Voices en Español

By Jeffrey Hayes

So you’ve been studying Spanish for a long time now, but you feel like you’re in a rut – stuck within the confines of the seemingly unconquerable wall of native fluency. As difficult as it may seem, it is an attainable goal. I am sure it is frustrating to hear so many people around you speaking other languages besides just their native tongue…well they didn’t get there without hard work! Becoming fluent in another language takes patience, determination, and a lot of practice. Communication and interaction with native speakers is imperative to understanding the intimacies of the Spanish language.

Alternatively, perhaps you’re just starting out with your Spanish studies, and you need some extra motivation to make some real progress in the language. Have you considered enrolling in a language immersion program in a Spanish-speaking country? One of the great things about Spain and Latin America is that their language schools are highly reputable and popular holiday/vacation hot spots for language learners worldwide.

Not too sure where to go for your Spanish language immersion experience? Here are some recommendations:

SPAIN

Spain is an extremely popular European study abroad destination. It is where the Spanish language all started! Barcelona and Madrid are perfect for students who enjoy the busy, cosmopolitan lifestyle of a bigger city. Seville and Granada, in Spain’s southern Andalucia region, are wonderful locations infused with unique cultural and linguistic traditions. San Sebastian, on Spain’s northern coast, and Alicante, a beautiful Mediterranean fishing village, are both marvelous coastal/beachside study locations.

• Pros: Country with diverse terrains, giving you the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities; easy access to the rest of Europe, with many discount airlines available as well; abundance of cultural activities throughout Spain; many language schools from which to choose
• Cons: More expensive than Latin America; travel time and cost from the U.S. can be a deterrent; many students from the U.S., making it a bit difficult to make significant improvement in the language (unless you regularly practice your Spanish with native speakers)
• Ideal for: Spain is the ideal Spanish study destination for students of all ages, linguistic abilities, and interests.

MEXICO

Mexico is a country with a rich cultural heritage. Two of the most popular cities are Cuernavaca and Playa del Carmen. Cuernavaca is a beautiful city with colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, remnants of Aztec culture, and a delightful year-round warm climate that has earned it the nickname “The Land of Eternal Spring.” This charming university city is located just an hour from Mexico City and three hours from the stunning beaches of Acapulco. Playa del Carmen offers students the opportunity to explore Mayan ruins, enjoy water sports, or just relax in the sun on some of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches.

• Pros: Easy to get to from the U.S.; many language schools; fascinating history; US Dollar is interchangeable with the Mexican peso; affordable language study destination
• Cons: Popular Spring Break and summer destination, so you will find many tourists – making it hard to make rapid progress in the language
• Ideal for: Students who choose to further their Spanish studies in Mexico are usually beginners who are looking for a smooth, casual introduction to the language. You will also find many businessmen conducting business in Mexico.

GUATEMALA

The town of Antigua is an amazing place to learn Spanish; unspoilt by tourism — it is a location where you can truly experience the “authentic” Latin America and do so in a safe and welcoming town. Guatemala is a country filled with an intriguing history, culture, and wildlife.

• Pros: Extremely inexpensive study location; close proximity to the U.S.; gateway to Mexico and the rest of Central America; volunteer work is also popular in Guatemala; smaller class sizes at language schools
• Cons: Don’t expect air conditioning everywhere you go, as living standards are generally lower
• Ideal for: Students traveling on a budget; those looking for an escape from the big city; students who are enthusiastic to learn Spanish.

ARGENTINA

Learn Spanish in the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world! Discover the Argentine Tango, the beautiful Iguazu Falls, the capital city Buenos Aires, or even the delicious wine in Mendoza. Popular destinations include Bariloche, Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza, and Ushuaia.

• Pros: Learn a different accent with which Spanish is spoken; some of the most incredible landscapes and sites in the world (i.e. Tierra del Fuego in the south; Iguazu Falls in the north); close to Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and the Andes Mountain range; wide variety of cities in which to study Spanish, making for a dynamic cultural scene; friendly and welcoming people
• Cons: A bit more expensive to travel to than other Latin American destinations; the size of the country can make it difficult to travel around, depending on where you are in Argentina; higher cost of living than other countries in Latin America
• Ideal for: Students who want to combine a Spanish language course with skiing in Bariloche; or Tango dance lessons along with a normal language course; and students who are learning Spanish for their job, with specialized courses such as Medical Spanish, Business Spanish, or even Spanish for Lawyers.

COSTA RICA

With its tropical beaches, beautiful rain forest reserves, and picturesque landscapes, Costa Rica is the perfect place to combine water sports, dance lessons, or ecological volunteer opportunities with an intensive Spanish immersion program. Choose from language schools in places such as Flamingo Beach, Monteverde (Mountain Rain Forest), and San Joaquin de Flores.

• Pros: Great volunteer opportunities in Costa Rica; close proximity to the U.S. and the rest of Central America; wide range of cultural activities available to students; home to some of the most eye-catching, picturesque, and panoramic landscapes in the world; one of the highest living standards in the region; low-cost airfares to Costa Rica from the U.S.
• Cons: Poor condition of roads means that travel time can vary from San Jose International Airport to various sites around the country; may be difficult to practice your Spanish with the locals, as they are used to speaking English to tourists; not as culturally diverse as other Latin American countries
• Ideal for: Students interested in volunteering, adventure travel, and ecotourism; students who want to study in a beautiful year-round climate

Whether you are a college student looking for the perfect study abroad experience, a couple looking for a new adventure in a different country, a mature student wanting to discover a new language and culture, or a professional looking for a truly alternative vacation, taking a language course overseas can be both educational and fun.

Whatever your level of previous experience, it is widely accepted that language immersion overseas is really the very best way to learn Spanish quickly and to a high level. The fact that it is a fine excuse to explore the world is just the icing on the cake!

Jeffrey Hayes was formerly a language travel consultant at The Language Travel Company in Boston.