Welcome
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Complete Spanish Immersion
If you are serious about learning Spanish... we are a highly regarded Spanish Language School, specialized in teaching the Spanish language and its culture through a total immersion intensive program in Merida, Mexico. Our students learn from the outset to think and express themselves in Spanish as they take classes, live and visit the culturally rich city of Merida and its surroundings. Founded in 1984... over 20 years of experience.
Merida, The White and Romantic City.
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Mérida, is the capital of the Yucatan peninsula in México, and it is also the SAFEST city in the country.
Mérida was established on the ruins of the old Mayan city of T'Ho, built majestically and white in the plains of Yucatan. The conquerors, who astonished by the splendor of the pre-Hispanic monuments of T'Ho, named the city after the beautiful Roman city of Mérida in Spain.
From its foundation, on January 6th of 1542 by Francisco de Montejo, Merida has been worthy of its history, conserving a huge testimony throughout the centuries.
Mérida is also called "The White City" because of its light colored facades and its clean streets, under the shining luminosity of the sun, and the white clothing its inhabitants wear.
It is characterized by its inherited provincial enchantment of its colonial past, its rich cultural atmosphere and its friendly people who are very attached to its Mayan and Colonial traditions.
Like all the colonial cities of America, Merida was designed, in accordance to a broad layout, starting from a central plaza. Pleasantly shaded by laurels from India, this central plaza is surrounded in its four sides by some of the most venerable buildings of the city.
At sunset, the plaza is the place where the "yucatecos" (people from Merida) and the troubadours meet to enjoy the fresh air in the middle of the beautiful skillfully illuminated buildings.
Even though Merida is famous because of its history, its traditions, its artistic manifestations and its romantic people who live to the rhythm of the troubadours, it is also the economic center of the Southeastern part of México and a modern and dynamic urban city.
It has a first rate infrastructure and excellent services: the hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, car and bus rentals, banks, exchange houses and malls are always ready to serve with gentility the necessities of its clients.
Surrounded by magnificent historical, cultural and natural places, the white Merida is the departure point of many one day excursions which helps towards making it one of the most visited cities of Mexico, and a definitely the best city to learn spanish in mexico. study spanish in Mexico. learn spanish in merida. study spanish in merida. learn spanish in merida, mexico. study spanish in merida, mexico.
The Institute.
Our Institute was completely remodeled this past summer (2006) and updated with the latest in teaching equipment and materials, as well as, state of the art facilities. The Spanish Institute of Merida is also strategically placed within walking distance of most of the tourist attractions of Mérida including the Cathedral, the Zócalo (main plaza), the theater, the market, many colonial Churches, the library, the Anthropology Museum as well as many other museums, and restaurants and cafes.
Classrooms:Our classrooms are equipped with airconditioning, comfortable chairs, large desks, fluorescent lighting, etc.
Computer Lab: The computers have access to Internet for research or e-mail. Also, there is wireless internet throughout the institute.
Video Room: We have a Big TV equipped with home-theater where you can view videos or movies.
Lounge: Purified water as well as refreshments and snacks are available in the lounge.
Social area: Our facility has one big patio for relaxing, socializing and even studying in between, before, or after classes.
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Why us?
The Spanish Institute of Merida is a well established Spanish Language School with a proven methodology and a great atmosphere for learning Spanish. You will live the Spanish language and culture up to 16 hours a day. All our professors have college degrees and a vast teaching experience. Our classrooms have ergonomic chairs and ample desk space for comfortable learning.
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Comparison to other Programs:
With NAFTA in place for several years now and a growing Hispanic population in the US, there is a growing demand for individuals that can speak Spanish. Many individuals are falling for language learning gimmicks of the "Learn Spanish in a week" variety.
Students that attend these schools often find themselves learning little or nothing because it takes most individuals about three (3) days to become comfortable and adjust to the new environment. You can not start learning until you are comfortable, and then by the 5th or 6th day they start thinking about going back home. Total about one or two days of instruction.
