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By invitation only: Exclusively for future students sent to this page by a program advisor…

Get One FREE Week Of Ecela Classes For Each Week Purchased

Save up to $4,800 by pre-paying your Spanish immersion “eduvacation” in Argentina, Chile, or Peru. Limited to first 200 students.

Purchase Weeks At
At this time there is no need to select dates, location(s), or housing.



“When I first went abroad, I had no idea what to expect. I was nervous. The culture was new. The people were going to be different…”

Why Is Ecela Increasing Class Fees?

  • Significant upgrades of class structure  Most notably, we cut our conversation classes in half – from 8 to only 4. This gives you a lot more practice, however it also means we need more teachers and classrooms.
  • Widening gap with other schools  Aside from smaller classes, you will notice many differences with other schools – from the comfort of buildings, security of the neighborhoods, and quality of the staff. All of these things add to your experience, but are also more expensive for us to provide.
  • Reality of inflation  Prior to the 2015 increase we had raised our prices only 25% over the past 10 years, well below the rate of inflation, and were well overdue.

Why The Two-For-One Special Offer?

  • Gentle “ease-in” of new prices  This lets us avoid an unfair shock to people that were planning to reserve a course but have not yet reserved.
  • Prepaying helps us By paying for your classes ahead of time, you greatly reduce the stress of Ramona and her bookkeeping department.
  • Incentive for you to take action Many people need an extra nudge to stop procrastinating and to finally commit to learning Spanish.

Why Is There a Limit?

  • Not sustainable At “buy one get one free” the net price is even lower than our 2014 prices and we can only give away so many such packages.
  • Capacity constraints The schools have limited class spots, and housing contacts, and we can’t fill all our spaces with discount students.
  • To move you forward If there is an unlimited number of special offer you might still put it off and continue to not have the Spanish you need.
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Since classes are ultra-small, you”ll participate up to 10X more than in traditional courses.  Participation by actively speaking the language is THE key to learning a language, yet it’s practically missing from most methods.

I wouldn’t hesitate one second to come back if I had the chance.

Wow, it was an amazing and unforgettable time at ECELA Santiago!

I came with only a few words of Spanish and left with so much more than expected: not only that I learned so quickly and easily the language because of the very good and friendly teachers who make learning Spanish fun and interesting and the good concept of teaching that combines class lessons and private lessons if you take an intensive course, but I also met some absolutely great people from all over the world and found some new friends.

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!

by Mara Frei from Switzerland

After retiring, I decided to try and learn Spanish.

After retiring, I decided to try and learn Spanish. I researched the available programs in Central and South America and found that Ecela was uniformly rated as excellent.

I decided to attend Ecela’s school in Cusco because I wanted to combine a spectacular vacation with my language studies. I took introductory Spanish for three weeks in Cusco, combining my classes with tours of the city and the area’s many Incan archeological sites.

It was incredible! I received one-on-one instruction from Erik, who is the most patient, kind, supportive, and excellent teacher I can imagine. Every morning with Erik was a delight, and in the afternoons, Ecela arranged great adventures for me: horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, and touring.

My accommodations at an apartment with other students were great, and I got to practice my nascent Spanish with my fellow students and our neighbors. All this at a very, very reasonable price.

by Kenneth Hipp from Hawaii

It’s by far the best school I’ve attended…it’s like a home to me!!!

Hola, 🙂
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.

All week there are different activities, it’s really entertaining.

I recommend this school to those who want to learn Spanish and have a good time! It’s by far the best school I’ve attended.

I feel really good at Ecela, it’s like a home to me!!!

by Valentine Diebold from France

Where Can I Study?

Study in any of our schools in Argentina, Chile, or Peru.  You may spend all your weeks at one location or divide them as you wish.  Our curriculum is specially designed to make multi-culture programs easy to schedule.
Ecela's locations of Spanish schools in South America

  • 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.
  • Cusco, Peru The capital of the ancient Incan Empire and the gateway to Machu Picchu, one of the world’s modern wonders.
Many of Cusco's streets were built on top of Incan passageways.

Many of Cusco’s streets were built on top of Incan passageways.

This experience was I-N-O-L-V-I-D-A-B-L-E!! I really love Buenos Aires and I’ll miss it a lot.

When I arrived in Buenos Aires, I only knew how to say a few words in Spanish. Now, I’m practically a porteña! I’ve eaten like five cows, a ton of empanadas, medialunas, and I’ve drunk a little mate.

