ttraveler

I have been to Guatemala twice and I have always wanted to take classes myself but now that I have a son I think it would be fun for the two of us to go. He seems to enjoy learning and has traveled quite a bit. Does anyone have any ideas for a good school for a child? Also, I would love your honest opinions on what you think... Is he too young?
Thanks

Jaya

You don't have to be in Guatemala to take Spanish lessons. Why not take classes where you live and then use the Spanish when you travel? There are loads of language instruction books and DVD geared towards kids, look into some of those. Also, check with your local school district regarding tutoring with a Spanish teacher.

ttraveler

He is in Kindergarten and they do teach Spanish in his school but you have a good point. I thought it would be something fun for us to do together.. Vacation and learning.

suze

I would contact the Language Schools available in the town(s) you are headed to, and find out if they accept children. I think it sounds like a fun idea, just not sure if it will be possible (practical, available).

hopefulist

I think that's a FABULOUS idea! I wish I would have done that with my kids, though we couldn't afford to when they were that age. Such great cultural learning as well as language learning.

In my opinion the perfect choice: The Cooperativa School in San Pedro La Laguna on Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. www.cooperativeschoolsanpedro.com

The town is small and friendly, the staff experienced and fun, the school setting gorgeous - palapas in an incredible garden overlooking the lake - and you can live and eat with a local family or rent the cute little apartment at the school for ~$12/day and doing your own cooking or eat out.

I recommended it to 2 families with kids last year - one on a forum and one from here in my town. They were both there when I stopped in for a week last summer and were pleased with their choice. Our local friends (kids 6 and 8) stayed in the apartment for a month and could hardly stand to leave. They were very pleased with the instruction their kids received - really motivating and fun, with extra trips and activities thrown in.

Another good choice would be the Ixbalanque school in Copán Ruinas, Honduras: www.ixbalanque.com

My photos and travelogues are below if you care to check them out. If you contact the school be sure to tell them Stacey says hi and misses them. Happy trails!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

baldone

I don't know. It seems that on one hand, if you want to spend the money, and can find a school to do it, then go for it. On the other, he'll never be able to grasp even the most elementary grammar concepts. I would think you'd both be better off if you taught him yourself, at least the very basics until he could understand what he'd be learning. I guess a lot would depend on what you meant by "vacation": 2 weeks, or 2 months. Even the most motivated adult will struggle with just a 2 week school without the proper follow up practice and study.

hopefulist

baldone - I disagree. I think it's incredible how fast kindergartners can grasp language concepts. Years ago I taught kindergarten in a school where the kids had half an hour of Spanish instruction daily and I was floored how quickly they picked it up. And even if he doesn't catch on to the grammar, a bright child will learn hundreds of data bits - nouns and phrases - that he can use to interact with others and that will later serve as a foundation.

Part of the language school experience is the amazing cultural learning that takes place, something you can't get stateside. And kindergartners aren't always as eager to learn new concepts from their parents as they are from an experienced, fun teacher.

It's true that language acquisition requires an ongoing effort, whether you study for months or just weeks. That said, it's impressive how much a motivated student can learn in 2 weeks. I surprise myself every summer in immersion programs, though I found my language learning from 2 years of college courses frustratingly slow. My son Isaac tested out of 2 full semesters of university Spanish after 3 weeks of immersion study and volunteering at Ixbalanque in Honduras a few years ago. I think it's worth the time even if someone just has a week to spare.

Finally, living and eating your meals with a host family, studying 1-on-1 for 4 hours/day, and enjoying the school's included activities is incredibly inexpensive in Guatemala and Honduras: $150/week at the Coop and $210/week at Ixbalanque. Where else can you have quality 1-on-1 instruction, great activities, and full room and board for $20-30/day?

I usually say, "That's my 2 quetzales' worth" but I guess I probably just spent at least 30Q. ;-)

ttraveler

Thanks everyone for your replies and thoughts.
I really wouldn't expect him to actually be able to grasp concepts ect. but I think he would be able to pick up many words and phrases.
Hopefulist, As always I appreciate your imput. I am going to take a look at the school that you mentioned. I may be going to Guatemala again in January with a friend and if I do I think I may go check out the school. Guatemala has really drawn me in and it has quickly become one of my favorite places.

hopefulist

Visiting ahead is a good idea - you'll fall in love with the school, I'll bet. Don't forget to tell them hi from me and let me know if I can help you with anything.

