Frequently Asked Questions
Lessons
The time a student can to study will depend on their goal and their motivation to how fast and how well they will like to learn Spanish. Our courses have a minimum time period of one week, and can extend to eight or more weeks. If a student wants to learn Spanish for travelling through Latin America, we recommend 1 to 6 weeks, depending on the student’s prior knowledge and their agility to learn. This is considered as sufficient time to feel comfortable and handle daily life situations while travelling.
If your goal is to study at the University, work in a Spanish speaking country, or become a fluent speaker, you will need to study Spanish for a longer period of time. We can help you decide the right amount of time to study Spanish after we have reviewed your placement.
Generally, we recommend group classes but for beginners or students in courses of 1-2 weeks we recommend to start with private course before to join group classes. Individual lessons accelerate the learning process, and help both students and teachers to find a more effective way to speed the process, as teachers will have the opportunity to focus on the student and find their strengths and weaknesses.
No, you don’t have to know any Spanish to start with our absolute beginner’s level. Our teachers are carefully trained to teach Spanish as a second language, to students who have never had exposure to the language before.
Most of our Spanish teachers speak English and another second foreign language, but normally it is not necessary. The lessons are all held completely in Spanish, in order to accelerate the learning process. A few times English is spoken only if necessary.
The most popular courses are our group classes with 4 hours per day, from Monday to Friday with 20 hours per week, but several of our Spanish students also decide to go for combined and private course with 20, 25, 30 or 35 hours per week.
Group classes have maximum 6 students; however a smaller group may work better. Groups with up to 6 students are ideal to work together, develop solutions, and benefit from other’s mistakes and insights, as well as getting enough personal attention from your teacher.
If you feel that you may want more one-on-one time with your teacher, perhaps a combination course would be ideal for you. The combination course offers group course time plus private lessons.
If you are an absolute beginner you do not need a placement test, since you will be starting at a zero level. The test consists of a small written part and a multiple choice test, as well as insert tasks. After evaluating the test you will be allocated into a class with a suitable knowledge level. The levels are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
ISE offers a few recreational and complementary activities, such as Cooking classes. Because ISE wants you to get the most of your time in Ecuador, there are cultural activities or visits to museums that are also planned.
Each class lasts 55 minutes whether you choose to have classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Usually classes take place for 4-7 hours at a time, so we can combine them with activities listed on the program you choose.
Our School Locations
Yes, continuity is guaranteed! Our teachers get a report from each student and their learning process before they start class with another teacher or location. Our programs are all coordinated by our Academic Director, Eugenio Cordova. All of our teachers follow the same teaching methods to facilitate the learning process.
Yes, it is always possible to change the location or the program you originally chose. We need one week’s notice to change locations within the mainland, and at least two weeks’ notice for the Amazon Jungle and the Galapagos Islands.
The Instituto Superior de Español main administrative office is located in Quito. This central location makes it easy to coordinate activities and offer a better service. Our Director, Eugenio Cordova has an organized calendar and is concentrated in each location, of course in case of necessary he may be contacted at 099 4 991 790 or by e-mail to [email protected]
Administrative Issues
If you ave any problems with the language course or at the property where you are staying, please inform us immediately. Don’t be shy and ask for help solving your problem. ISE is very concerned about the welfare of their students, and will always try to find a quick and efficient solution to any problem.
In the year 2000 Ecuador adopted the US Dollar. This makes it easier for students to exchange, withdraw and spend money in Ecuador.
Once confirmed your complete program, you can send your payment to the Instituto Superior de Español through a bank transfer, PayPal (by PayPal you can pay by credit card) or upon your arrival. We accept US dollars only. ISE is located near many ATM’s machines and banks in case that you are not travelling with the necessary amount in cash. Please note that once in Ecuador we only accept US $ cash.
No, you may stay with your host family before and after your time at ISE. Additional days will be accounted on a daily basis to keep try track of your entire stay.
Yes, for us is very important to pick our Spanish students upon arrival in Ecuador, so we could have a simple conversation just to know how much Spanish you already speak or if you are able to communicate some in Spanish. Please don’t worry if you will arrive in Quito a few or several days before starting with the Spanish course. We will be on time at the airport and will take you to your accommodation in the city.
Will I be picked up at the airport if arriving at night, late at night or very early in the morning?
Yes, in order to not have much time driving and to avoid traffic for us is perfect when students arrive in Quito at night or late at night or early in the morning but if you are not able to organize your flight ticket to arrive at night, we will be also happy to pick you up at the airport during the day at any day of the week.
Our language classes start every day of the week, but generally we prefer new students for group classes start school on Mondays. This makes it easier to coordinate programs and place you to start in a right group according your level of Spanish.
To apply, you only need to fill in the online registration form. Registering is possible until the day before your classes start, but we would appreciate if you register sooner to speed up the administration work.
Yes! Every student gets a certificate which includes the duration of study and level accomplished, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Yes, we will be happy to help you plan your travels through Ecuador and South America. We can do this before or after classes start. During your stay we offer weekend trips, and we can always help you arrange other excursions. We have many suggestions for what to do with your time in Ecuador!
Yes, our schools in Quito, Otavalo and Galapagos Islands offer students complimentary and unlimited Internet access. In our Travelling Classroom programs, Internet will be available almost in all accommodations. In some of our other locations, Internet may only be available at Internet cafes. This usually cost around $0.30 per hour. Internet cafes are available in nearly every medium-sized city.
When travelling, you should always be aware of your surroundings, especially in public areas such as the bus and the bus station. In the Amazon eco-lodge safety boxes are provided for your valuables at the front desk. Generally, the area our students live in is very safe. In the Amazon, mosquitoes will be your main concern, so remember to bring your bug repellent!
We take care of our students 7 days a week and 24-hours a day, from the time they arrive to the time they leave! If a problem arises we have a 24-hour emergency number available. We do ask that all our students acquire external insurance before travelling to South America. ISE is not responsible for medical or any other kind of bill in case of an accident or illness.
As a female traveler you do not need to be concerned more than other traveler. Our school and house families are in safe areas. In addition, we can give you advice about which areas are not very safe, and where you should not go. For both men and women, we always recommend taking a taxi cabs after dark. If you take care, as you would in any new place, you should have no problems.
In the Amazon the weather is tropical and the average temperature is between 27 to 29 degrees Celsius (80 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit). It can rain unexpectedly and can be very humid.
We recommend that our students wear long pants and bring appropriate clothes to be protected against mosquitoes, keep them cool, and dry fast. It is also necessary to bring a light rain jacket. Bug repellent and sunscreen are absolutely necessary!
We recommend that our students wear long pants o jeans, t-shirts are fine, a sweater and a jacket. Temperatures regularly fluctuate between 12° C and 23° C and humidity is very low. Because of the geographic position of Ecuador, the sun tends to be very strong, so it is important that you bring sunscreen and a hat. We also recommend insect repellent if you are planning to visit Mindo or another subtropical place, but you do not need it in Quito.
The Galapagos Islands offer a great combination of activities, so we recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes, sandals, a bathing suit, light clothes for a tropical climate, sunblock and insect repellent. If you are thinking of doing one of our boat programs and get seasick easily, we recommend bringing some Dramamine or any other medication of your preference.