SPANISH LANGUAGE SCHOOLS MONTEVERDE
Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (CPI)

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Introduction

Our mission is to create the best Spanish language program in Latin America. Today, with three campuses across Costa Rica, each operating independently with the same high-quality service, CPI is working to achieve this mission. We continue to accomplish the following goals year after year:

• To invest in the quality of our Spanish language professors by attending annual language conferences, providing regular training seminars, and consistently updating our teaching methodologies and materials.

• To provide superior student services by reviewing and incorporating student feedback into our programs, improving our educational facilities, and attending to each student's individual needs.

• To offer high quality Spanish language education at a competitive price.

• To increase global communication through Spanish language immersion and cultural education

CPI makes every effort to offer its students options that meet their individual needs and interests. The Monteverde campus opened in 1996, largely in response to our students' interest in learning Spanish in the Costa Rican rainforest. Monteverde is a cherished part of Costa Rica, becoming world-famous for its incredible biodiversity and successful efforts in environmental conservation and sustainable development.

After seven years of operation, CPI Monteverde has become an integral part of this unique community, working with local organizations to place CPI students in volunteer positions throughout the region.

Today, CPI is the only Spanish immersion school in Costa Rica with campuses in three diverse regions of the country. 

Useful Facts

• School Founded: 1996

• Average number of students enrolled: 30-50

• Maximum number of students enrolled (summer): 120

• Nationality mix: U.S.A., 60%; Europe, 20%; Canada, 10%; other countries, 10%

• Age mix: 25 or younger, 30%; 25 - 50, 45%; 50 or older, 25%

• Minimum qualification of teachers: Each CPI professor has training in teaching Spanish as a Second Language. CPI runs this training. In addition, 65% of the professors have a university degree; the majority of the degrees being in education

• Accredited by: The Cervantes Institute 

Courses Offered

4 Hour per Day Spanish Course

• Levels offered: Beginner to High Advanced

• Classes per week: 20
• Length of course: Minimum 1 week
• Maximum number of students per group: 4
• Minimum age: 18 (but children accepted if accompanied by parent)

5.5 Hour per Day Spanish Course

• Levels offered: Beginner to High Advanced

• Classes per week: 27.5
• Length of course: Minimum 1 week
• Maximum number of students per group: 4
• Minimum age: 18 (but children accepted if accompanied by parent)

One-on-One Instruction

• Levels offered: Beginner to High Advanced

• Classes per week: 10 - 30
• Length of course: Minimum 1 week. During the CPI high season, mid-May to mid-August, one-to-one classes are not available.
• Minimum age: 18 (but children accepted if accompanied by parent)

Teenagers' Spanish

• On this course the students take Spanish classes on all three CPI campuses: Monteverde, Monteverde and Monteverde

• Classes per week: 20
• Length of course: 3 weeks
• Maximum number of students per group: 5
• Ages: 14 - 17

Professional Seminar - Medical Spanish Course

• Classes per week: 27,5
• Length of course: 2 weeks (the course can be extended by an additional 2 weeks in Flamingo Beach)
• Maximum number of students per group: 4

For more information on any of these courses, please visit the school website: CPI Spanish Language School Costa Rica.

Accommodation Offered

We strongly recommend that students stay with a host family as a complement to language studies as it provides the opportunity to apply the material learned in class. Additionally, the homestay experience is a cultural conduit to better understanding and insight into the daily life of a typical Costa Rican family. The homestay includes breakfast and lunch daily, as well as laundry service 2-3 times per week.

We also understand that living with a family is not for everyone, and offer other lodging options besides a homestay. Students may stay in a hotel or apartment during their entire time at CPI or they may combine the options among the campuses. For students who would prefer to stay in accommodation other than homestay, CPI offers private apartments.

Activities and Excursions

CPI has had many years working within the tourism industry and knows the highlights of each area. At every campus there is an Activities Coordinator to assist you with plans during free time from class. We work with tour agencies that offer our students discounted rates and a broad selection of exciting activities and safe transportation.

All age groups and budgets are considered with the assortment of tours offered. Each campus offers free activities each week including Latin dance and cooking classes as well as movie night and a tropical fruit class. Excursions vary from historical city tours, to hikes in tropical forests or near volcanoes, adventure canopy tours, shopping in artisan towns, snorkeling near coral reefs, and white water rafting in a warm river!

Tours differ greatly between the schools, and students studying at every campus have a chance to see it all. For those not visiting all school locations, weekend tours are a fabulous way to travel to diverse areas of the country!

College Credit

The CPI Spanish program (Heredia and Monteverde sites) is approved for transfer credits through the New Mexico State University (NMSU) for "Language Credit via Distance Education" program. Undergraduate credit for beginner to advanced courses is available and is transferable to other accredited universities.

In addition, we have several students who receive credit thru their colleges and universities each year based on criteria established by each individual institution.

School Website

For more information on any aspect of CPI's Spanish Language School in Monteverde, please visit the school's website: CPI Spanish Language School Costa Rica.