Program
Destination
Cuzco has something to offer for everyone: art, magic, mystery, history and beauty; for years Cuzco was considered to be the “centre of the world” within the Incan empire. This ancient capital of the grand Incan civilization shows remarkable remains from its colonial possession; stone foundations of Incan temples are still visible; tourists from all over the world are attracted to Cuzco for its proximity to the famous Machu Picchu ruins and the Inca Trail. Because of the high altitude, the weather is usually quite chilly during the day and cold during the night – a good excuse to visit one of the many markets and buy a traditional Peruvian sweater. The rich Incan history in Cuzco makes it an ideal location to learn the Spanish language. Plus it is an especially appealing tourist location thanks to the easy-traveling distance to the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, the Peruvian Amazon, Arequipa and the famous citadel of Machu Picchu.
School
The school is located in a typical Peruvian-style mansion, with a sunny terrace overlooking the Plaza de Armas and the Andean Cordillera mountain range. The building offers 15 classrooms, free-use of internet in the computer lab, a lounge with cable TV, a collection of games and books, and a full-equipped kitchen. It is ideally situated between the city and the countryside, just outside of the Plaza de Armas, a typical square surrounded by restaurants, cafés, museums and cathedrals. Heading the other direction one will discover the Sacsayhuaman, the village’s ancient fortress, and large open spaces perfect for hiking or picnicking.
Our staff of qualified teachers is highly international and the instructors speak numerous languages. Courses are given in spacious, brightly-lit classrooms and a local representative is available at the school to help orient the students.
Activities and Excursions
Outside of the language programme, we offer several cultural activities each week and courses on Peruvian culture are offered to students 2 times per week. Themes include: the Incan empire, the coca leaf, l’Inti Raymi or l’Ayahuasca.
Every Sunday afternoon, a visit to the city is organised to introduce the new students to the principal tourist sites as well as to allow them to get their bearings (point out the post offices, supermarkets, banks, telephone centre). Monday evening, a welcome dinner is organised for the students.
A few examples of activities included in the programme: courses on Peruvian culture, cinema outings, Peruvian cooking courses, traditional music courses, welcome dinner, visits to the city, salsa dancing lessons and a goodbye party.
Weekend excursions to nearby surroundings, as well as physical activities (rafting, canyoning, parasailing, biking...) are organised by the school at a special student price.
Courses
Our Spanish courses are specially-adapted for foreign students and cover all aspects of language learning (conversation, reading, listening and written comprehension). All necessary books and academic materials are provided by the school. A placement test is organised upon arrival and the groups are formed in accordance to students’ common levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced or superior).
We offer three programmes in Cuzco:
- Standard Group Courses: This programme includes 20 lessons (55 minutes each), Monday through Friday. The lessons take place during the morning (from 8:30 to 12:30) and in the afternoon (from 2:30 to 6:30), with a break between each session (coffee and tea available). Groups are made up of an average of 4 students (maximum 6) to promote communication and personal attention.
- Individual Courses: This programme includes 20 lessons (55 minutes each) per week, with a private tutor and is advised for students who wish to rapidly improve their level of Spanish and develop their oral communication skills. This is also an ideal programme for students who want to focus on a particular area of instruction. Tutors rotate so that you have the opportunity to be exposed to a variety of accents and teaching techniques.
- Combined Courses: This programme includes 20 standard group lessons plus 10 private lessons. Private lessons take place after the group courses and permit the student extend their knowledge of the language.
In order to make maximum progress and to truly benefit from the programme, we recommend that beginners stay for 8-12 weeks and intermediate and advanced students stay for 4-8 weeks.
All of our professors are Peruvian and speak Spanish as their first language, although they are used to teaching Spanish to foreigners.
At the end of the programme you will receive a certificate proving your new level of Spanish.
