An important facet of ideal is that we have used our more than 44 years of experience to develop increasingly efficient teaching techniques. The ultimate goal is that, with this constant evolution, your learning experience will be faster and more fun. We develop and fine tune our programs taking students’ needs into account.
Beginning in 2019, we are open classes in Oaxaca all year round with our Oaxacan colleagues.
Programs in Cuernavaca
Intensive Program
Cuernavaca
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 classes of 50 minutes a day are divided into two parts. From 9:00 am to 12:00 pm 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 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, 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 classes of 50 minutes 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.
- Start: Every Monday throughout the year.
- Duration: Each student chooses the number of weeks s/he wants.
- Lessons per week: 25 classes of 50 minutes per week in small groups.
- Class size: Maximum of 5 students per class.
- Schedule: From 9am to 2pm, plus daily optional activities.
Regular Program
Cuernavaca
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 classes of 50 minutes per week in small groups.
- Class size: Maximum of 5 students per class.
- Schedule: From 9am to 1pm, plus daily optional activities.
Express Program
Cuernavaca
For those who wish to take advantage of their stay at but having no too much time, or want to enjoy our city and surroundings while in Mexico, we offer a light version program:.
- Start: Every Monday throughout the year.
- Duration: Each student chooses the number of weeks s/he wants.
- Lessons per week: 15 classes of 50 minutes per week in small groups
- Class size: Maximum of 5 students per class.
- Schedule: 9am to 12pm in groups, with private lesson hours of the student’s choosing, Monday through Friday, plus daily optional activities.
Private Lessons
Cuernavaca
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.
- Class size: 1 on 1.
- Schedule: To be chosen by the student, plus daily optional activities.
Professional Vocabulary Program
Cuernavaca
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.
- Start: Every Monday throughout the year.
- Duration: Each student chooses the number of weeks s/he wants.
- Lessons per week: 20 classes in small groups + 5 classes of private lessons studying professional vocabulary.
- Schedule: 9am to 1pm in a group, with private lesson of the student’s choosing, Monday through Friday, plus daily optional activities.
- Class size: Maximum of 5 students per class.
Volunteer Program
Cuernavaca & Oaxaca
There exists a variety of options for those who wish to learn or improve their Spanish serving as volunteers with Social Organizations. Over the years we have seen that volunteer work is as much an enriching experience for the volunteers as for organizations they help.
- Start: Every Monday throughout the year
- Duration: 4 or more weeks.
- Lessons per week: Choose from any of the previous programs.
- Volunteer activities: Students can choose their volunteer sites depending on the time of year and availability. The most common places for volunteer work include: Organizations that build homes, stoves, etc., for people from marginalized communities, Elementary Schools, Community Medical Clinics, Orphanages and Hospitals (with a hospital volunteer group).
Requirements:
- Participation for no less than 4 weeks.
- Minimum age of 18 years. When we receive groups can engage students under 18 years old.
- Each volunteer must provide a letter in Spanish explaining why they wish to participate.
- We recommend that students who come particular have an intermediate level of Spanish or above.
Programs in OAXACA
Basic Program
Oaxaca
Three hours of classes, five days a week divided into two sessions with a different teacher for each session. From 9:00am to 12:00pm, or 4:00 to 7:00pm.
- Start: Every Monday throughout the year.
- Duration: Each student chooses the number of weeks s/he wants.
- Lessons per week: 15 classes of 50 minutes per week in small groups.
- Class size: Maximum of 5 students per class.
- Schedule: 9 am to 12pm, in two sessions with two different teachers.
Regular Program
Oaxaca
Four hours of classes, five days a week, divided evenly between two teachers.
- Start: Every Monday throughout the year.
- Duration: Each student chooses the number of weeks s/he wants.
- Lessons per week: 20 classes of 50 minutes per week in small groups.
- Class size: Maximum of 5 students per class.
