- CALL US or WHATSAPP
- +(506) 8392-3456
- crla@spanishandmore.com
Learn Spanish Costa Rica
CRLA students have the opportunity of contributing to make a tangible difference in our world and to leave something positive for future generations.
April 2, 2020
This is the second part of “Beginner’s Guide: The Best Way to Learn the Past Tense in Spanish”. When you speak with a friend, you have to talk about things that happened a few days, months or years ago. Talk in past is important too by knowing the history of a place, a country or someone special to you. If one of your New Year’s wishes is learn Spanish in Costa Rica, you are still on time. We invited you to continue reading and know more about the Past Tense in Spanish. 4. Tackle the conjugations of the preterit (preterite). There are lots of irregular formations of the preterit tense, and it takes practice and some memorization. Here are the five major groups used by most traditional Spanish grammar sources: Regular -ar, -er, -ir verb endings: All you have to do is drop the infinitive and add the correct preterit ending. Common irregular preterites: These include ser, ir, dar, and ver. Ir stem-changing verbs: Only -ir verbs that are stem-changing in the present tense have a stem change in the preterit. Just the first letter of the change is kept, and only in the third-person singular and third-person plural. Verbs with irregular
March 30, 2020
So, you’re learning Spanish in Costa Rica, and you’ve gotten the basics of the present tense down. And now you can’t wait to learn the past tense in Spanish. It’s a major milestone as you become proficient in another language, allowing you to talk about past events and make a more personal connection with your conversation partner. But it’s time you know it: The Past Tense in Spanish has many faces: simple preterit, past progressive, present perfect… So, read on to learn about the best way to learn the Spanish past tense as a beginner. 1. Spanish uses several tenses to state facts. When you use the past in English to describe events that happened, to say the same thing in Spanish you could be using any of several indicative past tenses in Spanish, including compound tenses. These include the preterit, imperfect, past progressive, present perfect, and past perfect. 2. Think of the simple past in terms of preterit (preterite) and imperfect. Talking about what happened in Spanish without using compound tenses is divided into the preterit indicative and the imperfect indicative. The simple preterit indicative in Spanish is used when you merely state what happened at a particular point and
March 26, 2020
Spanish is such a popular second or foreign language to learn that there are plenty of courses one can take at major colleges and universities. In the United States, Spanish is the most studied language in higher learning. And, in the world, it ties with Mandarin and French as the second-most-studied language. But, do you know how is the best way to learn the Spanish language? The Spanish Study Abroad has a lot of benefits, and here, in the Costa Rican Language Academy, we can give to you this big opportunity. Want to know it? Let’s start. About the Spanish Study Abroad Program Some students already speak Spanish and want to improve their grammar or vocabulary. Spanish study abroad programs offer your students the chance for immersion as well as a beautiful, fun and enriching experience in a Spanish-speaking country. Interacting with native speakers is a great way of quickly adapting to the language. However, it is even better to study using the immersion method; that is, by having to use the language for most or all of the time. The 3 benefits of a Spanish Study Abroad program in Costa Rica There are many reasons to have a Spanish study
March 23, 2020
You travel to beautiful Costa Rica. You have the sun, warm climate, and amazing nature to enjoy on a daily basis. You love the friendly people and relaxed atmosphere. There is, however, one thing you might be missing while in Costa Rica—the Spanish language. You probably have been willing to learn Spanish, but you just have not known where to start: verbs, personal pronouns, Spanish Prepositions… What you need is a Spanish school in Costa Rica, but you don’t want just any Spanish school. You need the Costa Rican Language Academy (CRLA) to help you with your goals. As you are learning Spanish, you are going to want to know all about the language. You will want cultural and language immersion along with a comprehensive program of Spanish studies. You are also going to need to know the important prepositions in the Spanish language. Once you have learned these, it will make studying Spanish much easier. Some Important Prepositions What are the prepositions in the Spanish language? Here are twelve of them: De: of, from, or about A: to, at En: in, on, at Por: for, by, because of, through Con: with Para: for, to Sin: about Sobre: on, about,
March 18, 2020
Take a Spanish Immersion Program If you’re a senior or any other adult above traditional college age, you may have entertained thoughts of regret about not learning a popular language like Spanish. Well, although the need for Spanish in the US has been on the rise for decades, nothing compares to today’s demand, use, and opportunities for Spanish speakers of any age or background. So if you’re asking yourself, “Am I too old to take a Spanish immersion program,” the answer is a spontaneous and triumphant “No!” Here’s why: The experiences of success You may be at an advantage by waiting to learn a language. Since your teens and twenties, you have probably taken on a hobby, a sport, a musical instrument, or a profession which captured your passions. Chances are, you have learned that you can absolutely succeed when you’re motivated, inspired, and immersed. The best Spanish immersion programs are located in tourist-friendly, peaceful countries like Costa Rica, and provide an exciting environment that allows you to pick up features of a language naturally. At CRLA, Costa Rican Language Academy (CRLA), you actually learn Spanish while you pursue your deepest passions such as travel, volunteering, taking dance or cooking
