Spanish programs for families

I am from Argentina but married a US citizen with very little fluency in Spanish which is why our kids (10 and 14) never spoke my language much. I sent them to La Montaña hoping they could make up for lost time. The results were amazing!

I was concerned that they would miss us (they were gone for little over a month) and be upset that we sent them to school on their summer break. Both were unfounded. The first class they had they came back so excited and said it was so much fun and the classes were catered to each of their interests and they remained engaged for the duration.

Liam came back fluent (some errors on tenses and gender of words) but fluent! He didn’t speak more than a few words when he left and placed on Spanish 3-4 honors! More importantly I can now speak to my kid in my language and he understands what I say. Almost brought tears to my eyes.

Nick (10) came back less fluent than Liam (he is less daring to say something if he isn’t sure it will be accurate) but understands when I speak and I can’t wait for him to continue learning. What he learned surprised me as well as he is a tricky learner.

Veronica went way above and beyond by organizing their stay with a great couple!  Adapting her classes so that our kids could go to ski team, helping us organize a car service for this effort, pick-up, drop-offs, things completely outside the scope of the school. She made this whole experience one that I hope to be able to repeat and would be happy to talk and highly recommend to anyone who is planning on doing this.

Thanks,

Liz

FAQs

COURSES

How many students will be in class? 

 
The maximum number of students in a group class is 6, but we have an average of 3 students per group. If there are no other students at your level, the daily 4 hours of group classes will be replaced by 2 hours of private classes, without additional charge.

What level should I take?
 

We do not work with fixed group levels. Every week we analyze levels of all the students, to see which students match up to be in the same class. Before you arrive you will have to fill in our placement test, which will give us an initial idea of your level.

What is included in the course?  

The course includes all study materials, three or four after class activities per week, free snacks and coffee and use of our computers and library.  

Do the teachers speak English?

All the teachers speak English, but students are encouraged to communicate only in Spanish during the classes and after-class activities. We also have teachers who speak French, Portuguese and German.

What is the class schedule?

The group classes for both the Intensive Spanish Course and the Super Intensive Spanish Course take place from Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm. Around 10.45am, you will have a break of about 20 minutes. Students taking the Super Intensive Spanish Course will have 2 hours of private classes in the afternoon as well. The schedule for private classes is flexible.

Can I start any day?

Group courses start every Monday. In emergencies and special cases, we can arrange for you to join a group during the week.

Do I get any certificate of accomplished level?

Yes, you will get a certificate of attendance including dates and hours of Spanish lessons taken.

What is the qualification of the teachers and the accreditation of the school?

All our teachers have University Degree in Spanish and specialize in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. They are all native speakers and come from different regions of Argentina, so students can notice the difference between different accents.

La Montana and Spanish in Bariloche are accredited by AAECELE and SEA.

The schools works with and provides teacher training courses.

ARRIVAL:

When do I have to arrive in Bariloche? 


One day before the classes start would be enough, but most of the students arrive a couple of days in advance.

How and when do I pay?

The program fee has to be paid by the first day of class. We accept bank transfers, cash Credit card and PayPal (5% fee applies for the last two). You can pay in $US, Euros, Swiss Francs and Argentinean pesos.

Can you pick me up from the airport? 

 
Yes, we offer airport pick-up service from the international airport of Bariloche. Every day there are many flights from Buenos Aires, and there is bus service from many cities in Argentina and Chile. The airport pick-up is included in the program prices (For courses of two weeks or more). If you give us your flight details, we will be waiting for you at the gate when your flight arrives.

Can you pick me up from the bus terminal?


As the arrival time of the buses can vary significantly, we do not offer bus terminal pick up. The most convenient option for students is to catch a taxi or bus to the center. The bus terminal is just out of town, only a 5 minute drive.

Is the school in the center of Bariloche?
Yes, the school is in the heart of Bariloche, just 2 blocks from the main street.

Spanish for Families in Bariloche: Ellen, Peter and Louie

Student stories: Ellen, Minnesota

I took group classes at La Montaña for three months while in Bariloche with my husband and four-year-old son on a family sabbatical. Because I had studied French, I could understand some Spanish, but otherwise I was starting from near zero. It didn’t take long to build up my vocabulary and learn to recognize different verb tenses, and it was exciting to be able to read and understand newspaper articles even without a dictionary. But developing a passive understanding is totally different from being able to actively use a language, and the teachers at La Montana understand this:  from my very first classes I was expected and encouraged to speak and write in Spanish. That daily practice in a supportive environment helped me develop the confidence I needed to interact with shopkeepers, the staff at my son’s preschool, and with the Argentine friends we started to make.
Being far from home while struggling to learn the local language can be isolating and lonely, and for me being part of the community at La Montaña was a big help. I met interesting people from all over the world, made friends, and traded useful information on things like excursions and laundry services and apartment rentals.
I had a positive experience at La Montaña and feel like I made really good progress learning Spanish in a short period of time. As we pack our bags to fly home to the U.S. we’re already discussing how we can come back to Bariloche!
Ellen Tveit
Minnesota, U.S.A.