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Frequently Asked Questions 1. Courses
1.1 What level of classes should I take?
1.2 What qualifications do the teachers have?
1.3 How many weeks should I study?
1.4 What is the focus of the advanced classes?
1.5 Should I bring any materials to class?
1.6 When are the start dates?
1.7 What is a typical day like?
1.8 I would like to focus on business, health care, law, etc.
Do you offer such programs?
1.9 May I receive university credit?
2. Housing
2.1 May I begin my homestay before my classes start?
2.2 What exactly is a "hostel"?
3. Pricing & Payments
3.1 I would like to split my studies between schools. How
will that affect my price?
3.2 I plan to continue studying after a special study trip.
What will the rate be?
3.3 Can you help me find a discount airfare?
3.4 How should I pay?
4. Registration
4.1 How far in advance must I register?
4.2 If I plan to study at multiple schools, must I register
at each separate location?
5. General
5.1 Am I too old for a language school? Too young?
5.2 What makes the ECELA schools special?
5.3 What are the current safety and health conditions?
5.4 Is there someone I may speak with about your schools?
1. Courses
1.1 What level of classes should I take?
Please use the table below to determine your level when registering with our schools.
| No Spanish: |
0 |
| Beginner: |
1 |
| Intermediate: |
2 |
| Advanced: |
3-5 |
|
Listening Skills |
Reading Skills |
Writing Skills |
Speaking Ability |
1 |
You can understand simple sentences and instructions if pronounced clearly. |
You can understand uncomplicated info on familiar topics. |
You can fill in simple info on forms. |
Can introduce yourself, greet people, and give basic information. |
2 |
Can understand uncomplicated general language and native speakers in a one-to-one situation. |
You can understand simple general texts.. |
You can draft and fax simple memos. |
You can give brief answers and make remarks. You can take part in informal one-to-one conversations. |
3 |
Can understand main points of radio/TV and understand gist of native speakers. |
You can basically understand letters, newspaper articles and professional journals. |
You can write short , simple letters and memos on familiar topics. |
Can carry out simple phone conversations and participate in informal gatherings. |
4 |
Can follow conversation between 2 native speakers. |
You understand general and specialized texts well. |
Can write reports and good business letters. |
Can express yourself well. Phone conversations aren’t difficult. |
5 |
Can follow radio/TV, conversations, etc. in detail. |
You have no problem with any text. |
You can write extremely well. |
Can participate in every conversation without difficulty. |
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1.2 What qualifications do the teachers have?
All teachers are native speakers, have university degrees,
and have prior experience teaching languages to foreigners.
In addition to their professional credentials, they are selected
for their ability to make the curriculum interesting and accessible
to students.
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1.3 How many weeks should
I study?
It generally takes four to six immersion weeks (20 hours classes
/ week plus homestay) to advance to the next level. A 10-14
week course is recommended to move from very basic to advanced.
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1.4 What is the focus of the advanced classes?
Advanced classes focus on learning the finer points of grammar,
such as uses of the subjunctive and idiomatic expressions,
as well as practicing conversational and writing skills. Classes
at all levels have a maximum of seven students and discussion
topics vary according to student interests.
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1.5 Should I bring any materials
to class?
Yes. A notebook and writing materials are required.
It is also highly recommended to keep a pocket dictionary
and a grammar reference book handy. Please contact us to ask
for recommended materials: : info@ecela.com.
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1.6 When are program
start dates?
Official start dates are every other Monday. We realize that
students cannot control flight schedules and not everyone
will be able to arrive on these dates. If you will be starting
on another date, we will design a special program for you
in order to catch up with the group.
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1.7 What is a typical
day like?
Classes normally begin at 9 AM. Students and teachers generally
show up a few minutes early for coffee, tea, etc.
| Block 1: |
09:00- 10:30 |
Break: |
10:30- 10:50 |
Block 2: |
10:50 - 11:50 |
Break: |
11:50- 12:10 |
Block 3: |
12:10- 13:00 |
For a change of pace, your class may occasionally take place
outside of the school, at a cafe or a park, for example. After
class most students get lunch with other students and/or teachers.
