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Re: Gain Spanish fluency 88% faster than college…?
Discover Latino Culture, Ski the Famous
Andes Mountain Range, and Explore
The Chilean Coast This Summer…
While Significantly Improving Your Spanish AND Earning a Years Worth of College Credits
(All For LESS Than You’d Pay at School, and
Even if You Can’t Speak a WORD of Spanish Right Now…)
Hi, my name is Cecilia, and if you dread Spanish college classes or self-study programs…
If you know that being fluent in Spanish makes you more employable – regardless of your industry – in a time where the job market is tough and everyone has a degree…
And if you want to have the ski trip and cultural experience of a lifetime while mastering this beautiful language, faster and easier than you thought possible…
Then I want to show you…
How This Unique, 6-Week “Immersive” Adventure
Can Help You Increase Your Spanish Fluency
More Than 1 Full Year at College…
AND allow you to graduate faster by granting credit for 2 semesters of Spanish.
Imagine living within a couple of hours of some of Chile’s best ski resorts – one of which has held World-Cup ski races – during the height of the Chilean ski season.
Every day you wake up, step outside, and fall a little bit more in love with the snow-capped mountains.
During the day, you experience the excitement and energy of Latin culture along with a tight-knit group of 30 of your fellow travellers from all over the world…
(and maybe even master a fun new skill like salsa dancing…)
All while immersing yourself in the Spanish language, learning from some of the best teachers available, and bonding with like-minded students in small, personalized classes of no more than 4-8 people.
On the weekends, you have the time of your life socializing and skiing during 6 ski days at 3 different resorts… and spend the rest of your weekends enjoying the vibrant nightlife of Santiago, checking out the Pacific coast – which is only a couple of hours away – or relaxing and practicing your Spanish with the locals.
You Don’t Have To
Know a Word of Spanish Right Now…
This one-of-a-kind immersive program works for anyone with a desire to learn. Like Alison, who said about her Ecela experience:
So again, my name is Cecilia Quezada, and I know from first hand experience that learning a new language can be tough!
(That’s me in the pink shirt)
See, I’m originally from Chile and am the youngest of four daughters. I grew up in a working-class, Spanish-speaking family during the Pinochet dictatorship.
And just like how you’re here to learn Spanish because you want to graduate faster and increase your career opportunities today…
During my early years…
I Saw Firsthand How a Lack of English Language Skills
Severely Limited Opportunities For My Family…
Yet, even knowing how valuable learning English could be, I just couldn’t pick it up in school. I wasn’t engaged in class, was always too busy or too distracted, and just couldn’t focus on all that tedious language homework.
Sound familiar?
Just like you, I couldn’t stand all that memorization and grammar! As much as I wanted to improve my English, I couldn’t help wishing I was anywhere else but in that hot, stuffy classroom with the extra slow clock.
I didn’t have the discipline or interest to pursue boring self-study language programs, so I was pretty much stuck.
Well, shortly after I finished high school, I had a chance to go to the US.
I started out with humble beginnings, working at Denny’s in Phoenix, Arizona. After a little while, I decided to look for something better, and I found an opportunity at a used car lot.
Although I was melting in the 120 degree summer heat, something amazing began happening…
While I was hustling to sell cars, meeting new people and experiencing everything the Southwest had to offer, my English got better and better. In fact, my language skills got so good, I actually became the top salesperson at the dealership.
How Did Somebody Who STRUGGLED With English
SO MUCH Finally Become Fully Fluent?
It was simple: I was completely “immersed”in the English language and American experience.
It didn’t come easy, but since I had to use it in day-to-day life, I found that I learned so much more than I ever did in those boring, out-of-touch classes back in Chile. My learning curve shortened, and I became a natural!
As a result of this life-changing experience, I returned to Chile on a mission…
I would take what I learned about “immersive” language learning, and…
I Created a FUN Language Learning Program to
Completely Replace the Old School Courses and
Self-Study Language Learning Programs…
And instead emphasize everyday conversation skills, have small classes with one-to-one instruction and feedback from native Spanish teachers who really, really care, and even offer college credit (so you can graduate faster without taking the boring college classes!)
Together with two American expats, we created Ecela (Español y Cultura en Latino America), an immersion-based language learning school that helps students like you pick up the Spanish language naturally and in the place that it’s actually spoken.
