Antigua, Guatemala, Spanish classes and related questions
May 9, 2017 4:14 PM Subscribe
Hi, I am a reasonably experienced solo traveler, age 51, and a beginning Spanish language learner (I take a weekly in-person formal class plus homework and DuoLingo, and I'm at about second-year-of-high-school-Spanish-class level). I'm headed to Guatemala in a couple of weeks, one week for vacation in Antigua, and one week at a conference in Guatemala City. I'll be on my own. I'm going to do half- or full-day Spanish classes in Antigua during my vacation week, and I am seeking recommendations with a few snowflakes ...
I've gone to Guatemala three times (I have a family member who lives there part-time) -- this will be my fourth trip. Last summer I did a week of half-day classes at Respected Spanish School X. I really did not love it. The teaching was delivered in four-hour sessions with breaks, one on one. The teaching style was very rote-repetition-oriented. One of my teachers was a man who freely expressed his sexist views. I tried to interact with the other Anglo students during break, but no one seemed friendly, and it was just awkward. In short, I had a somewhat lonely and discouraging experience, with some learning.
Does anyone have some suggestions for me? Particular language schools or tutors? Ways to meet other people (either at school or otherwise)? Meet-up type web sites (I'll have regular access to wifi)? I'll do the classes as medicine either way, but I'd far rather have them be more engaging.
I've gone to Guatemala three times (I have a family member who lives there part-time) -- this will be my fourth trip. Last summer I did a week of half-day classes at Respected Spanish School X. I really did not love it. The teaching was delivered in four-hour sessions with breaks, one on one. The teaching style was very rote-repetition-oriented. One of my teachers was a man who freely expressed his sexist views. I tried to interact with the other Anglo students during break, but no one seemed friendly, and it was just awkward. In short, I had a somewhat lonely and discouraging experience, with some learning.
Does anyone have some suggestions for me? Particular language schools or tutors? Ways to meet other people (either at school or otherwise)? Meet-up type web sites (I'll have regular access to wifi)? I'll do the classes as medicine either way, but I'd far rather have them be more engaging.
Response by poster: Thanks, empath, that program looks cool. Wrinkle -- my sister has a place in Antigua, where I can stay for free.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 6:33 PM on May 9, 2017
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 6:33 PM on May 9, 2017
I came to suggest Xela, also. Enough fewer tourists get up there that people are much more open to interacting with gringos in a genuinely personable way. You should be able to do a home stay for very little money, or get a simple room in a guest house for $5-10/night.
If you do go to Xela, I recommend Proyecto Linguistico Quetzalteco: http://plqe.org
posted by spindrifter at 6:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
If you do go to Xela, I recommend Proyecto Linguistico Quetzalteco: http://plqe.org
posted by spindrifter at 6:55 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
Seconding Proyecto Linguistico Quetzalteco
posted by anya32 at 3:40 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by anya32 at 3:40 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Can you talk your sister into doing a home stay with you at lake Atitlan? That could be a vacation for her. There are quite a few spas and retreats up there she can do if she doesn't want to take Spanish classes.
posted by empath at 5:54 AM on May 10, 2017
posted by empath at 5:54 AM on May 10, 2017
Response by poster: So update on this, I ended up going with Antigüeña Spanish Academy. It was a good experience. Much more positive than my prior experience.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 11:34 AM on June 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 11:34 AM on June 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Might I suggest going up to the Mayan highlands instead of Antigua? Either Xela or Lake atitlan. I felt like the people were friendlier there in general. You can catch a shuttle from anywhere in town to either location.
posted by empath at 6:06 PM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]