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Suggest Spanish school or tutor for 13 y.o.

Seattle, Washington
2,066 posts
12 helpful votes
Suggest Spanish school or tutor for 13 y.o.

I plan to bring our 13 y.o. grandson to Guatemala in April and would appreciate suggestions for a Spanish language experience in Antigua. He has studied Spanish in school the past two years, and we hope that a few mornings spent in conversation with a native speaker might help him become at least a little more comfortable speaking the language. We only have one full week, so three or four half-days is probably the most he could spend while still leaving time for other important experiences.

The Dalles, Oregon
Destination Expert
for Guatemala, Belize
18,479 posts
278 helpful votes
1. Re: Suggest Spanish school or tutor for 13 y.o.

I've had good experiences at the Academia Antigüeña: http://www.spanishacademyantiguena.com/ I've never had kids in tow when I've studied there, though, so I can't speak for their work with teenagers. I generally recommend a school on Lake Atitlán for families with kids - let me know if your plans change and you'd like more information.

Alma, Michigan
138 posts
13 helpful votes
2. Re: Suggest Spanish school or tutor for 13 y.o.

Most schools will take young people. Find a good school and chances are they will do fine with your young person. I like Don Pedro but there are many fine schools in Guatemala. Your teenager will have a great time.

Seattle, Washington
2,066 posts
12 helpful votes
3. Re: Suggest Spanish school or tutor for 13 y.o.

Thank you Stacy and PMoore. I also found a few postings describing a tutor who seems to split his classes between face-to-face lessons and time spent walking around discussing the sights of Antigua and surrounding communities. I'll try to find out from the nieto which approach will work better for him.

The Dalles, Oregon
Destination Expert
for Guatemala, Belize
18,479 posts
278 helpful votes
4. Re: Suggest Spanish school or tutor for 13 y.o.

Part of the reason 1-on-1 instruction is so great is that you pretty much have options like that with every teacher. I have taken advantage of changes of scenery with every teacher I've had in several dozen Spanish school experiences over the years.

Paris, France
33 posts
5. Re: Suggest Spanish school or tutor for 13 y.o.

I totally agree with PMoreAlma. There are many good schools in Antigua that will teach teenagers and help them improve their fluency in Spanish. I am sure that your grandson will have a good experience in Antigua. My own choice of Spanish school, based on their great reputation, is Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School. Here is a link to that school, if you are interested:

https://www.facebook.com/Don-Pedro-de-Alvarado-Spanish-School-Antigua-Guatemala-112233174300/?fref=ts

Gulfport, Florida...
37 posts
61 helpful votes
6. Re: Suggest Spanish school or tutor for 13 y.o.

Can you please recommend a place for a 10 year old and 13 year old to learn (from scratch). We are unschoolers and would prefer active learning (fun/games/trips) rather than rote learning methods. Thinking of a month in Antigua and so learning there but open to other suggestions:)

Thanks

Crowsnest Pass...
2,261 posts
17 helpful votes
7. Re: Suggest Spanish school or tutor for 13 y.o.

I would reccomend at least some time, if not the majority of the time at Lake Atitlan. Personally, I like Panajachel, but most others here will steer you to San Pedro. From Panajachel there are so many places that are easy to get to for afternoon or weekend activities (by boat, bus or pickup truck) that you won't get bored. Jabel Tinamit is a school that is flexible in learning styles and schedules. I've been there several times and have yet to meet anyone who was unhappy with the experience.

The Dalles, Oregon
Destination Expert
for Guatemala, Belize
18,479 posts
278 helpful votes
8. Re: Suggest Spanish school or tutor for 13 y.o.

As I responded to another of your posts, Kate, I wouldn't plan for a month in Antigua - that would be way too long for me. I prefer to study in a small town and there are so many wonderful places to hike, kayak, and explore around Lake Atitlán. Here's my best fit school:

http://cooperativeschoolsanpedro.edu.gt/

I've attended that school at least once/year for most of the last 9 or 10 years and head back 2 or 3 times/year now. It became such a home away from home for me that my husband and I just completed a little home in San Pedro for longer visits. Before that, I'd lived with 6 of the school's host families, all wonderful. I have lots of friends whose kids have studied there and had excellent experiences. Have a great trip - looking forward to hearing what you decide to do and how it goes!

Gulfport, Florida...
37 posts
61 helpful votes
9. Re: Suggest Spanish school or tutor for 13 y.o.

Thank you. I was looking at your websites -- some great work. I'm an educator (professor of teacher education/teacher) and so enjoyed reading all the things you are doing. The focus on volunteering is an aspect I didn't mention in main post but is something we want to do too. My 26 year old will also be with us (he's fluent already in Spanish:) and we all want to do volunteer work. He spent months working in Cusco at an orphanage when he was 19 and it was one of the best experiences. Anyway I will check out your suggestions here.

We are part of a worldschoolers group and some have said that Lake Atitlan didn't feel as safe as Antigua -- more "sketchy." Lots of other sources debunk that so I wonder what your thoughts are please? We have lived for years in the Middle East and travelled throughout S.E. Asia so are quite hardy but our only experience in CA has been Costa Rica.

Thanks:)

Gulfport, Florida...
37 posts
61 helpful votes
10. Re: Suggest Spanish school or tutor for 13 y.o.

Thanks for the other school suggestion too Adventurer:) Will check it out. I have to balance needs of younger kids with a 26 year old who may prefer the larger town. He's a chef so "needs" to explore lots of restaurants:)

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