Site Map         |         Newcomers       |        Restaurants       |         Links       |       Cooking        |      Calendar    |     Aztec Clip Art     |
       Home    |       Things to Do      |   Services in Cuernavaca    |        Learn Spanish       |        Butterflies        |        Moving to Mexico    |

Spanish Language Institute

 

  • Small classes of five students (or less) per teacher, for fifty per cent of the time

  • Highly individualized attention

  • Special custom made programs for executives

  • Credits for university students

  • Cultural courses in many fields of study

  • Excursions and field trips

  • Social activities conducive to using your Spanish

  • The opportunity to meet people from all over the world, from all walks of life

The SLI main campus is composed of three small buildings One of which you can see in the background built around a pool/garden setting.  Here some students catch a 10 minute break between classes. 


SLI - SPANISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE is a professional language school devoted to quality and personal attention. We specialize in the Spanish language and the culture of Latin America. Due to its outstanding reputation, the Institute attracts students from all over the world. It has deliberately limited its size to ensure a superior program. The best way to acquire a language is through total immersion, and the Institute offers a unique and valuable experience by using this method.

OUR PROGRAM:

Classes are held Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM-2:00 PM (six hours). All classes emphasize a functional use of the language. ALL LEVELS of Spanish are accommodated, from complete beginners to advanced students. A typical schedule would be : 8:00-11:00 Structure class with FIVE STUDENTS MAXIMUM, providing them with a strong foundation in the language. 11:00-12:00 Functional class for beginners - Role playing situations of every day life. For more advanced students - Vocabulary expansion and other aspects of the language. 12:00-2:00 Conversation classes on current events or lecture-discussion classes with cultural content. Varying topics in History, Literature, Sociology, Anthropology and the Arts. Another 1.5 hours of optional programs are offered in late afternoon, including videos, round table discussions, grammar clinics and cooking classes.
Classrooms were specially designed for small classes.  All have windows over looking gardens, pictures on the walls, Tastefully decorated like a typical office setting. 


For executives with high level needs there is a completely customized private EXECUTIVE PROGRAM.

For the Bilingual School System's Teachers, Administrators and School Staff working with native speakers of Spanish,

we offer a specially designed Group Program for Teachers 

 THE SETTING:

Cuernavaca, known for its year round "Eternal Spring" climate (average temperature 70-85 F./20-28 C.), is a city of 500,000 located in the mountains 50 miles south of Mexico City. The city offers a wide range of historic sites, cultural events, garden restaurants, nightclubs and sports activities. It has been a favorite travel spot since the day of the Aztec emperors and Mexico's rulers, including Cortés, Maximilian and the Empress Carlota. Because of its beauty and variety, it is a perfect place to study Spanish. The Institute is built in the Mexican colonial style typical of the area and is located in a residential area of the city. The complex includes comfortable and attractive conference rooms, small group classrooms, a swimming pool and cafeteria. It is a beautiful place in which to spend your day.

PERIODS OF STUDY:

You can begin classes ANY MONDAY, YEAR ROUND. The length of stay varies from one to 12 weeks, depending on the goals of the individual student. Students should plan to arrive on the Friday before classes begin in order to attend the Saturday morning orientation. You will receive full information regarding transportation, health, the city and other aspects of daily life. You will be given both an oral interview and written test, in order to place you in the appropriate classes.

 
The garden setting makes it easy to meet the other students, a small kitchen supplies hot snacks and cold drinks in a shaded courtyard. 

COURSES:

Language courses are offered which are the equivalents of college levels courses at Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced levels. ACADEMIC CREDIT can be earned through a U.S. accredited university. Credit may also be obtained for the variety of cultural courses.  There are 24 different courses/levels. So you will be sure to find a course that will help you accomplish your goals. 

HOME STAY (Lodging):

An important part of your experience is living with a Mexican family. This provides real life situations, not only in the language, but in the culture as well. Our families are caring hosts, specially screened and chosen to provide excellent attention. Families are middle and upper middle class by Mexican standards. Houses are smaller and less luxurious, but some have beautiful gardens and servants. The family provides three meals daily and transportation to and from school, if not within walking distance. The two home-stay plans are : 1. PRIVATE ROOM with semi-private bath (at most shared with one other student) 2. BUDGET SHARED ROOM with shared bath Students will share with another student and may share a bathroom with the family. Payments are made directly to the families, since WE DO NOT CHARGE A COMMISSION FROM THE FAMILIES.
Here two students relax during the morning in the garden.  Yes during the winter it can be cold.. This particular morning it was only 70 out..  Seriously Cuernavaca has one of the best climates in the world.. Its always spring average daily temp is around 80 and it gets cool in the evening for great sleeping.  

EXCURSION PROGRAM:

Cuernavaca is a centrally located city, from which much of Central Mexico can be easily explored. The Institute offers guided excursions in private transport after classes for half days during the week and full days on weekends. There are also 3-day weekend trips. Excursions are optional and at an additional cost. Typical excursions include locations such as: Xochicalco Archaeological Zone, Santiago Tianguistenco (mountain wool market, near Cuernavaca, Taxco, Teotihuacan Pyramids, Mexico City Museum of Anthropology, Bazaar Sábado and Frida Kahlo Museum, Puebla and Cholula. Full weekend trips are offered to Acapulco and Puebla and Cholula.

STUDENTS:

Ages range from 18 (if younger, must be accompanied by a parent or register for our Teen Program, located in a separate campus) to more mature adults. Many professions are represented, as well as students seeking academic credit. Many embassies, airlines and major corporations choose the Institute for the language and cultural training of their personnel.

 
Teachers are mature and experienced.  All have been teaching for a number of years.  Average attendance during the winter is between 20-25 students.  

FACULTY:

Our Staff consists of 100% native speakers who have had many years of experience in teaching Spanish to foreign students. They have received special training in the Institute's philosophy on the natural approach to language acquisition. Evaluations of our teachers made by students are consistently excellent, and we have an over 32% return rate by our ex-students, many of whom return to the Institute regularly every year for both academic and emotional reasons.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
(Monday through Friday)

I.- 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

     

  • a) LANGUAGE CLASS (3-5 students per group) ----- 3 Hrs.

    (Grammar, drills and conversation)

  • b) FUNCTIONAL SPANISH   (or cultural)    ------------- 1 Hr.

    (Situations at the bank, restaurant, hotel, post office; 
    Idiomatic expressions, dictation)

  • c) CONVERSATION PROGRAM      --------------------    2 Hrs.

     

II.- 5:00 - 6:30 PM (Optional at no additional cost - * except for cooking classes)
  • Mexican Contemporary Literature
  • Round Table Discussions
  • Grammar Clinics
  • Videos on Latin America
  • *Mexican-Cooking Class.

For Information on the fee's and tuition Click here