Study Spanish abroad in Quetzaltenango (Xela), Nuevo San José or Todos Santos Chuchumatán, Huehuetenango, Guatemala. People-to-people learning, including living with a Central American family. A not-for-profit collective staffed with university graduate teachers who teach in a one-on-one environment. Funds earned by the member schools are used to provide scholarships for Guatemalan students and to aid community development and human rights projects.
. Por la unidad y el respecto de los pueblos

One-on-One SPANISH La Hermandad Educativa:

A Nonprofit Network of Language Schools -- People-to-People Learning in Guatemala Effective * Inexpensive * Socially Responsible.

The Hermandad Educativa is a sisterhood of four nonprofit schools in Quetzaltenango and Todos Santos Chuchumatán, Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Established in 1988, the schools offer affordable, quality Spanish-language instruction to foreign visitors, and generate decent-paying jobs and income to support projects that benefit the people of Guatemala. Choose from the school of your choice:
Proyecto Lingüístico Quezalteco de Español
Proyecto Lingüístico "Educación para Todos"
Proyecto Lingüístico de Español/Mam Todos Santos
Escuela de la Montaña Link

To obtain an application form go to the end of this page. PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE LEARNING IN GUATEMALA In Quetzaltenango, the collective members (those with administrative responsibilities) as well as the teachers are either graduate students, have graduated, or are teachers at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala. The teachers in Todos Santos and La Escuela de la Montaña are primary and secondary bilingual schoolteachers. They enjoy discussing Latin American literature and social issues. Their interests are varied, but all share a common vision of social justice and peace for their country.

LIVE WITH A GUATEMALAN FAMILY.
Students are encouraged to immerse themselves completely in the culture of Guatemala by living in local Guatemalan homes. Students at the Hermandad often build friendships with their Guatemalan families that last for years.

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GUATEMALA'S CULTURE AND SOCIAL REALITY.
In addition to five hours daily of one-on-one intensive language instruction, students have the opportunity to learn about Guatemalan culture, customs, history and social reality through daily activities such as conferences, educational films, visits to indigenous villages and urban shantytowns, and meetings with local community organizations.

MORE THAN LEARNING... AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP.
The Hermandad Educativa is a non-profit organization. Funds earned by its member schools are used to provide educational scholarships to Guatemalan students and to support individuals, groups and communities who are working in projects that improve the dire conditions under which many Guatemalans live

THE CHALLENGE
Guatemala, the northernmost country in Central America, offers a wide variety of geography and climate, from warm coastal plains to cool highlands and the tropical jungles of the Peten. Sixty percent of Guatemala's nine million inhabitants are direct descendants of the Mayan civilization. The Mayan culture remains strong in their indigenous languages, their traditional clothing of brilliant colours, and their communal, agricultural lifestyle. Behind this picturesque exterior, however, Guatemala continues to struggle with a legacy of violence and extreme poverty that began with the Spanish invasion in 1524. In the 1980's, this situation came to attention of the world when violence swept the Indian highlands. Medical care in Guatemala is woefully inadequate. Close to half of all children die before they reach the age of five. Malnutrition affects 82% of the children. About 60% of the population is illiterate. Unemployment and underemployment stand at a startling 60%. The Hermandad Educativa was established with the goal of helping address some of these conditions. In addition to providing jobs for Guatemalan teachers and families at a reasonable wage, the schools that comprise the Hermandad use their profits to provide educational scholarships and other projects that support groups working for solutions to Guatemala's social and economic problems.

TOTAL IMMERSION LEARNING
Teaching at La Hermandad Educativa is based on the methodology of "total immersion". From the moment you arrive in Guatemala your studies will begin, as you use your Spanish to get through customs, to communicate with your Guatemalan host family, and to order food at cafés. This method is effective at promoting rapid language acquisition, and also helps you acquire an intimate familiarity with the culture and people of Guatemala. Upon your arrival at the Hermandad, your Spanish language ability will be assessed through a written examination and personal interview by your teacher. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will enable us to choose appropriate materials and techniques for your level. At the school, you will receive five hours per day of one-on-one tutoring. Teachers use a wide variety of methods to strengthen and improve your written, oral and reading abilities in Spanish. Time will be dedicated to any materials you bring to class. Upon request, a written examination will be provided by the Hermandad that may be used for university credit. The Hermandad can also help arrange university credit through travel/study academic credit programs. The two schools in Quetzaltenango are accredited by the Guatemalan Ministry of Education and the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism. All teachers in the Hermandad are trained and experienced in teaching Spanish as a second language.