Other schools that have month long programs accept students every Monday. This practice has a negative effect on the students attending these schools. Every Monday is new student introduction day; teachers have to change their classes to accommodate the new students. Most of the time, much of the vocabulary and grammar that the students have seen will have to be repeated. Total about three days of instruction per week.
The Spanish Institute of Merida offers 30 hours a week of instruction; more than any other well know Spanish Language School.
The Spanish Institute of Merida offers:
Complete Immersion Program
Professors with college degrees and many years of experience
State of the art facilities at the Institute
The best Spanish program for your money
2 Excursions are included with our program
Great Host families
All students have their private room and private bathroom
There are many Places of Interest withing walking distance from the Institute
Our Director has a lot of experience
From one week to a 20 week program
Be careful of programs that have one price for the classes and then start adding host family, registration fee, books, excursions, materials, meals, computer use, cost of receiving and sending e-mails, etc. Although the initial price might be enticing in the long run you will pay much more. And many only offer 15 or 20 hours of instruction per week. Our program includes everything except the round-trip airfare.
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Courses
Our goal is to help you communicate in Spanish. There are four areas of communication: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. In our program we consider all four areas.
Our standard program has five levels: Beginner, Beginner/Intermediate, Intermediate, Advanced and Superior. You can specify which level you would like to enter or you can take our placement exam (The result of this exam is approximate) which will determine which level to start at.
The duration of our courses is 4 weeks; which is the ideal time to complete one of our five levels. Our courses are intensive 6-hours a day in which two of them are actually hands on Spanish.
You will receive as part of your course a Textbook, a Workbook to accompany your textbook, a Verb-conjugation book (5,000 verbs), and a Spanish Encyclopedic Dictionary.
Morning classes are from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (maximum 6 students)
Afternoon classes are from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (one student/instructor)
Morning classes: In the morning you will cover different components of the language. You will have Spanish Grammar, Spanish Vocabulary and Practice, Interactive Lab, Spanish Reading, Pronunciation, Culture, Writing, etc.
Afternoon classes: In the afternoon you will have one-on-one hands on practice of the grammar and vocabulary you learned in the morning classes as you practice your Spanish Conversation with a Native Speaker. The Native Speaker will escort you to places of interest and talk to you in Spanish. You will be given a list of all the places of interest in Mérida, México with an explanation of each, so you will be able to decide which places you will like to visit. Places within walking distance
One-on-one
You may start individual classes (one student/instructor) on any Monday of the year. You may attend from one week to sixteen weeks. We will individualize the program according to your needs.
The cost of private instruction is only $575.00 usd per week and includes:
Accommodations
Our home stay program is a very important part of your overall language experience. You will stay with a host-family, unless you request differently in which case we will work with you to find adequate hotel accommodations. Our host-families are carefully screened to have a very helpful attitude towards students. We have also selected homes that offer a level of comfort not too far from what you are used to finding in your home country.
Our selection process assures that all our students will have a comfortable and pleasant stay in Merida. Although our host-families receive a compensation to provide you a home, they do enjoy having a foreign student as a guest.
All three meals will be provided. Normally you will eat the same food as the family; unless you have indicated special diet restrictions on your application form. In which case we will communicate to your host family about your needs.
In an orientation meeting you will be informed of any cultural differences that may exist between a mexican family and one from your home country. Sharing your time and meals with your family is one of the best opportunities you will have to practice your Spanish and learn more about Mexican culture and values.
Excursions
2 excursions are included with our program.
The Great Chichen Itzá
Be able to visit one of the New 7 wonders of the World.
Every year the Great Chichen Itzá is visited by over a million people. This site, was declared Patrimony of Humanity in 1988, and it is now consider one of The Seven Wonders of the
New World. For its combination of culture, history, grandeur and nature Chichen Itzá its a most for any traveler.
Chichen Itzá is one of the most controversial, studied and visited ruins of the Mayan world. Its history and its chronology are the subject of debates and the fate of its people a puzzle that archaeologists continue to theorize about as excavations continue.
