Learn Spanish with us at Yanapuma!
Yanapuma Spanish School is a unique, cooperative, teacher-run Spanish school offering professional Spanish language instruction in Quito, Ecuador at reasonable prices. The Spanish School is oriented towards socially and ecologically aware students, backpackers, tourists and professionals motivated to learn Spanish and to experience Ecuador in the fullest way possible.
Our highly qualified and experienced Spanish teachers are actively involved in the development and management of both our School and Yanapuma Foundation. The Foundation is a non-profit organization whose aims are to facilitate sustainable practices in urban and rural communities throughout Ecuador, and to encourage intercultural exchange that fosters mutual benefit and learning in our globalizing world.
ALL of the profits from the Spanish school help support the work of our Foundation.
The advantages of studying at Yanapuma are:
- A professionally developed Spanish language curriculum taught by highly experienced and motivated teachers
- One-to-one Spanish classes in our unique café-style setting, or small group lessons
- Multimedia and language lab with audio-visual materials for learning and practicing Spanish pronunciation, comprehension and vocabulary
- Optional Quito Volunteer packages that include morning volunteer work with local organizations and afternoon Spanish classes
- An optional Quito Cultural Package that offers daily guided excursions around Quito in combination with your Spanish classes, ideal for those who have a limited time in Quito or in Ecuador.
- Spanish study options in indigenous communities outside of Quito for an intercultural immersion learning experience
- Optional weekend excursions that take you off the regular tourist trails
- Volunteering and cultural exchange opportunities through Yanapuma Foundation and other organizations
- Bookings and advice on Galapagos trips, jungle tours, etc.
Spanish Study at Yanapuma
Yanapuma Spanish School offers one to one Spanish classes for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Group classes can be arranged as well. We can tailor your Spanish classes to focus on particular areas of interest, such as business or medicine. Our basic program includes 4 hours per day of one to one instruction 5 days per week, but we can generally customize class hours to fit your particular needs.
Our Spanish curriculum was developed by qualified linguists, and provides the highest standards of teaching by highly experienced teachers, a wide range of materials for learning at all levels of Spanish, and weekly monitoring of student progress. Our teaching materials include professional texts, a library, Spanish language films, and a language laboratory for practice and learning correct Spanish pronunciation, comprehension and vocabulary. Yanapuma's Spanish program is recognized and authorized by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education (registration number #1603DINEPP-MEC).
Following are some optional programs offered through Yanapuma Spanish School:
Quito Volunteer Package
Yanapuma Spanish School offers a program of intensive Spanish learning, combining classroom Spanish instruction and volunteer work. The aim of this program is to help local children and marginalized individuals while providing extra opportunities to practice the Spanish language. The Quito Volunteer Package includes 20 hours per week (4 hours per day) of Spanish classes and an additional 3 hours of volunteer work each day in one of our volunteer projects in Quito.
Quito Cultural Package
Designed for those who will not be staying in Quito for a long period of time, yet want to get to know Quito and its cultural and tourist attractions well, the two-week Quito Cultural Package combines 20 hours per week of Spanish classes with four daily guided excursions each week in or around Quito.
Intensive Spanish Study in Ecuadorian Communities
We offer programs to study Spanish in Ecuadorian communities. These programs are taught by one of our own instructors, and offer real language immersion while experiencing one of Ecuador’s unique cultures and communities. We currently offer Spanish study programs at the coast, in the high Sierra, and in the Amazon jungle, and can also design customized programs based upon your preferences. Your participation in these course offerings directly helps the local people in their efforts to develop community-based tourism, while you learn Spanish more effectively through extensive practice all day long.
Recreation and Travel
Any of our students can follow the lead of their guidebooks on their own. What we offer is something different; excursions oriented toward discovering those areas of Ecuador off of the tourist trails, learning about Ecuadorian culture and traditions, and truly experiencing what this country has to offer. All at costs we work hard to keep as low as possible.
On weekends, we offer opportunities to travel with us to some of Ecuador's special places. During the week, the Spanish school organizes half-day excursions to places of interest in and around Quito. These trips are in small groups, guided by one of our teachers, and include places of cultural and historical interest or simply places with something special to offer the tourist.
We also offer our students and volunteers information and excellent pricing on trips to Galapagos, the Amazon, and many other places of interest across Ecuador.
Accommodation
Yanapuma offers a variety of options for accommodation, based on personal preferences and length of stay in Quito. For students who want to learn Spanish as rapidly as possible, we recommend accommodations with local families. We also offer single and shared rooms in local hostels.
Yanapuma Foundation
Through the Foundation we offer several options for volunteering and cultural exchange in indigenous and mestizo communities throughout Ecuador. Click here to visit the webpages of Yanapuma Foundation and learn more, or visit the volunteer page of this website.
