Spanish & Internships in Guatemala

  Guatemala

• Other Cities in Guatemala: 
Quetzaltenango

Term: Throughout the year 
Dates: All year

Description: Casa Xelaju offers Spanish and Mayan language immersion programs , internship and volunteer work for adults, college and high school students in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.

The Casa Xelajú Spanish immersion program is language learning based on a top down methodology, also known as Whole Language. This methodology immerses the student in the second language without the heavy use of memorization of grammar rules. In other words, whole language methodology is a replica of how we learn our first language from our parents, relatives, and friends when we are children. It has been demonstrated through extensive research that students who learn a second language using this methodology tend to retain their new knowledge longer because it stimulates the long-term memory processes.

To maintain the highest quality of teaching, Casa Xelajú has chosen to modify and successfully incorporate the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) standards into our teaching curriculum (these standards are currently used by thousands of universities and school districts worldwide). These standards are a tool that benefits our current and future students because we know with more precision the language level and experience the student is bringing with him/her. Therefore, there is no time wasted and no confusion the first week trying to measure the student's Spanish level.

Our language learning format is one on one instruction, and our Spanish and Quiche (K'iche') teachers have been extensively trained to give the students a more active role in their learning process (student centered instruction). As a result of this, our students are not passive but actively involved in their language learning experience, which enhances their ability to learn quickly in class.

Highlights: Students will not be surrounded by the touristy, English-speaking environment of other cities in Latin America.

Quetzaltenango is the second largest city in Guatemala, with a population of 250,000. It is situated near several volcanoes in the heart of the Sierra Madres, 200 kilometers west of Guatemala City. Quetzaltenango's altitude of 2,333 meters (8,000 feet) above sea level ensures warm days, cool nights and no mosquitoes.

The name Casa Xelajú originates from the indigenous name for Quetzaltenango: "Xe laju' noj" which means "under 10 mountains". The city of Quetzaltenango was officially founded by the Spanish on the 15th of May, 1524, though the name Quetzaltenango came from the Mexican indigenous peoples, the Tlaxcaltecas, who accompanied the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado and his forces during their invasion of the Guatemalan highlands. The area quickly became the site of many small towns which formed the city of Quetzaltenango, often called Xelajú or Xela by the local people

Quetzaltenango is an active city, which does not depend on tourism, nor does it have the high concentrations of language students as do tourist centers such as Cuernavaca, México, Antigua, Guatemala and Quito, Ecuador. As a result, students have more opportunity to interact with the local population and participate in Guatemalan life. Xelajú has a rich history and with its six universities and several technical schools, it is often referred to as Guatemalas cultural center and most progressive city. There are 35,000 students from all over the country and the city taking classes at the universities and high schools. Xelajú has the highest number of elementary, middle, high school and universities per capita than any other city in the country.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications: Average point 2.5

Cost in US$: Contact us for details

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Casa Xelaju's Mission Statement: Objectives: " To provide our students with the highest standards in all our programs. " To educate visitors about the social, political, cultural and economic reality of Guatemala. " To create justly-paid employment opportunities for Guatemalan professionals. Our teachers are one of the best-paid Spanish teachers in the country. In addition, they receive another two extra full paychecks during the year, Christmas bonus, vacations, a pension, medical insurance and Irtra's recreational membership. " To carry out development projects for people in need in Guatemala and to help groups that are struggling to improve the country. For many years, we have supported La Pedrera Community Project with educational projects for children, teens and adults. We currently have more than 100 children in this program.

Year Founded: 1987