About Guatemala

The Hermandad Educativa is a sisterhood of two nonprofit language schools in Quetzaltenango (known locally as Xela) and Nuevo San José, Guatemala. The oldest school, El Proyecto Lingüistico Quetzalteco de Español, was established in 1988. La Escuela de la Montaña followed in 1997. The schools offer affordable, quality Spanish language instruction to foreign visitors while generating decent-paying jobs and income to support projects that benefit the people of Guatemala.

Total Immersion Learning

La Hermandad Educativa uses the methodology of “total immersion” in language learning. Total immersion is effective at promoting rapid language acquisition, and also helps you acquire an intimate familiarity with the culture and people of Guatemala

At the PLQE in Quetzaltenango, immersion learning has four dimensions: one-on-one instruction five hours a day, during which students spend 90% of the time speaking Spanish; home stays (from Sunday to Sunday) in which students can converse with Guatemalan families; lectures and trips during which students learn about the politics and cultures of Guatemala; and a location in Quetzaltenango, which, unlike Antigua, does not cater to non-Spanish-speaking tourists, therefore presenting another opportunity for students to implement what they have learned.

At La Escuela de la Montaña, immersion consists of four hours a day of one-on-one class time; three meals a day practice with a host family in the neighboring Spanish- and Mam-speaking rural villages of Fátima and Nuevo San Jose; lectures and visits concerning nearby projects and communities; and a full week of housing in the main school building, in which staff and faculty speak only Spanish. Note: Enrollment at La Escuela de La Montaña is limited to ten students per week. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged.

During your first day of class at the PLQE or La Escuela de la Montaña, your teacher will assess your Spanish language ability with a written examination and personal interview. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses, your teacher will be able to choose appropriate materials and techniques for your language level, and draw up a class plan for the week. Your week´s activities will combine grammar learning, conversation, vocabulary building, and practice in reading and writing. Your teacher will also assign daily homework; students benefit considerably by practicing what they have learned by themselves or in groups.

Upon request, the Hermandad will administer a written examination that the student may used to acquire university credit. The Hermandad can also help arrange university credit through travel/study academic credit programs. The school in Quetzaltenango is accredited by the Guatemalan Ministry of Education and the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism.

Families and Groups

The PLQE in Quetzaltenango has years of experience teaching children as young as four, and accommodating families. With advance notice and an extra fee, the school will arrange childcare for toddlers. Special information regarding family groups is available through the North American and European reservation offices. Families are welcome at the Escuela de la Montaña as well. The teachers there have taught children and young people of all ages. However, childcare can be arranged for youngsters who do not study formally. Additionally, there are over 100 potential friends in the communities of Nuevo San José and Fátima who can teach the intricacies of using slingshots in the coffee fields, making beautiful kites out old plastic bags, and preparing mud-tamales (instead of mud-pies).

Life with a Guatemalan Family

Students at PLQE are encouraged to immerse themselves completely in the culture of Guatemala by living with local Guatemalan families while they study. However, home stays are not obligatory and students are free to arrange alternative accommodation.

At La Escuela de la Montaña, students eat three meals a day with a local family, but sleep in the communal schoolhouse, which formerly belonged to the owner of the coffee farm in its earlier incarnation.

Your experiences with a Guatemalan family allows you to benefit from total immersion, since you will be practicing your Spanish in conversation at meal times three times a day, and other occasions during the day and evening. We expressly ask that the families correct the Spanish of the students they host, so as to advance the process of language acquisition. Unlike many other Spanish schools, La Hermandad places only one student in each home to ensure that only Spanish is spoken in the house. (Note: families and couples can be housed together if requested.)

The tuition fee includes a private room and three meals per day, from Sunday through Sunday.

For more detail information please visit the following website: www.plqe.org