One of the biggest joys in my life is the Beca ("scholarship" in Spanish) Project which I started a year ago with their help: www.becaproject.org Can't wait to head back there in July to visit the school, our scholarship students, and their families again. Sigh....

baldone

Much will depend on the class; is it a group or private? If a child is in a group, he will only slow down the rest of the class and get frustrated and lose interest in the process as the adults ask grammar questions which they inevitably will. A typical Spanish school in Latin America is nothing like a half hour session in grade school directed at 5 & 6 year olds, where they sing songs and draw pictures. 4-6 hours a day of adult-oriented Spanish is just too much for a 6 year old. And hopeful, I don't deny that only 2 weeks of Spanish doesn't have some value. But left at that it is largely a waste of time. Your own experience, which includes 2 years of college and regular summer immersion, is not a good indicator of how a 6 year old (or an adult) beginner will fare in just 2 weeks. Or even more. My wife teaches Spanish to 6,7 & 8 year-olds so I know of what I speak. There is no doubt that children can learn Spanish. The homestay would be great; probably has more value than the class itself. But don't put your child through 4 hours (or more) a day of Spanish. Hire a private teacher for a shorter time that has experience with children.

hopefulist

baldone -
It sounds as if you've never attended a good quality immersion program. In Guatemala and Honduras the classes are always private and instruction for children is geared for children. Even in countries like Costa Rica and Mexico where small group classes are the norm, no school worth its salt would ever mix children in a class with adult learners.

Last summer my friends' kids had a blast studying - field trips to the market, hiking, a coffee farm, a kids' museum, or for craft lessons every day, some sit down time for instruction and language games but the teachers both had a great touch for changing things up, adding physical movement, and making things both productive and fun. Also, the kids studied in the mornings but in that town grade school kids attend school in the afternoons; it was possible to connect them with local kids their own ages for swimming, soccer, and just hanging out. The Coop teachers are young and many of them have kids about that age including the director who lives at the school.

No Spanish instruction - even years at the university level - will provide a good basis down the line if you don't maintain your skills. The same can be true of immersion study but not so much, at least for me and the dozens of friends - mostly beginners, mostly teachers (who tend to be very judgmental about curriculum and instruction), and on many occasions children - who have traveled with me to immersion programs; universally we've found that the Spanish "sticks" much better because it's so environmental and in context and you are living and breathing it, not just attending class and then heading to the gym or math class or home to family or television in English.

I don't know ttraveler's son but I'm guessing he's bright. No one can predict exactly how much he will take in and keep from an immersion experience but I'm actually perfectly positioned to make a good guess that, in the right school, it would be a phenomenal, happy, productive experience.

I've been a teacher for more than 30 years - mostly 5 and 6 year olds. I've taught Spanish to those kids and to my own kids who, as adults, are all considered fluent speakers. I have had hundreds of 2nd language learners in my classes and received National Board Certification as an instructor of language learners.

I've worked with immersion language schools to develop their children's programs, have traveled with children who were studying in the schools with me and with their parents on multiple occasions, and have recommended the schools to other families with young children who have had successful experiences. I know of what I speak, too.

ttraveler - if you go to my travel study website and click on a country link, you can get my phone number off the registration form - give me a call if you'd like: www.liveandlearninlatinamerica.blogspot.com

travellingdad

We studied as a family at CLI in antigua, Guatemala in July 2008. My two sons, then aged 12 and 10 studied together with a great teacher, Eric, while the rest of us (my wife, daughter and I) each had our own individual tutor. There were no group lessons; all were private, and we all loved it.

ttraveler

Thanks to everyone for the great feedback. I haven't made any plans yet. It's just something that I would love to do with my son so it's great to get input and advice.
Hopeful, Thanks for your offer to call.. I just may do that. I actually use a lot of your advice for our trips and I really respect the way you travel.

hopefulist

Thanks - hope to hear from you if there's anything I can do to help. Happy trails!