The Mayas forged a wide empire with one culture centered in Chichen Itzá. Nevertheless around 1250 A.D. the city was abandoned for reasons still not completely understood. The power of this city was so great that centuries after its fall, it is still a site of peregrination and adoration. Even as recently as 1540 A.D. Francisco de Montejo, founder of Mérida, considered making it his capital.
The Castle of Kukulcan rising 30 meters from the earth is the most impressive building. Its age is difficult to calculate, being estimated between 650 and 800 A.D. The numbers of its different measurements relate to digits in the Maya solar calendar; for example, 91 steps on 4 sides, or 364; plus the platform, 365, the number of days in a year. The five adornments on each side of the temple are 5 x 4, or 20, the number of days in a
Maya month. This building, revealing the profound knowledge of the Mayas, every year during the equinox demonstrates the descending of the god Kukulkan, “The Feathered serpent”, to earth, in a light and shadow phenomenon that every year attracts visitors from all over the world.
The Ball Court has a cosmic meaning. With its warlike symbols and almost perfect acoustics it is one of the oldest constructions in the zone, bearing the date 864 A.D.
To visit this majestic site is to enter an indispensable chapter in the history of the Maya people. Truly no visitor to Yucatan should leave without visiting The Great Chichen Itzá, ending this meeting with the Mayas with the light and sound show offered every night of the year.
Uxmal Light and Sound Show
The Name Uxmal means: "That which was built three times" or "Place of abundant harvest" and is located 78km from the city of Mérida along the highway to Campeche.
The Mayas channeled their social energy into construction, creating fabulous buildings.
Uxmal is the site of one of the most representative constructions of this style: “The Governor’s house”, holding in its elliptical form a large number of enigmas still to be discover, is considered by experts as a wonder of the ancient world for its precision and architectonic beauty.
The Majestic structure invites the visitor to discover all the revelations of the different constructions of this amazing civilization.
For these and many other reasons, Uxmal was declared Patrimony of the Humanity.
Explore Uxmal, discover an ancient and fascinating culture like the Maya, and embark on a journey that crosses cultures and transcends time.
This Trip includes a visit to the Archeological site during the afternoon(day light) and then a show with ligh and sound during the night.
This show descrives a Mayan wedding while lights iluminated the piramid, transporting you to the old days and making you feel like you are actually taking part in the ceremony.
Costs
The cost of our four week program is only $1,845.00 usd and includes:
Cost including airfare... Click here!
Registration, materials, dictionaries and books
4 weeks of instruction. (see start dates)
30 hours a week of instruction. (6 hours a day)
Pick up and drop off at the Merida airport. (Cancun International airport $150.00 extra)
Orientation of Merida, customs and culture
Homestay with family
3 meals a day
Use of Computer Lab
Free email access
Trips to excursions Chichen Itza and Uxmal Light and Sound Show
Daily trips to museums, theaters, parks, movies, etc.
Closing ceremony banquet
Eight Weeks $3,495.00
Twelve Weeks $4,995.00
Sixteen Weeks $6,395.00
Twenty Weeks $7,595.00
(All prices are subject to change without notice. The price will not increase once the deposit is received.)
Be careful of programs that have one price for the classes and then start adding host family, registration fee, books, excursions, materials, meals, computer use, cost of receiving and sending e-mails, etc. Although the initial price might be enticing in the long run you will pay much more; and many only offer 15 or 20 hours of instruction per week. The only thing not included with our program is your round-trip airfare to Merida, Mexico. You may also opt to fly into Cancun city (Most International Airports have flights into Cancun City and could be cheaper.)
