico and not like an outsider then you will see that life is much cheaper.

            Another good aspect about traveling, living, or studying in Costa Rica is that many people do speak English. So for example if you do not speak very much, or no Spanish, you can still get around. However, Costa Rica has many excellent programs for learning Spanish and, as I have learned, is a great environment to do so. IPAI, for example, gives one on one attention to their students. Focusing on the individuals’ needs and aspirations to learn the language, they cater the curriculum towards a conversational proficiency. Many of the younger Ticos, age thirty or younger, have learned fairly proficient English in their schools as well. So, speaking with the locals is often not that big of a challenge, especially in more tourist infiltrated areas. However, learning Spanish here definitely gives the average foreigner a leg up on the competition. Many folks living here are from other countries, so a mix of dialects in the Spanish language can be easily acquired from everyday conversation. Also, the Spanish spoken here is a little slower than what may be found in other areas giving the beginner a little more leeway to practice listening and understanding. Another great option to immerse yourself into the language and culture is to live with a host family. Host families are great as they welcome in foreigners, surrounding them with the language and culture in a comfortable and secure environment. Learning Spanish in Costa Rica would be easiest with professional instruction from an institution supplemented by daily use of the language.

            The Pure life of Costa Rica awaits only the adventurous, but those willing reap the rewards of its natural beauty, economic stability, and ease of linguistic availability. One can easily assimilate into the culture, learn the Spanish language, and enjoy a world very different and separate from that of the rest of Central America.          

INSTITUTO PACIFICO DE IDIOMAS, COSTA RICA

IPAI Spanish Language School has 20 years of experience and currently has two locations, one in Jaco (near Jaco beach) and one in Heredia (near San Jose).Learn Spanish in Costa Rica with us! Our immersion Spanish classes, English classes, tours, surfing lessons and accommodations will make it easy to study Spanish in Costa Rica and travel at the same time! We offer weekly Spanish immersion programs, host families, extra-curricular activities and conversational language clubs. Spanish lessons are available in individual or group format.

We provide immersion Spanish lessons at all levels and welcome adults, youngsters, children and families. When you study in Costa Rica at IPAI Language School, it may be possible to receive university credit by having your university contact IPAI directly.

Come, enjoy and learn Spanish with us!