Spanish for Teachers & Spanish Teachers | Total Language Immersion in Costa Rica & Ecuador – Earn CEU’s and PDU’s!
In this Spanish Immersion Program for Teachers, educators will gain the necessary Spanish language skills and cultural understanding to better serve their educational communities and break down language barriers in educational contexts.
CHOOSE YOUR SPANISH IMMERSION LOCATION
Ecuador
Ecuador Teacher Spanish Immersion
Highlights
- 1 & 2 week programs (Consider 10 days to have a full weekend to explore)
- Live like a local with a host family ( hotel / hostel options too)
- 20hrs/week Spanish Classes
- Optional 1:1 private lessons
- Tuesday – Thursday educational outreach projects
- Explore local markets, Inca ruins, national parks, the Andes, soak in volcanic hot springs, mitad del mundo & más!
- Approved for Continuing Education Units and Graduate Level Credits
- Learn Spanish with other professionals from all walks of life
Location
Based in Cuenca, Ecuador
2024 Dates
Starts June 15, 2024
24/7 Support
24/7 leadership, coordination & support by engaging program leaders
Possible to combine with Costa Rica programs
Costa Rica
Costa Rica Spanish for Educators Immersion
Highlights
- 1 – 6 week programs
- Live like a local with a host family ( hotel / hostel options too)
- 20hrs/week Spanish Classes
- Optional 1:1 private lessons
- Tuesday – Thursday educational outreach projects
- Explore amazing beaches, volcanoes, cloud forests, coffee tours, national parks & más!
- A great place to include your family or significant other for a post-trip vacation
- Interprofessional mix of fellow travelers
- Approved for Continuing Education Units and Graduate Level Credits
Location
Based in Santo Domingo de Heredia
2024 Dates
Starts June 29, 2024
24/7 Support
24/7 leadership, coordination & support by engaging program leaders
Possible to combine with Ecuador programs
Save your Spot!
This program fills on a first come, first served basis. Reserve a spot on the trip – no obligation – no credit card, just 30 days to help you coordinate your schedule!
What type of teacher is this program for?
Classroom teachers who want to improve their communication with Spanish-speaking students, parents & guardians.
Dual language immersion teachers that need to refine their Spanish for a variety of content areas and contexts.
Spanish teachers that strive for native like fluency in everyday conversations. It’s easy to get into a Spanish rut if you’re teaching the same levels over and over. Spanish teachers know that every 3-5 years they should get abroad to immerse themselves in the language and refine higher level grammar concepts.
Our Spanish for teachers immersion program is hands down the BEST way to improve your Spanish over the summer!
Why travel with Common Ground International (CGI)?
This teacher’s Spanish immersion program is inspired and implemented BY educators FOR educators. Program planning, host family coordination, language classes and leadership are designed intentionally for YOU the TEACHER!
You’re not alone
We understand that traveling alone isn’t for everyone. We are in country to support you! There is safety and peace of mind when you have others checking in with you every day. You’re surrounded by a group of like-minded professionals and you’ll work closely with one of our lead Spanish instructors
Earn Continuing Education credits
and graduate level credits
You can earn up to 5 graduate level credits or CEU’s, CE’s while meeting your Spanish language goals. Additional fees apply. Email Leslie for more information.
You know where we live
We’re a Colorado-based organization, and we have a clear track record of amazing Spanish immersion programs. You can call us up at any time (303) 684-5557, speak English (or Spanish), and get your questions answered immediately. That’s worth its weight in gold!
We prepare you before you travel
Preparation is essential for establishing clear expectations, staying safe, knowing the day to day plan, and positioning yourself and your Spanish for maximum success on your program. Our custom pre-departure course is an amazingly effective online course that connects you with your fellow travelers and prepares you for every single detail – including culture shock!
We offer the best language and cultural outcomes
The primary difference with our teacher Spanish immersion programs is that we weave 4 Spanish language components into your everyday experience. In other words, you learn Spanish through everything you do Mon – Fri. Here is how we do it:
– You learn Spanish for educators (and general Spanish) in daily Spanish immersion classes with native Spanish teachers.
– Staying with a local host family keeps you immersed in speaking Spanish 24/7, and forces you to acquire Spanish. As you relate to your host family and experience daily culture in Latin America, you notice your everyday communication improving.
– Preparing and delivering educational workshops to target communities with identified educational needs provides community support. Additionally, it requires you to use Spanish in a practical and educational context.