I’ve had class with nearly all of the ECELA BA instructors: Juan Manuel, Leila, Rocío, Victoria, Elizabeth, Sonia, Florencia, Paola, Ignacio, Guillermo.

Thank you all for your patience with me. I had a ton of classmates and a bunch of roommates at the best house in Billinghurst.

This experience was I-N-O-L-V-I-D-A-B-L-E!! I really love Buenos Aires and I’ll miss it a lot.
Don’t forget, I’m not from Brazil, or England, or the USA… I’M FROM BARBADOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Keisha Jordan from Barbados

It’s like a big family full of student and staff 🙂

What’s 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.

by Mattieu LaCoste from France

With all the tourists mixed in with the locals, you meet a lot of interesting people who are all looking to have some fun.

I studied in Cusco a little over 2 months and fell in love with the place. Starting with my host family, they were so sweet. My ‘mom’ always made the best food and after dinner we’d often play cards with my ‘brothers’ and ‘dad.’ I quickly felt like I was part of the family.

The city itself is extremely fun! There are so many outdoor activities like hiking, rafting, zip-lining, bungee jumping, all types of cool things to do. You’re surrounded by history in Cusco so there are also many fascinating museums to learn more about the Incan and pre-Incan cultures.

On top of all that, the nightlife is awesome. People really know how to party in Peru! With all the tourists mixed in with the locals, you meet a lot of interesting people who are all looking to have some fun.

But I wouldn’t have discovered all that this city has to offer without the help of the amazing ECELA staff. Right off the bat Ygor was very friendly and offered many ideas of places to go and things to see as activities with the school and on your own time. He was always only a phone call away whenever you needed anything, which is very comforting when you’re in a foreign country.

Erik, a great professor and friend, always made classes very engaging with jokes, city tours and discussions on real life situations. My entire experience with ECELA was beyond amazing and I highly recommend the program to anyone looking to really learn Spanish and experience life in South America.

by Sara Mokhtari-Fox from California

ListenIconSara (above) liked Cusco so much she has decided to work there for a few years. In this interview she talks about living there and what foreigners can expect.:

http://ecelaspanish.com/entrevistas/sara-m-fox.mp3



“How are classes structured?”

A complete program (complete novice to near fluency) takes about six month, less if you have a higher starting point or have previously learned another foreign language. You do not need to do the program all at once. Many students have spread it out over several trips.

The 20 weekly lessons (50 minutes per lesson) are divided between grammar (max 8 students) and conversation (max 4 students) to give you a proper balance as your Spanish advances.

During your 20 minute break between classes we invite you to free refreshments and snacks while you catch up with your new friends.

The group course is carefully designed to give you a safe learning environment where you can feel confident about your current level of Spanish, but have the support around you to take it to a higher level.

At some point I decided: I’m going to Buenos Aires, to Ecela! And that was one of the best decisions of my life.

Five months ago, I had a lot of questions. Should I go to Buenos Aires? Or Spain? And which school should I attend?

At some point I decided: I’m going to Buenos Aires, to Ecela! And that was one of the best decisions of my life.

I arrived in Buenos Aires on Sunday, November 20, and I was planning to stay for four months. I lived with other Ecela students in an apartment that was just a five minute walk from the school. On my first day, I met my roommate, a girl from the US, and we became friends immediately.

On Monday I went to the school for the first time and took a placement exam so that the teachers could decide which level I should start out in. After that test, I met a ton of other new students from different countries, like Germany, the United States, Switzerland, Norway, and Australia.

During the first week I went around the whole city. Buenos Aires is a fantastic city. What I liked the most is that there are so many different places: huge parks, the microcentro business district, historic neighborhoods, and Palermo with its many clubs, bars, and restaurants. The city is so beautiful, and the porteños are kind and courteous in my opinion.

I loved my time in Buenos Aires! After just two or three weeks I felt like I was at home, like it was my country. The school became a second home, and the people there are extremely nice! They helped me whenever I had any concerns, questions, or complaints. Also, the teachers are fantastic. I had 8 (!) different professors while I was there, and every single one was buenísimo! Classes are fun, and the classroom activities have enough variety. Every teacher explained things clearly, was patient, recommended restaurants and things to do, and gave a lot of other good advice.

I loved that it was such a different experience. I met people from many different countries, made so many strong friendships, and always had a splendid time with all of the students.

