This program allows students to make the most of the opportunities offered to learn and practice Spanish. The Intensive Program is the oldest and most comprehensive program we have.

Five hours of class time a day are divided into two parts. From 9:00am to 12:00pm students learn new things, review vocabulary, practice grammar (using an inductive learning strategy), work on exercises, go over homework, etc. In the second period, from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, the main activity is practicing Spanish, with activities that include conversation, watching films or television, listening to the radio and audio materials, reading newspapers, going out into the street to talk to people, and anything else that helps students put what they have learned in class into practice.

In addition to the 5 hours of class time in groups of no more than 5 students, there are also a variety of optional activities, which are cultural, recreational, and social. While these activities are optional, we strongly recommend them as the perfect complement to any Ideal program.

Typical Spanish classes teach you how to speak Spanish, at Ideal we teach you to speak Spanish.

• Start: Every Monday throughout the year.
  
• Duration: Each student chooses the number of weeks s/he wants.
  
• Lessons per week: 25 hours per week in small groups.
  
• Lessons per day: 5 hours.
  Class size: Maximum of 5 students per class.
  
• Schedule: From 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, plus daily optional activities.
  

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The Regular Program is designed for those who are looking for something more relaxed. This program is an excellent way to take advantage of their time in Cuernavaca to improve their Spanish, and to become familiar with Mexican culture. As with the Intensive Program, students are encouraged to participate in the optional activities at Ideal. The difference between the Regular and Intensive programs is the number of hours students study daily.

• Start: Every Monday throughout the year.
  
• Duration: Each student chooses the number of weeks s/he wants.
  
• Lessons per week: 20 hours per week in small groups.
  
• Lessons per day: 4 hours.
  
• Class size: Maximum of 5 students per class.
  
• Schedule: From 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, plus daily optional activities.
  

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For those who wish to best take advantage of their stay at Ideal we offer, in addition to 4 hours of small group participation, one hour of private instruction daily.

• Start: Every Monday throughout the year.
  
• Duration: Each student chooses the number of weeks s/he wants.
  
• Lessons per week: 20 hours per week in small groups + 5 hours of private lessons.
  
• Lessons per day: 4 hours in groups + 1 hour private lesson.
  
• Class size: Maximum of 5 students per class.
  
• Schedule: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in groups, with private lesson hours of the student's choosing, Monday through Friday, plus daily optional activities.
  

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Flexibility is the best word to describe our Private Lessons Program. Whether students want to complement one of our other programs with private lessons or take lessons with the duration and scheduling of their choosing, private lessons are an excellent option. Students choose the number of hours they want to study each day and make their own schedule. Private lessons are available 7 days a week, all year round.

• Start: Any day of the year.
  
• Duration: Each student chooses the number of weeks, days, and hours s/he wants to study.
  
• Lessons per week: To be chosen by the student.
  
• Lessons per day: To be chosen by the student.
  
• Class size: 1 on 1.
  
• Schedule: To be chosen by the student, plus daily optional activities.
  

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Each year our student body includes Managers, Attorneys, Doctors, Nurses, School Teachers, Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, Engineers, Ministers, Seminarians, Nuns, and people in many other professions for whom it is essential to learn specific vocabulary in Spanish of their respective professions.

This program includes 4 hours of group Spanish lessons, designed to reinforce general language skills, and a 1 hour private lesson to study professional Spanish. Professional Spanish consists of vocabulary, aspects of Mexican culture, visits to places of professional interest for the student, analysis and discussion of documents and written information when needed, and meetings with professionals in the student's field, if deemed necessary.

Requirements:

• Participation for no less than 4 weeks.
  
• Minimum age of 18 years.
  
• Each volunteer must provide a letter in Spanish explaining why they wish to participate.
  
• Intermediate Spanish or above.

Above all, the Cuernavaca-Playa del Carmen Program gives you the opportunity to get to know two Mexicos. In other words, you will experience two realities in the same country. You will discover entirely different cultures, contrasting landscapes, and different people, all in an enjoyable amount of time.

• Start: Any Monday, all year round.
  Starting venue: Your choice of Cuernavaca or Playa del Carmen.
  
• Duration: Each student chooses how many weeks s/he wants to participate, both in Cuernavaca and in Playa del Carmen.
  
• Lessons per week: 25 hours per week in small groups.
  
• Lessons per day: 5 hours.
  
• Class size: Maximum of 5 students per class.
  
• Schedule: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday, plus daily optional activities.
  

Notes Regarding the Cuernavaca-Playa del Carmen Program:

• At Ideal in Cuernavaca, you can also enroll in one of our regular programs (Regular, Regular + Private Lessons, Private Lessons, etc.). Ask about prices for these options.
  