Starting Dates - Ending Dates
January 8th, 2007 - February 2nd, 2007
February 5th, 2007 - March 2nd, 2007
March 5th, 2007 - March 30th, 2007
April 2nd, 2007 - April 27th, 2007
April 30th, 2007 - May 25th, 2007
May 28th, 2007 - June 22nd, 2007
June 25th, 2007 - July 20th, 2007
July 23rd, 2007 - August 17th, 2007
August 20th, 2007 - September 14th, 2007
September 17th, 2007 - October 12th, 2007
October 15th, 2007 - November 9th, 2007
November 12th, 2007 - December 7th, 2007
December 10th, 2007 (2 week program) December 21st, 2007
Starting Dates - Ending Dates
January 7th, 2008 - February 1st, 2008
February 4th, 2008 - February 29th, 2008
March 3rd, 2008 - March 28th, 2008
March 31st, 2008 - April 25th, 2008
April 28th, 2008 - May 23rd, 2008
May 26th, 2008 - June 20th, 2008
June 23rd, 2008 - July 18th, 2008
July 21st, 2008 - August 15th, 2008
August 18th, 2008 - September 12th, 2008
September 15th, 2008 - October 10th, 2008
October 13th, 2008 - November 7th, 2008
November 10th, 2008 - December 5th, 2008
December 8th, 2008 2 week program December 19th, 2008
Registration
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Gallery
Many pictures of what to expect at the Spanish Institute of Merida... Click on a picture to enlarge it
Questions
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask
Free Brochure
Enter your personal information to recieve our electronic brochure
Credits
List of Universities and Colleges in the United States that have given credits for our program (we provide an Official Graded Transcript sealed by the Department of Education) and/or have had students participate in our program.
| University |
City |
State |
Andrews University |
Berrien Springs |
Michigan |
Appalachian State University |
Boone |
North Carolina |
Baylor University |
Waco |
Texas |
Boston University |
Boston |
Massachusetts |
Brigham Young University |
Laie |
Hawaii |
Brigham Young University |
Provo |
Utah |
Brown University |
Providence |
Rhode Island |
Cabrillo College |
Santa Cruz |
California |
California State University |
Monterey Bay |
California |
California State University |
Sacramento |
California |
Carthage College |
Kenosha |
Wisconsin |
Central Oregan Community College |
Bend |
Oregon |
Clemson University |
Clemson |
South Carolina |
Colby Community College |
Colby |
Kansas |
College of William and Mary |
Williamsburg |
Virginia |
Columbia University |
New York |
New York |
Cornell University |
Ithaca |
New York |
Cornerstone University |
Grand Rapids |
Michigan |
Creighton University |
Omaha |
Nebraska |
Dickinson College |
Carlisle |
Pennsylvania |
Duke University |
Durham |
North Carolina |
Fordham University |
New York |
New York |
George Washington University |
Washington |
Distric of Columbia |
Georgetown University |
Washington |
Distric of Columbia |
Georgia State University |
Atlanta |
Georgia |
Grove City College |
Grove City |
Pennsylvania |
Hamline University |
Saint Paul |
Minnesota |
Harvard University |
Cambridge |
Massachusetts |
Hollins University |
Roanoke |
Virginia |
John Hopkins University |
Baltimore |
Maryland |
Kansas State University |
Manhattan |
Kansas |
Loyola University Chicago |
Chicago |
Illinois |
Martin Luther King College |
New Ulm |
Minnesota |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Cambridge |
Massachusetts |
Mercer University |
Atlanta |
Georgia |
Michigan State University |
East Lansing |
Michigan |
Middle Tennessee State University |
Murfreesboro |
Tennessee |
Mississippi Delta Community College |
Moorhead |
Mississippi |
Monmouth College |
Monmouth |
Illinois |
New York Medical College |
Valhalla |
New York |
New York University |
New York |
New York |
North Carolina State University |
Raleigh |
North Carolina |
Northwestern University |
Chicago |
Illinois |
Oklahoma State University |
Stillwater |
Oklahoma |
Oklahoma University |
Norman |
Oklahoma |
Oregon Tech |
