Need to learn Spanish? Want to attend a high school, a university, or trade school in the Andes? Come to Ecuador and attend one of the many Spanish language schools that abound in all the bigger cities, or matriculate as an expat in a place of higher education. Learn to speak Spanish like a native and spend your leisure time enjoying the sights, sounds, foods, and culture of Ecuador all the while practising your new language skills.
Where to go for a Spanish School?
Quito, Guayaquil, Otavalo, and Cuenca can always be counted upon to have Spanish schools ready to enroll a student right away. Monta帽ita along the coast is known for its Spanish schools for young people who come to Ecuador to surf, swim, or relax on the beach in the afternoon after classes. You can even travel to the Galapagos or to the Amazon jungle and learn Spanish! Spanish schools are usually found in the central parts of the larger cities, and lodging will not be difficult to find near the schools. All the schools will have people in their administration offices who speak and write English, so don't be afraid to email or call them for information.
Where to stay?
When you decide on a school and a location for your training, ask the school for advice as to where to stay. You will probably want to be close to the school, at least at first, and they will have contacts with hostals, hotels, rooms, and bed and breakfast establishments located close by. Many will also facilitate a homestay with a local Ecuadorian family. Living with a Spanish speaking family for a few weeks or for a few months is the best way to both learn to understand the spoken word and have daily opportunities for conversation and practice.
If you have special requirements, i.e., no pets, no smoking, no children, or even no stairs, be sure to discuss this with the school prior to your arrival so that you can be comfortably accommodated. While pets in the home are not as common as in the U.S. or Europe, there are stairs everywhere in Ecuador.
How will you learn Spanish?
Spanish schools usually offer classes either in the morning, the afternoon, or both. Schools can offer classes of just a few students or one-on-one type classes where you will be the only student with your teacher. The best schools limit the number of students in a class to just a few or only one, and they will offer adventures outside the classroom to experience the local culture while also learning the language. Cooking classes, shopping in the local mercados, salsa lessons, can all be part of your language learning process. One student recounted how during her first day in class, she needed to get her eyeglasses repaired, so her teacher accompanied her to an optical store. It really is a hands-on learning experience!
If your school doesn't seem to be teaching you fast enough, or if you need special tutoring, most schools can help you find a private tutor who can come to your home as often as you need to, for one-on-one teaching help.
If you are learning in a classroom, or with a private teacher or tutor, you will need both written and spoken practice. Spanish grammar and syntax are quite different from English and you will need to practice. But don't worry, Spanish pronunciation is mostly phonetic, so you will be speaking and pronouncing Spanish words like a pro very soon.
High school exchange programs in Ecuador
AFS and Rotary are two high school foreign exchange programs that allow students to spend a year in Ecuador. A high school junior or senior will spend a school year living with a family and attending school nearby, usually with a young family member. Students will apply to the chosen program, and if selected, will be shepherded from their first step onto Ecuadorian soil through a homestay, school registration, medical issues (if needed) until they leave to return home. A high school year abroad in Ecuador will be a life-changing experience, and many students even like to return to Ecuador later to visit or even work.
If a formal exchange program is not an option, all cities in Ecuador offer both public and private high schools (colegio) for eligible students, but you will have to obtain apostilled or legalized transcripts of your prior school records to be appropriately placed in the Ecuadorian school. Many private high schools offer education focusing on English, German, or French, and many also offer the , accepted in many universities all over the world.
Universities in Ecuador
Ecuador, although a very small country, boasts no fewer than 55 Universities. Universidad San Francisco de Quito is considered the best in the country and is ranked 57 in the . Quito's Universidad Central del Ecuador has been in operation since the 17th century, and Cuenca's Universidad de Cuenca (ranked 147 in the list mentioned above) is over 450 years old. Education has been of paramount importance in the country for many generations, and the current government continues to put emphasis on higher education.
Study abroad programs affiliated with your home country universities can assist the undergrad and graduate student in enrollment, course selection, room and board facilities, as well as visa details. If you wish to do it alone, be aware that this is not an easy process. All undergraduate details must be obtained directly from your former schools, apostilled or legalized, and submitted to 'Senesyct', the government body overseeing all bodies of higher learning in Ecuador, prior to obtaining a student visa and beginning the enrollment examination process, all of which will be in Spanish. Furthermore, some of the better universities will not accept a student unless they can successfully pass certain internal exams and tests, with only the top 1-10% of Ecuadorian high school graduates being accepted each year.
How much will this cost?
Spanish language schools' tuition rates vary from city to city and depend on how many hours of instruction you require. Prices run from $80 a week in Montanita for beginner group classes of 1.5 hours a day to $285 for two weeks small group instruction in Quito with classes consisting of four hours per day. Lodging costs will be highest in Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca, with accommodation in Otavalo, Manta, and Monta帽ita being the cheapest. Homestays can run from $20 to $40 a night per person, depending on location and type of family. Couples are encouraged to come and learn, as homestays are available for both singles as well as for couples, and usually charges for a couple are a bit less than double the single price.
Private tutors in Ecuador can charge anywhere from $4 an hour up to $20 an hour, depending on: whether the teacher is coming to your home and how far they have to travel; if the tutor is coming once a week or daily; if the teacher is teaching you basic or advanced Spanish; and if the teacher personally has teaching credentials or is simply a native Spanish speaking person tutoring you in Spanish.
Most schools offer programs for at least 2 weeks, but 4 weeks is recommended to really learn Spanish. Come to Ecuador and be prepared to learn, but also be ready for a gorgeous country with a rich heritage and culture.
Public high school (colegio) in Ecuador is free for all residents, but books, uniforms, and other supplies must be purchased by the student. Privately operated high school fees can range from $200 to $1000 monthly (not including supplies, books, or uniforms), depending on the location and reputation of the private school. 'Colegios' in Quito and Guayaquil are usually the most expensive but will have the best programs and reputation.
University tuition varies tremendously. A study abroad marine biology semester course in the Galapagos can set you back $10,000 to $20,000, while a short 2-week intensive course in Cuenca might only cost $1,000 to $2,000, not including airfare.
Whatever type of course or education you choose to do in Ecuador, you won't regret it! Education, Spanish, cultural learning, and knowledge that you gain in Ecuador will be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. Don't wait, come to Ecuador!
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