Don Quijote Partnerschool Cuzco

The school is located in a colonial building only one block from the main square, the Plaza de Armas. The school has 25 classroom of different sizes, the smaller ones being used for individual classes, and is equipped with multimedia classroom, a very spacious meeting room and a sunny terrace.

Cusco is the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and the oldest city of the American continent. Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cusco is the best place to study Spanish while discovering another way of living. Right on the school’s doorstep, you can enjoy the view of the Andes, the famous Inca ruins and the magical city of Machu Picchu, Peru’s best archaeological site. The two most typical celebrations of Cusco will permit you to understand better the miscegenation of the faith in Peru: the festivity of ‘Inti Raymi’ (God of sun) in June and the festivity of the lord of ‘Qoylli Ritti’ (in May or June). The city has enough to hold the interest of even the most demanding of tourists: convents, churches, museums, the Temple of the Sun, the ruins in and around Cusco, etc… The city is very well connected and you can travel safely to the most important places of the ancient Inca Empire. Critical comment: Cusco is situated 3,400 meters above sea level. Some people can experience some discomfort at this altitude especially during the first day(s). The nearest international airport is in Lima, from which it takes one hour to reach Cusco by plane. El Cuzco, the region with the most beautiful countryside on the planet crowned by six mountains more than 6,000 metres above sea level, it is the oldest city in the western hemisphere and the origin of the Inca civilisation. Renowned worldwide for the wonderful and archaeological finds in the city of Machupicchu, el Cuzco located on the mainland of South America is in the South-East of Peruvian territory. With an area of more that 76,225 square kilometres, is separated into regions. To the North is the region of Ucayali, to the South Arequipa and Pun, To the East, Madre de Dios and to the West Apurimac, Ayacuch and Junin. Recently, due to the regionalisation process in 1988, the regions of Madre de Dios and Apurímac together form La Regíon Inca (the Inca Region). El Cuzco, a province of the region with the same name, has 105 districts and 13 provinces: Acomayo, Anta, Calca, Canas, Canchis, La Convención, Cuzco, Chumbivilcas, Espinar, Paruro, Paucartambo, Quispicanchis and Urumambla, the most populated being Convención, Canchis, Quispicanchis and Chumbibilcas.

At the don Quijote schools we use an interactive method of teaching based on learning by practice. That means that grammar is covered – after all, one of the key building blocks of any language- as much as possible by using practical situations. Speaking and actively using the language is central to the continuous interaction between teacher and student. Don Quijote has refined the communicative teaching method and by constantly evaluating and applying students suggestions. Successfully implementing the interactive method totally depends on the personal attention your teacher is able to give you. Our groups never have more than eight students on all intensive and super-intensive courses. We determine the make-up of the group according to students’ abilities. The first day of the course begins with an oral and written test. (Although, if you know you are a beginner, you will start directly in a beginners group). We work with six levels, fixing the goals for each based on our experience and in accordance with the curriculum of the Instituto Cervantes. When you have finished the course, you will receive a certificate of participation from don Quijote noting that you have taken part in at least 90% of the lessons.

In Cusco, we are currently working with 2 types of families: Standard and Plus. The Plus families offer you a slightly higher comfort level, in terms of the house and room being of a larger size, the food being more adapted to your desires, laundry service is included and a courtyard or garden. This option is especially suited for those who want to be away from bustling city centre. The residence, a restored hotel, is just 20 minutes walk from the school, in a smart district of Cusco. The inside is very pleasant with a charming atmosphere: you will feel at home and relaxed. It has 17 double rooms with private bathroom. Each room has a telephone to receive calls. So that you can do your own cooking, there is a fully equipped kitchen with all the facilities you need (oven, coffeemakers, fridge, cutlery and crockery, etc.). There are also a dining room and two large lounges with sofas, TV and a fireplace for those evenings in fine company.

The number and diversity of excursions to interesting places in the vicinity at the weekends is great. There is no question of a standard offering. The students have an important voice in the excursion destination. The excursions, for which you will pay a nominal fee, only go ahead if a sufficient number of people take part. The activities and excursions are announced weekly in the office, where you can go with any queries or to put your name down.