Klamath Falls |
Oregon |
Pennsylvania State University |
University Park |
Pennsylvania |
Pepperdine University |
Malibu |
California |
Phillips Exeter Academy |
Exeter |
New Hampshire |
Princeton University |
Princeton |
New Jersey |
Purdue University |
West Lafayette |
Indiana |
Rice University |
Houston |
Texas |
Rockhurst University |
Kansas City |
Missouri |
Roger State University |
Claremore |
Oklahoma |
Saint Mary´s University |
Rochester |
Minnesota |
San Jose State University |
San Jose |
California |
Seattle University |
Seattle |
Washington |
Seton Hall University |
South Orange |
New Jersey |
Simons Rock College of Bard |
Great Barrington |
Massachusetts |
Southwest Missouri State University |
Springfield |
Missouri |
Southwestern College |
Winfield |
Kansas |
St. Norbert College |
DePere |
Wisconsin |
Stanford University |
Stanford |
California |
State University of New York |
Buffalo |
New York |
Texas A&M University |
College Station |
Texas |
Texas State University |
San Marcos |
Texas |
Trinity International University |
Chicago |
Illinois |
Tulane University |
New Orleans |
Louisiana |
UC Health Sciences Center |
Denver |
Colorado |
University of Arizona |
Tucson |
Arizona |
University of Arkansas |
Fayetteville |
Arkansas |
University of California |
Davis |
California |
University of California |
Los Angeles |
California |
University of California |
Irvine |
California |
University of California |
Berkeley |
California |
University of California |
San Francisco |
California |
University of Chicago |
Chicago |
Illinois |
University of Cincinnati |
Cincinnati |
Ohio |
University of Colorado |
Boulder |
Colorado |
University of Colorado |
Denver |
Colorado |
University of Dayton |
Dayton |
Ohio |
University of Georgia |
Athens |
Georgia |
University of Illinois |
Urbana |
Illinois |
University of Kentucky |
Lexington |
Kentucky |
University of Massachusetts |
Amherst |
Massachusetts |
University of Michigan |
Ann Arbor |
Michigan |
University of Michigan |
Flint |
Michigan |
University of Michigan |
Dearborn |
Michigan |
Univesity of Missouri |
Kansas City |
Missouri |
University of Nevada |
Reno |
Nevada |
University of New Mexico |
Albuquerque |
New Mexico |
University of North Carolina |
Asheville |
North Carolina |
University of Notre Dame |
Notre Dame |
Indiana |
University of Pennsylvania |
Philadelphia |
Pennsylvania |
University of Tennessee |
Knoxville |
Tennessee |
University of Texas |
Austin |
Texas |
University of Texas |
El Paso |
Texas |
University of Texas-Pan American |
Edimburg |
Texas |
University of Tulsa |
Tulsa |
Oklahoma |
University of Washington |
Seattle |
Washington |
University of Wisconsin |
Plateville |
Wisconsin |
University of Wisconsin |
Green Bay |
Wisconsin |
University of Wisconsin |
Lacrosse |
Wisconsin |
University of Wisconsin |
Madison |
Wisconsin |
Utah Valley State College |
Orem |
Utah |
Valparaiso University |
Valparaiso |
Indiana |
Vanderbilt University |
Nashville |
Tennessee |
Vassar College |
Poughkeepsie |
New York |
Virginia Tech |
Blacksburg |
Virginia |
Washington University |
St. Louis |
Missouri |
Western Kentucky University |
Bowling Green |
Kentucky |
Westmont College |
Santa Barbara |
California |
Yale University |
New Haven |
Connecticut |
If you attended our program and/or received credits for our program, and your university or college does not appear in this list, just send us an E-mail including your name and the name of your university or college and we will add it to the list.
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Contact Us
United States
Telephone: 1-800-539-9710 ( Toll-free )
Mailing Address:
Spanish Institute of Merida
10104 Hosta Cove
Austin, TX 78750
Mexico
Telephone: 011-52-999-9254475
Mailing Address:
Spanish Institute of Merida
Calle 60 No. 358
Colonia Centro
Merida, Yucatan 97000
E-mail address: info@simerida.com