– Visiting local schools and interacting with local teachers gives you insight into education systems in Spanish speaking countries.
How is this program different?
We weave 4 Spanish language components into your everyday experience to maximize your Spanish learning and cultural exposure. Here’s how…
Small Group Conversational Spanish classes
You choose your Spanish class track and take a placement test to determine your class level.
Spanish for classroom teachers: You define which type of Spanish immersion you’d like your classes to focus on. This curriculum revolves around classroom management and parent conversations in Spanish.
Spanish for Spanish teachers: curriculum focuses on refining higher level communicative proficiency in Spanish, and/or it can include a focus on tips and techniques for teaching Spanish back home.
Lodging with a local host family
Participants are immersed in speaking Spanish 24/7 and acquiring Spanish as they relate to the host family and experience daily culture in Central and South America.
Your host families will…
- Provide you with a private bedroom
- Share breakfast and dinner with you
- Make sure that you are as comfortable as possible in their home
- We recommend host family stay to complete the 24/7 immersion aspect of the program, your general Spanish conversational skills will sharpen quickly!
Of course, you have the option in both Costa Rica and Ecuador to stay on your own in a hostel or hotel. You will miss out on some conversational Spanish, but if you need your private space, you can certainly get it.
Weekend Adventures
Saturday through Monday mornings we have time off to explore the countries we visit! You can do this on your own or with the CGI group. We speak Spanish on these excursions and help you capture teachable moments as they pop up.
- In Ecuador, explore Inca ruins, hike in the Andes, soak in volcanic hot springs, hike to waterfalls,visit local artisan markets!
- In Costa Rica relax on the beach, visit a volcano, zipline, hot springs, sloths, see turtles nesting and laying their eggs!
Educational Service Projects
Work with underserved communities with identified educational needs. Visit schools and interact with local teachers.
Our community engagement projects give you the opportunity to:
- Practice and improve your Spanish in an educational setting and a real life context.
- Not only will the community service activities help meet the needs of the underserved, but they also require teachers to be using Spanish in a practical context to meet certain objectives.
This is an important piece to your language development and improving your Spanish.
We generally volunteer between 9 and 12 hours per week.
Weekend Adventures
Saturday through Monday mornings we have time off to explore the countries we visit! You can do this on your own or with the CGI group. We speak Spanish on these excursions and help you capture teachable moments as they pop up.
- In Ecuador, explore Inca ruins, hike in the Andes, soak in volcanic hot springs, hike to waterfalls,visit local artisan markets!
- In Costa Rica relax on the beach, visit a volcano, zipline, hot springs, sloths, see turtles nesting and laying their eggs!
Educational Service Projects
Work with underserved communities with identified educational needs. Visit schools and interact with local teachers.
Our community engagement projects give you the opportunity to:
- Practice and improve your Spanish in an educational setting and a real life context.
- Not only will the community service activities help meet the needs of the underserved, but they also require teachers to be using Spanish in a practical context to meet certain objectives.
This is an important piece to your language development and improving your Spanish.
We generally volunteer between 9 and 12 hours per week.
This program really gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself. With the host family and with the classes and such, really start to understand Spanish at a level that I didn’t think was possible.
Jonah
Boston
COSTA RICA & ECUADOR SPANISH IMMERSION FOR TEACHERS
A perfect blend of Spanish immersion, professional growth and adventure
What are the expected outcomes?
Become more fluent in Spanish
A life-changing experience
A deeper understanding of the culture
Insight into the cultural and educational system in Latin America
Successful educational outcomes for your students in the US
Engage in successful communication with your Spanish speaking students and families in the US
Spanish Immersion for Educators is specifically designed for teachers to drastically improve their Spanish communication skills. Participating in this program results in more effective and successful communication with your Spanish-speaking students and families in and out of the classroom. We intentionally integrate the four components below so teachers walk away with practical Spanish skills to use in and out of the classroom.
SPANISH
CLASSES
Volunteer
work
Host family
living
Exploring the hot spots
COSTA RICA IMMERSION PROGRAM DETAILS
COSTA RICA SPANISH FOR EDUCATORS IMMERSION
Highlights
- 1 – 6 weeks in length
- Consider 10 days to have a full weekend to explore
- Live like a local with a host family ( hotel / hostel options too)
- 20hrs/week of Spanish classes
- Optional 1:1 private lessons
- Tuesday – Thursday outreach projects
- Great day trips
- Explore amazing beaches, volcanoes , cloud forests, coffee tours, national parks & más!
