Spanish Immersion LEARN SPANISH with an extraordinary team of teachers in a supportive environment. In the mornings, learn Spanish by studying words and structures to authentically communicate in a Spanish-speaking environment. Learn Spanish by listening to and telling stories, discussing the photography and visual art of Mexico, and reading short works by Mexican authors. Even students new to the language will be able 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. Our approach to learning Spanish values the creativity of both the student and the teacher in a well-structured learning environment. EXPLORE the culture, architecture, and art in Merida through our afternoon workshops and experiences. Cultural excursions will tie directly into Habla’s innovative Spanish courses. Throughout the summer activities will include a fiesta in the gardens of a Yucatecan quinta (estate) in a small pueblo outside Merida, screenings of Mexican films in an art-house cinema, traditional cooking classes with a chef including dinner and tastings of Mexican wines, presentations and arts workshops led by Mexican artists, and a tour of downtown Merida through a cultural and historic lens.  CREATE using the Spanish you are learning. Play with the Spanish language at Habla by engaging in real conversations with the teachers and other students and by writing your own stories. Learning Spanish in the morning will be supplemented by afternoon workshops led by local artists. Throughout the Spanish program we will take photographs, share our writing with each other, tell stories, participate in arts workshops, and prepare “mini-performances.” All of this happens in a friendly and supportive environment. LIVE with a local Mexican family in a homestay environment, sharing typical Yucatecan meals and the enjoying the rhythm of Yucatecan life. Make new friends as you immerse yourself in the Spanish language. (optional) Habla provides snacks every day for breakfast and lunch of traditional Yucatecan foods and fresh, organic fruit juices. In addition organic Mexican coffee, bottled water, and a range of artisanal teas are available throughout the day. Habla has free Wi-Fi access. We never have any class larger than the number of students that can sit around one of our round tables.
"My experience at Habla was simply unforgettable. Their intensive programs use an interdisciplinary and interactive approach and the curriculum involves total immersion. When I arrived in Mérida, I had not spoken in Spanish in a long time. During my three weeks at Habla, all my body was submerged in the language: I was reading, talking, writing, drawing, and even eating in Spanish! As a matter of fact, I was expressing myself in Spanish in a creative and passionate way. Now, I trust my ability to communicate and read in the language.
But the most important thing about my experience was that I actually belong to a community -a supportive community. Habla contributes unique programs to the local community and to an international, diverse community of students and educators. I was very very happy to be a part of Habla --it is a very special place." - Kendra Dority, Graduate Student, UC Santa Cruz Schedule
Note: 
The October-November Spanish Immersion program coincides with the “Day of the Dead.” Click here for more information and to register. Carnival in Merida begins on the second week of the February Spanish Immersion program and lasts through the following Tuesday. Study Spanish and then plan to stay a few more days to enjoy Carnival, Merida’s unique seven-day event. To learn more about Merida’s Carnival click here.
"El intensivo fue una maravilla! I attended the intensive at Habla to improve my Spanish and stayed for the food! I learned a lot in the class, wrote two pieces I'm rather proud of, met some interesting people and ate very well. I liked it that although our classes were separated by levels we spent some time each day with all of the students. We even had a closing presentation so that we could see what the other class had done. I highly recommend the intensivo to students of any level." - Pina Sommsen, NYC The Spanish Immersion program includes daily four-hour courses, from Monday to Friday, at Habla from 9:30am-1:30pm. We offer courses for every level of Spanish (beginning, intermediate, and advanced). On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4:00pm-6:00pm you will participate in a cultural experience. For each of the following programs this will include: Week 1Tuesday: An Afternoon of Mexican CinemaHabla will rent a cinema near the school and host a private screening a Mexican film followed by a facilitated discussion.Thursday: Cooking ClassVisit the home of a local Yucatecan chef and learn how many of the traditional dishes of the Yucatan are prepared. You will have the opportunity to sample all the dishes in addition to a selection of Mexican wines.Specific days and times might be subject to change. Week 2Tuesday: A Cultural WalkFrom the Merida’s colonial center we will take a “cultural walk” which will include a tour of the murals of Fernando Castro Pacheco, an overview of key architectural sites, visits to modern, Mexican galleries, traditional museums, and local artists’ working studios.Thursday: Arts WorkshopA guest Mexican teaching artist will lead an arts and language workshop at Habla. All levels of classes will join together for this unique experience where we will learn about an artist’s work and participate in an active workshop.Specific days and times might be subject to change. Course CostsOne Week: $ 375 US(includes Tuesday and Thursday afternoon experiences)Two Weeks: $ 750 US(includes Tuesday and Thursday afternoon experiences)HomestaysWe also recommend homestays to learn more about the culture of the Yucatan and to practice using your Spanish when you are not in class. We are very careful about the quality of all of our homestays. All of the families have experience in taking care of international guests, the homes are clean, and you will have a private room. If you have any questions please email, in Spanish or English, or homestay coordinator Claudia Chapa CortesHomestays include the following: housing in a Mexican home, use of common areas and resources, three meals (packed lunch when needed), one furnished room including bed linens and towels, transportation to and from the Mérida airport or bus station, coordination of homestay experiences including food allergies, special requests and medical emergencies. If you are interested in other accommodations we can recommend bed and breakfasts and hotels in Mérida from the budget-conscious to the luxurious. Homestay Costs
"I have taken three courses of Spanish at Habla over the past two years. Two regular classes and one intensive. Never have I enjoyed studying a language so much. My instructors, Vivi and Marimar, both understand teaching the adult learner. Art and literature are a large component in the learning process. We read wonderful poems in Spanish and then attempt to write our own using the same format. I never thought I'd be able to write a poem in Spanish. Interestingly, they make the environment feel so safe that I don't feel inhibited to make the attempt or to read it to my fellow classmates. My only regret is that I only spend 4 months in Merida each year and lose so much of my speaking and comprehension skills in the ensuing 8 months. They always seem to be able to pick me up from wherever I am, though, and carry me forward. I've never enjoyed studying a language until I enrolled at Habla. I feel part of a community there."
- Hedy Fischer Asheville, NC and Merida, Yucatan In addition to your Spanish course . . .Habla can offer other cultural experiences including classes Yoga and Latin American dance classes based on our dance and yoga instructor’s availability. Habla can also coordinate ecological excursions and visits to Mayan ruins and nearby haciendas.Need more information . . .
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