Of course it’s challenging at times, and of course I sometimes missed my friends and family. But I had a family here too, and everyone feels that way sometimes. In the end, I honestly didn’t want to return home!

If you’re not sure, I recommend that you come to Buenos Aires. The city is amazing, and the school is a great choice for studying Spanish, meeting people, and enjoying life!

I’d like to thank everyone at the school. I had a fantastic time and I’ll miss you all. If at any point I travel to Buenos Aires, I’ll be sure to visit you!

by Anne-Sophie van Gruijthuijsen from the Netherlands

The homestays are an additional aspect that shouldn’t be missed. It’s a great way to integrate immediately into the language and culture.

I’ve been to four of ECELA’s schools, and as a Spanish teacher I applaud their efforts in creating an enjoyable atmosphere for learning Spanish at all levels from beginner to advanced.

ECELA’s schools are more than just language schools, they are learning communities that support the sometimes challenging process of learning another language. The teachers and support staff are the key to the success.

The schools in Peru have been a very special experience for me. Through my experiences in Cusco and Lima, they have introduced me to a country that I’m sure I will return to.

I was pleasantly surprised by my experience in Lima. It exceeded my expectations in all ways. The city is exciting, the views in Miraflores are beautiful and the school was thoroughly enjoyable. I’m so glad I chose to complete my studies at ECELA here in the capital.

The homestays are an additional aspect that shouldn’t be missed. It’s a great way to integrate immediately into the language and culture. I highly recommend ECELA for its excellent program.

by Rich Hance from USA

We had an excellent time at ECELA Cusco

Hola, amigos! It’s Ina and Mima from Slovakia.  We had an excellent time at ECELA Spanish School in Cusco, Pero.  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!! Besos, Ina and Mima, the Slovak girls.

by Ina & Mima from Slovakia

“What is a typical day like?”

You’ll be spending four hours a day in class.  Again, it sounds like a lot…but the classes are fun and go by fast. In addition, there are many cultural and social activities – from cooking lessons to “Cinema Latino” – at the school. It will be your home.

  • 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 or two to 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.  Take a traditional Latin American siesta or return to the school for extra private lessons.
  • 5:00 PM: Cultural Activity.  (optional) Learn more about the local culture:  cooking classes, dance lessons, museum tours, etc.
  • 7:00 PM: Dinner.  Home cooked 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.
(Free) snack breaks between Spanish classes let you catch up with new friends.

(Free) snack breaks between Spanish classes let you catch up with new friends.

Seriously, I speak Spanish much better than I did three weeks ago.

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!), visited several different places in Buenos Aires, 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!

Buenos Aires is a beautiful city, but it’s also freezing! Just like London!
Thanks to all of my excellent professors! I love Leila…but she’s completely crazy!!
I’m going to miss Buenos Aires and everyone.

Unfortunately, it’s time for me to go, but I hope to come back soon.
I’d especially like to thank Pilar.

by Angela Canmer from United Kingdom

The instructors are fun, dynamic, and really smart, and they have so much patience!

My experience at the school was nearly perfect. I met a lot of nice, friendly people, students and instructors alike. The instructors are fun, dynamic, and really smart, and they have so much patience! The school is really organized and hardly ever has any problems. The people at the school always want to help. They’re friendly and fantastic!!

by Thomas Fey from England

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.

by Wendy Savinar from California


Jessica from Brussels explains her first day at Ecela.

“Where Will I Live?”

There are two housing options – you can’t go wrong with either. You can also find your own accommodations. At this time you do not need to select your housing type – or your dates or your school(s).

Shared apartment with students:

  • Live in a shared “flat” with other program participants and other young students staying in Cusco.
  • Prepare your own meals (or go out). Share living room and kitchen with your flatmates while enjoying your private bedroom.
  • Use your apartment as “the meetup” before heading out to Cusco’s surprisingly large amount of night spots.

True immersion with a host family:

  • Gain extra Spanish practice as you bond with your nueva familia over breakfast and dinner.
  • You’ll have even more cultural opportunities –  don’t be surprised if you’re invited along to birthday parties, weddings, and other fiestas tradicionales.
  • You are still free for lunch to eat with your school friends at any of the many Peruvian (and other international flavors) restaurants near the school. You’ll love how inexpensive, yet delicious, restaurant food is in Peru. 
  • Suggestion:  Bring a small gift from your home region for your host.  (Your local airport is a great source.)  It will “break the ice” on the first day and give them something to always remember you.
spanish language school homestay in Santiago, Chile

Living with a local host family is part of the Spanish immersion experience you’ll never forget.

