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| Address |
Escuela para una America
5 Ave. 2-28, zona 1
Cobán
(+502)-5195-0306
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Registration
$ 25
Write to the school
Location Map
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| Rank |
81% |
| Prices |
135 USD for 20
hours per week including host family
85 USD for 20 hours per week without host family
Study one hour daily more or less: add or subtract about USD 15 per week.
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| School Size |
1 - 10 students |
| Openings |
This school currently has openings! |
| Summary |
This is a small school in Cobán, founded in 2005 by Dalila García, a teacher herself with over 15 years of experience. The school is housed in the walkways of Casa Luna, a centric backpackers place in Cobán. The ambiance is warm and friendly, and you find yourself in the center of tourism events in Alta Verapaz.
There are also Q′eqchi lessons for students interested in learning the local language.
Activities are not a main focus, since this is a small school; but it has good relations to local projects and other institutions if you wish to volunteer.
Total immersion in Cobán is very good, because there are not many tourists. |
| Registration |
This is a relatively small school, therefore it tends to fill up any given time. Students are recommended to register at least two weeks in advance to allow the school time to plan for staff and host family. |
With a timely registration, the school can assign you the best teacher from its list. (Contact us for group discounts). |
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| Teachers |
There are 4 associated teachers with a minimum of 6 years of experience; the director has more than 15 years teaching Spanish as a second language.
See details for recommended instructors!
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Recommended instructors: Candida II.
(Roman numbers refer to the numbers of recommendations.) |
General Information:
Spanish language teachers in Guatemala are mostly young people like University students who do this job for very little salary (US$30-$60 per week) and are trying to continue their education. Teachers in our recommended schools have undergone a formal training and know how to make students enjoy learning. By enrolling in advance, you are likely to get a better teacher. This holds especially true during high season.
If you are not happy with your assigned teacher, don’t hesitate to ask the director for another teacher. How to get a good teacher.
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| Methods |
One-on-one teaching. The school gives a diploma.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Although the school focuses on the one-on-one teaching method, there are also group lessons upon request (students must be at the same Spanish level for group lessons).
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General Information:
Spanish Schools in Guatemala promote the most effective 'one student one teacher' method. You spend your time talking and listening with your own personal teacher. This is why Guatemalan schools are probably unmatched in the world. Go to a good school, and get the grammar right, too.
A typical school day:
8:00 to 10:00 Grammar and exercises
10:00 –30 -minute break for coffee, tea, and socializing with teachers and other students
10:30 to 12:00 - Conversation, pronunciation, reading comprehension
After 12:00 - lunch with your host family
Afternoons: previously scheduled activities and homework
(See your curriculum of learning Spanish)
Most schools offer a diploma stating the amount of time studied and the level of Spanish attained (minimum of two weeks).
See more information about diplomas and university credits.
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| Materials |
The school has a variety of teaching materials including blackboards and a set of hand made text books. It also has its own textbook and Small library of 100 books.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
The school′s own textbook include a guide for the teacher, a grammar book, an exercise book and a travel guide. The teachers give students photocopied activity sheets.
Variety of material for Q′eqchi lessons.
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General Information:
At most Spanish schools in Guatemala, teachers write examples and grammar on paper; at others, blackboards are used. And at some, students receive a notebook for their own use. Teachers generally have to supply their own teaching materials. The most widespread book is AMSCO “Spanish Three Years” (Nassi, Levy), a very helpful grammar and exercise book in three levels, written in Spanish and English. A few schools have good libraries, video collections, and many have board games like Scrabble and others, to make teaching more entertaining.
If you are not an English speaker, you may want to bring grammar- and exercise books in your language. In any case a good and small dictionary is very helpful for homework.
(See recommendations on good Spanish Textbooks.)
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| Special Programs |
There is a childrens′ program for kids from 6 years onwards including games, dynamics, book stories and walks through town.
Also available Q′eqchi lessons upon request ($5 per hour).
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
The teachers give students photocopied activity sheets and you play board games. Internet costs Q4 per hour (one computer). |
General Information:
Special Programs are available for medical students and nurses, lawyers, missionaries and business people. You study Spanish as any other student, but with emphasis on the vocabulary of your profession or interest. Schools also get you in contact with Guatemalan professionals of your field and organize practical courses upon request.
A few schools have good programs for children. Guatemala365.com recommends schools in safe places and with a garden or ample cubicles. This way the children feel free to play while learning.
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| Location |
The school is housed in the walkways of Hostel Casa Luna, a centric backpackers place in Cobán. It is just two blocks from central park, in the heart of Coban.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Small hostel with family feeling, arched walkways and a green lawn. The ambiance is warm and friendly, and you find yourself in the center of tourism events in Alta Verapaz. |
General Information:
Many schools have big halls or patios in a pleasant environment, with tables that seat two. You can often hear teacher-student conversations from nearby tables. Some schools have separate cubicles for each teacher – student team. Most schools have small patios or gardens to relax and get to know each other at break time. Some schools also have a cafeteria or even kitchens where students and teachers meet to cook local or food from their home countries.
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| Activities |
This school is focused on teaching, so there are not many extra curricular activities. On your first Monday you get a free tour of town.
[Show Details]
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School's specific Information:
Some of the few activities that the school offers upon request are visits to the Parque Las Victorias, Vivero Verapaz (Orchid nursery), Mayan Museum and a waterfall trip. Also, the school offers tours to Semuc Champey etc. and publishes it′s own travel guide. Activities have an extra cost. .
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General Information:
During afternoons, a school staff member takes you to the most beautiful places, interesting projects and Maya traditions of the
area, where you have the opportunity to practice your newly learned Spanish and get to know teachers and other students. These activities make your stay a real holiday. Some activities like weekend trips have an additional cost.
Note: small schools have fewer activities during low season.
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| Host Families |
The school employs host families which have previously passed school standards. One student per family guaranteed.
See details for recommended families!
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
The families are required to meet specific school standards in order to qualify to host students. Families are located about 10 thru 20 minutes walking. Recommended host families: Alba Lopez-Caceres, Elena and Mauro. |
General Information:
Generally host families provide each student with their own private little room and three meals a day/six days a week. On Sundays, most families provide no meals. There is nearly always hot water and electricity. It is recommended that you bring your own towels, soap, shampoo and other personal care from your country or you can buy it here. Your host parents help you with any problems and encourage you to talk Spanish. It is pretty interesting to see how people live in Guatemala.
A word on food:
By looking at what families earn at different schools you can assess the quantity of food given. The range is from US$30 to $85 per week. If you are in a $35 host family, please do not complain about beans every day. Just eat out now and then.
If you do not want to stay in a host family, we recommend you to visit www.guatemalastory.com for a list of good hotels in Guatemala City, Antigua, Atitlan, etc.
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| Volunteering |
The school refers interested students to various projects within Coban. You can also impart language lessons.
[Show Details] |
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School's specific Information:
Volunteering projects include the Pastoral Social, Comunidad Esperanza, EDECRI, Fundabien and ASECSA. If you like, you can also give language lessons to citizens of Cobán. For every two lessons you give you pay for one lesson of yourself. |
General Information:
Most schools have only loose contact to volunteer social projects or have only poor projects on their own.
If you want to volunteer, it is best to rely on PMG (Antigua, Rio Dulce and Cobán), or Entremundos (Quetzaltenango) or other non profit organizations in order to find an organization that suits students' interests.
More information on volunteering and jobs in Guatemala.
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How to get there 
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Send yourself an e-mail with information on how to get to Escuela para una America.
Walk one block west from Parque Central. At a police station and Agencias Way store turn right and walk one block down to hostel "Casa Luna", where the school is housed.
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Annemarie Rathenow
annemarie.rathenow@web.de
09 / 2008 |
I decided to study at, Escuela Para una America in Coban. I studied for 3 weeks there. My teacher was Candi, and she was excellent. I stayed with the most beautiful family: Elena and Mauro in Residenciales Cacic. I would truly recommend the school!! Greetings from Berlin! Annemarie. |
Pierre Morin
mor.pier@gmail.com
02 / 2008 |
I also attended Escuela Para una America in Coban. The teachers are good and they were competent for me. but lack a little on participation of the school for the student who wants to stay more than a week like me. I had to find my own discoveries around Coban to complete my knowing and participating in Coban′s life and culture. Materials for study are missing a little to really incorporate the student in the language, but for me the experience there was good. I lived with a wonderful family and for sure I will not forget them. They were more than a host family, they were friends and sometimes parents in my case. I would recommend this school as well. Thanks guatemala365, for your red of schools and be sure I go back at my home with a good experience after my 6 months of studying in Guatemala. Thanks, Pierre Morin. |
Thomas Belanger
09 / 2007 |
I studied for 1 month at Escuela Para Una America in Coban. I had a great experience. My teacher, Candida, was very motivated and eager to teach. I learned a lot in 4 weeks, probably because this school focus on learning more than on extracurricular activities. The staff was really nice and the school very practical and comfortable. My stay with a host family, the Lopez-Caceres, was really great...I could practice my Spanish every day while tasting the great food Doña Alba was cooking for me. I greatly improved my Spanish in only one month. I will never forget this experience. I strongly recommend this school to anyone who is serious about learning Spanish. As for the website....keep up the good work, it was really useful in choosing a Spanish school in Guatemala. Hope this will get to you! Thomas |
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