Spanish Programs

Learning Spanish at Vida Verde

Our Spanish program is divided into 3 levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. No previous knowledge of Spanish is necessary to study at the Basic level. Upon enrollment, students with some previous Spanish knowledge are given a placement exam (both written and oral) to determine at what level they should begin classes and also to identify areas of weakness. The professor and student then work together to design a customized study plan. Most all of our students who start at the basic level can communicate with basic fluency after 5-6 weeks (100-120 class hours), though you have to do your homework!

At the completion of each level students must satisfactorily pass a written exam in order to advance to the next level. A brief description of each level is given below. For a more detailed description of the content of each level, review the Programs Table at the bottom of the page.

• Basic Level. Upon completion of the Basic Level students have the ability to construct simple sentences, form questions and answers, and give simple opinions using the present and future tense.

• Intermediate Level. Upon completion of the Intermediate Level, students are able to carry on conversations about activities encountered in everyday living. Students will have a reasonable degree of comprehension in both written and spoken form of the topics presented in the first two levels. Pronounciation will have improved notably.

• Advanced Level. Student will have the capability of conversing and discussing comfortably on most any theme. Student can listen and understand to a high degree both written and spoken forms of Spanish. Spoken accent will have begun to develop a latin accent and tone.

Our teachers use a selection of modern Spanish textbooks and reading books to cover the topics in our program. Students are also issued a workbook containing grammar and lecture exercises that accompany daily lessons. However, in order to add variety and excitement to our program, we use a variety of other teaching tools as well. These include watching participatory teaching videos, reading magazines and newspapers, watching movies, listening to audio cassettes, group discussions, taking excursions into the city, and preparing and presenting expositions. Consistent with our principal focus, cultural and environmental themes are woven into our curriculum.

Learning One to One
It’s no secret that the best and quickest way to learn Spanish is through intensive, one-to-one individual instruction. This is the primary teaching method used here at the Vida Verde Spanish Center. One-to-one instruction allows students to learn at their own pace and enables teachers to custom-design study programs to best meet the needs of their students. By using this method, teachers can provide immediate feedback, minimizing the formation of bad habits.

Small Group Lessons
We offer small-group instruction for groups of 2 to 4 students. To form a group, it is necessary that the students are at relatively the same level. Students wishing to form a group may be required to take our placement exam so that we may determine the exact experience level of each student. For the group program, the same teaching method and content is used, just in a group setting. The group program is suited for students desiring increased interaction, a slightly slower learning pace, and/or a more economical means of study.

Rotation Method
In order to expose students to slightly different teaching styles, accents, dialects, and help them to recognize the variations of spoken Spanish, we have designed our program so that students generally study with a different teacher each week. This rotation method also allows students the opportunity to build relationships with more of the staff here at the Vida Verde Spanish Center.

Excursions
Ecuador and the city of Quito provide a boundless outdoor classroom in which to study and practice Spanish. This has inspired us to develop a program in which students have the option of spending a day out in Quito accompanied by their professor. We find that the students who participate in this program enjoy the opportunity to study Spanish outside the confines of the school, as well as appreciate the chance to get to know the city. Some of the most common excursions enjoyed by our students include visiting a lively outdoor market, taking in a museum, seeing a Latin American film and/or marveling at the numerous churches of Quito.

We also understand that some days students just need a different environment in which to study. Our professors are always willing to be flexible and innovative in their teaching methods and are open to expanding the concept of the classroom to provide their students with a more comfortable and productive learning environment.

Flexible Schedules
We offer flexible study schedules, though most students prefer to study for 4 hours in the morning, from 8:30 to 12:30, leaving the afternoons free for other activities. Please note that we must give priority in the mornings to those students studying for 4 or more hours per day. Tell us what you would like. We'll work with you.

Learn Spanish On Line
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Prepare for the DELE Exam
The majority of the teachers at Vida Verde are certified to prepare students to take the DELE exam. The "Instituto Cervantes" only recognizes the D.E.L.E. (Diploma for Spanish as a Foreign Language) as a certificate for foreign students that wish to study in Spanish universities or even work in Spanish speaking countries. This course basically prepares you to pass the exam. This exam can be taken at 3 levels:

• Nivel Inicial: Certificate of an elementary level of Spanish


• Nivel Básico: Diploma of an intermediate level of Spanish


• Nivel Superior: Diploma of an advanced level of Spanish

So if you are interested in taking the DELE, just let us know when you register, and we will be happy to customize a program that is right for you.

Break Time
We have a 20 minutes break each morning around 11:00. It´s included in the hours of classes. We provide complementary coffee and tea, sometimes accompanied with a snack. Students are encouraged to use the break time to meet and talk (preferably in Spanish) with other teachers and students.

We also offer specialized advanced study programs in the following five topics:

• Environmental Science
• Anthropology
• Business and Economics
• Latin American Literature
• Medicine

These advanced study programs allow students to focus on a career-related or personal topic of interest. Programs are available for students who have demonstrated proficiency at the Advanced Level. Professors for these specialized programs have specific knowledge in the selected topic in addition to proficiency in Spanish language and grammar instruction.

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