Summer Spanish ImmersionJuly 3rd - July 31st, 2010
EXPLORE Mexico from the Mayan ruins of Uxmal to Merida’s vibrant arts and cultural scene. At Habla’s summer immersion program, you learn Spanish with our international team of artists and educators. Cultural and ecological excursions will tie directly into Habla’s innovative Spanish courses. Our approach to learning language values the creativity of both the student and the teacher. Based on ideas developed at the ArtsLiteracy Project at Brown University, you will experience the language in a supportive community by reading literature in Spanish as well as learning about the ancient and contemporary art forms and cultural traditions of Mexico. LEARN with an international team of extraordinary teachers and teaching artists. In the mornings, you will develop your Spanish by reading the literature of Mexican and Latin American authors as well as learning about the photography and visual art of Mexico. In addition you will learn the words and structures you need to authentically communicate in a Spanish-speaking environment. Even students new to the language will immediately begin to communicate through speaking and writing. Those experienced with Spanish will read and discuss Mexican literature as well as write original stories in our advanced language courses. All Spanish levels are welcome: Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced. CREATE new and original work in photography. You will have the opportunity work with exceptional Mexican professional photographers to improve your own facility with digital photography. The photography experiences will involve learning about and examining the work of renowned Mexican photographers, learning about the technical aspects of photography, and taking and sharing photographs of your experiences in Merida. At the end of the summer we will exhibit our work in the Habla gallery for the community. No previous professional photography experience is necessary. Please bring your own digital camera. Although SLR cameras are recommended any digital camera will work well for the experience. If you feel you’re not an artist, this course is perfect for you. We help all of our students, no matter their level, to communicate both through images and words. LIVE with a local Mexican family, sharing typical Yucatecan meals and the rhythm of Yucatecan life. The highlights of the summer experience
Schedule of Classes and ExperiencesThe daily schedule will include the Spanish Language through the Arts course on Monday through Friday from 9:30am-1:30pm at the Habla Center. Two days a week Tuesdays and Thursdays participate in our Image and Language course through photography from 4:00-6:00pm. In addition to the above daily course schedule the following events will be offered throughout the summer.Sunday, July 4thExperience the city of Mérida. Mérida Market, Latin dancing with a live band, and a show of traditional Yucatecan dances
With a population of over 750,000 inhabitants, the “White City” was founded in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo "El Joven". It is a cosmopolitan city that still conserves its colonial atmosphere and the majesty of its constructions. During a guided tour of the city, we will visit the Market in the historic downtown center, watch Latin dancing with a live band, and see murals painted by Fernando Castro Pacheco.Introductions and Opening fiestaEnjoy an evening with live Latin music and traditional Yucatecan food beginning at 7:00pm.Saturday All Day, July 10thVisit the Mayan ruins at Uxmal.Visit one of the most well known Mayan cities in the world. Uxmal is famous for the purity and delicacy of its architecture and decorative art. It reached its maximum splendor between 600 and 900 AD, but remains a compelling destination for visitors interested in an alternative experience of ancient Mayan culture.Saturday, All Day, July 17thSee the flamingoes and spend the day by the ocean in CelestúnOnly 60 miles from Merida, the Celestún National Park is a wild animal refuge where the beautiful pink flamingo can be seen in its natural habitat. Try the seafood delicacies prepared here and visit the beautiful beaches, mangrove forests and the petrified wood of Tampeten. See the pink flamingo colonies and the beautiful landscapes of this bird and mammal sanctuary on an included boat tour.Saturday All Day, July 24thOuting to Chichen-Itza (optional)
Perhaps the most famous Mayan archeological zone in the world, the grandeur and beauty of Chichen Itzá is breathtaking. Climb to the top of the Pyramid of Kukulkan, the giant calendar whose phenomenon of light and shadow every equinox attracts tourists and scientists from all over the world. Admire the Observatory, the Temple of the Thousand Columns, the Ball Court, the Sacred Cenote, and other magnificent constructions on the grounds.
Thursday afternoon, July 29thPhotography Exhibit and reception at HablaWe will share the work we created throughout the summer in an informal exhibit and performance at Habla. The afternoon’s celebration will be followed by a reception at Habla for all the summer participants.Saturday All Day and Night, July 31stClosing FiestaFor our closing celebration we will gather at the same place we kicked off the summer to spend the day swimming, eating tacos, and participating in our traditional closing events.HousingOur Habla summer program focuses on providing an in-depth experience in Merida. Therefore an essential part of the experience will be your homestay with a local Mexican family. Families have been handpicked by our homestay coordinator to ensure you have an enjoyable experience. Our homestay coordinators are available 24 hours a day for medical and personal emergencies. They will take into account any special needs or requests to make your stay as comfortable as possible. At the same time, living in a family’s home requires an openness and flexibility to adapt to another culture’s way of life. Although many of our homestay families speak English, we encourage you and your family to speak Spanish for a more productive language experience.Homestays include:
CostsThe cost of Habla’s Summer Immersion program are:
In addition to your Spanish course . . .
In addition to your Spanish courses, Habla will have a variety of local and international artists visiting throughout the summer offering courses in Yoga, Latin American Dance, and Bomba (Puerto Rican singing, percussion, and dancing). If you are interested let us know and as courses and workshops become available we will contact you. Have Kids?
During your morning Spanish classes Habla offers our SUMMER ARTS KIDS course. It is a bilingual multidisciplinary arts experience for kids ages 8-12 taught by a team of international teaching artists. Local and international kids work together every day, Monday through Friday, for four hours rehearsing performances, painting murals, taking photographs, writing, reading literature in English and Spanish.“You have a jewel here. Parents (myself included) love it when their children are in a program doing meaningful, creative and fun work!” -- Professor Patricia Sobral from Brown University after visiting the SUMMER ARTS KIDS program. If you are enrolled in the summer program, your children can participate in the four-week program for $ 250 each based on availability of space. Need more information . . .
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