Spanish in Latin America

The City:

Cuba’s legendary capital is a city of contrasts, of grandeur and decline. At first glance, La Habana beams forth the brilliance of the days when proud Spanish ships sat moored in her harbour, packed full of valuables from South America. La Habana’s pastel mansions and elegant squares give the visitor a glimpse of her former opulence. Despite decades of complete neglect, the city’s charm has remained largely unaltered. The heart of La Habana is her most famous boulevard, "de Malecón", which starts near the old town, La Habana Vieja, and stretches nearly 7 kilometres along the coast. . Picturesque and fascinating remnants of the affluence of the past can be found during a stroll through this old town centre. At the other end of the "Malecón" we arrive to the comparatively luxurious quarter, Vedado, where you will live and learn Spanish.

Not only is Cuba a beautiful country, it also has a population that is very friendly and hospitable in spite of the economic difficulties in the last few years.

It´s a country of music, of poetry, of dancing, singing and chatting. People still have time for each other and for their guests. Cuba is like going back in time to the 50´s: old cars, a relaxed atmosphere, no hurry.

Apart from that Cuba has a nice climate. All year round you can enjoy the beaches, water sports, etc.

Why La Havana?

La Habana, city of faded glory but just as much the city of unbridled high spirits. A city where little is allowed but much more is possible. After years of undeniable decline, this impressive metropolis, now included in the UNESCO list of World Monuments, is rising like a phoenix from its ashes.

La Habana is a city one has to learn to appreciate. It is a melting pot of cultures and races, an open-air museum under the strict direction of Fidel Castro. Apart from the picturesque inner city, the "Playas del Este" and the famous Malecón (the immense boulevard that is considered to be the living room of La Habana) you should take some time to get to know Vedado. This is the part of La Habana where the host families live and where you find many art deco bulildings that would be considered national monuments in many countries.

  • Cuba’s capital city La Habana, with around 2.2 million inhabitants, is located on the island’s northern coast, 100 miles south-southwest of Key West, Florida.
  • Not only is Cuba a beautiful country, it also has a population that is very friendly and hospitable in spite of the economic difficulties of the last few years.
  • Visiting Cuba is like going back in time to the 50´s: old cars, a relaxed atmosphere and no hurry.
  • Old La Habana and its fortifications have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you stroll through the city, you’ll feel immersed in the living, breathing, non-stop theatrical production that is La Habana.

The School

Our partner school in La Habana is unique in that it is not centralized in a physical building! Instead, to be sure you truly experience Cuban culture and the Cuban people, we provide an intimate, personalized learning experience with well trained, highly educated teachers of Spanish.

You’ll take your classes either in your teacher’s home, in the home of your host family or, for certain mini-group courses, in a Cuban cultural centre. In all three cases, you’ll learn Spanish surrounded by native speakers and the culture you’ve travelled to La Habana to explore.

The La Habana school is affiliated with UNEAC (Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba), one of the country’s most respected cultural organisations.

Spanish Courses in La Havana

  • Intensive group course: 20 group classes/week
  • Super-intensive group course: 20 group classes/week + 5 one to one classes
  • One to One private course: 20 classes/week
  • Spanish + Dance (salsa, samba, rumba and son): spanish course + 5 dance classes/week
  • Spanish + Music (percussion or guitar):spanish course + 5 music classes/week

Individual courses start every weekday and mini-group courses every Monday.

Timetable

The school will select your timetable based on your Spanish level. Classes are available in the mornings (starting at 8:30) and in the afternoons. One lesson is 50 minutes.

Teachers

All teachers are university graduates and have been well trained in the teaching of Spanish to foreigners.

Accommodation

In Cuba we recommend you stay with a host family. The selected host families live in spacious homes in a nice residential part of town known as Reparto Vedado. Though it’s mainly a quiet area, there are several nice bars and discotheques close by. Vedado is approx. 40-45 minutes walking distance or approx. 15 minutes by bicycle or taxi from the old town of La Habana. The families offer single rooms with half board (breakfast and dinner). All rooms have air-conditioning or a fan and some have a private bathroom.

Activities and Excursions

A trip to Cuba is not complete without a visit to one of the rum museums or tobacco factories. For lovers of sports, horse-riding and scuba diving are available. Take full advantage of your time in Cuba and explore the country’s breathtaking landscape and historic cities by participating in excursions along with your fellow students.

Our Opinion

La Habana is a place where the infectious rhythms of son and salsa linger in the air, where friendly faces invite you in and make sure that you're not the only one with idle hips, where poets find their inspiration and poetry is ensconced in everything you see. Learn Spanish in La Habana and experience this one of a kind city for yourself.