Spanish for Travelers in Xela, Guatemala

Spanish for Travelers is a flexible Spanish immersion program at Casa Xelajú in Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala, for seniors, adults, and teens who are visiting for less than four weeks. Students shape their own classes around conversation, grammar, or activities; homework is optional, and the program includes a homestay with a local family.

Our teachers will use their own educational materials, which they have developed over years of teaching the target language. Our students will be able to shape their class to their personal preferences (some prefer more conversation, more grammar, or to be more active). Homework can be optional.

How the Program Works?

This program is more flexible than our other programs and does not follow the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) academic and cultural standards, so it can adapt to your linguistic and cultural interests.

You do not need to bring a textbook. We recommend bringing a Spanish dictionary in your own language.

After your initial assessment, your teacher will write a lesson plan using the GANAG template, including the week’s linguistic objectives, what you will learn each day, evaluations, homework assignments, rubrics, thinking maps, and a logical sequence of concepts. Your teacher will share the lesson plan with you through Google Drive on Tuesday.

Activities and Homestay

We offer daily social and cultural activities, including weekend field trips and excursions. 

Homestay with a local family is part of the program.

If you want a more structured program with a good balance of all linguistic components, our regular, accelerated, and academic options might be right for you. We also offer study Spanish subjunctive for advanced students and Spanish for Retirees 

Holidays (No Classes)

However, you have to pay for the five days. We must follow labor law; otherwise, the government fines us.

January 1	Good Friday
May 1	June 25*
September 15	October 20*
November 1*	December 25

Frequently Asked Questions About Spanish for Travelers

Who is the Spanish for Travelers program for?

It is designed for seniors, adults, and teens who visit Quetzaltenango (Xela) for less than four weeks and want to study Spanish in a traditional way, without the structure of our other programs.

Can I choose what I study?

Yes. Students shape their class around their preferences. Some prefer more conversation, some more grammar, and some a more active class. Teachers use their own materials.

Is homework required?

No. In the Spanish for Travelers program, homework can be optional.

Do I need to bring a textbook?

No. You do not need to bring a textbook. We recommend bringing a Spanish dictionary in your own language.

Where do I stay during the program?

A homestay with a local family is part of the program.

Are there activities outside of class?

Yes. We offer daily social and cultural activities, including field trips and excursions during the weekends.

How is this program different from the Regular Spanish program?

Spanish for Travelers is more flexible and does not follow the ACTFL academic and cultural standards. If you want a more structured program with a good balance of all the linguistic components, consider our Regular Spanish or Accelerated Spanish programs.

When do I receive my lesson plan?

After your initial assessment, your teacher writes a lesson plan using the GANAG template. It is shared with you through Google Drive on Tuesday.