"Spanish Academy Xinabajul"
Our School was founded in 1992.
The name’s origin is from the ancient Maya-Quiche meaning “place
among valleys”. XINABAJUL is the Old Mayan name for Huehuetenango,
the pronunciation is: Shin-a-bah-hool.
The main goals of our School are to provide work for
teachers and families from Huehuetenango, and to provide quality
Spanish language instruction to our students. Our school offers a
friendly and relaxed environment. We are located in a beautiful
building in a tranquil and safe neighbourhood. We are in close
walking distance from the main bus terminal, Pais (supermarket), and
the central park.
The school is open year round.
HUEHUETENANGO:
Is a great place to learn Spanish, the people of the
city speak mainly in Spanish, their pronunciation in general is
correct and clear, because it is their first language and most have
some a level of education.
We are 2 hours away from the Mexican border and 5
from Guatemala City. Around Huehue there are many Mayan villages an
many other interesting places to visit. The temperature varies from
around 25 to 30 degrees Celsius (72 F) during the day, and about 14
or below during the night. The coolest months are December and
January. The rainy season is from May to September, with afternoon
or evening showers lasting for roughly an hour.
Method of Teaching:
Out teaching methods are adaptable to any level of
Spanish a student may have. We offer individual instruction. A
typical schedule includes 4 hours of study per day, 5 days a week.
Our 4 hour day is broken into halves. You will have a different
teacher for the first and second half with tailored instruction per
session.
However, we are able create a schedule based on your
needs and availability of time. Likewise, if you are interested in
studying with a friend or in a group we can arrange classes to meet
your needs.
When you arrive, your teacher will evaluate your
Spanish level both orally and written. He or she will then
develop your individual course plan depending on your level your
goals and your needs. You can choose which program is right for
you:
BASIC:
If you are interested in only an elementary level of Spanish in
order to travel or if you have only a short time to learn. You will
be taught basic ¨survival¨ Spanish to assist you in your travels
communicating your basic needs. For those who have only 1 to 2 weeks
to study.
SYSTEMATIC AND
PROGRESSIVE: If
you have more time to learn Spanish and are interested in a better
understanding of the language. You will be taught the basic
grammatical structures of Spanish, to include the present, past, and
future tenses. You will reach a higher level language comprehension
sufficient to have a basic conversation with people in the street.
For those who have between 2 and 4 weeks to study.
INTERMEDIATE:
If you have an interest in developing your Spanish language
proficiency to have more in-depth conversations and a greater level
of understanding in both oral and written language. This requires
more time spent in the classroom as well as individual study and
practice time. You will be taught compound tenses, obtain a wider
vocabulary, and be able to hold conversations. Normally 1 to 2
months are needed to achieve this level of Spanish.
ADVANCED:
If you are interested in perfecting your Spanish and already have
some background speaking the language. You will learn grammatical
intricacies of the language, be able to express and understand
complex thoughts and ideas, as well as minimize minor grammatical
errors. Amount of time necessary depends on the Spanish level that
you arrive with and the amount of time you have to dedicate to your
studies.
Spanish classes are typically given from Monday to
Friday, in the morning from 8:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m or in the
afternoon from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. If you desire a different schedule
please let us know as we are flexible to meet your interests and
availability.
TEACHERS
Our teachers are university trained with many years
of experience. They are dynamic and friendly and committed to
teaching you in an easily understandable manner. Each student
receives individual attention and is treated with respect. Our
teachers have a wide range of knowledge and interests and would be
happy to discuss topics based on your interests.
HOMESTAY
We offer home stays with trusted local families for
those students who are interested. The families are located within a
5 to 15 minute walk from the school and are all in safe
neighborhoods. They provide students with lodging, three meals a
day, a very clean, private room, hot water, and an enjoyable
environment. The families have many years of experience with
foreigners and an interest in sharing their culture. Only one
student is placed with each family which allows for individual
attention from the family. You will have a chance to learn first
hand about the Guatemalan culture and practice you Spanish outside
of the classroom.
We ensure your satisfaction with the family and if
for any reason are unsatisfied we will place you with another
family. Likewise, if you would prefer to stay in a hostel/hotel we
will provide you with information on local accommodations.
VOLUNTEER WORK
Huehuetenango offers many volunteer opportunities. If
you are interested in doing volunteer work during your stay we will
assist you in contacting organizations and arranging opportunities.
Some of the options include working with street children, at an
orphanage, working in public hospitals and schools, helping with
reforestation and other agricultural projects.
If you don’t want to volunteer but are curious in
learning about the many organizations present in Huehuetenango it
would be our pleasure to arrange a day visit.
ACTIVITIES:
We are very interested in the overall experience of
our students which is why we offer various activities. We want to
assist our students learn about the culture and history of Guatemala
as well as to enjoy the beauty Huehuetenango has to offer.
1.
Friday Dinners
Teachers and students prepare an
international, pot-luck style, dinner. You can learn how to cook
traditional Guatemalan food like tamales and churrasco, and you can
teach us traditional dishes of your country, or cook your favourite
meal.
2.
Excursions
Two times per week we take an
excursion in the afternoon to a local place of interest. This will
usually be between a 30 and 60 minute bus ride. One of the school’s
teachers will accompany you and give you an explanation of the place
you are visiting. You are only responsible for paying your
transportation and any potential entrance fees.
These excursions include visiting
ruins, indigenous markets, and artisan shops.
3.
Multi-media
We watch documentaries about the
political situation and history of Guatemala. This is a good way to
learn about this region. Typically the movies are in or subtitled in
Spanish so you are able to practice your Spanish. We also have a
variety of Spanish language music and books at your disposal.
AIRPORT PICK-UP
Should you wish to be picked up at the international
airport in Guatemala City please let us know in advance and we will
be happy to make arrangements for you. A representative from a
reputable hostel will pick you up at the airport and take you to the
hostel where you will spend the night. The will also provide meals.
The hostel’s representative will take you to the bus station early
the next morning and someone from the school will greet you upon
arrival in Huehue. The normal cost is: U$35.00. This is includes
pick-up from the airport and transport to the hostel in Guatemala
City, 1 night’s stay in the hostel, meals, transport to the bus
terminal the next morning, and pick up in Huehuetenango.
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