• For travel from Cuernavaca to Playa del Carmen or vice versa (depending on your itinerary), we recommend that you buy your airline tickets in your home country, as fares are often lower. The cost of a roundtrip ticket between Mexico City and Playa del Carmen (arriving in Cancun airport) is approximately $350 USD.

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The possibilities are very broad and we're flexible and enthusiastic organizing these kinds of programs. Some of the themes, among many, could be: Basic Mexican History, Prehistoric Mexico, Contemporary Mexico, Literature; Ecology, Mexican Cuisine, Spirituality in Mexico, Traditional Medicine, Social Conflicts, Education, or any other theme that your group may be interested in.

In order to get to know your concerns and interests we will discuss the duration of your trip, number of participants and ages, preparation of the participants and budget; in this way we make sure to create a Cultural Program that meets your expectations. Cultural Programs include the participation of experts in each field, trips to historical and cultural places which correspond to the chosen theme, workshops, conversations and activities. Cultural Programs can be given in Spanish or English.

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Besides the programs we already offer all year round you can also register for one of the Combo Programs at Ideal Escuela de Español and obtain all the services you desire for your experience in Mexico to be complete and rewarding in one package! Our Combo Programs are packages that include Spanish classes, lodging with host families, workbooks and extra cultural activities; all at a cost that is very convenient for you. The Scheduled Programs at Ideal begin on predetermined dates and you can attend for 2 or 4 weeks. Ask for our next predetermined starting dates!

Combo Programs include:
2 Week Program
$975 USD:
Registration
Tuition fees for 2 weeks of classes in the Intensive Program (25 hours per week in groups of no more than 5 students).
Lodging in shared bedrooms with a host family for 2 weeks (14 nights). You can change to a private room for $84 USD extra.
1 Ideal Escuela de Español workbook.
Tour of downtown Cuernavaca.
1 dance class.
1 cooking class.
All the free optional activities of the Regular Program at Ideal Escuela de Español (For certain activities such as the Coffee Social the students each pay their own expenses).
Excursion to the water park Las Estacas.
Excursion to the Guadalupe Basilica and the Pyramids of Teotihuacan
Excursion to the Historical Site of Mexico City.
You can choose private transportation from Mexico City Airport for $90 extra (one way).

4 Week Program
$1,805 USD:
Registration
Tuition fees for 4 weeks of classes in the Intensive Program (25 hours per week in groups of no more than 5 students).
Lodging in shared bedrooms with a host family for 4 weeks (28 nights). You can change to a private room for $168 USD extra.
2 Ideal Escuela de Español workbooks.
Tour of downtown Cuernavaca.
1 dance class.
1 cooking class.
All the free optional activities of the Regular Program at Ideal Escuela de Español (For certain activities such as the Coffee Social the students each pay their own expenses).
Excursion to the water park Las Estacas.
Excursion to the Guadalupe Basilica and the Pyramids of Teotihuacan.
Excursion to the Historical Site of Mexico City.
Excursion to the Cacahuamilpa Caves and Taxco.
Excursion to the Frida Kahlo Museum and Xochimilco.
You can choose private transportation from Mexico City Airport for $90 extra (one way).

Notes:
This program requires a minimum of 5 students enrolled. Please ask for the number of students enrolled.
The lodging plan is based on one week of lodging from Sunday to Sunday, whichever amount of week is needed. Additional nights may be added prior to or after the program mentioned herein.
It is possible to choose a private room with an additional fee.
No refunds are available for unused activities, services or nights of lodging included in the package.
You may also choose within these Combo Programs any other Ideal Program such as the Basic Program (4 lessons per day), or the Basic Program + Private Lessons (4 group lessons and 1 private lesson, amongst other options). Just ask us!
No previous discounts apply in Scheduled Programs.

Next Scheduled Programs:
June 2010: From June 6 to July 4, 2010 (Deadline for enrollment: May 21)
July 2010: From July 4 to August 1, 2010 (Deadline for enrollment: June 25)
August 2010: From August 1 to 29, 2010 (Deadline for enrollment: July 23)

 

• We recommend participating in a program at least 4 weeks to see significant progress in your Spanish.
  
• If you want to receive academic credit, inquire about your college's or university's requirements. Ideal does not offer academic credit directly, but most academic institutions grant credit for studies at Ideal.
  
• Remember that for almost all our programs you can start any Monday of the year, and study for as many weeks as you want or need.
  
• Bear in mind that Ideal is required by law to close on Official Mexican Holidays.