Fall and Winter special With the American Bilingual Academy-Spanish Branch of the Interamerican Linguistic Center - you have the opportunity to join our language immersion program absolutely FREE! Become a sponsor and travel to México
You will receive an all expenses paid trip, for enrolling only 5 participants in our program. These 5 persons may be selected from your friends, classmates and students (if you are a teacher). For recruiting less than 5 participants, a substantial reduction in your tuition and expenses will be provided -($100 per recruit). Register 5 students or more in the language immersion program-and we'll purchase your round trip ticket to Veracruz, Mexico, pay for your registration fee, your supplies and your tuition. This offer applies to students flying from the continental USA and Canada. Others, Alaskan, Hawaiian, European , Asian and Australian students will be given $750 in addition to the tuition waiver. A $1275 value for enrolling 5 fellow students who want to expand their horizons in our language immersion program.
Bonus
For each student recruited beyond the first 5, we offer an additional $100 cash to the sponsor. For example, if you recruit 15 students, you get the trip and tuition free, and earn $1000 cash! Our normal registration fee is $35. You may enroll in our Spanish program for this low fee. To obtain the free airfare or cash up front, one must register students with a non-refundable $200 deposit, fully applicable to the $525 total which includes books, educational material, tuition and registration.
Note: Meals and accommodations not included.
Accommodations
We recommend a two or three star hotel and details are linked below. Rentals with kitchen facilities are available at the 3 star-on the waterfront. This hotel offers a discount to groups from our Academy, who remain for 21 days or more. They offer a special discount to groups of 15 or more. The 2 star is 4 blocks from the school, a clean bargain and across the street from the government sponsored grocery store (very economical). It's a few blocks from the beach and less than 5 blocks from 5 museums, and many other attractions.
Stay with a Mexican Family
We are educators and for mature honor students only, we will seek responsible Mexican families to provide room, meals and cultural exposure to those who qualify. Send us a 3.8 GPA or higher and a 1 page, 250 word composition explaining why you would like to stay with a Mexican family and we'll do our best to place you. Compositions must be in Spanish.
Good luck recruiters. Get a move on. Give us five and we'll buy your ticket to fly.
Prices Our extremely modest tuition fees may be paid in advance or upon arrival. Prices for a 3 week program are Registration fee $35.00(U.S. Dollars)
Tuition fee $490.00(for 60 hours)
Total $525.00
American Bilingual Academy
Spanish Language Branch of the Interamerican Linguistic Center
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Faculty
Our classes are small to meet the special demands of students travelling abroad. Our staff consists of 24 highly qualifed native instructors. Courses commence each Monday. Our schedule is flexible. You may choose morning, afternoon or evening sessions. Our Spanish teachers are highly qualified instructors, certified by the Mexican Secretary of Education. Most are actually Spanish teachers by profession, who give classes at local High Schools or Universities.
Cultural Setting
Veracruz, the first Spanish settlement in México, is a tropical seaport on the southeastern Gulf coast. Founded by the Spanish "Conquistadores" in the 16th Century, this quaint area is known as much for its' colonial charm as for its' fabulous virgin beaches. Recreational activities include swimming, boating, sailing, water skiing, fishing, scuba diving and more. Many visit Veracruz and "La Antigua" for their historic and cultural significance and as a jump site for archeological expeditions. "La Antigua", sanctuary for the first Christian church in the New World, is a nearby village where Cortéz headquartered his troops at the onset of the conquest. One can visit the remains of the original house of Cortéz. Veracruz, since 1512, has served as the first American and principal Mexican port city-the entry site for civilized American culture. Take the opportunity to visit Lake Catemaco, the enchanting and mysterious home of exotic witch doctors who perform ancient magic rituals. This jungle paradise, 3 hours from Veracruz, boasts the richest assortment of plant and animal life in México. One can visit the actual filming location of Sean Connery's "Medicine Man" , and admire a breathtaking waterfall.
Picturesque Veracruz presents an interesting contrast of old world traditions and modern attitudes, best reflected by an altogether agreeable approach to life amid 20th century conveniences. The architecture, dating 400 years, successfully competes with contemporary styled structures, while colorful open-air markets attract many shoppers and browsers as do modern supermarkets in newly constructed shopping malls.
On a weekend stroll, you're likely to experience...
- European-style houses with sidewalk tables
- Cafés that specialize in fresh seafood
- Basking in the sun on palmy beaches
- Fascinating sights along the boardwalk overlooking the international shipping harbor
- Modern discos
- The largest Aquarium in Latin America
- San Juan de Ulúa Fortress-a real castle with a dungeon.
