Phone: (347) 329-5506
Clockwise from left: using Spanish at a Peruvian artisans' market, learning to make empanada, coffee break between classes, Stephanie (Belgium) at Machu Picchu, the excursion from Cusco
Cecilia Quezada, Services Director
Second Chance Special
I'm giving myself a second opportunity to give up sugar. And I'm giving YOU a second chance for a Spanish immersion trip.
"Mid-Year Resolution" 3x2 Offer
Book one trial program (two weeks of classes) and get a third week of classes on us.
Buy 2 Weeks, Get 1 FREE
expires: midnight, July 5
Standard
(faster)
20 Group lessons per week
$680 (save $290)
Premium
(fastest)
10 Group / 10 Private per week
$1,080 (save $490)
NOTE: You do NOT need to decide on your dates, or your location, at this time. Use anytime thru 2018.
For culturally-curious Spanish learners...
Can You Really Travel Your Way to Spanish Fluency?
Thousands of Ecela students now speak Spanish fluently, including many who never thought they could. Is it your turn to join them?
To celebrate mid-2017 (and second chances), you can learn Spanish for 3 weeks (but only pay for 2)
People that join us in Argentina, Chile, or Peru include:
- Professionals who want bring down language barriers and bring their services to an often under-served population
- Travelers who want to get off South America's beaten path and use their language skills to open cultural doors normally sealed off to non Spanish-speakers
- Retirees who want to live part-time in Latin America and don't want to be stuck on the outside looking in
- Relatives of Spanish-speakers who want to finally develop bonds beyond superficial greetings
- Linguists who enjoy the challenge of working toward fluency in the world's 2nd most spoken language
- Students who look forward to the unfair advantages from having "fluent in Spanish" on job and grad school applications
- People with no particular reason other than to cross "Learn Spanish" off the bucket-list.
Hola de Cecilia
What if you too could travel your way to Spanish fluency,
Just like so many past students have?
What if, along the way, you could make new best friends from around the country..and the globe?
What if you could have spontaneous, “off the beaten path” adventures that fill travel journals with tales to be handed down for future generations?
What if you could finally escape regular life stress and “live in the now”
– even if only for a few weeks –
in a way only possible with feet firmly planted on foreign soil?
What if you could put “fluent in Spanish” on all your future job
AND grad school applications?
Clockwise from left: Teresa (Colorado) explores Incan ruins, Spanish & Medicine students before shadowing, Brittnay (California) in Peru, Argentina host family
Meet Rodrigo Lizana, head instructor and developer of the Ecela currirulum:
Travel Your Way to fluency with Ecela Spanish Immersion
Our goal is to get you to stop envying people that are fluent in Spanish. Instead, we want you to join them.
The daily routine is “paint-by-the-numbers easy”...
Step 1: Fundamentals structure and proper grammar so you develop an “educated brand” of Spanish. Like a university class but much smaller.
Step 2: Conversation (training wheels ON) Plenty of chances to speak, in a safe and supportive small group, so you can actually USE your skills and are not just “good on paper.”
Step 3: Real-world Practice (training wheels OFF) use the “360 degrees of Spanish” environment as a stress test to gauge your progress and as a carrot to keep improving.
Rinse and repeat daily.
How much you use Spanish outside of class is up to you, like a thermostat you control with your own hand. You decide your own pace.
It's not rocket science but it is very effective. Yet barely anyone else teaches languages this way.
The truth is that the general public has no idea schools like ours even exist.
They think the best way to learn must be whatever is the norm on college campuses. Or for some, the latest and greatest downloadable app from Silicon Valley.
However, the language learners that stumble upon us discover an honest loophole, an “educational hack” to learning Spanish, avoiding the cycle of ”stress, cram, pass, forget” that most college students repeat over and over again.
As Karianne Hoenderkamp (from the Netherlands) puts it:
“I learned more Spanish in a month that I would in a year in Amsterdam. It was the best vacation of my life, and I loved sharing this experience with so many special people.”
Clockwise from upper left: Spanish class in Mendoza, boarding train to Machu Picchu, extra one-to-one help, La Boca (Buenos Aires), demanding but caring teacher
Devoted Conversation Sections – The Key to Fast Fluency?
50% of class time is devoted to conversation, in “micro groups” of only 4 eager students and one very patient teacher.
Normally, a lack of speaking practice is the Achilles' heal of language training and the most significant pitfall of the traditional class - they lack any form of "learning by doing" - which most people agree is the most effective way to learn.
However, conversation practice is the core of the Ecela program. We believe it is the single biggest factor why our students get fluent so quickly.
These sessions, which seem more like getting together with friends for tea than going to school, gently massage new vocabulary, verb tenses, and useful idioms into your memory muscles, as never dull conversation topics range from topical current events to profound philosophical ideas.
