Spanish Courses in Oaxaca, Mexico
The city of Oaxaca, located in the central valley of the state, is surrounded by the states of Puebla, Veracruz and Chiapas and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. With its ethnic, cultural and historic richness, Oaxaca is an ideal place to experience the beauty of Mexico and its people. Due to Oaxaca’s appreciation for ancestral traditions and its colonial architecture, UNESCO has named the city a patrimony of humanity. Oaxaca is known for its creative, talented artists and many different types of artisans. The artists use everything from clay and fabrics to leather, iron and jewelry, making Oaxaca one of the main producers of these goods.
Spanish Courses in Oaxaca at the International House Spanish Language Center
International House Oaxaca, is a member of the International House World organization, set up in collaboration with International House Alegre Schools to offer Full Immersion Spanish Courses in Mexico to students from all over the world.
The International House World Organization, founded in 1953, is a network of more than 150 schools around the world, all committed to the highest standards in education and business. A key aim of International House is to raise the standards of language teaching around the world. One important way in which they do this is through Teacher Training courses for which International House has a world-wide reputation. They train our own (as well as many other schools’) teachers to enable language students to learn the language of their choice simply, quickly and efficiently in a rich linguistic and cultural environment. To ensure that every school maintains the high standards that are specified in the Affiliation Agreement, an external assessor visits each school every two years and conducts a thorough investigation into all aspects of the school’s activities. These visits ensure that the unparalleled reputation International House enjoys for the quality of its services is safeguarded.
The International House Spanish Language Center is located in the heart of Oaxaca’s Historical Center, 4 blocks from Oaxaca’s “Zocalo” (downtown square), in a lively neighborhood surrounded by cafés, restaurants, shops, and art galleries. The Spanish school in Oaxaca offers students a warm, welcoming learning environment in the heart of the city. Our colorful classrooms are situated around a sunny central patio that’s perfect for relaxing and chatting with other international students between classes. The 16th-century colonial building with modern interior has 5 bright classrooms. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the school. There is a beautiful outdoor patio where students gather at shaded tables to study together, and an on-campus restaurant for coffee between classes or a traditional Mexican lunch. Museums near our School: Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Oaxacan Painters, Cathedral of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Plaza de la Constitución or Zócalo (main square). International House Alegre Schools offer an additional destination for Spanish Language courses in Mexico: Playa del Carmen. Students can combine courses at any of these two locations. Please click on the following tabs for more information on our Spanish Courses in Oaxaca:
International House – Spanish courses in Oaxaca
Minimum enrollment age: 16. Prices include registration fee, number of lessons as listed below, language level testing on arrival, certificate of completion and a social and cultural program (entrance fees and transportation not included). Each lesson is 55 minutes long.
Intensive Spanish Courses: 20 Spanish Lessons per week. Maximum of 8 students per class (average 4-5). Course consists of 20 lessons per week (4 Spanish lessons per day from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Monday through Friday). A program of social activities is included in the prices.
Private Spanish Courses: 15, 20 or 30 private Spanish lessons per week, One-to-one Spanish Language Training, all levels from Beginner to Advanced. With private lessons the content of the course as well as the tempo is personalized according to the student‘s needs and wishes. Therefore students are afforded the maximum amount of flexibility and individual support. Private Spanish courses start every Monday for all levels from Beginner to Advanced.
Spanish Courses in Oaxaca, Mexico – Prices 2023:
(All programs: NO application fee. A non-refundable USD 100.00 deposit is required at the time of enrollment. Deposit will be subtracted from final program invoice. See Application Procedures)
| 1 week | 2 weeks | 3 weeks | 4 weeks | Extra Weeks | 12 Weeks | 24 Weeks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intensive Spanish Course 20 Lessons per week | $240 | $480 | $720 | $960 | $220 | $2,640 | $4,680 |
| Private Course 10 Lessons per week | $320 | $640 | $960 | $1,280 | $320 | ||
| Private Course 20 Lessons per week | $660 | $1,320 | $660 |
All prices listed in US Dollars
2023 Starting Dates – International House Oaxaca Spanish Courses: Intermediate and advanced students may start any Monday. Complete beginners MUST start on the following dates: 9 or 23 January / 7 or 20 February / 6 or 21 March / 3 or 17 April / 2, 15 or 29 May / 12 or 26 June / 10 or 24 July / 7 or 21 August / 4 or 18 September / 2, 16 or 30 October / 13 or 27 November / 11 or 26 December. Notes: When a holiday falls on a Monday, classes will start on Tuesday. Notes: When a holiday falls on a Monday, classes will start on Tuesday.
Starting Dates for all Private Spanish Courses in Oaxaca: Every Monday year-round.
Holidays 2023: No classes will be held on the following days: 1 January, 6 February, 20 March, 6-7 April, 1 May, 16 September, 20 November, and 25 December. Group classes missed due to holidays are NOT made up, except when two holidays fall on the same week, in which case one day will receive a discount for that week. One-to-one classes are always made up during the rest of the week.