I will without doubt recommend the school to anyone!

My summer in Cusco was one of my most memorable vacations ever. I enjoyed staying in the beautiful city, getting to know both Peruvians and other international students. The teachers and staff in Ecela were very good and fun at the same time.

I will without doubt recommend the school to anyone! Ecela put me together with a host family who was loving and caring. They helped me improve my spanish by talking with me every night. Going to Ecela in Cusco is really the best way to study Spanish!

by Marianne Nerland from Norway

There are people from all over the world, from different cultures, and everything works so well.

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.

by David K from Switzerland

There’s a poster on the wall here that says that ECELA is an unforgettable experience, and I can’t agree more!!!

There’s a poster on the wall here that says that ECELA is an unforgettable experience, and I can’t agree more!!! My grammar and conversation classes, the cultural experiences, the volunteer projects, and living in a homestay have all helped me improve my Spanish and learn about Argentina.

In my grammar classes, we learned basic concepts in a way that made them easy to understand. We used examples to learn grammatical rules and we practiced them with oral, listening, reading, and writing activities. Also, we learned about aspects of the language that are unique to Argentina, like lunfardo and idiomatic expressions.

The conversation class was a laid-back place to practice my Spanish, meet my classmates, and have profound conversations. We talked about Argentine history, culture, traditions, and daily life, and compared Argentina to my country, the USA.

Also, we participated in cultural activities to get to know Argentine traditions. We made empanadas, danced tango, went to the mountains, saw a tango show, listened to music, went shopping, visited wineries, and volunteered.

The most useful part of my experience was living with an Argentine family. They taught me things about daily life that I could never have learned from a textbook. My family had so much patience with my grammar, and the more I practiced Spanish, the more I learned.

Thank you so much, ECELA and the teachers, for a fantastic experience.

by Callie Rose Marby from Iowa

“What can I do outside of class?”

We know you aren’t coming all the way to our destinations only to study Spanish. You want full immersion in the culture, not just the language.

Here are some of the many examples of activities & excursions (not included in purchase price):

  • 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.
Hey look - that's me helping prepare empanadas.

The lady in pink with the black apron?  That’s me (Cecilia Quezada) helping to prepare empanadas.

Peru was a time in my life that I’ll never forget

I’ve been an ECELA student for three weeks.  These 3 weeks have been fantastic.  I’ve met so many nice people from all around the world.  The teachers are really nice, and they make the classes really fun.  You learn so much in the classes! The school also offers a wide variety of activities every week.  You can learn to cook or make pisco. 

If you have the chance to volunteer for a day, I highly recommend it.  It’s a beautiful, unique experience.  Seeing the poor children smile brightens up your day.  Volunteering doesn’t feel like work, it’s more like having the opportunity to do something good for someone else.  In the end, the kids are as happy as the volunteers.

Peruvian food is delicious.  There are so many tasty fresh fruits and vegetables.  Some of the dishes you should try are ceviche, tamal, and definitely chicharrón!

And obviously Peruvian people are so friendly.  I always felt safe.  You do have to get used to the traffic; you could say it’s a bit wild and crazy, but honestly I miss it now.  There’s always something going on in the streets; it’s never boring!

Peru was a time in my life that I’ll never forget.  Everyone should go and spend a vacation as wonderful as mine was.

I LOVE LIMA!

by Angela Nadia Graca from Switzerland

I drove an ATV, rode a hourse, went shopping at “El Molino,” and touched a condor!!!

Hola, it’s Ron Mathew and I have to tell you all about my unforgettable experience with ECELA CUSCO!!

8 weeks ago I was studying at ECELA Lima, and while I had a great time in Lima I love ECELA Cusco more. It’s very calm here, and I like the mountains and the countryside. Also, my teachers Lili and Mario are fantastic. In three weeks I learned a lot in Cusco!

I enjoyed my time here with Ygor (the best activities coordinator). I drove an ATV, rode a hourse, went shopping at “El Molino,” and touched a condor!!!

Also, I’d like to thank Emily, the best assistant director. I think she’ll be the best director before long. Also, I’d like to thank Lourdes for the food. I’ll miss you all a lot!!

