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McMurphy_RP · Joined: 02 May 2010 Posts: 21

I'm an experienced teacher from New York who is planning to move to Oaxaca soon. Before I take a TEFL certification course, I'm thinking of starting with some intensive Spanish study, and tie it in with a homestay.

Does anybody have any recent history with any of the many Spanish-language schools in Oaxaca? Has anybody experienced a homestay?

Thanks!

Oreen Scott · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 179 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico

I live in Oaxaca and the best Spanish teacher I've ever had was Manuel at Bacari.

My friend is studying at the Instituto Cultural and is happy with her classes.

McMurphy_RP · Joined: 02 May 2010 Posts: 21

Thanks for the info. I've been looking at both the Instituto Cultural and Bercai. I haven't been able to find as much as I'd like in terms of student feedback, but ICO seems to have more mixed reviews; some people complain that the classes get too big and the instructor quality is unpredictable. Bercai seems to get more consistent reviews. I'm also looking at Oaxaca International Language School.

I'm wondering whether it's important that I choose a school before I'm there, or whether I'm better off taking a few days once I arrive to look at some of the different schools. I'd like to do a homestay with a family, though. Any idea how much advance notice a school would need to set that up?

Oreen Scott · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 179 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico

Language schools start classes every Monday. It's easy enough to sign up the Monday morning you decide to take classes, without any advanced notice.

I did a homestay in Antigua and the school arranged it before I arrived. But, the comitment to stay with that particular homestay didn't happen until I looked at the place.

I don't know anything about homestays in Oaxaca.

McMurphy_RP · Joined: 02 May 2010 Posts: 21

Thanks very much, Oreen.

MotherF · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 5:45 pm Post subject:

McMurphy,

Did you arrive? What did you decide? I've heard more good things about Becari than any other school. All the others have mixed reviews.

NinaNina · Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 78 Location: Oaxaca

My friends have had great success with Amigos del Sol, especially the owner, Rogelio, and one of the teachers, Hector. If you're coming to Oaxaca City with children, Hector also tutors newcomers struggling with all the Spanish homework!

Best of luck,
Serena
Have You Seen the Dog Lately? blog
http://haveyouseen.blogspot.com/

ElJuero · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 58

I would advise avoiding the Spanish Language school in Oaxaca that's housed in the Cambridge Academy program.

The owner is known to pay her Mexican staff less when teaching gringos than when the same Mexican staff teach Mexican students.......a long time practice by an unethical business.

ElJuero · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 58