Additional Spanish Courses in Oaxaca:
Business Spanish Courses:
International House offers Business Spanish courses designed to help students who need to use the language in a working environment. The aim of these courses is to help improve the student’s level of competence in many typical work-related activities such as participating in meetings, using the telephone for business, negotiating and selling, making presentations, etc. Students are also introduced to a wide range of business vocabulary and given an insight into the sort of cultural differences that they may encounter while doing business in Mexico. This course combines the Intensive Group Spanish Course (20 lessons per week) with 10 one-to-one lessons per week which focus on Business Spanish.
Starting dates: Same as the Intensive Courses (see above). Price 2023: USD 560.00 per week
Medical Spanish Courses:
This course combines the Intensive Group Spanish Course (20 lessons per week) with 10 one-to-one lessons per week which focus on Medical Spanish and it is geared towards students in all types of medical professions (doctors, nurses, home care-workers, etc.). Optional visits to observe and meet Spanish speaking doctors or nurses in a healthcare center are available.
Starting dates: Same as the Intensive Courses (see above). Price 2023: USD 560.00 per week
Combination Spanish Courses:
Students may combine their Spanish course with activities such as Cooking or Dancing. These courses must be booked in conjunction with a Spanish course.
Spanish and Cooking: Learn to make the food we all know and love, the true Mexican way. Five afternoons per week. Price: USD 170.00 per week (in addition to the Spanish course).
Spanish and Dancing: Put on your dancing shoes and learn from some of the best Latin dance teachers around. Five afternoons per week Price: USD 170.00 per week (in addition to the Spanish course).
International House – Oaxaca Accommodations
International House offers students several housing options.
Host Family: Carefully selected host families provide a home away from home. This gives students the opportunity to further appreciate the beauty of Mexico and its people. The majority of our Mexican host families live in relatively new, one or two-story houses, although some live in apartments. A typical house will have a living room/dining room, a kitchen and bathroom and 3 or 4 bedrooms. There is often a yard outside which people use as an extension of the house. Most families live within a 20 minute walk from the school.
Apartments and Shared Apartments: There is a number of furnished apartments available for rent, which you can share with other students, or rent for your own, exclusive use. The normal minimum period for renting an apartment is 2 weeks, although shorter rentals can sometimes be arranged on request. These apartments are entirely self-catering, which means that no meals are provided. Apartments are centrally located and are therefore between 5-20 minutes from the school on foot or by public transport. The school also has a small number of apartments on-site (see below for details). School Residence: Students that desire more independence may choose to stay at the school residence. The small residence is located within easy walking distance from the school. There are 4 shared double rooms. Each room has a desk where students can do their homework or read, and there is wireless Internet available for those who bring laptops. You can choose bed and breakfast or half board (which includes dinner). Please note that all meals are served in the residence itself. If you prefer, you can have the option “no meals”.
Accommodation Prices 2023:
| Housing Description | One week | Two weeks | Three weeks | Four weeks | Extra week | Extra day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host Families: Private room / breakfast | $268 | $536 | $804 | $1,072 | $268 | $44 |
| Host Families: Private room / 2 meals a day | $298 | $596 | $894 | $1,192 | $298 | $49 |
| Shared Apartment: Private room / no meals | $258 | $516 | $774 | -- | $258 | $43 |
| Shared Apartment: Double room** / no meals | $180 | $360 | $540 | -- | $180 | $36 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment: no meals | $420 | $840 | $1,1260 | -- | $420 | $70 |
| Residence: Single Room, Breakfast | $252 | $504 | $756 | -- | $234 | $44 |
| Residence: Single Room, Half Board | $294 | $588 | $882 | -- | $276 | 49 |
** Double rooms can only be booked by two students traveling together. Prices are per person.
International House – Activities
(Excursions and activities are optional ant NOT included in academic fees). Students can take part in other activities, such as trips to neighboring towns, visits to archaeological zones, mountain biking tours, rappelling, hiking, rock climbing or paragliding. You can enjoy a great variety of cultural and recreational activities. They offer one-day excursions to Monte Alban, Hierve el Agua, “el Tule” tree, Mezcal distilleries, and beautiful churches and convents. One Day Excursions:
- Monte Albán is the most important of the Meso-American archaeological zones. There is a museum on the grounds providing a detailed look into the Zapotecan culture. 10-minute drive.
- “El Tule” tree is located in the town of Santa María. It is considered the widest tree in the world and is over 2000 years old. 20-minute drive.
- Hierve el Agua is a beautiful waterfall that cascades over a mountain and offers an amazing view. Students can spend the day enjoying the view and swimming in the natural pools fed by the falls. There are cabañas available for those who wish to stay the night. 1 1/2 hour drive.
- We will visit several mezcal distilleries to learn about the fermentation process in which Mezcal is made and taste the different flavors of this Mexican liquor. 30 minute drive
- Students will explore one of Mexico’s most beautiful churches, Santo Domingo, walk through its botanical garden and tour the Mexican History Museum found in the restored ex-convent. 5 minutes walking from the school.
Excursions and activities are optional and NOT included in academic fees.
Airport transfers: available at additional cost: USD 100 each way.