“Ron con coca cola”
“Roncito”

by Ron Mathews from United States

Once again I learned that the most important and necessary thing for learning is being motivated to work with other people.

I have so many things to be thankful for.  I’m so happy that I spent two weeks with kind, dedicated, and well-prepared instructors.  They taught me with patience and a lot of enthusiasm.  I had fun with the other students in my class.  Pilar organized the activities really well, and Emmanuel helped out when necessary.  Thank you, Romina, for your help.  Thank you everyone!!!

Once again I learned that the most important and necessary thing for learning is being motivated to work with other people.  We can take on this work with our hearts.  Being a teacher isn’t just a job, it’s a vocation!

Many thanks to Gabriel, to Nadia García, to Florencia, to Guillermo, and to Susana for being my instructors with that gift of teaching!

I’ll see you soon, I’m coming back!

by Stephanie Bender from Germany

“Who Is A Good Fit At Ecela?”

Since we gave our first classes in 2000, we’ve helped 17,500+ students improve their Spanish. Over that time we’ve had the chance to observe our most satisfied students, the ones that leave comments like:

  • “without a doubt the best decision I ever made”
  • “she was the best teacher I’ve ever had – wow!”
  • “I can’t imagine there’s a better school in all of South America”.

Usually these students possess most, and in many cases all, of the below traits. Although not “requirements” by any means, they can help predict your happiness here.


1. You Want to REALLY Learn Spanish, not Just “Get By”.
Our best students are clearly excited to work toward Spanish fluency (and all the benefits that come with it). We’ll push you to reach your full potential, and why wouldn’t we? You’re investing a lot in us, and we are serious about giving you the maximum return on your investment.


2. You Hold an Appreciation for the Art of Teaching.
Perhaps you agree with this old saying: “Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.” As a premium level school with a reputation for rigorous hiring standards, we’re fortunate to attract elite-level Spanish instructors. Some of our students are language teachers back home and particularly enjoy occupying the student’s chair.


3. You Call Learning Spanish an “Investment”, Not a “Cost”.
It’s true. As an Ecela student you’ll pay more than other options out there, but some things are worth paying for—including surroundings that put you at ease, teachers that make you look forward to class, and experiences you’ll never forget. The rewards of Spanish fluency far exceed the modest class fees and most successful people consider it an investment in personal growth.


4. You Love Meeting Interesting People & Making New Friends.
Our schools attract students from many walks of life. They come from 42+ countries and have an array of personal and professional interests. You’ll bond with them in your classes, in the refreshment breaks in between them, and in our many social and cultural activities after them. For many of our students, forming a new set of very diverse relationships is a real treasure and an unexpected highlight. While you may come to Ecela alone, you are quickly plugged into an instant social life.


5. You Prefer Conversation Over Grammar Drills.
A whopping 50% of our class time is spent on interactive conversation – practicing speaking and listening skills. We certainly teach you the grammar you need; however our greatest strength, and what we are best known for, is significantly improving your oral communication. This will prepare you to communicate with confidence in real world situations – social, family, work, or travel.


6. You Prefer “Old Fashioned” Teaching Over Hi-Tech Learning Apps.
Our method, which can be described as an “educational throwback”, is based on heavy amounts of interaction. Human interaction. We simply don’t invest in technology and save our resources for the personal touch. You may use modern “digital learning tools” on your own time, but within Ecela you’ll find our teaching is participation-based. “The one talking is the one learning.”

stroll-18

A genuine appreciation for the art of teaching is a common characteristic of our most satisfied students.

Thank you for making me feel that I was more than just a language student.

I spent one month in ECELA Viña del Mar and could not have been more pleased with my progress in Spanish, and happy with my experience in general. Both the excellent staff and instructors were professional, kind, and helpful.

The feeling they were able to convey was that they not only wanted to help with the advancement of the language, but that students felt comfortable and confident navigating a new city, language and culture.

Thank you again for this experience. Thank you for making me feel that I was more than just a language student.

by Heather Yevseyev from Michigan

All of the teachers used the most up to date L2 techniques

Newly arrived in a big city, from a diverse range of countries, ages, backgrounds, staying for varying periods of time to gel and get along? Most people would find this a nearly impossible task but they seem to manage it at ECELA Buenos Aires with the fantastic range of activities on offer and the care they take to attend to students needs.

