Spanish Language and Culture Immersion, Mexico
Live and Experience the Culture and Language of Mexico -
a step on the journey to cultural competence.....
Live and Experience the Culture and Language of Mexico -
a step on the journey to cultural competence.....
Goal for attending the Academy
To become more culturally competent in order to better connect with students, families and communities served.
The Results:
Confidence: "to welcome my Spanish-speaking parents directly, instead of going through a translator. I can establish a welcoming relationship from the very beginning. It makes such a difference!" "I will feel more comfortable using my Spanish while out and about in Phoenix, in the school setting with students and with parents I might encounter in my literacy program."
Improved Spanish: "and feel confident talking to (patient) native speakers."
Spanish review: "I learned/reviewed so much during these 2 weeks."
Increased knowledge and skills: "as well as the interactions with colleagues made this a trip to remember."
Increased cultural understanding: "Not only am I using my Spanish more in my everyday life, I have a much clearer understanding of the rich Latino culture and people."
Lifelong learning: "to develop my own language knowledge and confidence in using it to communicate. I will share my experience as a language learner with our SEI teachers to reinforce the importance of modifying our instruction to increase language development.
Risk taking: "to step out of my English comfort zone and engage with parents and staff who speak Spanish."
Learning outcomes verified by pre-and post-tests.
Location
One of the five safest locations in Mexico, Querétaro is located north of Mexico City. It is one of the most beautiful colonial cities of México, the site of the start of the Mexican Revolution and of the signing of the Mexican Constitution. This is the home of Peace Corps Mexico. UNESCO declared it a “World Heritage Site” because of its architectural and cultural importance.
To become more culturally competent in order to better connect with students, families and communities served.
The Results:
Confidence: "to welcome my Spanish-speaking parents directly, instead of going through a translator. I can establish a welcoming relationship from the very beginning. It makes such a difference!" "I will feel more comfortable using my Spanish while out and about in Phoenix, in the school setting with students and with parents I might encounter in my literacy program."
Improved Spanish: "and feel confident talking to (patient) native speakers."
Spanish review: "I learned/reviewed so much during these 2 weeks."
Increased knowledge and skills: "as well as the interactions with colleagues made this a trip to remember."
Increased cultural understanding: "Not only am I using my Spanish more in my everyday life, I have a much clearer understanding of the rich Latino culture and people."
Lifelong learning: "to develop my own language knowledge and confidence in using it to communicate. I will share my experience as a language learner with our SEI teachers to reinforce the importance of modifying our instruction to increase language development.
Risk taking: "to step out of my English comfort zone and engage with parents and staff who speak Spanish."
Learning outcomes verified by pre-and post-tests.
Location
One of the five safest locations in Mexico, Querétaro is located north of Mexico City. It is one of the most beautiful colonial cities of México, the site of the start of the Mexican Revolution and of the signing of the Mexican Constitution. This is the home of Peace Corps Mexico. UNESCO declared it a “World Heritage Site” because of its architectural and cultural importance.
From former Chronicle travel editor Christine Delsol, of "Pauline Frommer's Cancún & the Yucatán" and contributor to "Frommer's Mexico 2011" and "Frommer's Cancún & the Yucatán 2011."
If you're looking for the safest places in Mexico, Yucatán and Tlaxcala states had fewer than 1.5 deaths per 100,000 population for the four-year period through 2010 — comparable to Minnesota and Vermont. Here's a closer look at the top five:
1) Tlaxcala: Mexico's safest state is also its smallest. It is an agricultural state with a significant tourism industry. Its primary attractions, are precolumbian archaeological sites such as Cacaxtla and colonial architecture in and around the capital city of Tlaxcala. The state has more than 1,000 archaeological sites, only seven of which are open to the public. It's tailor-made for travelers hankering for an authentic cultural foray.
2) Yucatán: The land of the Maya is arguably Mexico's most beguiling state, and its safety is icing on the cake. The Yucatán has a well-developed tourist infrastructure, thousands of archaeological sites, refreshing cenotes, grand haciendas, uncrowded beaches, stunning wildlife, widely varied ecotourism.
3) Puebla: It's the home of both mole poblano and chiles en nogada, the ambrosial national dish made of poblano chiles filled with spicy meat and fruit, smothered in a walnut cream sauce and topped with pomegranate seeds. It is also home to the twin volcanoes Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl, site of the battle commemorated by Cinco de Mayo, home of Talavera pottery, a wealth of archaeological sites, originating in five distinct prehispanic cultures.
