Intensive

* Lessons per week: 25 group lessons / per week.
* Minimun Duration: 1 week.
* Spanish Level: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced.

Price per week: USD 395.00

The Intensive course aims at developing your communicative competences in the four main language skills: speaking, reading, listening and writing.

More Info about this course      Book Now!

Video and Map       The best of the city       Featured trips       Transport        Climate

Merida is a colonial city located in the heart of Yucatan. It not only offers architecture and remains from the Spanish Inquisition, but is also home to Mayan legacy and culture in its many archaeological sites. Because of the warm and tropical weather, Merida has flourishing vegetation and dense jungles for exploration. Is also known as a very safe city with almost no crime. The natives are very friendly and welcome people from all over the world. It is also a clean city with many parks, traditionally paved streets, and recreational areas for outdoor sports and activities.

You can take part in one of the many free guided tours around the old part of Merida where the Government Palace turns out to be the most revealing and attractive spot. It houses more than 25 murals portraying the violent history of Yucatan during the Spanish conquest. Around Merida you shouldn’t miss the local market of handcrafts and the different Haciendas to meet the traditional way of living. In Merida you will never get bored, since there is always a street performance or carnival in the main Plaza.

Back to top

The best of the city

Back to top

Transport

Public transport is provided by terrestrial local bus companies to virtually every corner of the sprawling city of Merida, state and mainland territory. Similarly, several companies are served by road transport which connect conveniently with the rest of the country.

Climate

In general the climate is warm and humid with summer rains (June to October) and monthly mean temperature of 25.9 ° C

Available Accommodation Options in Mérida

Families & Homestays

Our families know, due to their experience, what it means to be a real host. They have received many students from different nationalities, occupations and ages. We will take into consideration your likes and preferences.
Living with a local family is the best way to learn their customs, likes, flavors, while you learn a new language.

Families & Homestay Features

Back to top

When in Mexico do what Mexicans do! Mexico has the largest population of Español speakers in the world which makes it the best scenario to learn the language! In this country there is a charming contrast between modernity and traditions. As well as you can find contemporary beach resorts like Cancun or Playa del Carmen, you can also find colonial cities like Guanajuato and Oaxaca. You will be amazed by Puebla's church-on-every-corner layout, archaeological sites from Maya, Aztec, Toltec, Olmec, and other ancient cultures and impressive natural settings like Sierra Madre or the volcanic belt. Amaze yourself with tons of museums representing the country's history and renowned artists, and experience the incredible mayan constructions as a living outdoor museum of this fascinating culture.

Lunchtime will be spicy with lots of famous choices such as tacos, tamales or enchiladas! If you rather not risk loosing taste in your tonge to chiles' burn you can choose any international cuisine restaurant, though we advice you try Mexico's hottest meals. At night you can court señoritas with romantic mariachi serenades. Mexico's nightlife is know worldwide specially for its diversity. From crazy nights at dreamy beach destinations to sophisticated restaurant dinners in metropolis like Mexico city. Pack your sombrero and get ready to experience Mexico’s way of life!.

