Which would be the better option for studying Spanish in Costa Rica? Studying independently or with a group?

Question

I am currently enrolled in a summer travel excursion to Costa Rica to study Spanish. The program cost is about $3700 but does not include airfare, tuition, personal expenses, etc. I have looked at some language schools in Costa Rica and they run about $350 a week. ($350 X 4 weeks = 1400 + $600 for airfare = $2000). I know that the group program includes some transportation and some entertainment but $1700 is a big difference in cost no to mention that I would have to pay about $1000 in college tuition for credits earned.

I would like to know information on how easy it is to travel in Costa Rica alone or with one other person without being fluent in Spanish. Would it better for me to stay with the group and spend the dough or save money and make the trip myself?

Answer 1

Any Spanish program in Costa Rica whose "cost is about $3700 but does not include airfare, tuition, personal expenses" is a superb rip-off, unless they include a heckova lot of hand-holding, gourmet meals, major in-country travel options staying in the very best hotels, 24-hotel personal valet service, etc. In other words, avoid that program! Who runs such a ridiculously priced program? Harvard?

Spanish schools exist in almost every town in Costa Rica. If you seriously want to learn Spanish while visiting here, I suggest you WAIT until after you arrive to find and enroll in a school. Certainly you can do some research on the Internet beforehand - as I said, there are numerous language schools here (there are four in my little town, population 15,000), and many have websites. (I went to Intercultura in Heredia, a very good school).

You will find a better bargain if you wait until you are here, and you will be able to physically check out the facilities and the teaching staff. There are big differences between schools and their ability to deliver what they promise. Sending in your money for some program in advance via the Internet is akin to buying a "pig in a poke."

Answer 2

I spent two and a half weeks in Costa Rica with no Spanish.  I studied French which helped a bit.  But I make it through with my dictionary.  However, unlike what the tourist literature says, most people do not speak English.

Answer 3

Costa Rica has a number of language schools that have arrangements with universities to get credit.   You should inquire, I think Intensa and the Costa Rican Language Academy have such arrangements but I think that many others do. Most good language schools pick you up at the airport and help you organize excursions around the country.  So, you could do it on your own and save a good amount of money.  You just have to be a bit more organized.  You won't have to travel alone either,  there will be lots of people from your language school to travel with you.

Answer 4

Traveling around Costa Rica is very easy, even if you don´t have fluency with my language.

so. don´t worry about that.

if you are interested about taking Spanish classes i can help you.

my name is David and i am Spanish instructor.

i live in San Joaquin de Flores, Heredia.

and i can help you to learn my language in a very short time and unstressful.

i can teach you 2 hours per day ( 10 hours per week ).

40 hours per month. and i promess you.

you will think, speak, read and write in spanish with fluency and confidence.  40 hours in only what i need to teach you Español.

i have been teaching spanish for more than 10 years. so . i am ready to help you.

just give me a call or email me.

i am 35 years old and i can show you my country. and the right way to know it and travel around Costa Rica.

david ugalde.

tel: [phone]

email. [e-mail]

chau!

Answer 5

it is better to go with a group if some of the people speak spanish,although most of the population in Costa Rica speaks fluent english. You can also go to your library and get excellent courses on video to learn  quickly and efficiently.