Learn Spanish in Merida, Venezuela
The peaceful university town of Merida is found at 1,625m above sea level, at the foot of the highest mountain in Venezuela, Pico Bolivar. Merida is one of the main cities of the Venezuelan Andes, with more than 200,000 inhabitants. Home to the prestigious University of the Andes, it is the main centre for education and tourism in western Venezuela, offering restaurants, cafes, theatres, amongst other cultural delights. The local Andean people of this region live a simple, traditional way of life, still using ancient farming methods to work the land.
Our school is conveniently located in the centre of Merida, a great base camp for hiking, horse riding, rafting and mountain biking, and the world's highest cable car ride is just metres from our doorstep. Located in a three-storey building on the main square, it offers bright and comfortable classrooms, as well as accommodation.
Courses are available all year round for a variety of ages and levels and all include either half board or full board accommodation. Please click on one of the options below for more details:
Activities and excursions can be organised and paid for through the school, for example, mountain biking and paragliding.
Accommodation is included in the course fees and is based in the same building as the school, on the main square in the centre of Merida which is a hub for festivals and events. It is rather like a large homestay, run by a local Venezuelan family who also live on the premises. As they only speak Spanish and everyone eats together with the family (breakfast + dinner), this offers a good balance between freedom of space and all the advantages of a homestay environment. This bright, comfortable and quiet ‘home from home' also offers cable TV and a large covered terrace. There are 6 bedrooms and students normally share with one or two other students of their choice. Please note that lunch is not included, though students do have use of the kitchen facilities to prepare their own lunches.
Visa: UK visitors to Venezuela do not require a visa to study for periods of up to 90 days. However, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date in Venezuela. Upon arrival at Caracas Airport, you will receive a tourist card which entitles you to your stay (of 90 days). For those who wish to study for longer, a visa may be required, in which case you must contact your nearest consulate for further information.
School Closure: 1/15 Jan, 20/21 Feb, 5/6/19 Apr, 1 May, 24 Jun, 5/24 July, 12 Oct, 25 Dec 2012. The school will be closed on these public holidays and no classes will be held. However, all classes will be rescheduled to a mutually convenient time for both students and teachers.
General Spanish Course in Merida
This course is designed for those who wish to learn general Spanish. The course covers the four elements of language learning: reading, writing, listening and speaking, and focuses on developing communication skills to use outside of the classroom. Use of role play, situational dialogues and work projects help students to speak Spanish from the first day. Course fees also include accommodation (Mon-Sun), breakfast and dinner, and all course materials.
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Course duration: |
1+ weeks |
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Consists of: |
20 group lessons per week |
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Class timetable: |
normally 08.00 - 12.00 including 15 minute break (Mon-Fri) |
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Lesson duration: |
45 minutes |
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Maximum class size: |
6 students |
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Minimum language level: |
beginner |
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Minimum age: |
18 years |
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Cost: |
1 wk £265 / 2 wks £470 / 3 wks £675 / 4 wks £890 |
2012 Start dates:
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
2 |
6 |
5 |
2* |
7 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
|
9 |
13 |
12 |
9 |
14 |
11 |
9 |
13 |
10 |
8 |
12 |
10 |
|
16 |
22* |
19 |
16 |
21 |
18 |
16 |
20 |
17 |
15 |
19 |
17 |
|
23 |
27 |
26 |
23 |
28 |
25 |
23 |
27 |
24 |
22 |
26 |
24 |
|
30 |
|
|
30 |
|
|
30 |
|
|
29 |
|
31 |
*Please note marked dates indicate weeks which include 2 public holidays.
The 22nd Feb is actually a Wednesday start date, as both Monday and Tuesday that week are public holidays.
Spanish + Volunteering in Merida
This award winning programme involves studying Spanish and getting involved in volunteer work in Merida. Projects in Merida either involve working with children in need or with injured and sick wild animals, in an animal sanctuary. The programme fees include Spanish tuition, volunteer placement + support, half board accommodation for duration of programme (breakfast + dinner included, with use of kitchen facilities to prepare own lunch).
5-week Programme
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Course duration: |
5 weeks |
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Consists of: |
20 group lessons per week (wk 1) |
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10 group lessons per week (weeks 2-5) |
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Class timetable: |
flexible, depending on volunteer placement |
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Lesson duration: |
45 minutes |
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Maximum class size: |
6 students |
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Minimum language level: |
beginner |
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Volunteer project: |
4 weeks of volunteer work (weeks 2-5) |
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Minimum age: |
18 years |
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Cost: |
£725 |
8-week Programme
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Course duration: |
8 weeks |
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Consists of: |
20 group lessons per week (wk 1-4) |
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10 group lessons per week (weeks 5-8) |
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Class timetable: |
flexible, depending on volunteer placement |
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Lesson duration: |
45 minutes |
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Maximum class size: |
6 students |
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Minimum language level: |
beginner |
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Volunteer project: |
4 weeks of volunteer work (weeks 5-8) |
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Minimum age: |
18 years |
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Cost: |
£1,575 |
Additional Volunteering
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Course duration: |
1+ weeks |
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Consists of: |
volunteer work only |
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Also included: |
half board accommodation (breakfast + dinner) |
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Minimum age: |
18 years |
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Cost: |
1 wk £135 / 2 wks £270 / 3 wks £405 / 4 wks £540 |
2012 Start dates
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
2 |
6 |
5 |
2* |
7 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
|
16 |
22* |
19 |
16 |
21 |
18 |
16 |
20 |
17 |
15 |
19 |
17 |
*Please note marked dates indicate weeks which include 2 public holidays.
The 22nd Feb is actually a Wednesday start date, as both Monday and Tuesday that week are public holidays.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact us by:
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Telephone: |
+44 (0) 131 621 7721 |
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Email: |
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or submit an |
Spanish Courses in Merida