Special Programmes
Our partner school offers special programmes upon demand:
- Total Immersion: 48 hours of private classes and excursions (every Monday)
Total Immersion guarantees a high rate of success over a relatively short period of time. In the morning, students receive 5 hours of private tuition. Directly after class, the teacher takes the student to lunch at one of the restaurants adjoining the school. In the afternoon, the student and the teacher will visit particular sights for 2 hours. These can include tourist locations, shops, markets, universities, and so on. Saturday is a day dedicated to excursions such as visiting ruins, going rafting, etc. - Spanish and Excursions* : every Monday, 3 weeks long, 44 Spanish courses, excursions included
This programme is designed for students wanting to seize the opportunity to discover Peru by taking part in as many excursions and activities as possible, alongside their Spanish lessons.
This includes 7 excursions in the Cuzco region, and 1 jungle excursion (3 days and 2 nights)
You will have the opportunity to go rafting, to discover the floating isles of Urus, to hike to Machu Picchu... - Spanish and Trekking* : 2 weeks long (1 week Spanish courses, one week trekking on the famous Inca Trail with Spanish teacher), Dates 2011 : 16/05 ; 06/06 ; 18/06 ; 21/11)
Follow in the footsteps of the conquistadors with this programme.
By having your Spanish teacher with you as well as a guide on the second week, you will then be able to improve your Spanish at the same time as learning about the history of the Inca ruins.
An intermediate level of Spanish is required, as well as being a good physical state. - Adventure Spanish* : Paragliding, mountain climbing, rafting, yoga (see special dates according to activity)
This programme has been designed for anyone in need of a challenge. You will take 4 Spanish lessons per day, every morning, and then a daily adventure session.
Please contact us for further information and a personal price quote if you are interested in one of the special programmes.
*A minimum of 4 participants is necessary for this special programme.
Accommodation
We offer several accommodations in Cuzco:
- Host Family: Staying with a host family ensures an enriching immersion into the Peruvian lifestyle. Our families are carefully-selected and generally live in residential areas 20-25 minutes from the school. Our families come from middle class backgrounds, but students must keep in mind that the level of comfortable living is quite different from Europe or North America. Participants must therefore have a certain degree of flexibility and must be open and willing to adapt to the Peruvian lifestyle. Students will have their own room and half-board included.
- Host Family PLUS: this option offers students a higher comfort level, with a larger room and specially-prepared meals, adapted to particular diets. Our PLUS families have houses with a yard or a patio. This accommodation is recommended for older people or couples.
- Residence Hall: The residence hall is located within the school building itself and provides housing for youth and adults of all ages. This accommodation option is ideal to meet other foreign students from around the world. Students can choose to either stay in a private room or to share with one other person. Half-board (breakfast and lunch) is included. A kitchen, with refrigerator, is available to cook your evening meals. Students staying in the school residence will have access to all school facilities.
- Apartment: This option is only available for long-stays of minimum 10 weeks. It ensures complete independent living, with shared bathroom, kitchen and living room. All apartments have a high level of security and are located in the centre of the city, not far from the school. No meals included in this option.
Prices & Dates
Dates 2012
Courses begin each Monday, year-round. Accomodation is available from sunday to saturday.
Public holidays for 2012 in Peru are as follows: 1/01, 21/02, 22/02, 5/04, 1/05, 3/06, 24/06, 29/06, 29/07, 30/08, 8/10, 1/11, 8/12, 24/12, 25/15 et 31/12.
There will be no class on these days: an activity will be offered on public holidays in place of courses. These courses will not be reimbursed nor rescheduled.
Sacred Valley dates: 3/01, 7/02, 7/03, 4/04, 2/05, 6/06, 4/07, 1/08, 5/09, 3/10, 7/11, 5/12.