- A great place to include your family or significant other for a post-trip vacation
- Interprofessional mix of fellow travelers
- Approved for Continuing Education Units and Graduate Level Credits
- Fly in and out of San Jose (SJO)
Location
Based in Santo Domingo de Heredia
2024 Dates
1-Week Programs
• 6/29/24 – 7/6/24
• 7/6/24 – 7/13/24
2-Week Programs
• 6/29/24 – 7/13/24
• 7/6/24 – 7/20/24
3-Week Programs
• 6/29/24 – 7/20/24
• 7/6/24 – 7/27/24
4-Week Programs
• 6/29/24 – 7/27/24
• 7/6/24 – 8/3/24
5-Week Programs
• 6/29/24 – 8/3/24
• 7/6/24 – 8/10/24
6-Week Programs
• 6/29/24 – 8/10/24
General Program Itinerary:
Return from Optional Excursion
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Volunteer orientation
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Volunteer work
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Volunteer work -or- 1/2 day excursion
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Optional Excursion
First Saturday & Sunday
Saturday: arrive in country, get settled with your host family
Sunday: town tour, orientation, meet trip leaders and participants
Mon – Fri Afternoons
Small group Spanish classes from 1-5pm
Tue – Thurs. Mornings
Community outreach work.
Weekends
Explore the country! We put together a weekend trip every weekend. You are free to join us, stay with your host family, or DIY a weekend excursion!
This program has everything I was looking for: total immersion, classes everyday, opportunities for excursions to see the country, stay with a family and work in the community.
Sarah
ECUADOR IMMERSION PROGRAM DETAILS
Ecuador SPANISH FOR EDUCATORS IMMERSION
Highlights
- 1 – 2 weeks in length
- Consider 10 days to have a full weekend to explore
- Live like a local with a host family ( hotel / hostel options too)
- 20hrs/week of Spanish classes
- Optional 1:1 private lessons
- Tuesday – Thursday educational outreach projects
- Explore local markets, Inca ruins, national parks, the Andes, soak in volcanic hot springs, mitad del mundo & más
- A great place to include your family or significant other for a post-trip vacation
- Interprofessional mix of fellow travelers
- Approved for Continuing Education Units and Graduate Level Credits
- Fly in and out of Quito (UIO) with domestic flight to Cuenca or overland travel with us on optional weekend excursion
Location
Cuenca, Ecuador
2024 Dates
1-Week Programs
• 6/15/24 – 6/22/24
• 6/22/24 – 6/29/24
2-Week Programs
• 6/15/24 – 6/29/24
General Program Itinerary:
Return from Optional Excursion
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Volunteer orientation
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Volunteer work
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Volunteer work -or- 1/2 day excursion
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Optional Excursion
First Saturday & Sunday
Saturday: arrive in country, get settled with your host family
Sunday: town tour, orientation, meet trip leaders and participants
Optional: Weekend excursion before programs begins (Quito city tour, Mitad del Mundo, Avenida de los volcanes, Baños y más)
Mon – Fri Mornings
Small group Spanish classes from 1-5pm
Tue – Thurs. Afternoons
Community outreach work.
Weekends
Explore the country! We put together a weekend trip every weekend. You are free to join us, stay with your host family, or DIY a weekend excursion!
COMBO IMMERSION PROGRAMS IN ECUADOR & COSTA RICA
Combine both countries
2024 Dates
Ecuador
Costa Rica
2-Week Programs
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk CR:
06/29/24 – 07/06/24
3-Week Programs
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk CR:
06/29/24 – 07/06/24
2 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/13/24
4-Week Programs
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
2 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/13/24
3 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/20/24
5-Week Programs
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
3 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/20/24
4 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/27/24
6-Week Programs
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
4 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/27/24
5 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 08/03/24
*Check out the Costa Rica or Ecuador programs
2-Week Programs
Ecuador
Costa Rica
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk CR:
06/29/24 – 07/06/24
3-Week Programs
Ecuador
Costa Rica
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk CR:
06/29/24 – 07/06/24
2 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/06/24
4-Week Programs
Ecuador
Costa Rica
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
2 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/13/24
3 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/20/24
5-Week Programs
Ecuador
Costa Rica
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
3 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 7/20/24
4 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/27/24
6-Week Programs
Ecuador
Costa Rica
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
4 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/27/24
5 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 08/03/24
*Check out the Costa Rica or Ecuador programs
Save your Spot!
