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La
Escuela Español
San José el Viejo
Antigua, Guatemala
The Cordell Hull Foundation
targets targets La Escuela de Español San José el Viejo for its
Summer Studies Program in Antigua, Guatemala. In one-on-one sessions with
individual instructors, students can learn Spanish, totally immersed in a
Latin culture while living with a Guatemalan family.
 The
outdoor casita, where each student works with an individual, expert
instructor.
The year-round
springtime climate makes possible quality one-on-one instruction situated in
unique, individual outdoor casitas set in a courtyard rich with verdant
greenery and abundant colorful flowers. The Cordell Hull Foundation is
seeking grant monies to send teachers of Spanish and other businesspeople
for short-term Spanish fluency intensives. The San Jose del Viejo school,
set against the backdrop of the ancient San José hermitage, imposing ruins,
and abundant foliage, attracts students from all over the world who travel
to study Spanish in this idyllic environment. Antigua, a town of 40,000
just 45 minutes by car from Guatemala City, enjoys a year-round spring-time
climate and a matching warmth emanating from its friendly citizens. For
twenty-seven years, local historic-preservation laws have prevented any new
construction within the city limits, thus preserving the unique flavor of
the town with its original cobblestone streets.
This one-on-one
intensive method of Spanish instruction was originated and perfected in
Antigua, and is enhanced by the even, unaccented Spanish spoken by
Guatemalans. Students further benefit from the fact that Guatemalan
speakers use fewer idiomatic expressions than is the case in most Latin
American countries.
This location is an ideal spot
for Americans to become fluent in Spanish in a minimum amount of time. In
addition, the school is located half a block from the Hotel Antigua is
within easy walking distance of the town square and places of scenic
interest. Surrounding the area are numerous tourist spots, including the
magnificent Lake Atitlan, Rio Dulce, Chichicastenango, Tikal, Pacaya
Volcano, Quetzaltenango and villages with textile markets of traje
indigena. There are numerous other adventures available as well, like
Mayan mountain tours, and whitewater rafting and kayaking.
An incoming student's level of
proficiency is determined by interviews and/or tests. Students may arrange
to attend class for up to six hours a day for several days or a week at a
time, depending upon individual needs. A student may request a
teacher-directed tour of the many interesting sights in the village to learn
about the culture and history while communicating in Spanish. A student may
also choose a different teacher each week if he/she prefers, to experience a
rich variety of expressions. This experience provides the opportunity for
total immersion in the Spanish language and appeals to an increasing number
of businesspeople who need Spanish in the workplace. Participants are
able to combine valuable vacation time with the learning of language skills
while absorbing the fascinating culture of Guatemala. Advisory Board Member
and Louisiana State Treasurer Ken Duncan took advantage of the opportunity
in Christmas of 1997 when he studied with family and staff during the
holidays.
 Students
have the option of staying with a Guatemalan family and practice speaking
Spanish while enjoying delicious home-cooked meals prepared from fresh
products at local market. Pictured here are the charming Garcias in their
lovely courtyard a few blocks from the school.
The Cordell Hull Foundation is
actively seeking funding to grant scholarships to cover cost of tuition and
lodging. Students are required to pay for their own transportation to the
school, including airfare from the United States. The cost is quite
reasonable and the quality of one-on-one instruction unparalleled. Feel
free to contact Marianne mason Morrison at the Cordell Hull Foundation at
Cordellhull@aol.com for more
information about classes, fees and lodging.
Plans for the Summer Studies
Program include more exchange students, additional teachers and locations.
The twenty-first century will bring countries together in a global community
requiring multi-cultural communications in languages other than English.
The Cordell Hull Foundation hopes to continue offering the Summer Studies
Program so that teachers may bridge the language communications gap and
promote understanding through cultural exchange and mutual cooperation.
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