DAILY EVENTS THAT INFORM
In addition to classroom instruction, the Hermandad organizes daily events such as round table discussions, educational movies, and field trips to indigenous villages, hot mountain springs, inner-city shantytowns and other locations where you can learn about Guatemalan history, culture and social issues. Quetzaltenango (also called Xela ---pronounced [SHAY-LA]), where two of the schools are located, is Guatemala's second largest city, Located in the heart of the Sierra Madre mountains, 2,330 m. (7,652 feet) above sea level. The Santa Maria volcano watches silently over the town. Days are warm and breezy; evenings are cool. Characterized by quiet parks, plazas, and narrow stone-paved streets, Quetzaltenango is considered a progressive city in Central America. It has two universities, technical schools, a sports complex, and a municipal arts theatre, and is the home of several Latin American poets, painters, and writers. With relatively few tourists, the city has avoided the label "gringotenango" applied toward other Spanish language study centres. The Quetzaltecos, who are a warm, friendly people, provide unlimited opportunities to speak Spanish.
Todos Santos, the home of the third school in the Hermandad, is located in the northernmost department of Guatemala's indigenous highlands, Huehuetenango. Like Quetzaltenango, it enjoys a moderate climate. The people of Todos Santos are indigenous descendants of the Mayans and speak the Mayan language Mam in addition to Spanish. Men of the village wear clothes of brilliant colours as they cultivate the mountainside and women weave before small adobe homes.
Nuevo San José  is the home of our fourth school, La Escuela de la Montaña  this school affords the students an opportunity to live on an organic farm in Guatemala's mountainous coffee plantation regions. The students share the daily life of the surrounding community. Students have an opportunity for volunteer work at this school.

HOW TO ENROLL
Enrollment is limited to keep a personal atmosphere where students and teachers get to know each other well. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged because the schools in the Hermandad are full most weeks. To receive an application for the Hermandad Educativa, download it from the web, write, call, email or fax either our North American or European office to request an application form. To get the application form by means of the web to be sent by internet or  mailed to the North American office go to the link at the end of this document. Important note: For this contact please include your postal (snail mail) address. You will be notified of your acceptance within three weeks of receiving your application. We recommend that you begin the application well in advance for the summer months. (For registration from North America a $75.00. US$ registration fee is required with your application.This cheque must be made out to Lea McDermid, not La Hermandad) No application will be processed without this fee. If you cannot be accepted, $65.00 will be returned and the remainder kept as a processing fee. If you are accepted, the $75.00 will be kept as a non-refundable registration fee (that is not applied to your tuition fees in Guatemala), and a place will be reserved at the school of your choice in the Hermandad for the confirmed dates of study. Only a $50.00 fee is required if you study two weeks or less. The registration fee entitles students to the use of the foreign offices services, travel information to Guatemala and confirmed reservation. Information on travel, visas, dress, climate, etc. will be sent upon receipt of your deposit and your acceptance.

La Hermandad Educativa welcomes couples, families with children, and those with special dietary needs. Special arrangements and a reduced reservation fee is available to groups.

If you would like to contact a former student for reference about the programme click  Proyecto Lingüístico Educación para Todos

For a trip report from Warren Wilson College, Asheville, North Carolina, USA which incorporates study at schools of La Hermandad into one of their their programmes. http://www.warren-wilson.edu/~minister/TRIP.html

TUITION FEES
The HERMANDAD'S tuition fee covers five hours of intensive, one-on-one Spanish study Monday through Friday, study materials, consultation with a doctor if needed, room and board with a Guatemalan family, and the daily events. There are some additional costs for overnight excursions and a few selected activities. off-season tuition fees: September-May $120/week ($100/week year round in Todos Santos) Summer tuition fees: June, July, August $150/week first two months $120/week for each additional week
 
 

(Students from Europe please contact the offices in Denmark or Germany for registration information) The registration fee for the European Office is Danish kroner 300 for one or two weeks and Danish kroner 450 for three or more weeks.To send an application form by means of the web by students in Europe click:
Link to Europe Application Form

Although we will send you comprehensive travel information upon receipt of you application, the people on the reference list, which is included when you request an information packet, are an excellent resource for finding out details on what you should and should not bring, etc. The North American Contact is available to answer any questions you may have regarding scheduling. Our North America office hours are generally held between 6:00 P.M. and 10:00 P.M. Pacific Time on Wednesdays.

Thank you for inquiring about the Spanish language schools in La Hermandad Educativa. We hope to see you soon in Guatemala!

P.S. The reservation fee is used to cover the expenses of the international offices (advertising, phone, postage, printing expenses, etc.)

Sincerely, Lea McDermid, North American Contact, Email: lea@itsa.ucsf.edu
To contact La Hermandad in Europe: mak@inform-bbs.dk
To contact La Hermandad in Germany: hackner@nuernberg.de

To contact the Schools in Guatemala by email: plqe@nicarao.apc.org

Links

Escuela de la Montaña Link
Proyecto Lingüístico de Español/Mam Todos Santos 

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