We started small, yet today we:
- Have 6 schools in 3 different countries…
- Teach 1900+ students a year…
- Who come from over 40 countries
We’ve also expanded to offer educational vacations – or “eduvacations” – like this one, where skiers and snowboarders like you get to add the Chilean mountain range to your list of worldwide ski slopes you’ve experienced.
And that’s why I’m so excited to share this very special opportunity with you, because…
We Believe That Education is
Most Effective When it’s Enjoyable.
Our more than 160 student reviews and 15,600 program participants will testify to that.
Rather than wishing you were somewhere else, your mind is engaged – and focused in one direction. Learning becomes nearly effortless when your brain is there with you.
Why? Because you will have immediate incentive to actually use what you learn – The very same day!
It transcends from being an “academic exercise” to a “real world application” with fulfilling immediate outcomes… like having exciting conversations with the locals and having them teach you new words and phrases, show you around town, and enjoy the exhilarating nightlife in Santiago.
This Program Works Laser Fast Too…
Because you’ll have small class sizes of 4-8 people, four full hours of classes every weekday, and be fully immersed in Spanish language and culture 24/7…
You’ll advance further in 6 weeks with us than 1 full year at college!
PLUS, you’ll get college credit for 2 semesters. Here’s the breakdown:
So imagine being able to graduate faster with a BETTER grasp of Spanish than if you’d taken the equivalent in college classes. You have proof of your language mastery in the form of your degree, AND a far better grasp of the language than other grads…
The bottom line is…
Ecela Gives You The Edge to
Get a Great First Job Out of College in
This Competitive Marketplace.
After all is said and done, you’ve had the trip of a lifetime, and have all kinds of stories to share with your friends after skiing the Chilean slopes, adventuring to the Pacific coast, mingling with the locals, and making friends in your group from all over the world.
And you loved it so much that you’re already starting to plan your next trip back to South America.
Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?
Our past students certainly think so…
I enjoyed my time at ECELA so much that I spontaneously decided to stay 2 weeks longer!
“I enjoyed my time at ECELA so much that I spontaneously decided to stay 2 weeks longer than originally planned and I wouldn’t hesitate one second to come back if I had the chance to. It was definitively one of the best times of my life! Thank you ECELA amigos for everything, I’m still missing you all!”
The instructors are really attentive, it’s a great environment.
“This is my second time at Ecela because it’s a really good school where you learn a lot. The instructors are really attentive, it’s a great environment. It’s really pleasant, and the people are very friendly.”
I’m just blown away…
“I’m just blown away by how good all of the teachers are.”
However, Ecela is so much more than a speedy way to learn Spanish.
- You’ll meet fellow students who will become lifetime friends. Because students come from all over the world, you’ll have a new international network to learn from and grow with.
- Choose to live with a host family (one of several housing options), and you’ll have even more cultural opportunities – don’t be surprised if you’re invited along to birthday parties, weddings, and other fiestas tradicionales.
- Be able to “stack the deck” in your favor with all future job prospects as you will have what few have – international experience and complete Spanish proficiency.
- Have plenty of time in the evening and on weekends to explore the city with your brand new “international social circle”. This is one of the things that our students love the most. You’re forming new friendships and meeting people from all over the world, and you’ll be connected for life.
- You’ll gain a better perspective on your life back home, including an appreciation for what you have and what really matters.
- With new language skills and connections, you’ll have a much deeper travel experience in any Spanish-speaking country. Your adventures are sure to make your friends jealous!
- And, maybe best of all, you’ll get that priceless “something more” that comes from fully immersing yourself into something new, different and exciting.
When you choose Ecela, you’re making the decision to live life to the absolute fullest while improving your education and career prospects at the same time.
What Does a Typical Day Look Like
in Stunning, Santiago, Chile?
Every day you’ll be able to wake up and see the stunning, snow-capped Andes mountains…
We’ve made the entire Ecela experience as easy and personal as possible – starting from the Welcome Packet you’ll receive and your pre-trip call with our travel coordinator.
She’ll answer all your questions and help you through the all the pre-trip details.
Arrival Day: We’ll pick you up at airport, take you safely to your new housing, whether that’s with a local family or in a shared apartment.