Afternoon classes (2pm to 6pm) are usually reserved for students
requesting additional hours. Many days include school activities
in the afternoon or the evening.
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1.8 I would like to
focus on business, health care, law, etc. Do you offer
such programs?
Students wishing to have specialized classes have a couple
of options. You can take a private course and focus on your
specific area, or you can take a group class and supplement
that with a few private hours in the afternoon to focus on
your specialty.
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1.9 May I receive university
credit?
Most universities will grant credit for course taken at our
schools. You should first visit your school’s foreign
language department to find out the specific requirements.
The normal process is for the school to review our curriculum
and a letter of verification that the course is taught in
the local language. University
credit information
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2.
Housing
2.1 May I begin
my home stay before my classes start?
Yes, you may begin your homestay at any time. Please register
as early as possible, however, as homestay families are limited
and we want to find you the best match.
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2.2 What exactly is
a youth hostel?
A hostel is similar to a dormitory, with large rooms shared
by two to six people. Sometimes, however, a private or semi-private
room can be secured. Most guests are independent travelers
and the staff is usually readily available to help book trips
and give advice. While youth hostels are neither as comfortable
nor as good a value as a homestay, some students prefer them
for their greater flexibility and for the chance to meet more
travelers.
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3.
Pricing
3.1 I would like
to split my studies between schools. How will that affect
my price?
Studying in multiple locations is highly recommended as a
way to experience different cultures and be exposed to the
language with different accents. Our schools are closely integrated,
so even though you will be moving to a whole new country,
you will already feel familiar with some of the staff and
students. Prices change depending on the city you wish to
study in, please reference our pricing list.
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3.2 I plan to continue studying
after a special study trip. What will the rate be?
You will only be charged at the "additional weeks"
rate, the lowest available. Visit the study/tour page here.
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3.3 Can you help me find
a discount airfare?
We recommend using Exito
travel services, which specializes in discounted flights
to Latin America:
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3.4 How should I pay?
You may pay either in advance with wither a credit card (Visa,
Mastercard) or a bank transfer, or you may pay in cash upon
arrival. With cash you may use either US dollars or the local
currency.
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4.
Registration
4.1 How far
in advance must I register?
To guarantee a spot in our schools, you should register at
least four weeks in advance. For registrations less than four
weeks before the start date, we cannot guarantee a place in
a group class or in a homestay. Please write or call for availability
in such cases.
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4.2 If I plan to study at
multiple schools, must I register at each separate location?
No. Simply register at the location you will be at first and
then indicate which date you plan to switch to another school.
You do not have to commit to a date change, as we are flexible
about switching schools.
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5.
General
5.1 Am I too old for
a language school? Too young?
Too old? Definitely not. While we have many university age
students, we have many active seniors as well. The diversities
of ages, nationalities, professions, and interests of our
students contribute to the unique experience you will have.
Too young? Maybe. If you are under 18 and will not be with
parents or relatives, please contact us about special arrangements.
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5.2 What makes the ECELA
schools special?
We believe that our students are not only here to learn Spanish,
but to be part of an exciting experience abroad. In line with
this belief, our dynamic and helpful staff treats each student
uniquely with very personalized services. Whether it means
helping students arrange a ski trip, write a personal Spanish
letter, or buy a gift for friends back home, we are dedicated
to the extra service that will make your stay memorable
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5.3 What are the current
safety and health conditions?
For updated travel alerts, potential health hazards, and other
related issues, please consult Travel
Health Online.
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5.4 Is there someone I may
speak with about your schools?
You may speak with an alumni representative or you may call
one of our schools directly. Contact information is listed
on the contact us
page. We also have an extensive list of past student testimonials
that you may reference.
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