March 4, 2020
There are more reasons than ever before to learn Spanish, the official language of Costa Rica, Spain, as well as 20 other countries. Whether you’re preparing for college or getting ready to retire, you’ll benefit from knowing this particular Romance language. Read on to find out exactly why you should learn Spanish. 1. Over 400 million people are native speakers worldwide. With over 400 million native speakers — the precise number varies from study to study — Spanish ranks as the second most widely spoken language in the world after English. And experts are now recognizing Spanish as an unofficial second language in the US. In fact, according to the New York Post, the US now has more speakers of Spanish than Spain. 2. You can be an expert at what you do in two languages. Organizations across the industries are hiring bilingual speakers of Spanish and English that have the expertise to carry out work in professional positions — doctors, lawyers, CEOs, diplomats, scientists, journalists — just to name a few examples. With a strong command of each language, bilingual individuals use their Spanish skills to practice their given profession and reach a broader audience. 3. Your brain will
February 5, 2020
Why students prefer us What better way to learn Spanish than to completely immerse yourself in the language, culture, and beauty of Costa Rica! According to the World Economic Forum, more than 437 million people globally speak Spanish. Students learn more quickly and retain the language better when they are able to use it in natural situations, and the program we offer at Costa Rica Language Academy CRLA provides the best environment possible to join a volunteer project, experience a way of life, make new friends, and much more. Learning Spanish abroad at CRLA is a safe, wonderful experience for students of all ages. Our homestay program pairs students with local families who make them feel right at home, immersed in the Tico culture. Homestays provide a great way to enjoy Costa Rican cuisine, learn about daily life, and converse constantly in Spanish. The secure neighborhood in San Jose has experienced local staff to ensure the comfort and security of all students, allowing everyone to relax and absorb the experience. Our programs Our programs are flexible and can be customized for a short- or long-term stay to fit each individual’s needs. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced Spanish speaker, our varied and
January 29, 2020
Why students prefer us At CRLA, we have been serving students from around the globe and helping them learn Spanish since 1989. When our students do an immersion program to learn Spanish abroad, they get a one-of-a-kind experience in beautiful Costa Rica. While we could talk about our program all day, sometimes it’s most informative to just let the words of our past clients speak for us. This way, if you want to learn Spanish in Costa Rica, you can have an idea of what you’ll experience with CRLA. And, aside from this post, you can find more reviews here, and video testimonials here. The Best Instructors and Academics Of course, the main reason someone chooses to participate in a Spanish immersion program is to absorb as much of the language as possible. Our students rave about how, “classes are based on your level, no matter where you are starting off and the teaching staff understands what your needs are and how to get you started!” People also love how “the small classes let us get to know our professors on a one-to-one basis. They not only taught us but became our lifelong friends.” You can find many more reviews
January 22, 2020
Is it worth it to take a Spanish language immersion program as an adult? Have you always wanted to learn a second language? Maybe you thought it would take too much time, or were afraid you would be embarrassed about making mistakes, or you just haven’t made up your mind to do it. Now is the time to consider the Costa Rica Language Academy (CRLA). Our program immerses you in the natural beauty of Costa Rica, while cultural opportunities and expert Spanish language teachers help you achieve your goal of learning Spanish. Need some facts to help you make the decision? More than 20 percent of our nation’s population speak a language other than English, according to a recent United States Census. The Census also reports that 40.5 million, or 13.3 percent, of the population speak Spanish, demonstrating Spanish has become an important language in the American culture and it continues to grow. Learning a second language provides you with many benefits. It improves your analytical skills, confidence and creativity, while also building your resume. You develop a deeper understanding of another culture, and also make international traveling easier, as you broaden your acceptance of diversity. By choosing an immersive program at CRLA,
January 15, 2020
