Spanish Language Schools in Nicaragua

Many to choose from!

Written by Joshua Berman and Randall Wood, authors of Moon Nicaragua (this article originally appeared at www.transitionsabroad.com)

Roger Ramirez's One-on-One Spanish Tutoring Academy (tel. 011/505/552-6771, oneononetutoring.granada@yahoo.com, www.spanish1on1.net) has received rave reviews and a constant stream of students since its humble, one-room beginnings. One-on-one's classrooms are a bit cramped, but their eight full-time young teachers rotate every hour, so that students are exposed to different personalities and accents as they switch between grammar, conversation, and other topics. A week of 20 hours of instruction costs US$95, plus US$70 for room and board with a family. Custom, group, and cultural activities can also be arranged, as can shorter lessons, or class by the hour. In addition, 10% of tuition fee goes to local charity.

The experienced teachers that used to work in the beautiful Palacio de Cultura on the central park now own and operate the Cocibolca Spanish School (tel. 011/505/889-9375/865-1340, esc_cocibolca@yahoo.com, pages.prodigy.net/nss-pmc), which offers full packages from US$195, and also weekend classes.

Spanish Schools in Laguna De Apoyo

If you prefer to avoid the distractions of the city, the Proyecto Ecologico (eco-nic@guegue.com.ni, www.gaianicaragua.org) is the only Spanish school in Nicaragua in a purely natural setting--the lakeside lodge is in the crater of an ancient volcano. The spot is incredible, only an hour from Managua, less to Granada, yet still tucked away in its own green world. Lodging and food are excellent; students are placed in a one-on-one and/or group learning context (max. 4 per teacher) for five hours per day, five days per week. One week costs US$190, includes classes, activities, room and board in their lodge. The weekend program has Spanish classes Saturday and Sunday, with all meals included, and room Saturday night.

Spanish Schools in San Juan Del Sur

One of the best deals around and easy to recommend is Dona Rosa Silva's Spanish School (tel. 011/505/621-8905, spanish_silva@yahoo.com, www.spanishsilva.com), offering four hours of daily instruction, up to six days a week for US$100--plus US$60 for a homestay; several of her students had nothing but good things to say.

There's one school in the Casa de Cultura, across from the beach (they may still be unethically using the old NSS name and logo), but it is under brand new management and we have not heard anything about it. Down the block across from the bank (right on the beach!) is the San Juan del Sur Spanish School (tel. 011/505/568-2432, sjdsspanish@yahoo.com, www.sjdsspanish.com) with all-inclusive packages for US$195/week; very experienced teachers.

Latin American Spanish School (tel. 011/505/820-2252; info@latinamericanspanishschool.com, www.latinamericanspanishschool.com) is a recent start-up headed by a half dozen entrepreneurial and professional Nicaraguan Spanish instructors with, on average, over 8 years' experience teaching foreigners. They offer a basic 20-hour instruction and activity package for US$120, plus US$90/week for lodging with private bath and three meals a day.

Spanish Schools in Leon

Schools are in flux in Leon, with a few new ones being formed at press time, and the oldest one being disbanded. Ask about Spanish schools in the Casa de Cultura, or check the bulletin board at the Via Via Hospedaje for private tutors and lessons. Also, Va Pues Tours (tel. 011/505/606-2276, info@vapues.com, www.vapues.com) recently began offering an intensive, full-immersion Spanish course: US$195 for 20 hours of one-on-one class (over five days), includes room and board.

Spanish Schools in Esteli

Esteli's advantage over other schools is the deliciously cool climate and a number of natural excursions accessible as brief day trips from the city. Esteli­ has lots of experience hosting and teaching internacionalistas and its schools have been around for over a decade. Escuela Horizonte Nica (tel. 011/505/713-4117 or 836-5943, horizont@ibw.com.ni, www.ibw.com.ni/u/horizont) has one of the longest track records in town, and has an afternoon activity program that includes visits to local cooperatives and community development programs. One week of class, with 20 hours of intensive study, afternoon activities, and homestay with a family costs US$165, but they offer discounts for groups.

The CENAC Spanish School (Centro Nicaraguense de Aprendizaje Cultural, tel. 011/505/713-5437, cenac@ibw.com.ni, www.ibw.com.ni/~cenac) also gets high marks and has been around since 1990. They offer 20 hours of class plus room and board for US$140 a week. The Spanish School Gueguense (tel. 011/505/713-7172) is located 250 meters east of the Shell Esquipulas. Its afternoon activities include trips to Jinotega, Quilali, San Juan del Rio Coco, and local Esteli attractions. Class and homestay cost US$120 per week.

Spanish Schools in Managua

Viva Spanish School (tel. 011/505/877-7179 or 270-2339, vivaspanish@btinternet.com, www.vivaspanishschool.com), offering intensive classes (20 hrs per week), catering to students of all ages and backgrounds--one week of instruction, including all materials is US$125. Also offers evening classes for people who live and work in Managua (4 hrs per week). Modules of study are available for missionaries, medical students and businesspeople, covering specialized vocabulary in each area; also advanced courses, tourist Spanish, a Literature Class, and a specially developed Childrens Program which includes games, art and other activities.

Private lessons, tutoring, and guide services are offered by friendly bilingual Managuan, Raul Gavarrette (tel. 011/505/233-1298, cel 776-5702, aige@tmx.com.ni), and you may be able to find similar services at Nicaragua Spanish Schools (NSS, Managua tel. 011/505/244-1699, US tel. 805/687-9941, nssmga@ibw.com.ni, pages.prodigy.net/nss-pmc).

Another highly rated option is The Ave Maria International Language Institute in Managua (AMILI, tel. 505/278-6885, www.avemaria.edu.ni) and its sister school on the main Ave Maria College campus in San Marcos, Carazo: The Ave Maria Language Institute (AMLI, tel. 505/535-2314, www.avemaria.edu.ni).