Quito, Ecuador (Cont’d)-Part 7-Language School at Academia de Espanol begins

Posted by sbarrymore

on January 1, 2010M at 4:29 pm

Quito, Ecuador (Cont’d)-Part 7-Language School at Academia de Espanol begins

On Monday a.m. it was time to start Spanish Language School at The Academia de Espanol. I had asked my family if we could eat breakfast at 7 a.m. each day so that I would have plenty of time to walk the 16-18 blocks to school. The Latin American cities are always a hustle-bustle of activity. To really enjoy them you need to take the time to walk the streets.

I arrived at school at the appointed time-8:15 a.m. The director, Virginia, remembered meeting me from 3 years ago when I stopped by the school on my return from their jungle immersion program in Tena, Ecuador.

The school gave me a brief 10 minute oral interview to test my level of skill and assigned me to Laura who would be my teacher for the week. Laura and I bonded quickly.

Academia de Espanol, Quito-the school office

The school is located in a very busy part of the city. The building has six floors, but is very narrow design. My class was on the 6^th floor and we always walked the stairs

The instruction is one on one for 4 hours every morning. They make every effort to make you feel relaxed whatever your skill level.

I had opted in for a special program called the “Activa Program” that extends the study day with a 3 hour tour to different parts of the city every afternoon with one of the school’s teachers. It is all done in Spanish and is done in a teaching manner that helps you to continue to develop your language skills. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

There is a rooftop patio on top of the school building where you can enjoy coffee and snacks at the break each morning. Here are some views from the top: