LEARN SPANISH> SUMMER BREAK OPTIONS

Just because it’s summer in town it doesn’t mean you are left with only the most expensive options if you decided to take some language classes.

Even though most schools will be in full business again by mid february, you can still spend January adding some words to your vocabulario.

UNIVERSITY OF BUENOS AIRES

They will be offering summer courses starting on Jan. 7th

This is probably one of the schools with the best reputation, although you will be getting the traditional formal classroom- based tuition when it’s nice and sunny outside.

Since it’s run by the National University, you will also receive a Diploma upon complexion. This is very useful if you study Spanish back home or are considering pursuing Language studies.

Monthly course (60 hours) US$315

ESPANOL ANDANDO

A fun and budget option for the summer. Walk and learn! Espanol Andando is not a school. There are no grammar excercises or even role plays. For the role play is real. The materials are the city. The school is the city of Buenos Aires.
Your teachers are argentinean travellers who know how hard it is to get by in a foreign language. Their solution? Don’t study it…Do it!
They will show you BA and at the same time show you what to say and when to say it, interacting with native locals. The gap between knowledge and ability shrinks to zero and before you know it you’ve begun to communicate. Or were you already communicating?
Then let them show you the streets, sharpen up those skills and blend with the crowd.

New courses start every Monday

Group Spanish crash course (12 hours) only US$80

PRIVATE LANGUAGE SCHOOLS

Most Private language schools will be offering courses in the summer.

In most cases, classes will be one-on-one and will have a formal grammatical approach. This means they will recommend you take AT LEAST a couple of weeks of tuition.

Fees are between US$100- US$300 per week (20 hours)

CRAIGSLIST (PRIVATE TUTORS)

A lot of private tutors will be spending the first half of their summer in town and will have better availability to fit you in for private classes.

Again, in most cases classes will be one-on-one and most likely at a bar around the city. Remember that being outside the classroom doesn’t necessarily mean that you will always be taking advantage of the communicational resources, so make sure you demand a different approach to your tutor!

Fees between US$7- US$15 per hour

FILETEADO ART

Fileteado is a type of artistic drawing, with stylised lines and flowered, climbing plants typically used in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is used to adorn all kind of beloved objects, signs, taxis, lorries and even the old Colectivos, Buenos Aires’ buses.

Filetes (the lines in Fileteado style) are usually full of colored ornaments and symmetries completed with poetic phrases, sayings and aphorisms, both humorous or roguish, emotional or philosophical.

They have been part of the culture of the Porteños (inhabitants of Buenos Aires) since the beginnings of the 20th century.

If you feel confident about your Spanish for only US$60 you can take a 2 months short course on this local art and learn about it’s history, technique and materials.

The group will get together once a week and it’s a great way to learn a typical art, practice your spanish skills and support the community, since the course it’s organized by the Almagro+ Boedo Community center!

For more info visit them at Castro Barros 236 or call 4958-1166

SHORT COURSES

Something I recommend to my spanish students while they have achieved an intermediate level it’s to start immersing themselves in different activities to practise their spanish (while keping it interesting!)

Watching a spanish movie without reading the subtitles or reading a book you have already read in your own language, there are different ways of putting your knowladge in action.

If you are around Buenos Aires, the short courses offered by the National University are also a good option.

This courses are very affordable (=cheap) and allow you to combine whatever your interest is (painting, dancing, business, etc) with the practice of Spanish language.

These courses are open to all the community and again, they are really really cheap (starting at $30 pesos per month)

You are still in time to sign up for some options being offered this second semester, so go ahead, and pick your favorite hobbie and add some international education to your CV!

CENTRO CULTURAL SABATO
Courses offered in: Flamenco, Tango, Jazz, Capoeira, Yoga, Drawing, painting, Set design, pottery, writing, drama, screenwriting, Photography, Singing, guitar, tai-chi-chuan among others.
Classes start: Sep 3rd
Enrollment: Aug 27th- Sep 1st.