These lively "time flies by” discussions replace the sweat and struggle of self-study and push aside the frustrations of rote memorization.
But enjoyable without effective would be a waste of time.
It isn't. You get effective AND enjoyable. The best of both worlds.
That's why we so often hear comments like:
“I learned so much more than in college, but it didn't even seem like work.”
or
“The class sizes are perfect. It's so much more fun than school. I never even look at the clock.”
or
“For the first time in my life I woke up looking forward to class...and dreaded days off.”
Learning by Doing, clockwise from upper left: Ecela students in conversation class, chefs cooking, musician practicing, artist painting, tennis player on the court
Fast Fluency X Factor:
Everyone pulling in the same direction
You may have experienced the “cut-throat” environment typical to educational systems, as competitive students jockey for class rank and constantly compare test scores and GPAs.
Not at Ecela.
All students are moving in the same direction, climbing the ladder to Spanish fluency, advancing one rung (and often two) each day.
Florida's Wayne Thompkins puts it best:
“At this school they realize that each student learns at his own pace – there’s no pressure or stress. Learning a language is a challenge, but there’s no reason why it can’t be fun.”
* an exam is required if you choose the credit option, but not if you just want to learn (lots of) Spanish
Small Classes for Big Learning
Say adios to stuffy lecture halls and hola to intimately small classrooms, where a cozy, face-to-face seating arrangement replaces the usual one-teacher-to-many-students situation.
Fundamentals, our “big” class, has a max of 8 students.
Then we cut that in half for conversation.
Normally in large, university-style classes, half the class is daydreaming and counting down the minutes, while the other half is persistently worrying they will be called on and humiliated.
But by getting down to a safely low number, even otherwise timid students have no trouble participating, as self-consciousness fades away. And paying attention is not a problem.
Difficulty staying focused is a common complaint of the "sage on a stage" college lecture model.
You can see how everything changes when the classes are made very small and interaction is frequent.
"What are some after-class & weekend activities?"
We know you aren’t coming all the way to South America only to study Spanish. You want full immersion in the culture*, not just the language.
Example non-class activities & excursions:
Dance classes Learn salsa and meringue (all schools) or even Tango (Argentina). You’ll find options from total beginner to professional level.
Cooking lessons Join other students and staff in preparation of local dishes, such as empanadas (Argentina), pastel de choclo (Chile) or ceviche (Peru).
Archaeological ruins Macchu Pichu is only a train ride away from Cusco and many more Incan and pre-Incan sites are accessible in Peru.
Ski/Snowboard The Andes mountains are a shuttle bus ride away from Santiago. Season: July-September.
Barrio tours Guided tours (on foot or bicycle) to see the highlights of your new home base.
Surf instruction Both Viña del Mar and Lima have surf lessons (including for complete beginners) nearby.
Professional futbol games Latin America is fanatical about the sport and you’ll have many opportunities to experience the passions live.
Vineyard trips Santiago, Viña del Mar, and Mendoza are all near world-famous vineyards for a day of exploring and sampling.
Estancia weekend Experience traditional gaucho life outside of Mendoza and Buenos Aires.
Hiking & Biking Escape from the city to explore the nature of the mountains near Santiago, Mendoza, and Cusco or the coasts of Lima, Viña del Mar, or Buenos Aires.
Clockwise from left: Machu Picchu near Cusco, weekend hike, Peruvian festival, Argentina Carnaval
"What will I eat?"
Peru has a well deserved reputation for having the best food on the continent, but Argentina and Chile both have many temptations.
The American dollar goes far in South America, so expect to eat well without breaking your budget.
You must try: (source: National Geographic)
Ceviche If Peru had an official national dish, it would probably be this preparation of raw fish marinated in citrus juice. The dish is usually spiced with red onion and aji pepper, and served with sweet potato or choclo, an Andean corn.
Rocoto Relleno What appears to be a plain-old red bell pepper is actually a fiery Capsicum pubescens, stuffed with spiced, sautéed ground beef and hard-boiled egg. This is topped with melted white cheese, baked, and served whole.
Alpaca In the Andean highlands, this camelid (a smaller cousin of the llama) has also been a source of meat for centuries. The taste is similar to buffalo or other grass-fed meats: somewhat gamier than beef and very lean.
Lucuma A tree fruit that looks like a mango, but it has a custardy taste akin to maple syrup. It’s usually used as a flavoring in desserts, and is justifiably popular as a variety of ice cream.
Asado Also known as parrillada, it is a crime to leave the country without spending a leisurely afternoon beside the warmth of a grill or open fire, feasting on copious grilled meats. This is the national dish, originating with the country’s gauchos, or cowboys, who would subsist on the abundant cows dotting the country’s plains.
Chimichurri Argentina’s go-to condiment. A green salsa made of finely chopped parsley, oregano, onion, garlic, chilli pepper flakes, olive oil and a touch of acid, like lemon or vinegar.
