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Spanish for Teens

by casa.xelaju

Spanish Immersion for Teens

Our Spanish immersion for teens, high and middle school students program, is the oldest and most established educational travel program in Guatemala. The program is fully accredited by the Secretary of Education of Guatemala.

The intensive program caters to the special needs of high and middle school students who are taking  regular Spanish classes, IB, AP and CIS in their high schools. Besides the instruction,  students will be doing volunteer work in small communities, and traveling with educational purposes in beautiful places, villages and cities in the country.

The unique location of Quetzaltenango provides an urban/rural experience with many indigenous communities living in the city and the surrounding area. Faculty

 We also offer Spring Break Travel and Study Program for HS students

Calendar of Activities for 2019

All teachers in this division have a degree in secondary education and extensive experience teaching Spanish as a second language using the top-down methodology and providing an atmosphere where the spirit of the city and surrounding villages becomes the classroom for the students.

High School students are able to visit villages, cities, cultural centers, climb volcanoes, hike in the mountains, and learn how to dance salsa, merengue, and cumbia.

Tour to Quetzaltenango’s historic sites done the first day.

Why does it?

  • Because the program is already set up and has been successful for over 26 years.
  • Because students may be able to earn 1 full High School credit in 3 weeks
  • Because the price is very affordable
  • Because the school provides a personal guide to accompany you on all activities
  • Because it is a great combination of learning, service, and adventure 

This trip is different from many packaged trips you may have taken, or may have heard about. Quetzaltenango is not a tourist town. Students live with families, so you are not checking on them every night, and you are not in a class with them.

You and the students will walk a lot, at a high altitude. Everybody – including you – will be in class for five hours a day. You will interact with the people in town. You will learn a lot about the troubles in Guatemala, especially in western Guatemala. 

This is a sample of daily social and cultural  activities for HS students  Calendar of activities

The cost of three weeks of classes, traveling in the country, living with a Guatemalan family, daily social and cultural activities is about $1,800.00 plus airfare from your city to Guatemala. Chaperones travel free.

Below is a list of high schools which have participated in our program and school sending students to Guatemala in 2012. If you are a student without a group, we might be able to find space with the high schools going to Xelaju. Please contact us.
Albermarle high-schoolers gain a new perspective while living and studying in the mountains of Guatemala. Article published in the Virginia Journal of Education, November 2011.

For students from any high/middle school in the nation  (June 12 to July 3), 2018. Chaperone accepts students from any high school in the country. For more info, contact Chaperone: steve.gehrenbeck-miller@mpls.k12.mn.us

  • For every ten students, one teacher travels free. If you are a teacher interested in organizing a group, please contact us.
    • A video made by Casa  Xelaju about its immersion program for HS in Quetzaltenango,  Guatemala.

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