Just a quick note: Our housing options (and schools) are all in the safest neighborhoods, removing a common anxiety many have when thinking about studying abroad. This is in sharp contrast to the budget schools which are often in high pickpocket areas.
After you arrive: You can take Sunday to “settle in” and practice getting around.
Monday (Your 1st Class): You’ll enjoy an orientation lunch where you’ll meet the staff and other students.
To keep learning properly balanced, every day is four hours long and is divided into two sections, one grammar, one conversation. Both sections are limited to an extremely small class size (grammar has 8 students max, and conversation has 4).
This will give you lots of opportunities to get personalized instruction and to participate every day.
After You’ve Finished Classes: You’ll have a chance to participate in other school activities, such as neighborhood tours, cooking lessons, dance classes, Cinema Latina, and more.
This combination of lessons, conversation, and extra-curricular activities is what makes Ecela so different … and so effective!
And We Haven’t Even Talked About
The Best Part Yet… The Ski Trips!
On the weekends, you’re going to have an important choice to make…
You can:
- relax and spend time with the locals…
- drive 2 hours to the Pacific coast and hang out on the beach, or…
- drive just an hour or 2 to one of Chile’s best ski slopes!
In fact, included in your trip are 6 full ski days at nearby resorts…
It’s quite the view from the top of the mountain!
For you, and 29 of your fellow travellers in the program!
You’ll hit the slopes during the day, enjoy bonding by the fire with hot chocolate at night, and have the time of your life connecting with friends from around the world…
While adding at least 3 new Chilean ski resorts to your list of remarkable places you’ve skied.
If You Want to Have Your Very Own
South American Ski Adventure
(While Increasing Your Spanish Fluency
and Getting College Credit)
Then Here’s How it Works…
This 6 week Spanish Immersion Plus “eduvacation” takes place in Santiago, Chile, from Sunday, July 5 – Saturday, August 15, 2015 and includes:
- 4, 50 minute classes/day during the week to rapidly accelerate your Spanish skills
- 10 grammar lessons/week
- 10 conversational lessons/week – all in small classes with only 4-8 students/class, and…
- A program transcript granting you credit for 2 college semesters of Spanish
We also take care of all of your transportation and lodging, so you get:
- Transfer to and from the Santiago airport…
- An orientation lunch when you first arrive, welcoming you to the program and introducing you to your fellow travellers…
- 6 weeks of “family homestay” housing with a carefully selected, local middle-class family, including free breakfast and dinner… (with your own private room and access to all common areas)
- OR save $270 by choosing a shared apartment with fellow Ecela students, complete with complimentary housekeeping and a full kitchen for you to prepare your own meals…
Then There’s the Fun Stuff…
Like your 6 ski passes at 3 top Chilean resorts… including free transportation to and from the mountain.
And that’s not all. Along with this life and career changing South American “eduvacation”…
We’ve also decided to throw in 2 special bonuses:
Bonus #1: $300 Airfare Rebate
First, we know that the cost of airfare can be a challenge when committing to a trip like this. So in order to help you out and make things simple, we’re going to give you $300 towards your flight in the form of an instant rebate when you sign up for the program today.
This will come right off the total cost of the program, and applies even if you plan on using air miles or a “buddy pass” to pay for your flight.
Bonus #2: Overnight Weekend Trip to the Chilean Coast
(for early birds who register before May 1st ONLY)
Your 2nd special bonus is 1 overnight weekend trip to Viña del Mar on the Chilean coast where you can enjoy seafood, optional surf lessons, and the famous nightlife of Valparaiso.
The beautiful beaches of the Pacific coast are just a 2 hour drive away…
Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the Pacific Ocean from the Southern Hemisphere at the most popular beach resort in Chile, according to Trip Advisor, and take full advantage of being just 2 hours away from the coast.
Please note that this special is for the early-birds only… people who take action and submit a small deposit – which is applied to the total cost of the trip – as a down payment on the trip by May 1st.
I’ll tell you how to claim that bonus in a moment… first,
You’re Probably Wondering
How Much All of This is Going to Cost…
Given the quality of teachers and amount of personalized Spanish instruction…
The safe, comfortable housing options…
And the adventure of the weekend ski trips and bonus Pacific coast beach vacation…
You may be expecting to pay upwards of $10,000. And while others may charge this, we’ve made the conscious decision to keep our program lean to ensure this investment in your future won’t cause any hardship.