This program fills on a first come, first served basis. Reserve a spot on the trip – no obligation – no credit card, just 30 days to help you coordinate your schedule!
All of our programs include basic travel medical insurance with trip interruption, delays, lost bags, etc. Here is the standard description of coverage for your included travel insurance plan. If you have any uncertainties about your upcoming adventure, it might be a good idea to consider a Cancel for Any Reason insurance policy. We suggest you shop for it here:
Diversity and Inclusivity on Spanish Immersion
Our mission of Impacting Communities Through Language extends to ALL travelers and learners regardless of age, gender identity, physical ability, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status.
Spanish Immersion Program FAQs
Our trip leaders will seek the attention of a health care worker and make decisions along with parent/guardians/emergency contacts back in the US. We will be in touch with parent/guardians/emergency contacts as soon as possible. We will also help the participant initiate the process for claims on the travel/medical insurance policy that was purchased.
Usually this is not an issue. We have several host families that can accommodate to food allergies and dietary restrictions. Please let your trip coordinator know ahead of time so we can prepare for this accommodation.
If there is an issue with your host family, trip leaders will be very involved and be able to make a quick switch to find a family that is a better match for you.
Yes. Year after year more and more host families have Wi-Fi in their homes. Additionally you are able to connect to Wi-Fi at the language school. There are also Internet cafes in the center of town that you can use for a minimal price.
You will be involved in at least 3 virtual pre-departure meetings beginning 1-2 months before your departure. During these meetings you will have a chance to meet the other participants, learn specific trip details and itineraries, start working in groups on your volunteer projects, and a number of other things.
From about May/June through October/November it is rainy season. The sun may shine in the morning (and it will be humid), but it will certainly rain in the afternoon (but it’s usually not a cold rain). December through April is dry season. It will be sunny, humid, and may rain here and there.
October – March Costa Rica is on Central Time. April – September it is on Mountain Time. October – March Ecuador is on Eastern time, April – September Ecuador is on Central Time.
This is actually the #1 reason we chose to have our Spanish Immersion Programs in Costa Rica and Ecuador. Costa Rica has a long history of peacefulness and political stability, and it hosts over 1.5 million tourists a year. Tourism is a very large portion of the country’s economy, which means that in general tourists are treated very well. For many years Ecuador has attracted a great deal of international attention and tourism to its Galapagos islands and the interior of the country is stable and peaceful as well. One of the biggest factors contributing to your safety while on Spanish immersion with Common Ground is that you’re traveling with a group, and you have a Common Ground leader with you. We’re there by your side day to day to help you keep your focus on improving your Spanish.
The bulk of the time you spend in Costa Rica is in a small town called Santo Domingo de Heredia. This town is about 20 minutes N of the capital city San Jose. The language school where you will walk to every morning is about 600m south of the downtown area on the main road. In Ecuador we stay in host families as well. Cuenca is a beautiful colonial city surrounded by beautiful mountains.
You will be staying in a middle-class home setting. You can expect the home and your bedroom to be small. Your bed probably won’t be as comfortable as your bed is here in the US. Most homes have tile floors, no carpet. Most families do not have dish washers nor clothes driers. You may be given a couple different keys for the home: one for the exterior gate off the street, and another for the actual doors to the house.
Your host families may speak a little English, particularly if they have school aged children. However, we encourage them to not let you know. The best way for you to continue learning Spanish is to have to use it!
This depends. In Ecuador you may have another participant from our program staying with you in your host family. Usually in Costa Rica you are paired 1:1 with a host family. When possible we like to limit the number of students to one per family. This increases your opportunities to speak Spanish. If you’re traveling with a sibling we’ll make an effort to place you in neighboring host families so that you’re at least close to each other. If you’re traveling with your spouse for some or all of the time, then yes we can place you in the same family.
Having a student is a significant boost to our host families’ income. Because there are more families requesting students in the town than we have need for, we are selective in who we employ to host you. The host families that our students stay with are screened for various things:
– Criminal and/or questionable social activity
– Suitability of the living quarters that you will occupy
– General “likeability” and friendliness
– Availability of a family member at the home during the hours you are scheduled to be there
– Age and sex of the family’s children. We would not place a teen girl with a family that has teen boys for example.
