Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
locales.Bothtownshavealivelynightlifesceneandafairlysubstantialpresenceofforeign
travelers. This might be a pro or a con, depending on how you look at it. If you're looking
to make new friends and traveling companions after your courses are finished, then this
will certainly suit you. But if you're looking for a total language-immersion experience,
you might find yourself speaking English outside of classroom time more often than not.
There are a few highland towns and villages with language schools that offer good in-
struction with (for now) a relatively small foreign presence. These include the language
schoolsinNebaj,Cobán,andHuehuetenango.SanPedroLaLaguna,ontheshoresofLake
Atitlán, also has decent language schools and a slightly less substantial gringo presence
compared to Antigua and Quetzaltenango. It's certainly a winner for its location on the
shores of this magnificent lake. Monterrico is the place to go if you want to combine fairly
decent language instruction with some serious time at the beach. The northern Petén re-
gion's language schools are found in the Itzá Maya towns of San Andrés and San José, on
theshoresofLakePeténItzá,andtheyareagoodplacetolearnSpanishwithlittleforeign-
er presence and a more ecological focus thanks to the proximity of the Maya Biosphere
Reserve.
For the altruistic, Quetzaltenango offers the chance for language instruction in an envir-
onment oozing with fellow travelers, volunteers, and NGO workers plugged into a vari-
ety of projects hoping to make life better for people in Guatemala's impoverished Western
Highlands.
Virtually all of Guatemala's language schools offer one-on-one instruction, and your
choice of an instructor is particularly important to your progress. You should never feel
locked into a deal with a particular instructor. If you find that you and the instructor just
aren't jiving, don't hesitate to ask for a new one. All of the recommended schools get their
strength from the quality of their individual instructors, so finding one that's right for you
shouldn't be too difficult if you know where to look.
In terms of cost, you'll find it fairly accessible. The bulk of Guatemala's schools charge
somewhere between $150and$225perweek, including at least 20hoursofinstruction per
week and room and board with a local host family. Some schools, particularly in Antigua
and Quetzaltenango, provide the option of staying in on- or off-campus housing or apart-
ments.
Asafinalnote,GuatemalanSpanishisrelativelyclearoftheaccentsfoundinCaribbean,
Mexican, andevenCosta Rican Spanish.Guatemalans alsotendtospeakmoreslowlythan
Caribbean Spanish speakers. It's actually a very melodic Spanish and you'll soon recog-
nize its singsong sound. In terms of value for the money you spend and variety of locales
in which to learn, you really can't beat Spanish-language instruction in Guatemala.
Volunteer Opportunities
