Frequently Asked Questions

Learn Spanish

Frequently Asked Questions

www.tefl.com.mx

Group classes commence each Monday of the year while private classes can begin on any workday, with the notable exceptions of national holidays. Most of our students typically arrive the Saturday or Sunday before classes start. Please note, that days missed due to Holidays cannot be made up. You will be charged for the entire week, with the exception of Holy Week and Christmas vacation.

 

National School Holidays:

  • January (1st) New Year’s Day.
  • First Monday of February: Constitution Day.
  • Third Monday of March: Benito Juarez’s Birthday.
  • Easter Holiday: March 25th to March 30th, 2024.
  • May (1st) Labor Day.
  • September (16th) Independence Day.
  • Third Monday of November: Revolution of 1910.
  • Christmas Vacation: December 23rd, 2024 to January 4th, 2025.

We can certainly place you and your wife or friend with a host family that will have sufficient room to comfortably accommodate two people. The cost will be $224.00 USD per week, per person.

We are the most Accredited Spanish Language School in Mexico! With more than forty years of experience; we are the only language school in Mexico to hold accreditation for all of the following:

  • Instituto Cervantes/The Ministry for Education of Spain since June 2009.
  • Secretary of Education of Mexico since 1977.
  • DELE testing center since January 2009.
  • Bildungsurlaub accredited in eight German federal states.
  • CENNI: National Language Level Certification by the government of Mexico, only school in Mexico to have received this coveted distinction.

If you are joining our homestay program, we will send you all the information on your host family at least one week before your arrival.

Since courses are taught in one-week modules, you may study from as little as one week to as long as desired. Most of our students stay with us in Guadalajara for four weeks to learn Spanish and experience local culture, history, and traditions.

All of our highly experienced teachers have a university degree and diplomas in foreign language teaching. Plus, we have an ongoing training program to update our faculty with the latest linguistic methodology and technology.

We offer a Homestay Program, please check all information about this program in the following link: https://www.learnspanish.com.mx/accommodations/

We request that we receive your deposit fee at least a week before the first day of class. The remaining fees (tuition, books, airport pickup, etc.) are payable upon your arrival.

We accept payments via the following credit cards: VISA, MasterCard and AMEX. We also accept PayPal, bank transfers, and cash (USD’s or Mexican pesos to the exchange rate of the day).

Yes, in fact on your first day of lessons we will provide you with a map of downtown Guadalajara with the locations of the closest ATMs and banks to our school.

Before we can help you achieve the proficiency level to which you aspire, we first determine your current level in the language through written and oral evaluations. In the type of immersion environment that we provide, reaching proficiency
level is very fast. To give you an idea, it has been our experience that within about two months you will be able to understand and be understood. Your proficiency in the language after an eight-week program will be greatly significant.
We approximate eight to ten weeks to reach the intermediate-advanced level. Your ability to speak Spanish fluently depends also on your own effort and desire. Joining local cultural activities and exploring the city will help you speak
like a native.

Our average number of students per class is from 5 – 7. During the high season, it may increase to up to 10 students, which is the maximum number. We keep classes sizes small to ensure you learn at your own pace and get the individual
attention you need by our instructors.

Known as the City of Roses, Guadalajara has one of the most pleasant climates in the world. The average year-round temperature of 80° F explains why the city is known for its eternal springtime. Guadalajara’s hot season lasts for 2.1 months,
from April 9 to June 12, with an average daily high temperature above 86°F. The hottest days of the year are in May with average temperatures between 89°F and 57°F. The cool season lasts for 2.5 months, from mid-November to early February,
with an average daily high temperature below 77°F. The coldest day of the year is typically in January with temperatures between 41°F and of 74°F.

Yes, it is possible to begin with group courses and then switch to private lessons, or vice versa. We only require that you request any changes 1 day in advance.

Yes. There is a gym just a short 10-minute bus trip away from the school. The gym offers excellent cardio and weight training equipment.

Yes. Our institution grants six credit hours for 120 hours of group contact classroom instruction or 80 hours of private instruction. This is the equivalent of one credit hour per 20 hours of group classes for our introductory course. The intermediate
and advanced group classes are taught at an accelerated rate because of the immersion environment, and you receive six credits hours for 80 hours of group contact classroom instruction or 53 hours of private instruction. We recommend
that you verify with the Academic Counselor or Language Department of your home school that credits obtained at IMAC Spanish Language Programs will be made valid. They will most probably ask for a copy of our course content structure,
and proof of our credentials. We have been fully accredited by the Department of Education of Mexico since 1977), which we can provide upon request.

Are you interested in learning how to dance Zumba, Casino, Salsa or Bachata for FREE? Classes are provided on Av. Chapultepec in the city America from 7 PM to 10 PM, only on Mondays. A fee will apply.

Yes. We offer a variety of excursions, tours, and activities that are available on the weekends. On your first day of lessons, you will be provided with a complete schedule of excursions and day trips.

You will certainly be able to take cultural and history classes by taking advantage of our cultural and exchange group. By attending this activity, you will have the opportunity to learn about our culture and history from our English studying
students. It will also allow you to practice your new language skills with native Spanish speaking students in a relaxed, informal setting. This activity is supervised by an instructor every afternoon and is free of charge.

It’s surprisingly affordable! Depending on which program you choose, the cost of learning Spanish with us in Mexico ranges from $23.00 USD for private tutoring to $2,112.00 USD for an eight week work and study program. View our complete price list for additional details or books one of our all-inclusive packages that include accommodations. 