Dulce de Leche Loosely translated as “milk jam,” this thick caramel is the result of condensed milk, reduced slowly until sweetened and sticky. Look for in it everything from alfajores, to dessert empanadas, to another national favourite, helado (or, ice cream) where it is liberally drizzled in and downed by the kilo-full.
Empanadas Like a South American pasty, empanadas are deep-fried or baked, then filled with sweet and savoury stuffing, depending on the province. They hug stewed and spiced ground beef, chicken, goats meat, cheese and/or vegetables, with the markings on the pastry fold identifying the treasures inside.
Yerba Mate Leaves from the yerba mate plant are dried, chopped and ground into a powder, or steeped as whole leaves into hot water. Drinking yerba mate is a social practice and the gourd, fitted with a metal straw that doubles as a sieve, is often passed around a group, each person sipping before passing.
Clockwise from left: lucuma-based dessert, empanadas, rocoto relleno, ceviche
"What is a typical day like?"
7:00 AM: Breakfast Join your host family and fuel up for the day.
7:30 AM: Spanish warm-up (recommended) Review yesterday’s lessons and look ahead to today’s.
8:30 AM: Walk to school Meet up with another student and go to school together.
9:00 AM: Grammar class (max 8 students) Review and drill the language fundamentals.
10:40 AM: Break Catch up with your new friends over free coffee and tea.
11:00 AM: Conversation class (max 4 students) Heavy-duty practice, with instant feedback, in a welcoming setting.
12:40 PM: Lunch Go to one of the many local, inexpensive restaurants with some classmates. Invite your teacher once in a while.
2:00 PM: Siesta (Or explore on your own)
3:00 PM: free time
5:00 PM: (optional) Cultural activity Learn more about Latin American culture: cooking classes, dance lessons, museum tours, etc.
7:00 PM: Dinner Home cooked Argentine meal with your host family.
8:00 PM: Homework Today’s assignments.
9:00 PM: Out Meet up with friends to take in a live music show or just to people-watch.
Clockwise from left: Matthew (Illionois) at a wildlife rescue center, volunteering at a local elementary after-school program, an Ecela teacher reviews fundamentals, Albert (Taiwan) learns Spanish again after a 50 year pause
"What are the location choices?"
Note: For the 3x2 Special, you do NOT need to decide "where" (or even "when") right now. Just let us know two weeks before you want to start.
You have 6 choices across Argentina, Chile, and Peru.
Some of our students call it the “Netflix of Spanish schools” since you can study where and when you want.
Buenos Aires, Argentina Regional center of tango, futbol, fashion, theater. Often referred to as the “Paris of Latin America.”
Mendoza, Argentina Gauchos and wineries in the Argentine Andes. Argentina’s “most liveable city.”
Santiago, Chile A modern city at the foot foot of the Andes, Santiago was named world’s top tourist destination by NY Times.
Viña del Mar, Chile A top beach resort and famous for its gardens, “Viña” is only a two hour bus ride from Santiago.
Lima, Peru The “City of Kings,” Lima is widely considered to have South America’s best food, plus surf and salsa dancing.
Cusco, Peru The capital of the ancient Incan Empire and the gateway to Machu Picchu, one of the world’s modern wonders.
There is also a "7th destination" if you're having trouble deciding. Just choose "decide later" to defer your decision until closer to the start date.
Clockwise from upper left: Streets of Cusco, group class in Santiago, bus to weekend excursion, extra private Spanish help, between classes in Mendoza
"So how much does this cost anyway?"
- How much will it cost you to NOT put “fluent in Spanish” on your resume?
- How many lives will you fail to impact because you can't communicate effectively?
- How many travel adventures will you miss out on because you can't get off the “English Spoken Here” trail?
- How many social opportunities will be left behind because of a language barrier?
When calculated at the course level, students at private American universities pay about $5,000 per 3-credit course – a rough equivalent to 3 weeks at Ecela.
Meanwhile at Ecela, we won't ask you to pay anywhere near that...
The highest investment Mid-Year Resolution option is $1,080 (Premium course with 10 private hours and 10 group hourse).
So despite much smaller classes, not to mention the “little things” like free coffee and snacks, you pay nearly 80% LESS. - for the most expensive option.
If you want to spend even less, Standard is only $680 and Basic $530
Left: college lecture. Right: Ecela group class
In addition to the academic program, the Cultural Immersion (Below) is an optional, though highly recommended, extra.
(Optional) Housing
You can also add a family homestay to your course:
- You don't need to decide on, or schedule, any housing option now.
- You may also find your own accommodations - hotel, stay with friend, etc.
- Housing prices vary by location.
