All year long we offer regular language courses. Our students may also enjoy these special activity courses.

“Travel and Spanish at ALE”

This course integrates the learning of the language with a magnificent trip to exotic Costa Rican spots.

The course begins with 20 Spanish lessons taught in our school during the first 4 days. The class groups are small and there are six levels, from the beginners to the advanced. The students live with host families where they practice the language and enjoy Costa Rican cuisine.

On Friday the adventure continues when we receive a conference on Costa Rican history and take a city tour that leads us through parks and monuments, historic buildings and the Central Market where we enjoy lunch. On Saturday more adventure follows when a private bus drives us to the Irazú Volcano and to visit the city of Cartago, Costa Rica¿s Capital City until the 19th century. While in Cartago we stop at the Basilica de los Angeles.On Sunday we continue to the wild mountains of Tapantí, where we explore natural trails and watch the birds in this rain forest. The quetzal, the sacred bird of the Aztecs, nests in these mountains and is usually spotted during the tour. From Tapantí the bus takes us to the Pacific paradise of Dominical and Uvita Beaches to enjoy the ocean and the natural charms of this zone. Whales and dolphins live in the Ballena Marine National Park. Sea, tropical jungle and a large variety of fauna awaits in our next stop: Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most beautiful beaches of Costa Rica. Kilometers of African palm, pineapple, casava, beans, papaya and flower plantations surround our way to the next stop, La Fortuna. This northern town is located in the San Carlos plains and lies in front of the colossal Arenal Volcano. A visit to the active volcano, tropical forest, waterfalls, hotsprings, and a ride around the lake are some of the possibilities in this marvelous town. On our last day, we visit the Poas Volcano National Park. This cloud forest is home for many birds and one of the largest craters in the world, and is surrounded by coffee plantations and great views of the Central Valley.

During the tour, all participants receive 20 lessons of conversational Spanish. These classes take place in different locations.
Many recreational activities like horseback riding, river rafting, canopy, surfing and more are available during the trip at additional cost paid locally.

Starting Dates for 2007  for “Travel and Spanish at ALE”

· February 4th - February 18th
· April 29th - May 13th
· December 2nd - December 16th

Starting Dates for 2008  for “Travel and Spanish at ALE”

· February 3rd - February 16th
· May 11th - May 24th
· November 30th - December 13th

Prices for “Travel and Spanish at ALE”

US$1380.00 (US$320 supplement for single rooms in hotels)
US$170 per week for additional Spanish lessons.
US$150 per week additional homestay in single room (breakfast, dinner and laundry included)

“Travel and Spanish at ALE” includes:

· Registration fee
· Tickets to National Parks and Biological Reserves
· Airport transfer to homestay
· Attendance certificate
· All classroom materials
· 6 nights at homestay family
· 7 nights at hotels in double rooms, breakfast included
· 40 lessons of Spanish
· All transportation during the trip in a modern comfortable private bus
· Certified paramedic with the group at all times during the trip