 

Other fees include:

  • $55.00 USD to $60.00 USD charge for a book (good for four to six weeks; depending on level).
  • $40.00 USD for optional airport pickup service.
  • $224.00 USD per week for optional homestay program arriving on a Sunday and departing on a Saturday after finishing lessons.
  • Any extra nights before and after the Spanish program have a cost of $32.00 USD per night.
  • We can assist in arranging excursions which are offered throughout the week. The prices range from $30.00 – $50.00 USD

 

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Yes, our taxi pick up service is available 24/7. The cost is $40.00 USD and good for up to three people going to the same address.

If you have arranged your own accommodations, we can still arrange your airport pickup to your accommodation.

You should drink bottled water, which is easily available throughout Guadalajara, or boil your water for approximately 30-40 minutes. After brushing your teeth, rinse with bottled water, and don’t open your mouth when taking a shower. You should also be careful of handling money and then handling your food. Like anywhere, the money is very dirty so always wash your hands before touching your food.

Our school is located directly in the Historic Downtown area in Guadalajara. We are within walking distance of many places of historical interest, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, City Hall, the Cabañas Cultural Institute, etc.

Yes, in addition to the classroom instruction, you have unlimited access to our Multimedia Lab (email, Internet, interactive Spanish programs), free of charge. Currently, we have over forty computers available during business hours that are fully equipped with enhanced Spanish language software and Internet capabilities. You will also have free WI-FI at our school.

No, if you are traveling from America. The outlets in Mexico are the same as in the U.S. But, keep in mind that you might not find very many three-prong outlets here in Mexico. For this reason, a converter may be helpful, but it’s certainly not necessary. If you are traveling from the UK and Europe, you will need one. Mexico has two prong outlets, and sometimes three-prong outlets, that are different than what you have in the UK and Europe.

Yes. IMAC Spanish Language Programs welcomes beginners (A1) to enroll in our classes and programs.

No, you don’t. But we recommend that you check on the Mexican Embassy’s website for your country for recommendations. Traveling to large, major cities in Mexico isn’t a problem. Traveling to Guadalajara will certainly not require a vaccine. There may be some need to get vaccines if traveling to tropical areas, or areas where outbreaks have occurred before; these are usually places that are distant from civilization and not frequented by travelers. So, you shouldn’t need a vaccine if staying in the city.

At the end of your program you receive a certificate, stating the number of hours you studied, your level, and the date of completion. This certificate is also signed by our Academic Coordinator and can be used in obtaining college credit for your course, if and when pre-approved by your home university.

Yes. You may need a co-signer in order to rent a house or an apartment. Normally, our students don’t have any problems finding a place to live and can easily rent an apartment. We will give you advice on how to find and rent an apartment.

We request that we receive your completed application and deposit fee at least one week before the first day of class. However, unlike other schools, we administer no late fees and NO Enrollment fee. The application can be submitted online through our website using the secure form. You may also register over the phone via one of our toll-free numbers or at + (52-33) 3614-1414.

9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.: You are involved in direct Spanish language instruction with a native instructor. All areas of Spanish language fluency are developed.
11:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m.: Break, time for a snack.
11:15 a.m.-1:00 p.m.: You resume lessons with your Spanish native instructor.
1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.: You will participate in a language and cultural exchange group, which will allow you to practice your new language skills with native Spanish speaking students in a relaxed, informal setting, therefore adding an additional hour of instruction per day, thus making it 5 hours per day. This class is supervised by an instructor every afternoon.

In addition to the classroom instruction, you have unlimited access to our free Multimedia Lab (computers, Internet, and interactive Spanish programs). You are strongly encouraged to maximize your learning by attending our Multimedia Lab for as long as you wish during school hours. This brings your number of hours to 30 weekly (25 hours of teacher instruction and a recommended minimum 5 hours of free lab time.)

No refunds are made of any portion of classes or homestays once the program has begun. If you cancel with more than 2 weeks’ notice, you will receive a refund (excluding the tuition deposit fee). If you cancel the program due to a personal emergency and notify IMAC Spanish Language Programs in writing, we will review your claim and may issue a partial refund.

Yes, our programs have been expanded to include courses for those interested in working on specific specialty areas of the Spanish language. A sampling of our Spanish specialty courses on an individual tutoring or private group instruction basis include areas of business and finance, education, household management, and healthcare, just to name a few.

It is possible to customize your course to cover areas that you specifically need. Other specialty courses available to intermediate level students include: Advanced composition writing, Latin American literature, and Conversation.

Every year we welcome approximately 500 students. Their age varies from 16 to 70+ years old. We have welcomed students from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Japan, Australia, France, Austria, Russia, Italy, among other countries.

We have 14 basic levels: 6 beginners, 4 intermediate and 4 advanced. All class levels are available year round.

Citizens of the United States or Canada who are planning a trip to Mexico will need to carry a passport or WHTI-compliant travel document. A passport is necessary for everyone entering Mexico by air. Travelers entering Mexico by land may not be asked to present a passport, but will need to present one upon return to the US or Canada, so be sure you have it. The passport requirement is waived in some cases for minors, notably, school groups that are traveling together. Since requirements vary from country to country, the best thing will be to contact your nearest Mexican consulate and inquire with them.

The first step to successfully enroll to our courses is to apply online or over the phone.

Once you have registered you will receive our confirmation email along with two recommendations for insurance, just in case you do not have any.

Class placement is determined by written and oral evaluations. Once we have received your application, we will send a written placement evaluation that is to be returned in the same manner before you arrive. The oral placement evaluation will be administered on the first day of class.

Yes, students under the age of 17 must come accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.