Spanish study abroad programs in Costa Rica Are you looking to study abroad? Or perhaps you need to cover that language credit for your undergraduate degree. Maybe, you are just looking for a cultural adventure. At the Costa Rican Language Academy, you will not only learn to speak Spanish through their comprehensive Spanish courses, you will experience the intricacies of Costa Rican culture by participating in their regular Spanish programs for individual students, as well as group Spanish Immersion and Service Learning trips taught and led by experienced leaders. The CRLA team cares about your success in your personal endeavors and their study abroad programs aim to allow you to design your own schedule while taking care of travel and accommodation to ensure your stay in Costa Rica is focused on academic and personal growth. There are endless opportunities to study abroad in Costa Rica, so what makes CRLA unique? Free Cultural Activities and Services for Students As a CRLA student, you will be given various opportunities to take part in cultural activities. This includes Latin dance classes, cooking classes, and weekly yoga classes. The faculty at CRLA want you to feel at home in Costa Rica and offer several complementary services for incoming students,
October 11, 2019
Learning a new language is time-consuming, and it requires hours upon hours to achieve fluency. However, it’s not simply about the quantity of time spent studying; the quality of those hours matters too. For higher quality learning, turn away from grammar books, conjugation drills, and vocab lists and focus on actively incorporating Spanish in your daily life. Here’s five ways to make the best use of your time for faster and more effective Spanish learning. Practice Listening The next time you pull up Netflix to binge watch a new series, consider picking a show in Spanish. Instead of using the English subtitles as a crutch, use the Spanish subtitles so you can train your ear to better identify words and phrases. Beyond Netflix, there are countless YouTubers geared toward Spanish learners such as Easy Spanish in which Spanish speakers are interviewed about their daily life. The channel also provides accurate subtitles in both Spanish and English. Incorporate Your Interests If you have a hobby, think about how you can add Spanish into the mix. For example, if you love to cook, start looking up recipes in Spanish. It’s a win/win situation if you can learn and treat yourself to a delicious home-cooked
August 14, 2019
Spanish immersion programs Costa Rica is a country best known for its beautiful beaches, incredible biodiversity, and unparalleled beauty: an absolute necessity to visit for people who love traveling. If you’re someone who is interested in learning Spanish while also getting a taste of the ‘pura vida’ Costa Rican lifestyle then the Costa Rican Language Academy is perfect for you! Everyone knows the quickest way to learn a language is through complete immersion, and the CRLA allows people this unique opportunity. The Spanish-oriented education you receive is divided into two sections: formal classes in the morning and cultural activities in the afternoon. This structure caters to all different forms of learning and can include a homestay in a Costa Rican family to ensure you get as much practice speaking the language as possible. Cultural Activities: Latin Dance Classes: Learn from instructors how to perform some of the most famous Latin dances such as salsa, merengue, reggaeton and many more! This is a fun and healthy bonding experience that teaches you skills that not only further immerses you into Costa Rican culture, but also stays with you so that you can go back home and impress all your friends with your
July 26, 2019
Phrases in Spanish to survive traveling Learning a new language can be intimidating. There are countless strategies for learning a new language in the modern world, including in-person classes, websites like Duolingo, a potpourri of apps, and immersion programs. In many industries, learning a new language is an essential skill that will give an individual an advantage over other candidates and coworkers. In many regions or when traveling to countries where the language in question is spoken, it is practically a necessity. There are a few Spanish phrases that can help an individual survive a conversation or a trip abroad. 1. ¿Dónde está (el baño, la estación de policía)? This phrase means, “Where is (the bathroom, the police station)?” It is important for individuals in Spanish-speaking nations to be able to orient themselves and ask for directions. Getting lost in a domestic setting is intimidating enough; imagine the same scenario in a country where your language of fluency is not spoken. Of course, it would help for an individual to learn more location words. Many may argue that applications such as Google Maps eliminates the need to learn this phrase, but this is simply untrue. Phones do not always have
July 17, 2019
Phrases in Spanish to survive a conversation You may be familiar with the common Spanish phrases “Hola,” “¿Cómo estás?” and “¿Cómo te llamas?” but here are a few more common phrases that you may not have been taught in your Spanish 101 class in high school. These are phrases you’ll actually hear in conversation in most Spanish-speaking countries.
June 27, 2019
The Spanish language is spoken by an estimated 437 million native speakers worldwide. And like any language, Spanish varies depending upon the geographic location and socio-cultural influences. So how many types of Spanish are there? Read on to find out ways to identify language variations in Costa Rica. Continental variations: Spain and Latin America