Learn spanish with us!

Spanish Language and Culture Program

Natoura is in partnership with a local language school to offer our clients the opportunity to enhance their experience of Venezuela by taking Spanish language lessons. Mérida, Venezuela’s cultural capital and home to the Universidad de Los Andes, combines the traditional and the modern, the scientific and the cultural in a setting of outstanding natural beauty.

Mérida is the ideal location in which to study Spanish and learn more about Venezuela. Students are able to gain Spanish language skills, or improve them, through language instruction, selected classes and lectures in Spanish, field trips, and home stays in a safe and attractive environment.        

Spanish courses

The method of teaching used is one which combines grammar and communication skills. Spanish language teaching material developed especially for our students, together with the language textbook, is used along with supplementary material for reading, writing, grammar and conversation. Students also receive an orientation program about Venezuela, its life and customs. The total immersion in a Spanish-speaking country affords students plenty of opportunity to practice the language in real life situations or during field trips around town.

Spanish professors

All our language professors are experienced teachers with professional qualifications in teaching foreign languages. They are graduates in the fields of Education, Spanish or English language and literature. In addition, they receive periodic training from Regional Language Teaching Officers, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy and other language-teaching specialists, as part of our in-house training program.

Assessment

Upon arrival, students are given a two-hour language ability test and placed in classes according to their existing language skills. If a teacher considers the ability test not to reflect the correct level of a student, the student may be moved to another class.

Description

All program activities emphasize the teaching of the four basic language skills: oral comprehension, speaking, reading comprehension and writing. In addition, grammar and vocabulary are covered at all levels. At the advanced levels, basic studies of Latin American and Venezuelan culture are used to practice aspects of Spanish grammar.

Courses are divided into 20-hour modules ranging from beginners to advanced. During five days of course work, a student may advance one level.

To keep track of each student’s academic achievements they will take an oral and written test at the end of each course. The test results are out of 100 with 70 being the required pass mark to gain the lowest grade.