Spanish Language Schools

Often visitors to Honduras enjoy combining studying the Spanish language with their visit. Taking a week or two of vacation, they head for one of Honduras' Spanish language schools. In addition to language training these schools usually have an option of living in a Spanish speaking home and providing a language immersion environment. Alternate accommodations are nearly always available at a nearby bed and breakfast or hotel.

There are four main language schools in Honduras. These are located in Copán, La Ceiba and Trujillo.

Here is a list of these schools:

Ixbalanque Spanish School, Copán Ruinas, Honduras. One student per teacher, 4 hours/ 5 days per week, live with local families or in hotels, class consists of reading aloud, grammar, conversation, games, outings, all teachers are Hondurans and certified to teach. Telephone 98-3432 or fax 98-0004. Contact: Darla Brown de Hernandez, phone: (011-504) 57-6215, fax: (011-504) 57-6215.

Eco-Escuela Language School, P.O. Box 797, La Ceiba, Honduras. Telephone 43-2762 or Fax 43-0700 or 1-800-443-0717. This school goes beyond hands-on basic grammar to rain forest education and experience with Honduran culture. The Eco-Escuela is modeled after the language schools of Guatemala, but is more economical and teaches the benefits of a conservation-based economy. Email to: poviedo@hondutel.hn , web site: http://www.txinfinet.com/mader/ecoescuela/eco.html

All these schools provide opportunities to explore their area. Tours, hiking and special events are available. The La Ceiba school also offers volunteer ecology related service work on both the mainland and the Bay Islands.

Ixbalanque Spanish School - Trujillo, branch of the school of the same name in Copán, for more information call 98-3432 in Copán or fax 57-4461 in Trujillo.

All four of these schools are affiliated with AmeriSpan. You can reach them at:

AmeriSpan Unlimited, P.O. Box 40513, Philadelphia, PA 19106 or telephone 1-800-879-6640. Email address AmeriSpan@aol.com , their web site is: http://www.amerispan.com/

Other Spanish language schools in Honduras are:

Conversa Language School, Colonia Palmira, Calle Brazil #2419, Tegucigalpa, back of Alfa and Omega movies. Intensive 4 to 6 hours per day or semi-intensive - 2 hrs. a day. Telephone 36-5170 or 36-7420.

Copán Escuela de Español, located one block below the Health Clinic, just up the street from Hotel Marina. They can be reached by fax at 98-0004. All teachers are Copán locals teaching grammar, conversation, historical and social aspects of Honduran life. Home stays can be arranged. Fernando Gamboa is the owner.

The Honduran Institute of Interamerican Culture, Tegucigalpa, announces its new session of Spanish as a foreign language classes. 80 hours per level, 6-level program, class schedule: 7:00-9:00 AM or 4:00-6:00 PM. For more information call 37-7539.

Oxford Language Centre, offers Spanish classes with 9 levels of study, teachers are certified and experienced. Colonia Palmira, 4 Avenida A, No. 242, Tegucigalpa. Telephone 32-2060.

For those of you who might be interested in a complete listing of Spanish language schools in Central and South America, Ron Mader maintains a list on his web site at

http://www.txinfinet.com/mader/ecotravel/schools/schools.html His list is regularly updated.

There is no better way of getting to know Honduras and the people of Honduras than to be able to speak their language. ...and what better way then to be a family member for a few weeks. Come and enjoy!