Many people opt to go to Spain to learn Spanish, but many don’t compare the costs of doing so with other countries. Studying Spanish in Nicaragua can cost you approximately 800 USD a month including accommodation, food, transport and the Spanish course. In Spain this would easily cost you around $1,500.
So now that you’ve made the smart choice of visiting a gorgeous Central American country, where do you study? The first thing you need to ask yourself is what your goal is. Are you looking to achieve a basic conversational level? Do you already speak Spanish and are looking to improve? Is your real desire to travel throughout Central America and feel like a local everywhere? The type of school you choose should simply depend on what it is you are looking for.
What to look for
Most language schools in Nicaragua follow the same structure, which means you will be in a classroom in the mornings and engage in cultural activities for practice in the afternoons (field trips and such). You might just end up choosing a Spanish school because of its location. However, here are some things to consider, depending on your preferences, when choosing a school:
- Tuition cost
- Size of groups/classes
- Availability of one-on-one tutoring
- Full-time or part-time learning
- Amount of levels offered
- Type of examinations and international validity
- Average age of class
- Total time of enrollment (meaning that if you are only in Nicaragua for a month, you can still take a full-time intensive course and walk away with a diploma)
Don’t forget to engage in the good old-fashioned language exchange with local people wanting to practice or improve their English skills. This is a great way to make the best of one-on-one classes while sharing your knowledge with someone, as well. Plus, it’s a great way to meet locals and make lifetime friends.