In fact, the entire trip is less than one semester of tuition and fees at a typical in-state public university.
So you won’t be paying $10,000 for the “eduvacation” of a lifetime.
Not even half that.
Your total investment, including ALL your Spanish immersion, housing, skiing, and bonuses… after your $300 instant flight rebate…
Is just $4970.
However, You Don’t Have to Pay That Today…
All you need to do to get started is make a small deposit of $100. If you’re accepted into the trip, this $100 is credited towards your balance.
After you apply, we’ll have a short, 15-minute call to make sure you qualify. If we do not accept you or the program is full, your application fee will be courteously returned.
Before you make your decision, I need to tell you 2 things:
- First, in order to keep class sizes small, we can only accept 30 students in total for this trip.
- Second, we want to make sure that we have a diverse group of participants from around the world. Therefore, we have a policy to only accept 4 students from any particular college or university.
Click the big, green button below to submit your $100 deposit and apply for the program.
If we still have space when you apply and you’re accepted into the program, you can confirm your spot with a $500 deposit. If you decide you need to “back out”, it’s no problem. We’ll take someone off the waitlist, and return your deposit.
There’s No Risk to You to Claim Your Spot Today…
Plus, because we’re so confident in the quality of our program (and we’ve had more than 15,000 students participate so far) with rave success…
We’ve put together a rather unusual guarantee for you:
Our Ecela Guarantee: If any of your 6 weeks in Chile is not “one of your best educational experiences ever” – just let us know and we’ll give you two extra weeks for free.
It’s our promise to you that your investment will pay off…
Both for your education and career, as well as your life.
It truly is the experience of a lifetime, so go ahead and click the button below to submit your small $100 deposit and set up your short 15 minute application call to see if it’s a fit.
If You Have Any Questions…
Look further below to learn more and see answers to commonly asked questions, or call the number at the top of this page to speak to someone now.
Remember, we can only accept 30 students into the program, and you have to submit your $100 deposit before May 1 to qualify for our early bird bonus of a FREE overnight weekend trip to the Chilean coast.
I know this is a lot of information to cover, so we’ve put together some common frequently asked questions below.
For instance, if you’re concerned about the cost of the program… there are scholarships, funding, and financial aid available. The link to get more information can be found below in the FAQ’s.
“What Happens When It’s Over?”
Honestly, it will be tough to leave Santiago. You’ll see A LOT of tears at the “almuerzo de despedida” (farewell lunch). If you are at all sentimental you WILL need tissues.
But it’s not all bad….After the program you’ll have special “alumni privileges”: Steep discounts on our normal programs, which you may use at any Ecela school in Argentina, Chile, and Peru. There’s a good chance you’ll be planning your next Ecela eduvacation before you even leave Chile.
You’ll also be invited to our annual alumni weekend, where we honor our top teachers and host families, with the location rotating between our six schools. This is a great chance to not only reunite with the other participants, but you can also build your growing network within “Planeta Ecela”.
It will be my pleasure to welcome you to the family.
Tu futura amiga,
p.s. To get started with the Summer Spanish & Ski program in Chile, you only need to pay a small $100 application fee at this time. Then a $500 deposit within 14 days of acceptance will confirm your spot. The package includes your Spanish course, housing, the overnight bonus trip, and the $300 travel rebate.
p.s.s. We can only accept 30 people per program. Please do not apply if you are only doing it to meet “degree requirements”. Our intention is to help students who genuinely intend to use Spanish in their lives and careers. Please do not take up a spot just for resume or application enhancement purposes.
p.s.s.s. Remember that if we feel you are not a good fit, or the program is already full, we will refund your modest $100 application.
Thanks for everything!!
“Hola, amigos! It’s Ina and Mima from Slovakia. We had an excellent time at ECELA Spanish School. Before we arrived, Mima and I didn’t speak Spanish, but after two weeks we feel like we know more…We enjoyed the activities with Ygor and the classes with Alexis (Spanish Instructor at the School). Mima will never forget her first pisco sour (haha) and I’ll never forget the first time I rode a horse!! Thanks for everything!!”
