Immersion in the Spanish Language is Easy in Honduras, With Schools Located in Tourist Areas

November 14, 2009

HONDURAS (November 5, 2009) – One of the best ways for immersion in local culture is to learn the language. In Honduras, travelers can do just that in one of ten schools located in the tourist areas of Copán Ruinas, Utila, La Ceiba, Roatán, Santa Rosa de Copán and Valle de Ángeles. Each of the schools offers schedules of 20 hours per week, some with home stays and city tours included in the pricing. One-week tuitions range from $120 to $1125, based on location and accommodations.

Spanish School Koinonia, Valle de Ángeles (near Tegucigalpa): At this unique school, you not only learn the language, but also contribute to the humanitarian objective of supporting and educating poor, abandoned children and single teen mothers in Honduras through Asociación Koinonia, a non-profit organization established in 1994. All the teachers are Hondurans, professionally trained in education, with long established careers in education at local schools. The 20-hour, five-day schedule includes four to six hours of class daily. Course options include one-on-one or small group instruction. Standard pricing for one week is $120-$160, based on class size. There is also a one-time registration fee ($25) and contribution to the Asociación Koinonia ($25). Materials range from $6-$12. Family stays are also available for $80-$95 per week. To reserve a spot, please contact Koinonia at info@escuelavalledeangeles.org, +(504) 766-2555 or www.escuelavalledeangeles.org.

Ixbalanque Spanish School, Copán Ruinas: As the oldest language school in Honduras, Ixbalanque offers true immersion in both the classroom and the fascinating local culture. The certified staff, some with up to 16 years experience, teaches students in a one-on-one setting. The daily schedule includes four hours of class, for a total of 20 hours per five-day workweek. Standard pricing for one week with a seven-day family stay is $210, including a workbook, three meals daily, laundry service, private room with bathroom, and one local tour. Volunteer opportunities are also available. To reserve a spot, please contact Ixbalanque at least two weeks in advance: ixbalanquehn@yahoo.com, +(504) 651-4432 or www.ixbalanque.com.

Guacamaya Spanish School, Copán Ruinas: This locally owned school includes a staff of experienced and enthusiastic teachers dedicated to providing high quality one-on-one Spanish classes. The five-day schedule includes four hours of class daily, plus the option for a regional excursion to reinforce learning. Standard pricing for one week with a seven-day family stay is $225, including a workbook, private room, three meals daily, one local tour, and Internet access. Tuition without a host family stay is $140 per week, including 20 hours of classes, one local tour and Internet access. Volunteer opportunities are also available. To reserve a spot, please contact Guacamaya at info_guacamaya@hotmail.com, +(504) 651-4360 or www.guacamaya.com.

Santa Rosa de Copán Language School, Santa Rosa de Copán: Owned by a British couple for nearly 20 years, this small school offers instruction for all levels, from beginners to conversational, in a one-on-one setting. Instruction emphasizes oral expression, vocabulary development and listening comprehension. The weekly schedule includes four hours of class each day (five days per week) for two to four weeks. Weekly tuition is $240. Those interested in home stays can inquire about opportunities. Classes are also available in San Pedro Sula. To reserve a spot, please contact the school at edwin_hn@msn.com, +(504) 662-3139 or www.spanish-ili-copan.com.

Central America Spanish School, La Ceiba, Roatán, Utila and Copán Ruinas: For seven years, the Central America Spanish School (CASS) has offered one-on-one classes with accredited teachers. The school offers structured Spanish programs that combine immersion in Spanish instruction with volunteer positions, ecological activities, research, recreation, and scuba diving. Accommodation options include a home stay or discounted hotel stay. The five-day schedule includes four hours of class daily, plus one class in an “eco” environment, such as a beach, waterfall, or river. Standard pricing for one-on-one instruction for one week, including workbook, Internet access and airport/port transfers in city:

• La Ceiba: Tuition is $150 per week plus one-time $50 application/materials fee; with home stay is $220 per week plus fee; with guest house stay is $250 per week plus fee. Home stay and guest house include three meals per day for seven days, private room, laundry and Internet access.

• Roatán: Tuition is $200 per week plus one-time $50 application/materials fee; with hotel stay ranges from $480-$1125 per week plus fee. Meals are not included.

• Utila: Tuition is $150 per week plus one-time $50 application/materials fees; with hotel stay is $310 plus fee; with hotel stay and PADI dive certification is $610 plus fee. Meals are not included.

• Copán Ruinas: Tuition is $150 plus one-time $50 application/materials fee; with home stay is $220 per week.

Group classes are also available. To reserve a spot, please contact CASS at info@ca-spanish.com, +(504) 440-1742 or www.ca-spanish.com.

Centro Internacional de Idiomas, La Ceiba: This school also offers one-on-one accredited training with college-educated instructors. The five-day schedule includes four hours of class daily. Three-student group class options are also available. Standard pricing for one week with a seven-day family stay is $220, including a workbook, private room and bathroom, three meals daily, airport/bus station transfers, Internet access, and city tours. Tuition only is $140 per week, including a workbook, airport/bus station transfers, Internet access, and city tours. To reserve a spot, please contact the school at info@honduras-spanish.com, +(504) 441-1715 or www.hondurasspanish.com.

Honduras is located in the heart of Central America, encompassing over 43,000 square miles, making it about the size of Tennessee. It is only a short flight from the U.S.: two hours from Miami or less than three hours from Houston or Atlanta. Honduras features a 500-mile Caribbean coastline on its north and a 100-mile Pacific coastline on its south. Travelers can tour Maya ruins in the western highlands, explore an underwater paradise in the Bay Islands, engage in eco-tourism in the La Moskitia region, immerse themselves in the Garifuna or Lenca culture, and much more. Honduras borders on the west with Guatemala, the southwest with El Salvador, and on the east with Nicaragua.

For more information, travelers can call 1-800-410-9608 or visit www.letsgohonduras.com. To view a variety of videos of Honduras, visit www.youtube.com/user/letsgohonduras. You can also become a fan at http://facebook.com/visithonduras.

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Amanda Jackson

Ypartnership Public Relations

(407) 838-1812

amanda.jackson@ypartnership.com