Romantic Latinos on both sides of the Atlantic are not satisfied with foreigners coming to language schools learning Spanish and even perhaps passing international exams. They will definitely offer you to get acquainted with the culture of the aforementioned countries. Fortunately, there is plenty to get acquainted with. This includes history and architecture, literature, cuisine, dance, and folk crafts. And do not think that the teachers and students of the school where you are offered a course 'Spanish plus flamenco' (or salsa) have only dancing on their minds. The educational institution can be as serious as you like. It's just that the inhabitants of Spanish-speaking countries consider their culture worthy of being known by foreigners. Moreover, let's face it, Spanish schools often introduce non-traditional programs to attract new students.
In the Old World
In Spain, for example, the Andalusian school Colegio Maravillas developed a course 'Spanish and Folk Crafts', another language center from the same region Gadir - 'Spanish and Literature'. The Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) offers programs 'Spanish and Fashion', 'Spanish and Cinema', 'Spanish and Wine'. At Al-Andalus (Malaga) you can expect, in addition to Spanish, cooking classes. First they will tell you what Spaniards eat in different provinces, introduce you to the basics of national cuisine, and then each person at the stove must prepare their own paella, their own gazpacho, and their own olla podrida. Similar Spanish language courses are also available at the Madrid schools Elemadrid and Unguamater.
Even educational institutions primarily intended for businessmen, providing solid knowledge not only of general but also business Spanish, are not limited to dry theory. In particular, there are programs designed for business people that combine learning Spanish with elite sports - golf or tennis. Such courses are available, for example, at Enforex. However, all of the above are short-term courses. At the very serious educational center MasterSpain (Murcia), which offers long-term - three-month or more - language programs, students are simultaneously introduced to Spanish literature, taken out into nature, shown the deserted islands of the Mediterranean, given lessons in salsa and sevillanas...
Travel, and Plenty of It
The large and successful school network Enforex launched a Latin American program a few years ago that has been in constant demand. The essence is that learning Spanish plus the country's culture and history takes place in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Guatemala, Costa Rica or Argentina. Where, as is known, life is much cheaper than in Europe and the USA, and therefore long trips are significantly more economical.
Other Spanish schools are also opening their branches in Latin America. For example, Estudio InternacionalSampere in Ecuador, don Quijote in Peru and Mexico. So, the overseas branch of 'Don Quijote' is located in the Mexican city of Guanajuato. This is a small, quiet university town, with much fewer tourists than in Mexico City, Cancun and other large populated areas, but not because the city is uninteresting. On the contrary, it possesses unusual architecture and a rich cultural life - it is no coincidence that Guanajuato is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The school is located in the city center, consists of 10 classrooms, a teacher's room, an office, a multimedia center, and of course, there is a terrace and a patio - an inner courtyard: after all, it is happening in Mexico. As for the programs, their selection is as wide as in the school's Spanish branches. Courses in all cities are taught according to a unified curriculum, so you can start studying in Spain and then continue the same course in Mexico. Or vice versa. In addition, you can take a Spanish for medical professionals course here - for doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers. And lovers of exotic cuisine will surely be attracted by the program 'Spanish plus Cooking' - here you will be taught not only to speak but also to prepare burritos, tacos and guacamole the way Mexicans do.
Argentina, Argentina
It should be remembered that the countries of Latin America only seem similar from our distance. In fact, the differences between, say, Mexico and Argentina are no less than between Spain and Denmark. And if you prefer to learn Spanish in the homeland of fiery tango and famous writers Borges and Cortázar, you can choose the ILEE school, located in the center of Buenos Aires and successfully operating for 11 years. It is hardly necessary to explain what Buenos Aires is, with its architectural monuments and theaters, countless bars and restaurants with local flavor, glittering shops and street life that never stops for a minute. As for ILEE, it is rightfully considered one of the best schools not only in Argentina but in all of South America. By the way, another branch is located in the Argentine city of Córdoba (not to be confused with Spanish Córdoba!). Here there are well-equipped classrooms, qualified teachers, a warm attitude towards students - the school is famous for its individual approach to everyone. The presence of two branches with uniform programs allows students to study alternately in very different cities located in different parts of the country.
At ILEE, you can study in mini-groups (up to five people) or individually, with the curriculum adjusted to your needs. A combination of both forms of study is also possible. In addition, the school has a very rich cultural and entertainment program, with events held three to four times a week, plus on weekends. Perhaps someone will be interested in the course 'Spanish plus Tango' - of course, everyone knows how to dance tango, but still, probably not as the porteños - residents of Buenos Aires - dance it.
For Lovers of the Exotic
Argentina is one of the largest and most developed countries in Latin America, and we still know more about it than about little Bolivia. So why not embark on an uncharted path? The language school Academia Latinoamericana-Bolivia is located in the central part of Sucre, the country's capital, occupying an entire two-story building of colonial architecture. Seven classrooms, a kitchen, a self-study room (computers, video, etc.), two terraces, a patio, and even a small pool, which in the hot Bolivian climate comes in very handy. Classes are held in the mornings, while the afternoon time is devoted to cultural activities or excursions.
Academia Latinoamericana-Bolivia offers an impressive range of programs that can be taken either in small groups or individually, with intensity from 20 to 30 hours per week plus homework. The cultural program may include trips to nearby cities, getting to know Sucre - a city that has preserved its colonial flavor more than any other in Latin America - it is full of museums, ancient cathedrals, shady parks, and architectural monuments, which does not prevent it from living a fully modern life.
Costa Rica... The very name of the country sounds tempting, especially if you know that in Spanish it means 'Rich Coast'. Here you will find the CPI school with branches in three cities - Heredia, Monteverde, and Playa Flamingo. This means that you can take the same program while moving from place to place. The programs are designed for students with different levels of knowledge, can last from two to eight weeks, and are aimed primarily at quickly acquiring conversational skills. Classes are held in mini-groups of up to four people. In addition to general Spanish, the school teaches language for professional and academic purposes, as well as volunteer programs - for those wishing to participate in various kinds of volunteer work, usually related to ecology, archaeology, building restoration, and other socially useful areas.
Of course, Latin America is far, much farther than Spain. But to see it, it is worth overcoming any distance.