Having taught English as a foreign language myself I can appreciate the quality of the Spanish teaching at ECELA BA. All of the teachers used the most up to date L2 techniques and as well as having a passion for their native language the general atmosphere was one that seemed to be designed to foster active communication wherever possible. Many of the teachers speak 3 or 4 languages themselves and have a fervent interest in linguistics.

I would recommend ECELA Spanish School in Buenos Aires to anyone, of any age, from any background who has a passion for new experiences.

by Andrew Newell from UK

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. The school’s staff was really kind and professional.

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.

I recommend this school to everyone.

by Leslie Husbans from Barbados



“What Are The Conditions?” (the fine print)

  • You may pre-purchase up to 32 weeks, our max program to reach fluency, at the two-for-one rate.
  • Limited to the first 200 students to take up this offer. The purchase page will be taken down when we reach that number or December 31, whichever comes first.
  • You have three years to use your prepaid weeks.
  • You may divide your weeks between any combination of Ecela schools in Argentina, Chile, or Peru.
  • You may use your weeks all at once or spread them out over multiple trips.
  • You may share your prepaid weeks with up to two other people (plus a $100 registration fee per person).
  • Purchases are non-refundable. However, you may defer the weeks for up to three years and also share them with two other people (see points above).
  • Two-for-one does not apply to (optional) housing.
  • May not be used during specialty programs (for example Spanish & Medicine or Spanish & Counseling)
Interacting with the local population brings smiles all around.

Interacting with the local population brings smiles all around.

My experience at ECELA was UNFORGETTABLE – or better yet, “inolvidable!”

My experience at ECELA was UNFORGETTABLE – or better yet, “inolvidable!” I don’t know any other word that better describes the weeks I spent in Cusco!

The Spanish course offered by ECELA Cusco is really top notch. Its professors are better than you can hope for. I felt very comfortable the whole time. Not to mention the marvelous friendships that I made during my trip and the incredible activities and excursions.

I really must thank the ECELA Cusco family for everything, for their support and their kindness. I recommend the school to anyone who wants to learn high-quality Spanish while feeling at home.

A warm thank you to my friends Carmen, Ygor, Erik, and Alexis

by Ellen Ribeiro from Brazil

the weather is perfect, the city is alive with its own culture and activity

I really enjoyed getting to study and live in Buenos Aires for a little while and also Mendoza afterwards. I felt like it gave me a good feel of the whole country and not just the big city. It was very easy and affordable to travel.

The mountains are beautiful, the weather is perfect, the city is alive with its own culture and activity, and you get to drink great wine! Everyone at the school was so welcoming, and they really are committed to making sure that you not only learn Spanish but also feel comfortable and have a lot of fun!

by Bill Walker from Texas

Now, Spanish is like a second native language to me

I took an intensive two month course at ECELA while I lived in Chile for six months.  I had a great time from the very first day: the teachers were nice, their classes were really entertaining, and I learned a ton of things.

I also met a lot of people (other students) from different countries at ECELA.  Also, I really liked all of the activities that ECELA offered every week: excursions, cooking classes, soccer games…I wasn’t bored for a second.

I took one of the prep courses and passed the DELE with a really good score.  Now, Spanish is like a second native language to me, thanks to ECELA and the instructors (I’m still in contact with some of them).  The months I spent at the school have been some of the best months of my life!!

by Susanne Meier from Germany

“Count Me In. What Do I Do Next?”

To take advantage of the “two-for-one” special offer on Ecela classes:

  1. Follow the button below to the class pre-payment purchase page.
  2. Select your number of weeks.  Choose 2×1, 4×2, 8×4, 16×8, or 32×16.
  3. At this time there is no need to select dates, location(s), or housing options.
  4. After your credit card payment is approved, you will receive an email confirmation and shortly be contacted by an Ecela program adviser.
  5. Nothing else is required at this time.

Purchase Weeks At
At this time there is no need to select dates, location(s), or housing.



Questions about the program?   two.for.one@ecelaspanish.com  or  (347) 329-5506

 

“What Happens When It’s Over?”

Honestly, it will be tough to leave the school.  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…you can come back, or try another Ecela location. There’s a good chance you’ll be planning your next eduvacation before you even leave us.

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 la familia.

