Where?
When you enroll in an ECELA Spanish school in Santiago, Chile, you will also be able to learn climbing skills. Many people are at first hesitant to learn to climb mountains, but when you are in Santiago it is the perfect time to do so.
Why?
When you are a student, you will be doing a lot of sitting. ECELA’s instructors use a variety of methods of teaching, some of which 
include getting up and moving around, but most of the time is spent around tables. It only makes sense to balance your Spanish learning schedule with exercise. You can get a great workout from learning to mountain climb in a gym. Once your skills advance and you get to try it out in the mountains, you will also have the benefit of the fresh air. Also, a hike to your destination is usually necessary, which is also a great cardiovascular activity.
Another benefit to learning to mountain climb when you are in Santiago is that it will help your learning of the Spanish language. You will learn to use the key terms that you will be using to communicate with others while you are climbing, and also new phrases and words from different gente.
How?
Of course, you want to make sure you have a firm basis of knowledge before you go off climbing, as this sport can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. Luckily, there are many qualified guides in Santiago who can help you. There are many climbing gyms and climbing stores in Santiago, including the Chilean Mountaineering Federation (Federacion de Andinismo de Chile). You can learn in a fixed, very safe environment on a climbing wall that has footholds built into it.
With whom?
You will make a great deal of new friends during your time attending Spanish school in Chile, and it is a great idea to head off into the mountains with some of your new amigos. Mountain climbing is a great activity for team building, and you can strengthen your relationship and Spanish communication skills with others in the process.
Chile is truly the perfect place to learn to climb due to the size and scope of the Andes Mountains. There are places to climb for all levels of experience, and the instructors take things as slowly or quickly as you would like, depending upon your skill level and comfortability.
When you arrive in Santiago, you will likely be so inspired by the beauty of the mountains in Chile that you will feel motivated to get out in the mountains and start climbing! Many former student-climbers have claimed that their climbing excursions were among their very dearest memories of their Spanish immersion programs. Therefore, seize the opportunity, your camera, and an available rock ledge!
The main ECELA Spanish school in Chile is located in the comfortable, central district of Providencia, Santiago. Adding mountain climbing to your Spanish immersion program in Santiago is convenient and safe, as public transportation will take you straight to the gyms and back to the school or your accommodations.