The best of the country

Food & Drinks	Music & Dance
If you have an adventurous spirit, eat on, and you will be rewarded with a gastronomic experience you will not likely forget. Mexican cuisine is centered around three national staples: tortillas, beans and chile peppers but they vary from region to region depending on the influence of the native American traditions and the Spanish heritage.  Tacos, chiles rellenos, Huachinango, sopes and much more are some of the dishes you can't miss!	There are many forms of Mexican music but there are two that stand out as the most prevalent in traditional folklore music. The Ranchera: sung on Mexican ranchs for hundreds of years and its main themes are a love of nature, religion, love and patriotism. And the Mariachi: not a style of music but a group of musicians with usually three players or more.
Plastic Arts	Cinema
Known for its folk art traditions, mostly derived from the indigenous and Spanish crafts such as ceramics, pottery, embroidered cotton garments, baskets, rugs and silver work. After the Mexican Revolution, a new generation of Mexican artists led a vibrant national movement that created works that reflected an optimistic view of the national character such as Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco.	Some of the most famous Mexican movies are "Amores perros", "Y tu mamá también", "El crimen del Padre Amaro" and "Biutiful". Some actors you may know, that are very famous in Hollywood are Gael García Bernal and Salma Hayek. Some modern dicrectors we can recommend are Guillermo del Toro, Alfonso Cuarón and Alejandro González Iñarritu.
Science and technology	Sports
Science development was slow at first but during the twentieth century, Mexico made significant progress. New universities and research institutes were established. Today, The National Autonomous University of Mexico (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM), officially established in 1910, is one of the most important institutes of higher learning in Mexico. UNAM provides world class education in science, medicine, and engineering.	There is almost no discipline on which Mexican sportsmen and women are not proficient. Among the most popular Mexican sports we can find softball and, of course, soccer, which is the favorite of the vast majority of the population. Unlike other Mexican sports, soccer can literally paralyze the country, especially when two all-time rivals meet each other. Motocross, diving and the famous “lucha” (wrestling) are also part of the great offer of Mexican sports available.
Spare time	Literature
Mexicans enjoy their free time very much and as many Latin American countries they are very fond of the family time and very attentive to their religious life. Families spend a lot of time together either going on a pic nic in the park all together or assisting to church. They enjoy outdoor activities and also going to the movies. As far as sports, mexicans love soccer and restling.	Mexican literature is one of the most prolific and influential of the Spanish language. It has internationally recognized authors such as Juan Rulfo, Octavio Paz, Carlos Fuentes, Amado Nervo and several others.  Reading Amado Nervo's poetry or Laura Esquivel's novels are a nice way of practicing your Spanish before coming.

Your safety first...            Travel Cancellation           Transfer Service

Your safety first...

When engaging in any of our programs a travel and health insurance is essential for yours and your familiy's peace of mind. We want your experience to be as exciting as possible and in order for it to be like that, feeling safe and protected is a must. We offer an International Travel Insurance tailored specially for experiential travelers like you.
You can choose different plans according to your insurance needs and expectations. The plans Silver and Bronze feature Travel Health/Accident Insurance, Emergency Travel Insurance, Travel Accident Indemnity Insurance, Travel Assistance, Travel Luggage Insurance, Travel Third Party Liability Insurance limited to your desired coverage amount. The Gold plan features unlimited coverage (including extreme sports) at a really competitive market price.

Some of the benefits of booking your Travel Insurance with us are:

• You'll be making sure that your full experience is organized as a whole, taking care of each aspect of it
• We make sure that you get the best coverage, adapted to your individual needs.
• Our International Travel Insurance is known worldwide and accepted by health facilities and professionals all over the world.
• Our insurance provider offers the best cost/quality rates of the market with over 20 years of experience and has been taking care of our participants for many years.
• Our tutors will be able to assist you with the insurance usage, the contact with the company and the relation: hospital-insurance

For your safety, we will ask you your insurance information when you book your program. We recommend that you use our Travel Insurance provided by CareMed International Travel Insurance. You'll be able to enjoy your journey knowing that any sudden or unexpected situation will be taken care of. And your family will be able to feel happy for you and your life-changing experience instead of worrying during your stay abroad.

Prices insurance for destination Latin America

For more information please click here!

Back to top

Travel Cancellation Insurance

For more information please click here!

Back to top

Transfer Service
 

COINED provides airport transfer service to meet students at the airport and transfer them to their accommodation. We can meet students at the domestic or international airports.

Students must always inform COINED about the date and time of  arrival, even in cases where the transfer service has not been requested. Airport pick-up only transfers students from the designated airport to the designated accommodation.

- Flight details (date, time, airport, airline, and flight number) must be confirmed in writing before arrival; otherwise COINED shall not guarantee the transfer service and no refunds shall be given for this service.
- All costs incurred due to failure to notify COINED of arrival information in due time are the participant's responsibility.
- In case of flights delays, changes, and so on, COINED will provide the transfer service but will reserve the right to charge additional costs, if necessary.
- If any changes regarding flight details are not duly informed, COINED shall not take responsibility for the proper provision of the transfer service.

For more information regarding our transfer service please contact us. We will be happy to assist you!.

* Please contact us for more information about Arrivals / Departures Transfer Service.
** Price per person, per week.

