Academia Kolumbus

“Living and learning Spanish in Ecuador” at Academia Kolumbus We are an international language school in Quito, Ecuador, with offices in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. All year round we offer Spanish courses as one-on-one classes or in mini-groups. In addition, we organise internships in all subject areas. Language courses begin weekly on every Monday of the year for all standards: from those aimed at the beginner to those aimed at the professional translator. The easy-to-understand Spanish of the Ecuadorians facilitates the learning process and enables students to learn Spanish as quickly as is possible. The beauty of Ecuador (Galapagos Islands, tropical rainforest, the Andes) complements the welcoming and warm nature of the people to ensure that you will have an unforgettable stay.

Quito is one of the richest and most beautiful cities of the ancient Inca Empire, with a fascinating history. Fought over by the Inca, it was captured by the Spanish in 1534. Quito is also one of the oldest cities of South America. The historical centre with its magnificent palaces from the colonial age is listed as a UNESCO – World Cultural Heritage Site. Quito is situated 2850 metres above sea level in a picturesque valley surrounded by impressive peaks of the Andes. Despite its proximity to the Equator (just 22 km) its climate is spring-like throughout the year. Quito offers all the entertainment typical of a large city: museums, cinemas, cafes, restaurants, bars, discotheques, Internet cafes and of course many sporting facilities. Our school has a central location in the modern part of the capital Quito. The building offers a magnificent view of the whole city and its spacious and light rooms provide an optimal learning environment. On our terraces and in our garden students can enjoy their breaks or even take their classes outdoors if they wish.

All year round we offer language courses as one-on-one tuition or in mini groups for all levels. On every Monday of the year new courses are available for all standards. On demand we could even arrange for you to commence your course during the week. An individually tailored learning programme enables every student to make optimal progress at learning Spanish. On arrival, all students take a short assessment test to enable our teachers to find the most suitable course for each student. It is of course possible to vary the type of course and its intensity from week to week. Students can for instance take three weeks of group classes at intensive level, followed by two weeks of one-on-one tuition at standard intensity. How you choose your language programme is entirely up to you. All of our teachers have completed university degrees and have extensive experience at teaching Spanish as a foreign language. Continuous training further guarantees our teachers’ expertise and therefore optimal learning success. We employ a wide range of modern teaching strategies, supported by multimedia elements. Central to all of our courses is a strong focus on applying the language in practice.

Our students and interns stay in well-selected host families, which are all less than a 10 minute walk from the school. All families offer a furnished single room with bathroom, half- or full-board, laundry service and the opportunity to use and improve the newly learnt Spanish skills. Furthermore, host family stays provide an excellent opportunity to experience the culture of the country and its way of life. Friendships, which often develop, can last well beyond the duration of the stay. You will be picked up from Quito International Airport and taken to your host family. You are welcome to stay in the same family as your friend or partner. Should you have any dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian, allergies, etc.) please state these on your enrolment form so that the family can prepare for these needs as well as possible. On demand we can of course organise accommodation in a hotel or in a youth hostel close to the school. There are many opportunities and price categories to choose from. We are happy to organise hotel or youth hostel stays for you. It is also possible to book language courses without accommodation.

Even before you begin your Spanish course, can take part in our cultural programme, which starts with an exploration of Quito. We will show you, together with all other „new“ students, the important things that you need for your daily life in Quito: how to withdraw money, how to get round by public transport, how to shop cheaply, where to find Internet cafés, etc. After this introduction, you will feel at home in Quito much more quickly. For the better understanding of the Ecuadorian culture, we regularly offer different activities and excursions guided by a teacher.