– Proximity to the language school
Certainly, there aren’t a ton of different faith options in town, but there is a nice Catholic church in the middle of town with several service times throughout the week, an evangelical church close to the town center center and several other faith worship options in nearby towns.
Yes, you will be able to shower every day. There is no guarantee that your shower will have warm water, but you’ll certainly have access to a shower.
You can drink water from the tap almost anywhere in Costa Rica. In Ecuador you need to drink bottled water. If you’re on our program and we’re headed to a place where water is not safe to drink, we’ll certainly let you know and have you get bottled water.
Absolutely. Most of the time the program cost is spread out over 3 payments. If you need other specific arrangements, we can probably be flexible with you. If you’d like to make just one payment, that’s fine too. Acceptable forms of payment are Visa, Master, Discover, Check and Cash.
Yes. Shortly after your register, you will receive a list of clothes, personal items, donations you need to begin collecting, and other miscellaneous items to pack as soon as we receive your application.
Typically 60 – 90 days.
Some do, not all. This depends on your service provider and your specific phone, so check with your service provider first. If your specific phone isn’t capable, most service providers have world phone rental options. This isn’t usually the most economical way to call home when you’re in Costa Rica or Ecuador. You can purchase local chips you arrive to the country. We recommend using Skype, What’sApp or FaceTime. If you won’t have a computer with you, your Common Ground trip leader always will and you’re welcome to use our computers to call home.
Absolutely. Of course it’s always a good idea to have a little cash on you in Colones (Costa Rican currency) or USD for Ecuador (Ecuador is on the US dollar), but honestly you don’t need much right away when traveling with a Common Ground Spanish Immersion group. After you get settled into your host family, we’ll make sure you have the opportunity to get local currency right away. We do not recommend exchanging you money at the airport as they generally have unfavorable exchange rates. Credit & Debit cards are accepted throughout the country, and ATM machines are more and more common every year. The ATM is convenient, and usually provides a good exchange rate. It is important to notify your bank that you will be traveling abroad, and you’ll probably want to inquire about any foreign transaction and/or currency fees.
You will most likely have the same guide and driver for your group the whole time you are on the program with Common Ground, and our destination is further than walking distance. In the mornings we will head to our volunteer site together (either walking or on the private bus). In the afternoons we will leave the outreach work site and head to the language school. During the weekend excursions we will certainly be on the private bus with guide and driver chaperoning our travels.
A good rule of thumb is $2-$3/day that our driver is shuttling you around, and $3-$5/day that a guide is leading you. They work very hard for you, and we take great pleasure in thanking them generously at the end of our programs.
Many spouses, fiancées, friends and other family members join our groups for a portion of the program. We’re happy to arrange this for you with both your host family, and any private hotel accommodations that you require while on vacation portions of the program. If this is something you’re considering, we just ask that you let us know early on so that we can make appropriate arrangements for you. This is not a last minute decision that you can make, it does require special arrangements, so we ask that you notify us at the time you submit your application.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to not budget enough money for additional expenses. The challenge is that this is a question that depends heavily on your tastes and the specifics of the program you’re applying for. To give you an idea of the typical expenses you may be responsible for: a normal lunch will usually run $7.00-$12.00; dinner runs $10.00 – $15.00. Optional excursions are something you should also plan for, but each program is very different. These excursions really add some amazing experiences to your Spanish Immersion Program. Tips excluded (see tips FAQ question), if you were to not include any additional excursions, and live as frugally as possible for the time you’re there, you should plan on $150 for a 2 week program and $300 for the 4 week program.
The best approach however, is to take a look at the specific itinerary for your program that highlights the expenses you’re responsible for, and begin planning your additional expenses accordingly.
Of course you need to be current on your standard immunizations before you travel on Spanish immersion. When traveling in Central and South America there is variation risks of Typhoid, Yellow Fever, and Hepatitis A and B. We suggest you consult both the CDC website for Costa Rica and CDC website for Ecuador and check with your primary care physician to prepare for your Spanish Immersion in Costa Rica or Ecuador.
Quiero aprender inglés
Hello! This looks like a wonderful program ! I have 2 questions:
Do you offer August trips? I would like to travel from 8/11- 8/27
What is the pricing for the Continuing Education Credits (CEU’s) and Graduate Level Credits ?
I live in Georgia. Is there a way to fly from a closer airport than San Jose (like Atlanta) and join in Quito? To cut down on the cost of the trip.
Hola Lindsay! Good question. Yes, I’ll send you an email to explain the best flight options. Thanks!
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