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Spanish Schools






Spanish School - classes, language courses, one-to-one lessons or immersion.  Spanish teachers and schools all have different styles, so find the right language course for you.

Spanish Schools in Ecuador

Spanish school is probably the best way to start your trip to Ecuador, with a few lessons to brush up rusty intermediate language skills or a total immersion course for complete beginners.  There are over a hundred Spanish language schools in Quito and the capital city is one of the best places in the world to study Spanish.  The local accent is easy to understand and most people in the highlands speak slowly and clearly.

Spanish schools vary greatly, so look around to find one that suits your learning style and objectives.  Ask about lesson plans and course structure and try a trial class or two before committing yourself.  Be wary of any school wanting up front payment for a long course - you may find the teaching style does not suit your way of learning.  Ask fellow travellers or hotel staff for recommendations, but remember that different Spanish teachers within the same school will not be teaching in the same way, and that other students might have varying learning styles or different objectives, so you need to make your own decision. 

Decide on your Spanish learning objectives before you search for a language school.  Do you want an exam certificate and a good grounding in grammar? Or do you just want to be able to chat with people and ask where the bus station is?  If you will be volunteering in Ecuador, let your Spanish teacher know about your project so you can focus on relevant vocabulary. 

Good language schools know that learning happens not only in the classroom and many also organise excursions, dancing lessons, homestays and other ways to have fun while you learn to speak Spanish.   Most students find that 4 or 5 hours a day of Spanish lessons is the maximum possible - by the time you have done your homework as well, you will be exhausted.  Any Spanish course suggesting more than 5 hours a day of classes should be viewed with suspicion.  One to one Spanish tuition is an excellent way to learn but it is often a good idea to include a few group lessons or a short course with a different teacher once in a while, for variety.

Quito is not the only place to find Spanish schools and courses.  Cuenca, another highland city,  is also a popular destination for language students.  Coastal destinations have few Spanish teachers and the strong local accents on the coast make learning Spanish much harder for students.  There are not many opportunities to study Spanish formally in the Galapagos Islands and those you do find will almost certainly cost much more than on the mainland.

Wherever you decide to study Spanish, you can back up what you are learning in your lessons by watching TV, talking with local people, reading the Spanish version of information in museums or other tourist attractions and by staying in accommodation where nobody speaks English.  A good Spanish school may be able to help you organise the latter.  ¡Suerte!  (Good luck!)