- Schedule: 9am to 1pm, or 3pm to 7pm, in two sessions with different teachers.
Super-Intensive
Oaxaca
Six hours of classes, five days a week, divided into three sessions, each with a different teacher. The last session is held after “La Comida” (3:00 – 5:00pm).
- Start: Every Monday throughout the year.
- Duration: Each student chooses the number of weeks s/he wants.
- Lessons per week: 30 classes of 50 minutes per week in small groups.
- Class size: Maximum of 5 students per class.
- Schedule: 9am to 1pm, and 3pm to 7pm, in three sessions with different teachers.
Super-Intensive Workshops
Oaxaca
Four hours of regular Spanish classes, five days a week, divided into two sessions, each with a different teacher. Plus two more hours of workshops in the afternoon 4:00 – 6:00pm.
- Start: Every Monday throughout the year.
- Duration: Each student chooses the number of weeks s/he wants.
- Lessons per week: 20 classes of Spanish of 50 minutes, per week in small groups.
- Class size: Maximum of 5 students per class.
- Schedule: Spanish classes: 9am to 1pm, divided in two sessions with different teachers; and workshops: 4pm to 6pm.
- Workshop schedule: Monday & Friday: weaving. Tuesday & Thursday: Wooden carving animals. Wednesday: Cooking
Cultural Programs
For groups of 5 or more students, without Spanish classes.
Cuernavaca & Oaxaca
If your intention is to come getting to know different aspects of Mexican culture, let us know and we will organize a customized program for your group even if you’re not considering taking Spanish classes.
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.
Ask for a quote: [email protected]
Online Classes
Now you can take Spanish classes online!
Learn Spanish online with teachers from Ideal from your own home, office, school or anywhere that has WideBand Internet access. Learn using the same program and materials that Ideal School for Spanish has developed through more than 39 years of experience teaching students from all over the globe.
Why take classes online with Ideal?
• You won´t talk with a machine, but with a native Spanish-speaker live online.
• You won´t need to travel because you can take your class right where you are, while still enjoying a Spanish cultural journey.
• You´re classes are personalized (student-teacher).
• You´ll receive all the materials you need for each class.
• Our academic program is backed by 39 years of experience as a Spanish school.
• We emphasize verbal communication.
• We also offer Grammar and Pronunciation classes.
• You can choose whichever time is best for you (8 am-8 pm Central Standard Time, Mexico).
• We touch on topics such as culture, tourism, politics and society.
• The first class is always free and includes an evaluation of your Spanish level in order to get to know you better.
• You will be in direct contact with your teacher through email.
Special deals:
• First class free
• 2×1 taking the class at the same time. Usually our classes are 1-1, but if you want to take your class with a friend with the similar level of Spanish, you only pay for one person!
What will I need?
• A computer, earphones, a microphone and a webcam.
• WideBand Internet access.
How much do classes cost?
1 class of 55 minutes: $22 USD
10 classes of 55 minutes: $200 USD
20 classes of 55 minutes: $380 USD
30 classes of 55 minutes: $540 USD
60 classes of 55 minutes: $1,020 USD
What are my payment options?
- PayPal
How do I sign up?
1.First of all, please feel free to contact us with any questions.
2. Write to us at [email protected] including your: Name, email, and the class hours that you prefer.
Your approximate level of Spanish
3. Shortly after, you will receive a confirmation of your online classes by e-mail and we will send you information about your payment.
4. We will schedule your class time (very important).
5. You will receive instructions on how to begin your online classes together with the material for your first class, as well as recommendations for how classes are run and how you can best take advantage of them.
6. Before we begin, you will be evaluated on your level of Spanish.
7. And now…Let´s get started!
If you have any questions, ask us! [email protected]
General Recommendations and Notes for all Programs of IDEAL:
- 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.
- Take in mind the possibility to study in Cuernavaca and Oaxaca, studying in the same school in two different (and diverse) locations.