What a GREAT time in ECELA Santiago!!!
“What a GREAT time in ECELA Santiago!!! I stayed 10 weeks in the school, and I already miss it. My level increased a lot, more that I expected. The classes are very interesting, the teachers very friendly and ready to explain again if you didn’t understand We laughed a lot, but always learning, big thanks to my teachers. During all my stay, I met a lot of people from everywhere, and this was perfect to practice Spanish outside of the class. I felt so good in this school, it’s like a big family full of student and staff 🙂 You, who read this message, go to ECELA. You will really enjoy, have fun, learn about Chile, Santiago, and of course Spanish.”
The quality and caliber of instruction and curriculum is unparalleled.
“The quality and caliber of instruction and curriculum is unparalleled. I have been a high school English and ESL teacher for the past eight years in California and I stand in awe of the natural talent, insight and mastery of the ECELA teachers. I truly believe that teaching a language to a non-native speaker is one of the most challenging callings on earth. My two teachers, Ricardo and Francisco, were unbelievably talented, patient and engaging in their instructional strategies and classroom management. As a teacher myself, I know the challenges of language instruction. I can truly say that in my career as an educator, these two teachers are the two most talented and effective in their classroom practice.”
What goes on in this school is an unforgettable experience.
“When I walked into Ecela the first time, I was impressed by how friendly the people were. I could participate in all of the activities even without being enrolled. After a while, they convinced me to take classes, and it was worth it. What goes on in this school is an unforgettable experience. There are people from all over the world, from different cultures, and everything works so well. I thought it was good that we used what we learned in class in the activities during the afternoon and at night. That way, you learned things much more quickly. Especially those who were new to Ecela. The school is truly a wonderful thing.”
I met a ton of people, went to many interesting restaurants, had a lot of parties
“First of all, thank you so much for everything! I had a great time during the 3 weeks I spent here: I met a ton of people, went to many interesting restaurants, had a lot of parties (and drank too much!), learned to dance tango (I love my teacher Pablo!)…and I think/hope I learned a little Spanish! Seriously, I speak Spanish much better than I did three weeks ago. Maybe now I speak Spanish better than I speak French…that might be a problem when I return to Geneva! Thanks to all of my excellent professors! I love Leila…but she’s completely crazy!!… Unfortunately, it’s time for me to go, but I hope to come back soon.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where does Spanish & Ski take place?
A: Spanish classes are given at our language school, Ecela Santiago (Chile). You will ski and/or snowboard at nearby Andes mountain resorts.
The mountain days include (convenient) shuttle van transportation from the city. Equipment is not provided but you can rent here.
Q: When are the program dates?
A: Six weeks during summer 2015 (Sunday, July 5 – Saturday August 15)
Q: How large is the group?
A: We have space for up to 30 students, and cannot accept more than 4 from any one school.
Q: What is the Spanish prerequisite?
A: There is no minimum level of Spanish. As this is an immersion program, much of the field exposure will be in Spanish, however we will usually provide an English translation of the main points.
Q: What is ECELA?
A: ECELA (Espanol y Cultura en Latino America) is a group of Spanish language schools in Argentina, Chile, and Peru.
ECELA students range from college-age to active seniors. Many cite the wide range of nationalities, professions, and ages as one of the program highlights.
Q: What are the program objectives?
A: Most importantly, your Spanish will improve dramatically. The six-week course is equal to two college semesters.
Secondly, you will enjoy Andes Mountain skiing or snowboarding in July and August.
Q: What is the cost, and how do I apply?
A: First, there’s a $100 deposit to apply. We’ll have a short, 15-minute call after you submit it, and if you’re accepted, a $500 deposit is required to hold your spot. Both of these deposits apply to the total cost of the program, which is $4970
Q: What if I can’t make the program or the program is full?
A: You can also register for our standard Spanish programs, which operate all year at our six locations. However, the ski components are not available outside of this special program.
Q: What if I can’t afford the cost of the program?
A: Check out this page for information on scholarships, funding, and financial aid.
Questions about the program? Email ski@ecelaspanish.com or call (347) 329-5506
Ecela is represented by the world’s leading study travel professionals…