- Remarkable bargains with handicraft vendors in the town square
- Street musicians who fill the air with tropical and marimba rhythms(the marimba is a huge wooden xylophone)
- The warm hospitality which is characteristic of Veracruzanos, renowned worldwide for their friendly nature
- All combined to evoke special memories for those who visit and re-visit Veracruz
The Aquarium It's a must see. Over 25 exhibitions shelter a multitude of salt and fresh water local and international species, from sharks and whales to exotic tropical species.
La Antigua 32 km. to the north of Veracruz, Mexico's principal port city and the first New World port, you can visit La Antigua, a small town renowned as home for Cortez (you can see the remaining structure of his house) and sanctuary for the first Christian Church in America. Guided tours are available on site and worth it to appreciate this historic area colonized by Hernan Cortez in 1519.
The Beach Quiet areas of almost virgin beach are accessible as well as popular spots with lifeguards and thatched hut restaurants known as "palapas".
El Baluarte de Santiago One of the seven fortresses built to protect Veracruz from piracy. Completed in 1654, it's been converted to a small museum. You can take a short walk on the drawbridge.
Castle San Juan de Ulúa A real castle built between 1528 and 1707. It has served as a fortress, a palace for kings, a dungeon and a warehouse. Bilingual guides provide a rich historical and cultural tour.
Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral Construction began in the early 17th century and "the parish" was completed in 1731. Here rest the remains of Father Darío Acosta Zurita, a young Mexican Martyr, shot on the altar near the baptismal font in 1931.
TajinWell preserved pyramids in an archeological zone 3 hours north of Veracruz.
Cempoala An archeological zone located an hour north of Veracruz. Here one can view the remains of the ancient Totonac ceremonial center. Six large structures can be found, including the great pyramid. Here, Cortez formed his Indian alliance to fight the Aztecs.
Ecology park A lot of trees, a baseball park and a modern turf jogging path amongst the greenery.
Lover's island Small boat rental for water skiing, sailing, scuba diving and snorkeling.
Children's parks
Cri-Cri Plenty of greenery, rides, swings, sliding boards, a trampoline and of course-the little train.
The Magic Kingdom A huge fantasy theme children's park with hut snack shops, pools, a water toboggan slide, wading pools, skating areas, train rides and a bike and tricycle path (rentals available).
Museums
Museum of Naval History 4 halls exhibit the history of navigation, a replica of the old Naval Academy, the historic acts of the Mexican Navy, and their arms and instruments of navigation.
City Museum of History and Art Exhibits traditional and modern art, and brief historical displays from the Aztec times to the present.
Zoo Deer, lions, monkeys, peacocks and much more. It has a playground, olympic swimming pool and wading pool.
Sacrifice Island Here Olmec and Totonac Indians sacrificed humans in pre Hispanic times.
Curriculum
Length of stay, level of instruction, courses and excursions are arranged to meet individual needs. Our learning system is based on cultural understanding by language immersion study.
Thank you for inquiring about our "Spanish Language and Culture Course". Our Interamerican Linguistic Center has been active for 24 years. We have 4 branches in the state of Veracruz, México. We offer our Spanish courses at the main branch in downtown Veracruz. We're situated 6 blocks from the beach and directly in the heart of downtown Veracruz. Our standard three week course includes 60 hours of intensive classroom instruction; 4 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Additionally, for successful students , we extend the option to continue studies thereafter, should you so desire. We provide individualized attention in a cozy, personal atmosphere. Our classroom groups are small so that we can meet the special demands of students travelling abroad. Our staff consists of 24 highly qualified native instructors. Courses commence each Monday. Our schedule is flexible. You may choose morning,afternoon or evening sessions. Should you decide to join us, students are expected to arrive for orientation exercises Friday before the Monday classes begin. This will give us the opportunity to extend a warm "Veracruzano" welcome, provide books and get a chance to know you. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend when possible. Thanks again, for choosing INTERAMERICANO. We look forward to serving you.
Susan Breon, our Dean of Students holds a masters degree in teaching foreign language from the University of Colorado in Denver. She has lived and worked in Central America for over 9 years, and took root here in Veracruz in 1994. She has over 35 years of experience in the educational field, both teaching and administrating. She has directed educational programs in the U. S. and Costa Rica, as well as founding our Spanish program here at the American Bilingual Academy.
Susan's job will be to see that you are happy with your classes, living arrangements, sight-seeing, finding your way around Veracruz, buying what you need, riding the buses, taking taxis, etc. Maps of Veracruz, city and state, will be available upon arrival as well as sight-seeing guides.
Curriculum Vitae
Tel/Fax:(29)32-1459
Email
susanbreon@hotmail.com
susanbreon@hotmail.com
See Veracruz Tourist Attractions, Sites of Historic Import