National Registration Center for Study Abroad
To speak with a NRCSA staff member, please call (888) 678-6211
Or, email us at study@nrcsa.com
 
NRCSA Home
Home Register Request Info/Brochure Selecting A Program Top Choice Programs Academic Credit About NRCSA NRCSA Past Participants Contact Us

 

Introduction
Programs & Admission
Lodging & Arrivals
Dates & Fees
Photo Gallery
Activities & Excursions
At A Glance
Request Information
Register

Cities In Costa Rica
Alajuela
Manuel Antonio Beach
Playa Tamarindo
San Jose - City Center

Other Spanish Speaking Countries
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Costa Rica
Dominican Rep.
Ecuador
Honduras
Mexico
Paraguay
Peru
Puerto Rico
Spain
Uruguay
 
 

Program & Admission Information - Alajuela, Costa Rica  


 

Programs

We specialize in offering immersion Spanish programs for people who desire to speak and read Spanish in a reasonably short period of time. With this objective in mind, our programs emphasize intensive conversation practice. We have found this to be one of the most effective and rapid ways of learning to converse and read in Spanish.

Students arrive in Alajuela with different language backgrounds. Consequently placement tests are given on the first day of classes to place students into small groups which match their conversational level. The groups range from complete beginner to advanced. Students will be moved to different groups as their Spanish improves to ensure they are always receiving the best instruction for their current language level. Under certain circumstances there may not be a group which matches the students current level. When this occurs the student will be given 3 hours of individual (one-on-one) lessons instead of 4 lessons in a group. This ensures that students should never feel like they are being over/under whelmed by the course content. Small groups classes (and individual lessons) ensure you will receive the attention and extensive oral practice so essential to developing your language ability.

Custom text materials have been developed and are given to each student attending classes. The customized material uses a well-established language acquisition program, providing live, meaningful situations in which students can acquire communicative competence in speaking and reading Spanish. Performance objectives for language structures, culture, and pronunciation are clearly delineated as well as functional conversational goals.

Students who start later than Monday will not be able to make up missed hours. Lessons are not held on national holidays.


Basic Spanish Programs Tutor 15, 20 & 25 hours per week. These programs include 2, 3, 4 or more weeks of study consisting of 3 to 5 lessons per day, Monday through Friday. Each lesson averages 53 minutes in length in a group setting or a tutorial. All programs stress maximum practice in conversation, under the direct guidance of a staff teacher.

 

Admissions & Academic Credit

Students age 17 years and older are welcomed regardless of educational background, occupation or nationality. Students under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult. No previous knowledge of Spanish is required except where otherwise indicated.

Students desiring credit for their study programs should contact their home school or request the NRCSA Credit Fact Sheet. Generally, U.S. universities consider 15 hours of study to be equal to 1 semester credit.



For more information about academic credit in Spanish speaking countries, please click here.
For general information on academic credit, please click here.
 
Program Overview (PDF)

Basic Spanish

Cultural & Social Activities

 
 

National Registration Center for Study Abroad
P.O. Box 1393    Milwaukee, WI   53201   USA
Tel: (414) 278-0631    Fax: (414) 271-8884    E-Mail: study@nrcsa.com
Articles - News