Back to top

Spanish Courses 2012:

The Prices are in US$

For programs longer than 6 weeks please contact us

What’s included

• Welcome package
• First day placement exam
• Spanish Course
• Recreational activities
• Course certificate
• 24 hrs emergency phone
• Local mentor
• Internet access
• Access to kitchen facilities at the school
• Coffee, tea, spring water

Registration fee USD 75 in any Latin American destination and 75 € in Spain Courses start every Monday except on closed dates No lessons will be held on school’s closed dates and there will be no extra lessons to compensate for them Study material included at Argentina’s, Chile’s and Guatemala’s schools.

Accommodation 2012:

The Prices are in US$

For accommodations longer than 6 weeks please contact us

WB=With Breakfast
HB=Half Board (Breakfast and Dinner)
WM=Without Meal
Premium=Private Bathroom

What’s included

• Families & Homestay: Cleaning service once a week; telephone service to receive calls (available to make calls with prepaid cards); towels and bed linen (changed once a week). Upon requirement: Kitchen access; internet service; cable TV.
• Residences: Kitchen access; internet service; cable TV; cleaning service once a week; telephone service to receive calls (available to make calls with prepaid cards); towels and bed linen (changed once a week).
• Shared Apartments: Kitchen access; bed linen. Upon requirement: Internet service; cable TV; telephone service to receive calls (available to make calls with prepaid cards).
• Private Apartments: Kitchen access; internet service; cable TV; cleaning service once a week; towels and bed linen (changed once a week). Upon requirement: Telephone service.

How is my Spanish level determined?

You will take a placement test on your first day to establish the Spanish course level you will attend to. You may change levels depending on your learning skills.

What happens if there is not a course available for my level?

If there isn’t a Spanish course according to your level, a course will be opened for you specially and you will have individual lessons until other students with the same level of Spanish arrive. The price of these individual lessons will keep the same as the group ones.

Can I take my lessons in different destinations?

You can take your Spanish lessons in different places in various countries in Latin America. It is possible to combine destinations in any of our schools in Latin America or Spain without extra charge. You will find the same teaching method in all our Spanish schools.

Will I get a certificate after finishing the program?

Yes, you will get a certificate that specifies the level of Spanish achieved and the amount of hours you have taken. You will get also a progress report which includes the skills developed during your course and a recommendation letter from your teacher.

Will I receive university credits?

You can receive university credits for attending to our schools but you should first visit your school’s language department in order to know the specific requirements. Common requests from universities are: course syllabus, talking to other teachers who know the program, classroom hours, course levels, academic policies, receiving progress reports from your teachers while abroad and giving you a test upon your return. We will help you gather all the necessary paperwork and you may schedule an interview with your academic advisor if needed.

How am I going to develop my Spanish skills?

Our methods combine both theory and practice, addressing all of the linguistic and functional pragmatic aspects of the spoken language, along with key socio-cultural information essential for you to gain proficiency and in order to achieve your goals. Grammar, reading, writing, listening, speaking and vocabulary are always integrated in order to approximate you to an authentic communicative environment.
You will begin with practical situations. Grammar lessons will be introduced gradually during the process. Lessons' topics and contents are related to daily life’s situations.

How many levels are there?

COINED offers 3 different levels following the requisites and guidelines from the Common European Framework of Reference. Each level is divided into 2 sublevels varying from lesser to greater linguistic capability: Basic (A), Intermediate (B), Advanced (C).

How many lessons do I need to reach a different level?

It depends on the level you already have, the one you want to reach and the kind of program you are taking. If you are a beginner, it takes approximately 40 to 60 group lessons per week to get you into the next level. But if you don’t have enough time you can reduce the time at half by achieving the same level with private lessons. For further information please contact us. We will be happy to help.

Is the study material included in the Spanish course?

In almost every destination the study material, according to your level, is included. In case you choose a destination that doesn't include it, we will let you know.

What is a typical day like?

You can take lessons from 9 AM to 1 PM or from 2 PM until 6 PM according to your schedule and your program.
Afternoon classes (2 PM to 6 PM) are usually reserved for students requesting additional hours or different programs.
Many days include school activities in the afternoon or the evening.

When do I have to register to the program?

You should register at least four weeks before the program starts to guarantee you a spot in our schools.  For bookins done lless than four weeks before the start date, we cannot guarantee your place in a group but you can write or call us to check for availability in such cases.

 If I want to combine destinations, do I have to register at each separate location?

No, if you are planning to combine your destination simply register at the location you will be at first, and then indicate which date you plan to switch to another school.