Clockwise from left: Nature walk in Peru, making Chilean pottery, afternoon in Lima, group Spanish class in Argentina
Read Before Reserving Any Spanish Course
WARNING: Do NOT Book Any
Spanish Immersion Course
Unless it meets the Following 3 Criteria…
There is a lot of confusion surrounding selection of a Spanish immersion course. You have many choices and finding the right school can be a difficult and confusing maze.
Whether you join us or not, I want to give you 3 criteria you absolutely, positively must have before you invest in any program:
ONE: Risk-free guarantee While not all schools will be as generous as ours, at the very least you should receive a free week of classes any time you feel you are not happy with your progress or are not enjoying the class.
TWO: Option to switch schools It is impossible to predict when there is a “bad fit” or you simply would like a refreshing change of scenery. You need the ability to easily change locations without penalty
THREE: Extra small conversation classes We cap our conversation classes (50% of the course) at a maximum of four students. This is essential as continual participation is the engine to your progress.
"Count Me In – What Do I Do Next?"
If you want Ecela to be your “missing link” between where your Spanish is now and where you want it to be, and you have thoroughly read this document and honestly think you would be a good fit, just pick one of the below options:
"Mid-Year Resolution" 3x2 Offer
Buy 2 Weeks, Get 1 FREE
expires: midnight, July 5
Standard
(faster)
20 Group lessons per week
$680 (save $290)
Premium
(fastest)
10 Group / 10 Private per week
$1,080 (save $490)
NOTE: You do NOT need to decide on your dates, or your location, at this time. Use anytime thru 2018.
The Ecela
"Muchísimo Más Que Feliz”
(Way, Way Beyond Happy) Guarantee
Our goal is for you to tell us that your time at Ecela was one of your life's best learning experiences.
That you not only learned a ton of Spanish, you also had a great time doing it.
That we treated you like familia, and you feel we ARE your home abroad.
And over 97% of the time, that is the type of student feedback we get.
But there ARE exceptions.
If you feel that we let you down, just let us know.
We will courteously refund your ENTIRE Spanish tuition.*
*Guarantee applies to tuition only, not fees or the cultural immersion.
Clockwise from upper left: Dom (Scotland) studied at all 6 Ecelas, Marianne (Norway) in Cusco, Keisha (Barbado) in Buenos Aires, Heather (Michigan) in Viña del Mar, Norbert (Austria) in Mendoza
Spanish is far more than "just a language"
...you are acquiring a coveted “magic golden key” to open doors normally bolted shut to English-only speakers, letting you in to adventures, friendships, and even romances, of the Spanish-speaking world.
No more language barricades keeping you on the outside looking in, your Spanish lets you finally become a privileged insider to the Latin world.
And, from the bottom of my heart, I truly look forward to welcoming you.
Gracias y saludos,
Cecilia Quezada, Director of Services
P.S. #1 – Again, here is what is included:
- 3 Weeks Spanish immersion for the price of two
- Your choice of 6 Ecela schools in South America (or decide later)
- Weekday cultural after-class activities
- Choose Basic, Standard, or Premium options
You may also add the optional Homestay w/ meals (breakfast & dinner) later
P.S. #2 – Expires Midnight, July 2, 2017
You need to take advantage of this special by midnight July 2 (Sunday)
However, you do NOT need to decide your start date or location yet.
P.S. #3 – ”Muchisimo Mas Que Feliz” Guarantee
We are confident that you will consider this “one of your best educational experiences ever.” If you think the Spanish class is a let down in any way let us know we have under-performed and you will receive a 100% refund of your tuition.
P.S. #4 – Where
You have 7 total choices:
- Buenos Aires (Argentina)
- Mendoza (Argentina)
- Santiago (Chile)
- Viña del Mar (Chile)
- Lima (Peru)
- Cusco (Peru)
- Decide Later (tell us two weeks before you begin)
P.S. #5 – Not for Everybody
Remember, Ecela may not be for you if ANY of the following are true:
- You expect an instant fluency* “easy button”
- You want the experience to be like “high school in an exotic location”
- You want your educational experience to be “state-of-the-art high tech”
* Reach fluency in about 3 weeks if you are Advanced, but about 20 weeks if you are Novice.
P.S. #6 – How to Start
Pick an option below: (Buy two weeks, get one free)*
Basic 10 Weekly group lessons. $530 (Save $215)
Standard 20 Weekly group lessons. $680 (Save $290)
Premium 10 Group, 10 Private $1,080 (Save $490)
* All prices include a mandatory one-time (once per lifetime) administrative fee of $100. Waived for returning students)
Meet some Estudiantes...
"Mid-Year Resolution" 3x2 Offer
Buy 2 Weeks, Get 1 FREE
expires: midnight, July 5
Standard
(faster)
20 Group lessons per week
$680 (save $290)
Premium
(fastest)
10 Group / 10 Private per week
$1,080 (save $490)
NOTE: You do NOT need to decide on your dates, or your location, at this time. Use anytime thru 2018.
