Unique Conversation-Heavy System – Learn By Talking, Not Memorizing
Micro-sized conversation classes (max four students), are a key feature to your extra rapid speaking skills development.
Picture this. You’re in a Spanish-speaking country and need to make an important phone call. Suddenly one thing is critical: Your ability to speak Spanish with confidence.
Ecela students make that phone call with no fear. Why? Because we emphasize and teach Spanish conversation like no other school we know of.
Here’s how we do it:
Extra Small Class Sizes
Our grammar classes are small – just eight students. But when we teach conversation, we cut that in half. These intimate groups eliminate discomfort from speaking Spanish in front of people, while giving you numerous opportunities to speak and hone your conversational skills.
“Hot Seat” Privates
Two instructors. One student. This special format accelerates your learning by forcing you to focus intensely as both native Speakers challenge you with their own unique rhythms and accents.
Speech Therapist On Request
Bad pronunciation habits can be hard to overcome and, as they can lead to a lack of speaking confidence, are best addressed early. If you need help perfecting your accent and overcoming pronunciation difficulties, simply request a special private lesson with our speech therapist to iron out your problem areas.
“Conversation-Only” Fridays
On Fridays, we leave the grammar books closed for the day and kick your conversational learning into high gear. Many students consider this outstanding preparation for a weekend of engaging with locals.
Separate Conversation and Grammar Groups
You’ll always be learning alongside students at your level in both grammar and conversation. This assures your progress throughout the program. Many schools do not bother to separate these two important learning areas. Further, others focus almost entirely on grammar because it is much easier to manage and teach.
Free Journal Reviews
(Our Strongest Recommendation)
We encourage students to write in their diary as if they were having a conversation. Why? When you write in a conversational tone, it helps you master speaking ability, fast. Plus, we take it a step further by providing free reviews and corrections of your diary entries.
Cinema Latina
One of our most popular cultural activities. Get together with your fellow students and Ecela teachers to enjoy a Latin American film. To make the most of the evening, one of our teachers will lead a discussion of the movie.
Premium Level Teachers
As a premium language school we are fortunate to attract the best local teachers. Our demanding screening process helps ensure that your instructors are not also effective teachers, but also keep you looking forward to class each day.
Language Exchange
As a student you are invited to use Ecela facilities as a meeting place for language exchanges with locals. Spend a half hour speaking Spanish and a half hour speaking English. It’s an excellent and enjoyable way to improve your skills.
Multiple locations.
Choose from six schools, conveniently located in three different countries. Our students appreciate the flexibility to study at different schools, where they can experience the nuances of each distinct accent.
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As you can see, our highest priority is your ability to speak and understand Spanish in a conversational setting.
Traditional classes, including most language schools, burden their students with seemingly endless grammar lessons; it’s easy and inexpensive to teach, especially to larger classes. We don’t overlook grammar; we teach you the grammar you truly need.
However, our distinct emphasis on steadily and systematically improving your conversation ability is what will lead you to actually use your Spanish in real-life settings, speaking naturally and with confidence.
After all, fair or not, your speaking ability is how most people will judge your Spanish.
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Listen to our academic director, Rodrigo Lizana, explains our course structure:
It was the best experience in my life.
Spanish schools: My goal was to learn Spanish, meet new (and interesting) people and do some voluntary work. All of this I found in ECELA, and more! They look out for you, organize activities for you and make you feel at home. The teachers were really good and made sure I found the best study-method for me. It was the best experience in my life. I wouldn´t have want to miss it for the world!
Slogan: Wanna be safe, wanna learn and wanna have a good time. And wanna be sure of all of this, go ECELA
un grand MERCI à cette belle équipe d’ECELA Lima
ECELA lima, autant dire l’endroit parfait pour apprendre l’espagnol, j’y ai passé 3 mois et aujourd’hui je ne regrette pas une seconde mon choix. D’une part car Lima est une ville très intéressante, toujours quelques chose à faire, à visiter, toujours un endroit ou sortir, et de plus des plages plus qu’intéressante pour surfer. D’autre part l’école avec son personnel toujours avec le sourire, des personnes supers agréables et charmantes (en majorité féminines, ce qui aide) que j’ai continué à voir après mes semaines de cours et qui sont devenues des amies voir un peu comme une famille, un point de repère dans Lima où j’ai pu aller demander de l’aide dès que j’en avais le besoin. Mon frère avait déjà eu une super expérience avec ECELA, me l’avait recommandé et aujourd’hui je ne peux que confirmer. Voilà que dire de plus à part que si je dois retourner en Amérique latine sûr je ferais un détour par ECELA Lima et que si je dois reprendre des cours je passerais forcément par ECELA. Pour finir, et le faire correctement, un grand MERCI à cette belle équipe d’ECELA Lima pour m’avoir laissé après 3 mois avec un espagnol plus que correct et bien sûr enrichi par cette super expérience.
I originally signed up to go to the school for 6 weeks but liked it so much that I signed up for another 6 weeks and then again for another 8 weeks. True Story.
The staff are some of the most helpful and friendly people you will ever meet. Also the teachers are fantastic and extremely fun and interesting to learn Spanish from. One of my favorite parts of my experience was that I was always meeting new people from many different countries and walks of life.
I stayed in the student housing which was such a nice house and only 5 minutes from the school, and there I was able to truly get to know some of my fellow students and friends. Some of the people I met I now consider great friends and truly plan on seeing them again.
I originally signed up to go to the school for 6 weeks but liked it so much that I signed up for another 6 weeks and then again for another 8 weeks, true story.
I had a better experience than I ever could have imagined.
When I decided to study at Ecela, I was looking for a school that had good classes and a comfortable environment. But when I got there, I had a better experience than I ever could have imagined.
The class structure was organized, and the small classes helped me learn quickly.
Also the school’s excursions are a great opportunity to learn outside of the classroom. The salsa classes and the barbecues were the most fun.
The school’s staff was really kind and professional.
I recommend this school to everyone.