Tu futura amiga,
photo_cecy

Cecilia Quezada, C.S.I.
“Chief Spanish Immersionologist”

 

p.s. To get started with the two-for-one offer, click the button below to be taken to the payment page.  At this time you only are selecting the number of weeks – there is no need to tell us your dates, location(s), or housing choices.

p.s.s. We can only offer this to the first 200 students. Pre-purchased weeks are not refundable, however you may share them with up to two other people if “life gets too busy”.

p.s.s.s.  This offer is only for students arriving to this page by referral from a program adviser.

Don’t forget to eat meat at a real Argentina restaurant.

My time at ECELA Buenos Aires was terrific. The school is nice and really clean. I took extra private classes, because I want to speak good Spanish. The teachers are friendly and good at explaining the Spanish language.

During the breaks you meet a lot of nice people. So we did a lot of nice things after school. Also the school is fantastic with organizing things, like tango lessons, cooking empanadas, dancing at a bar or disco, etc. For me personally is this very nice since I love to dance.

Don’t forget to eat meat at a real Argentina restaurant. I love this city and still have contact with my friends that I meet there.

by Colette Bourgonje from Holland

Lima is famous for its fine restaurants and I took advantage of this (too many times, according to the scales).

I have attended classes in three Ecela locations (and counting): Lima, Cusco, and Viña del Mar. All three have been positive experiences and I would not hesitate to recommend any of these fine schools. I gained more weight in Lima than in the other two locations because Lima is famous for its fine restaurants and I took advantage of this (too many times, according to the scales).

Get thee hence.

Denny (age unknown, but older than you)

by Denny Robinson from USA

I will miss our nights next to the fire, cooking, wine and going out…

Thank you so much for the great time I had here in Cusco, I wish I could spend more time here. Thank you my teachers Judy and Javier for teaching me my “favorite” – subjuntivo.

Ygor, great job with all the activities planning. It’s hard to leave Cusco when there is always something interesting going on. Carmen and the rest of school(Lourdes, Angelina, Tatiana), thank you for making the stay so enjoyable and warm.

I will miss our nights next to the fire, cooking, wine and going out…everything but the altitude (that makes a simple walk a tremendous exercise)

by Aleksandra Mayevska from Ukraine

I liked the school and the city a lot. I recommend it.

As you all should already know, Mendoza is the wine capital of Argentina.  Of course there are really great wines, but there are also many interesting things to do.

Mendoza is close to the famous Aconcagua.  You can practice different sports, eat great foot, meet nice people, and go to bars, as well as other things.  The city is safe and great for walking.

ECELA has really good instructors and a good structure.  I liked the school and the city a lot.  I recommend it.

by Joao Victor Araujo from Brazil

Coming to Buenos Aires was an incredible experience for this cool small-town girl from the Swiss mountains.

Listen to me, che!

Coming to Buenos Aires was an incredible experience for this cool small-town girl from the Swiss mountains.  The city scared me and the classes at ECELA were a ton of work. 

But I met fantastic guys and girls, and at the school they taught me how to use guita (cash) and the bondi (bus), and I learned how delicious it is to gobble up medialunas.  And they taught me Spanish too. 

I had a really cool time here! Chau, che!

by Martina Amacker from Switzerland

For me the only thing I didn’t like about the school was leaving!!!!

My time at Ecela, Buenos Aires was wonderful – in fact so good I came back the following year!

Buenos Aires is a fantastic city to visit and the school is in one of the nicest neighborhoods. But best of all the staff at the school really make you feel at home and the atmosphere is friendly and fun.

From knowing no Spanish at all when I first joined the school I have reached a level in Spanish that I am delighted with and in all honesty never thought I’d reach!

The professionalism of the teachers is outstanding and the classes are interesting and fun and you can really tell the teachers enjoy their jobs.

For me the only thing I didn’t like about the school was leaving!!!!

by Stuart Tancred from England

I immediately decided to participate. And that was the best decision I could have made.

Before I went to ECELA, I studied Spanish in the United States for a total of six years. Yet despite all that, I couldn’t speak fluently. In fact, I couldn’t even understand native Spanish speakers during higher level conversations.

Because of this I knew, without a doubt, that I had to go to abroad to learn to speak like a native. Consequently, when ECELA contacted me about their program in Buenos Aires, I immediately decided to participate. And that was the best decision I could have made.

The school offers a variety of courses with talented and friendly instructors. ECELA promises an experience of a lifetime.

by Katherine Nace from Virginia

Purchase Weeks At
At this time there is no need to select dates, location(s), or housing.