From reading student feedback or watching video testimonials about immersion, you probably already realize that our program is different from normal classroom language learning.

People with a variety of backgrounds all report that making huge gains in Spanish learning is the norm, not the exception. Moreover, students are not exhausted by studying. Instead, they are enjoying it so much, they wish the "edu-vacation" would go on forever.

Why does the immersion experience work so well?  Here are 9 forces that combine to boost your learning so quickly:

1. Single Focus

In an immersion program, you have only one focus for your mental energy: learning to communicate in Spanish more effectively.

Unlike studying Spanish at a university, where you are probably juggling work for at least 4 classes, or trying to learn a language on your own as just one of your many daily tasks, Ecela Spanish immersion allows you to excel by concentrating your mental energy on just one thing.

2. 360 Degree Spanish Environment

Speaking Spanish at a local crafts market.

Being surrounded by Spanish 24/7 imitates the way people learn their first language. In fact, our brains are built to learn languages from listening and practicing what we hear. That is why educators often talk about "language acquisition" rather than "language learning."

Would you teach a child how to speak by teaching them lists of words and grammar rules? Probably not.

While adults can learn some language that way, natural language learning by listening and speaking is closer to the way we acquired our first language.

With a "360 degrees of Spanish" immersion program, you take advantage of the brain's ability to gather language from the environment. In a "Spanish everywhere" situation, you will subconsciously pick up words and the correct phrasing of idioms.

Little by little, you will find that you understand what is being said and that the words and phrases you need to use to respond come to you more naturally.

3. Community Support

One of the most difficult parts of learning to express yourself in another language is the fear of saying the wrong thing. Sometimes that fear can be paralyzing and prevent you from even trying to start a conversation in Spanish.

Maybe you've experienced the fear of being called on in language class and suddenly not remembering anything you've studied.

At Ecela, you are not in a course for a grade. Our students are a diverse group of people who have all come to the program for the same thing: to learn to communicate better in Spanish. In your class, you may have a Brazilian college student, an Australian journalist, a retired German teacher, and a businesswoman from Texas.

The diversity of life experiences provides many interesting topics to talk about.

Everyone is moving in the same direction without competition promotes a supportive community environment where students encourage one another to take chances.

4. Engaging Teachers

Enjoy teachers who encourage and inspire you?

The best language teachers know how to engage students and challenge them without making them feel overwhelmed. Academic background is not always as important in a good language teacher as the ability to motivate and explain clearly.

We put a heavy emphasis on teachers who can connect with students and make you look forward to class. In addition, our teachers know that their lessons are supplemental to what you are learning in your immersion experience and practicing on your own each day.

They act as a supportive resource to help you make the most of your other daily experiences.

5. Studying is Relevant

Knowing that, in just a couple of hours, you will be going to order your lunch entirely in Spanish makes a lesson about restaurant ordering much more relevant and interesting.

In our program, you will be using the Spanish you learn in a real-life situation the very same day you learn it. Relevant learning reinforces the lessons by giving you memories that help put the vocabulary and grammar in a context.

In addition, you have an immediate incentive to remember each day's lessons since you know you will be using them right away.

6. Conversation First, Grammar Second

Have you felt discouraged about your Spanish even though you've studied hard? You aren't alone.

Even highly motivated students are sometimes frustrated at their lack of progress during normal classroom language learning. Traditional courses are frequently heavy on grammar and memorizing vocabulary, partly because that is easier to teach to a large group and easier to grade.

In our small classes, everyone gets to participate and practice in conversations. In fact, a full 50% of our class time is devoted to practicing in conversation.

7. Extra Small Classes

Students come to our program to learn how to speak fluently; we keep them accountable by having very small classes. With only a handful of other students, no gets passed over.

Very small classes mean extra attention for each student, and much faster learning for you.

Since everyone participates frequently, you won't find your mind drifting and it is easy to keep on task. Being fully engaged in all of the conversations, you will learn more.Everyone has to participate, but that isn't hard or intimidating because our classes are not a competition for grades.

In fact, encouragement and mutual support are natural because everyone benefits when one person gets better in speaking. Conversations flow more naturally and are more interesting as you get better over time.

8. Heightened Aliveness

Our program puts you "in the now" and gives you a chance to be both physically and mentally away from your normal daily worries.

Students learn more because of what travelers call "heightened aliveness." Being so far away (geographically AND calendar-wise) from your normal life lets you have an unusually clear mind and a much easier time focusing.

By being immersed in Spanish, your language learning center of the brain is constantly being stimulated, giving you a sense of greater awareness and ability to understand and take in language.

9. Constant Speaking Opportunities

Unlike a traditional Spanish class, which probably only allows you to speak for a few minutes at most, in our small classes and Spanish everywhere environment, you will spend hours every day practicing your speaking, listening, and understanding.

Each conversation gives you the confidence to speak again. You will find that as you speak, you will begin to remember more vocabulary. Furthermore, when you need to ask someone for a word, or look it up, you will remember it much more easily because it was learned in context.

All of the above reasons will cause you to learn Spanish much more rapidly, and much more easily in our program than you could ever have expected.

At Ecela, students experience "no pain and much gain" as they advance their Spanish immensely, along with having "una experiencia inolvidable" (an unforgettable experience).

Ecela Cinco Estrella Garantía

Our five-star guarantee promises you an exceptional educational experience every week of your program, or you get TWO extra weeks absolutely free.

We guarantee…

1. Your right to change schools If you feel a change of scenery would be beneficial, simply let us know a few days in advance and you can switch - at no extra cost.
2. Significant Spanish improvement  You will make substantial advancements in your Spanish each week, by YOUR standards.
3. Thorough course enjoyment  You will look forward to class each day and to spending more time with your instructors, your classmates, and the Ecela staff.
4. Comfortable environment  Your will find our school facilities comfortable, clean, and inviting – more like a home than a language institute.
5. Friendly treatment by staff  As a welcome guest of ours, we don’t consider you just another language student. You will be treated like part of the Ecela family by all of us.

“Our goal is to help you have one of your best experiences ever, but...

"We are real people and, as a consequence, we DO make mistakes, we DO have bad days, and we DO sometimes fail to give your our best.

"If you feel that we failed at any of the above 5 points, at any time during your program, just let me know and we will give you two extra weeks of classes, to be used at any of our schools, absolutely free – no questions asked.” - Cecilia Quezada