Special Dates for Adventure Spanish 2012:
- Spanish and Paragliding: 15/10 ; 19/11
- Spanish and Mountain Climbing: 19/03 ; 16/04 ; 04/06 ; 16/07 ; 10/09 ; 15/10
- Spanish and Rafting : 16/04 ; 04/06 ; 16/07 ; 10/09 ; 15/10
- Spanish and Trekking: 14/05 ; 04/06 ; 16/07 ; 19/11
Includes all taxes & enrolment fees
Click here to enrol directly| Family or residence, dbl. room, half-board | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Standard course | Private lessons | Combined courses | ||
| 1 week | $ 475 | $ 560 | $ 600 | ||
| 2 weeks | $ 875 | $ 1,045 | $ 1,125 | ||
| 3 weeks | $ 1,095 | $ 1,350 | $ 1,470 | ||
| 4 weeks | $ 1,395 | $ 1,735 | $ 1,895 | ||
| 6 weeks | $ 1,995 | $ 2,505 | $ 2,745 | ||
| 8 weeks | $ 2,695 | $ 3,375 | $ 3,695 | ||
| 12 weeks | $ 3,895 | $ 4,795 | $ 5,275 | ||
| 16 weeks | $ 4,995 | $ 6,195 | $ 6,835 | ||
| 18 weeks | $ 5,695 | $ 7,045 | $ 7,765 | ||
| 20 weeks | $ 6,295 | $ 7,795 | $ 8,595 | ||
| 24 weeks | $ 7,495 | $ 9,295 | $ 10,255 | ||
| 32 weeks | $ 9,895 | $ 12,295 | $ 13,575 | ||
| 36 weeks | $ 10,295 | $ 12,995 | $ 14,435 | ||
| Appartement, chambre double, sans repas | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Option | Standard course | Private lessons | Combined courses | ||
| 12 weeks | $ 3,695 | $ 4,595 | $ 5,075 | ||
| 16 weeks | $ 4,695 | $ 5,895 | $ 6,535 | ||
| 18 weeks | $ 5,095 | $ 6,445 | $ 7,165 | ||
| 20 weeks | $ 5,695 | $ 7,195 | $ 7,995 | ||
| 24 weeks | $ 6,695 | $ 8,495 | $ 9,455 | ||
| 32 weeks | $ 8,595 | $ 10,995 | $ 12,275 | ||
| 36 weeks | $ 9,195 | $ 11,895 | $ 13,335 | ||
| Special programmes, accomm. in family or residence, dbl. room, half-board | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programme | Price | ||||
| Total immersion (1 week) | $ 1,115 | ||||
| Spanish and excursions (3 weeks) | $ 2,045 | ||||
| Spanish and trekking (2 weeks) | $ 1,245 | ||||
| Spanish and paragliding | $ 2,745 | ||||
| Spanish and cilmbing | $ 795 | ||||
| Spanish and rafting | $ 1,795 | ||||
| Supplements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single room in residence /week | $ 70 | ||||
| Family Plus (per week) | $ 50 | ||||
| Extra night | $ 50 | ||||
| Lima transfer | |||||
| Transfer Apt-Hotel-Apt 1 night Hotel 2* | $ 110 | ||||
| Transfer Apt-Hotel-Apt 1 night Hotel 3* | $ 185 | ||||
A detailed price table can be found above.
Prices include (valid for Cuzco and Sacred Valley):
- The chosen course programme*
- Accommodation in a private room in a host family; or in a shared room in the residence hall
- Half-board if in a host family or a residence; no meals if in apartment.
- Weekly room cleaning
- Internet access
- Placement test upon arrival
- All books and academic materials
- Complementary activities offered through the school: visits of the city, welcome dinner, cultural courses, cooking classes, cinema outings, courses in traditional Peruvian music, salsa courses, and goodbye party
- Certificate of completion at the end of the programme
- Airport pickup upon arrival
- Transportation from Cuzco to host family/residence.
If you plan to stay one night in Lima before flying to Cuzco, we can offer you one night of lodging in a hotel in Lima (advised after a long flight). This includes transportation to and from the airport. See the price table on the right.
Prices do not include:
- Possible weekend excursions
- Some meals depending on accommodation option
- Any on-site changes to the programme originally decided upon. Changes occurring after departure will cost (American dollars), to be paid on-site.
* If there is no group course available that corresponds to your level, 3 private lessons will be offered instead.
Practical Info
Transport
- Cuzco Airport : Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
- A free transfer is offered from airport to accommodation
- Lima Airport: Aeropeurto Internacional Jorge Chavez
- If you cannot travel to Cuzco's airport, we offer a transfer and a night in a hotel at Lima (advisable after 15 hours of flying). See price table.
If you prefer, we can book your flights for you. Please make this clear when you enrol.
Visa Information
In the majority of cases, no visa is necessary for stays of less than 90 days.
If you intend to stay for longer than 90 days, please consult your local Peruvian Embassy.