4) Querétaro: Querétaro is one of the most geographically varied states, ranging from desert to tropical rainforest. The capital, Santiago de Querétaro, was designated the "third city of New Spain" in 1531. It is best-known for its role in ending Spanish rule. With momentous events such as Maximilian's execution or the signing of the Treaty of Hidalgo and Mexican Constitution, its greatest source of pride is being the place where the fathers of independence plotted to overthrow the Spanish. Ecotourism is the mainstay of the Sierra Gorda biological reserve. The state also maintains a Cheese and Wine Museum. San Sebastián Bernal, whose Peña de Bernal is the third-largest rock in the world, is one of Mexico's Magic Pueblos.
5) Baja California Sur: Enjoy Los Cabos or artsy Todos Santos or the authentic Mexican city of La Paz. Visit the East Cape, a still-rugged area favored by divers and fishermen, where fans of primitive find hiking, kayaking, surfing and windsurfing, zip-lines, cave paintings and hot springs.
If you're looking for the safest places in Mexico, Yucatán and Tlaxcala states had fewer than 1.5 deaths per 100,000 population for the four-year period through 2010 — comparable to Minnesota and Vermont. Here's a closer look at the top five:
1) Tlaxcala: Mexico's safest state is also its smallest. It is an agricultural state with a significant tourism industry. Its primary attractions, are precolumbian archaeological sites such as Cacaxtla and colonial architecture in and around the capital city of Tlaxcala. The state has more than 1,000 archaeological sites, only seven of which are open to the public. It's tailor-made for travelers hankering for an authentic cultural foray.
2) Yucatán: The land of the Maya is arguably Mexico's most beguiling state, and its safety is icing on the cake. The Yucatán has a well-developed tourist infrastructure, thousands of archaeological sites, refreshing cenotes, grand haciendas, uncrowded beaches, stunning wildlife, widely varied ecotourism.
3) Puebla: It's the home of both mole poblano and chiles en nogada, the ambrosial national dish made of poblano chiles filled with spicy meat and fruit, smothered in a walnut cream sauce and topped with pomegranate seeds. It is also home to the twin volcanoes Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl, site of the battle commemorated by Cinco de Mayo, home of Talavera pottery, a wealth of archaeological sites, originating in five distinct prehispanic cultures.
4) Querétaro: Querétaro is one of the most geographically varied states, ranging from desert to tropical rainforest. The capital, Santiago de Querétaro, was designated the "third city of New Spain" in 1531. It is best-known for its role in ending Spanish rule. With momentous events such as Maximilian's execution or the signing of the Treaty of Hidalgo and Mexican Constitution, its greatest source of pride is being the place where the fathers of independence plotted to overthrow the Spanish. Ecotourism is the mainstay of the Sierra Gorda biological reserve. The state also maintains a Cheese and Wine Museum. San Sebastián Bernal, whose Peña de Bernal is the third-largest rock in the world, is one of Mexico's Magic Pueblos.
5) Baja California Sur: Enjoy Los Cabos or artsy Todos Santos or the authentic Mexican city of La Paz. Visit the East Cape, a still-rugged area favored by divers and fishermen, where fans of primitive find hiking, kayaking, surfing and windsurfing, zip-lines, cave paintings and hot springs.
The Academy Includes
- Home Stay: Get unique insights on family life and culture, apply your new language skills immediately and enjoy new relationships. Home stay includes either private (by yourself) or shared (room with another) boarding with three meals a day, except Sundays. Families have been carefully selected and are trained to provide security and a comfortable atmosphere.
- Language: Receive five-hour daily Spanish language instruction per week (M - F) from accredited teachers (level is based upon an individual placement test) and all texts and materials. Classes are limited to no more than 5 students, with individual instruction available if no one else is at your level.
- Culture: Learn about history and the Mexican people through guided cultural study and tours (M-Th.) Enjoy Mexican history, literature, round-table discussions, visits to traditional markets, schools, business and industry, museums, churches and historical sites.
- Excursion: Day trip to an historical site. (Examples: Guanajuato, the pyramids of Teotihuacán) includes transportation, guided tours, museum admissions. Additional day trips available, on your own.