The Mesoamerica Language Program (MLP) is a department of the Institute for Central American Studies (ICAS), which is dedicated to the cause of peace, justice and the well-being of the people and land of Central America.The objective of MLP is to provide an affordable, conversationally-oriented Spanish learning experience. Our program is designed to enable the student to converse in a short period of time, thus providing the possibility of communicating effectively and gaining a deeper understanding of Latin American culture. The methodology focuses on developing areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. While grammar is studied, students are encouraged to understand and express, rather than to analyze the grammatical concepts. Teachers are native Spanish speakers.
We offer an intensive Spanish program at all levels. Regular classes meet four hours daily, Monday through Friday. Small classes of 2 to 5 students ensure attention to each student's individual needs. It is possible to schedule classes Monday through Thursday. Morning or afternoon classes can be arranged.
We also offer specialized programs for professors and university students, which include classes in Political Science, Environmental Studies and Literature. We also offer cultural activities, such as dancing and cooking classes for a small additional cost.
Students who wish to receive academic credit for work completed at ICAS should obtain permission from the appropriate officials at their university before beginning classes at Mesoamerica. ICAS will grant a certificate, or a transcript, indicating the number of class hours completed, an overall grade for performance, and the units of credit for each 15 hours of study in class).
We provide the following services for our students: cash checks, change money, sell stamps and mail correspondence, send and receive e-mail, plan excursions and make reservations, etc.
We are conveniently located near the University of Costa Rica in San Pedro, easily accessible from the greater San Jose area.
ICAS will observe the following national holidays in 2000: Jan 1, Holy Thursday and Good Friday, May 1, Aug. 15 and Sept. 15. No refunds will be given for those days. We will be closed between Dec. 24, 1999 and Jan. 5, 2000. The last day of classes in 2000 will be Dec. 22.
Why Choose Mesoamerica?
My choice of a language school was based on several factors:
1. An intensive program of many hours of language instruction per week.
2. Reliable, experienced, interested teachers.
3. A cooperative, stimulating and accommodating atmosphere conducive to learning.
4. And a reasonable price. Mesoamerica has more than adequately met these requirements.
"Mesoamerica provided a top-notch academic course and an overall fantastic experience. My instructor was excellent, and patient. My daughter and I could not have felt more welcome in our homestay. The kind and gracious manner of our hosts made our adjustment into a different culture very easy: a beautiful family in a beautiful country."
Elaine Harvey
"We're glad we went to Mesoamerica because their many years of experience in the language school and homestay business shows. From the moment we made contact with the director we were provided with every bit of information we needed to make our stay in Costa Rica a success.We were picked up at the airport and taken to our home-stay family where we lived for the first three weeks of our nearly three-month stay. Our host family was wonderful to us, and we have remained in contact with them. Our Spanish teacher was also fabulous. She was excep-tionally well-prepared and worked hard to tailor our class to our specific needs. She was positive, energetic and upbeat.
Mesoamerica's staff went out of their way to help us navigate our way around Costa Rica. They helped us plan trips throughout the country and did so much to make us feel welcome. We highly recommend this school to any-one."
Jolley, David and Kalin Seigwald
"The teachers are skilled, well prepared and creative in their methods. The staff is very helpful and encouraging.
My wife and I were quickly and accurately placed in classes appropriate for our level. There were two to four students in each class, which provided the opportunity for very careful instruction and lots of practice. We studied for three months.
The institute arranged an absolutely outstanding home-stay for us; they obviously work well with the host families, which creates a very positive experience."
The Rev. Boyd Stockdale
"Each instructor has years of experience teaching Span-ish, and is an enthusiastic motivator to learning. The staff at Mesoamerica provides a friendly, helpful atmosphere. In addition, the library of books, magazines and newspapers in English and Spanish, focusing on Latin America, is a stimulating addition to the language instruction."
Jennifer Jackson
We are happy to arrange living accommodations with carefully selected Costa Rican families. Homestays enhance the student's language and cultural assimilation and are highly recommended to enrich the learning experience. Interaction with a host family provides an ideal opportunity to practice recently acquired language skills and to observe cultural differences. The homestay provides a private room, breakfast, dinner and laundry service. We can also recommend hotels or apartments.
Homestays
Homestays enhance the student's language and cultural assimilation and are highly recommended to enrich the learning experience.We are happy to arrange living accommodations with Costa Rican families.The homestay provides a private room, breakfast, dinner and laundry service.
Survival Spanish for Tourists
A six-hour program, which includes lunch, emphasizes the essential phrases and conversation that will make a visitor's stay more enjoyable and beneficial. Tips concerning travel and local customs are also given. The cost for this package is $60.
General Costs for Language
Study
| Classes, materials and homestay |
1 week program |
$315 |
| Classes, materials and homestay |
4 week program |
$1,155 |
| Private Lessons: | $15/hour |
| Materials: | $10 |
A deposit of $100 is to be paid at least two weeks before classes begin. In the case of late registration, the deposit must be paid at least one day before the program begins. Deposits are refundable up to one week before classes begin. The program cost must be paid in full on the first day of classes; no refunds will be made after classes begin.
We offer 10% discount after the first month. We also offer a discount if you enroll with at least three other students at your level -- family members or friends.
You may pay by credit card, personal check (made out to ICAS), travelers checks or cash.
In addition to the
Spanish-language
Program ICAS offers:
- Study abroad programs for high school and university students: inter-term, quarter and semester programs. Courses offered: Environmental Science, History and Politics of Central America, Intercultural Studies, Spanish and Cultural Heritage. We arrange housing with Costa Rican families for all participants, contract the professors, plan the field trips and excursions (all contacts, reservations, etc.), arrange the local transportation and oversee all aspects of the program.
- Six-month internships on a minimum half-time basis for qualified university students and graduates to work on our monthly news magazine, Mesoamerica. As researchers and writers for Mesoamerica interns gain valuable experience in journalism and Central American studies while living in a Spanish-speaking culture. Interns must have a good command of the English language and a working knowledge of Spanish.
- International Service Learning Programs -- a 30-day Colibrí Adventure, a regularly scheduled program during the months of June-August, for high school and college students.
- Colibrí Adventures is part of an on-going project in Costa Rica to form an Interoceanic Biological Corridor, stretching from Central Pacific Conservation Area to the La Amistad International Park. With watershed restoration as a unifying theme, studies include:
- Mesoamerican geography, culture and history. Communication and language skills. Sustainable development and the relationship between health, education, agriculture, industry, tourism, etc. Government policy, especially environmental legislation. Conservation - tropical forests and hydrology, fieldwork, and citizen participation in monitoring groups.
Contact Information:
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