Learn Spanish in Costa Rica

City and beach ... fun, culture, and more!

Centro de Idiomas Intercultura is a language school in Costa Rica, Central America, with two campuses: one in Heredia (near San José, the capital), one at Pacific beach town Sámara. Heredia is a mid-sized city with the National University. It´s location offers much to do within Heredia as well as easy access to the capital city (museums, concerts, theaters, etc.), coffee growing regions, in-country and international bus stations, and other colonial cities.
Sámara Beach is a small town on the Pacific coast of the Guanacaste province. Situated on a coral bay, swimming, surfing, and nearby snorkeling are popular activities.

School details

The languages taught are Spanish and English for speakers of Spanish. School enrolment (for Spanish) is approximately 700 students per year in Heredia and 1000 in Sámara. Classes consist of small groups of 6 students max., 20 hours per week. Custom courses, specifically designed for groups and individuals, are available. Students are of different age groups, between 18 and 80s. There is also a teen camp and teenage school groups at certain times of the year, but the main programs are offered for adults. The length of course varies from a week to eight months.

Additional offers include special topics courses, customized group programs, cultural lectures, Latin dance class, Costa Rican cooking class, jewelry-making class, yoga classes, tour guide and excursion leader, eco-tourism options, film nights, many volunteer opportunities, conversational exchanges with local students of English, etc., depending on the campus.

There are 12 principle levels plus additional superior-level and special topics courses. Students are given a placement test by Spanish professors and the Spanish Director. The exam is oral and based on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines for Speaking. It is also possible to request the MCERL (European Common Framemark).

All professors have advanced university degrees and teaching certification, and the school is accredited through U.S. universities and colleges, offering undergraduate credit to those interested. The school is currently in the process of applying for Bildungsurlaub.

Lodging

Accommodations with middle-class local families are encouraged for a deeper cultural and language immersion experience. Homestays include breakfast, dinner, and laundry. Students are placed in private rooms unless otherwise requested.
The Sámara Beach campus also offers a student residence and hotel stays booked directly through the school. In Heredia, the school is happy to make suggestions and provide information about hotels, apart-hotels, and hostels in the area.

School facilities at the two campuses include fully equipped classrooms with TV, audio players, cable television, a lending library for students, a computer laboratory, computers for internet & e-mail use, air conditioned dance room (Heredia) and classrooms (Sámara), a fully equipped kitchen and a garden and sitting areas. Internet access is available to students free of charge, and wireless is provided for a small fee.

Costs:

The specially developed materials and texts are included for no extra charge, homestay (7 nights) $140; class costs vary: 1 week classic small group program $285; 4 weeks classic small group program ($939); Special programs´ and group programs´ prices are based on each customized program.

When to apply

Spaces are confirmed and homestays are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Last minute registrations are often accommodated, but homestays - at the beach campus especially - may be full if not booked far enough in advance.

School motto:
Learn the language, live the culture!

Contact details

Centro de Idiomas Intercultura
Laura Ellington and Adelita Jiménez (founders)
P.O Box 1952-3000, Heredia Costa Rica, Central América
T/F. +506 2260 8480 (Heredia), +506 2656 0127 (Samara)
Toll-free numbers Europe: 44 20 7993 0822
Toll-free numbers USA/Canada : 866 978 6668 / 213 784 4897
Contactus@interculturacostarica.com (Heredia Campus)
Info@samaralanguageschool.com (Samara Campus)
www.interculturacostarica.com
www.samaralanguageschool.com

Administrative hours:
Heredia Campus: Monday through Thursday 8:00AM to 6:00PM, Friday 8:00AM to 5:30PM, Saturdays by appointment
Sámara Campus: Monday 7:30AM to 5:00PM, Tuesday through Thursday 7:30AM to 7:30PM, Friday 7:30AM to 5:00PM, Saturday 9:00AM to 1:00PM