City	Manuel Antonio Beach
	Country	Costa Rica
	Language Taught:	Spanish
	Program Duration:	2+ weeks
	Program Starts:	Weekly
	Minimum Fee:	$1,025 and up
	Cost Includes:	Tuition, insurance, coursebooks and materials, entry and exit placement exams, Sunday hotel, homestay in Quepos, single room, 2 meals daily. Group: 6 students/class.

 

The Program

When students arrive at the Escuela D'Amore on their first day, they are given an oral proficiency interview to determine their level. Based on this interview, they are placed tentatively in one of the school's six levels: Basic I and II, Intermediate I and II and Advanced I and II. Students can move up in level(s) according to their progress. Classes are from 8:30 to 12:30 or 13:30 to 17:30, Monday-Friday

Once placed in a classes, students will experience the school's total immersion methodology. Classes are conducted completely in Spanish. Custom designed for each student, the curriculum and texts are patented instructional materials.

The Language Program

Group 20 hours per week. During four hour sessions, in the morning or in the afternoon, students participate actively in small groups of no more than 6 students. Each student is assured attention to his individual academic needs. If total immersion becomes a difficulty, the school offers supplemental instruction in English once a week in order to clarify questions. Also free conversational classes are always offered for students to practice before and after class.

The school follows the total immersion methodology; therefore, classes are conducted completely in Spanish, the interaction with families is completely in Spanish and the textbooks used at the school are also entirely in Spanish.

All the textbooks have been designed by the school and are patented and copy written with the Library of Congress in the United States for their uniqueness. Each lesson in each one of the textbooks consists of four parts: "Let's get to know the culture" is an introduction to the Costa Rican or Latin American culture and introduces some of the items to be studied in vocabulary and grammar; "Let's get to learn the vocabulary" focuses in the learning of vocabulary; "Let's get to learn to grammar" analyzes and reinforces some of the grammar; and "Let's get to practice what we learned" is a general oral and written practice of what was studied in the previous sections.

Since a good number of students at the school are either doctors or medical students, the school also designed a textbook for Medical Spanish. In this textbook, medical students or professionals of the Medical field can learn vocabulary of the human body, illnesses, symptoms, etc.

About the School and Area

Escuela D'Amore offers a unique Spanish language and culture learning opportunity. Located near beautiful beaches on the Pacific coast, La Escuela is also adjacent to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Central America's most spectacular rain forests. Students have the chance to improve their language skills and study one of the world's most fascinating ecosystems.

The school is located in the small town of Manuel Antonio which is part of the town of Quepos. These two towns are less than 100 miles from San José, on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Quepos, to the north, is a former banana shipping port and the current sports fishing mecca of Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio, on the other hand, is famous for its national park, beautiful beaches, scenic drive and luxurious accommodations.

With the establishment of Manuel Antonio National Park in 1972, the people of Costa Rica decided to preserve for future generations one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas in the world. Although it is the country's smallest national park, the stunning beauty and diversity of wildlife in its 683 hectares is unequaled.

Manuel Antonio National Park contains numerous short trails, all of which are easily accessible and well maintained, and they tend to follow the coastline, supplying beautiful views and easy access to the picturesque white sand beaches.

Program Start Dates.
Jan 5, 19; Feb 2, 16; March 1, 15, 29; April 12, 26; May 10, 24; June 7, 21; July 5, 19; Aug 2, 16, 30; Sep 13, 27; Oct 11, 25; Nov 8, 22; Dec 6, 2004.
Closed Dec 17, 200 - Jan 3, 2005.
Holidays (school closed): April 8, 9; May 1; Aug 15; Sep 15, 2004.


For more information or to register for this program, contact a program coordinator using the form below.