AGRONOMY SCHOOL
Courses offered in: Fashion, pattern making, fashion design, etc
More info: cultura@agro.uba.ar

CAO CENTER, DESIGN SCHOOL
Courses offered in: Internet, multimedia, design, illustration, etc.
More info:
cao@fadu.uba.ar

DESIGN SCHOOL
Courses in: All sorts of photography courses.
Enrollment: UNTIL JULY 27th!
More info: extensionpb@fadu.uba.ar

CENTRO CULTURAL MARTIN FIERRO
Courses in: Painting, Drawing, tango, singing, swing, drama, belly dancing
Enrollment: All year long

EL TUNEL CULTURAL (ETC)
Monthly courses offered in: Yoga, Guitar, Salsa, Drawing, painting, tango, drama, etc.
More info: informes@eltunelcultural.com.ar

CENTRO CULTURAL JOSE INGENIEROS
Courses offered in: Origami, painting, Sculpture, clown, drama, stand up comedy, bely dancing, tango, flamenco, etc
More info: cultura@fmed.uba.ar

CENTRO CULTURAL UNIVERSITARIO- PSYCHOLOGY SCHOOL
Courses offered in: Tai Chi, drama, percusion, set design, tango, etc
More info: talleresccu@psi.uba.ar

STUDY SPANISH

Whether you are coming to South America to study Spanish or Studying Spanish turns out like a good opportunity while you are visiting South America, Buenos Aires has turned into one of the most popular cities to do it!

The city’s residents, the porteños, are a warm and outgoing people. They possess an elaborate and rich cultural identity. They value their European heritage: Italian and German names outnumber Spanish, and the lifestyle and architecture are markedly more European than any other city in South America.

The city’s neighbourhoods are small and highly individualized, each with its own characteristic colours and forms. In the San Telmo district, the city’s multinational heritage is embodied in a varied and cosmopolitan architecture: Spanish Colonial design meets Italian detailing and graceful French Classicism. La Boca’s pressed tin houses are painted a rainbow of colours, and muralists have turned the district’s side streets into avenues of colour.

For all its diversity, the elusive spirit of Argentina as a country is present everywhere in Buenos Aires. The national dance, the tango, is perhaps the best expression of that spirit. Practiced in dance halls, parks, open plazas, and ballrooms, it is a dance of intimate separation and common rhythm, combining both an elegant reserve and an exuberant passion.

Buenos Aires is one of the most exciting and dynamic cities in Latin America and without a doubt, the heart and soul of Argentina.

Now to the options!

As a basic rule, remember that teaching Spanish shouldn’t be a business but a service, so stick to schools that specialize in one thing. When they start offering you tours, housing, activities, etc you know you have just turned into “just a customer”.

When studying abroad you should also make the best of your time. You can find classroom based classes anywhere in the world. You don’t need to come all the way to South America for that. Choose courses that take you out there. Courses that encourage interaction with locals. Courses that offer different activities and ways to put your Spanish in practice!

Group or one-on-one? I would say BOTH! Group classes are good for interaction, for practice and of course, for meeting other students but one-on-one offer the possibility of working with your specific needs. A good combination of both it’s the best!

Some options I personally like to recommend:

UNIVERSIDAD DE BUENOS AIRES
The benefit of studying at the National University it’s obviously the quality of tuition and the access to an international certificate you can use back home.
2 (intensive) and 4 (regular) month courses start at US$300

CENTRO UNIVERSITARIO DE IDIOMAS
Also sponsored by the National University and taking place in different Extension centres around the city. Big and informal language school. Six levels available!

UNIVERSIDAD DE BUENOS AIRES LAW SCHOOL
Among its different extension courses, Spanish for foreigners its available for only US$30 per level!

ASOCIACION ARGENTINA DE DOCENTES DE ESPANOL
This organization links all the Spanish teachers in Argentina. They have their own teacher training and are engaged in different research programs. Classes start at US$10 per hour.

ESPANOL ANDANDO
Our “off the beaten track”, funky option! Espanol Andando takes you out of the classroom for real life experience, using the city’s resources to learn and practise Spanish! Classes start at only US$5 per hour!