Costa Rican Language Academy

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

Why learn Spanish? You hear it at the supermarket, the coffee shop, the park, and on the street. The melodic sounds of the beautiful Spanish language are all around us. No matter where you live or spend your days, you probably hear or see Spanish in some form or another. The time has never been more right to learn Spanish. Here are 3 reasons to learn Spanish lo más pronto posible (as quickly as possible). Professional advancement: No matter what profession you’ve chosen, or if you’re undecided or in transition, learning Spanish can give you a professional edge. Many positions advertise that Spanish proficiency is “preferred,” which means that you’re more likely to be accepted for the position if you speak and understand Spanish. This preference spans professions: Spanish proficiency is heavily sought in the fields of marketing, business, education, non-profit, sales, and virtually every other type of profession. Social connections: If you’re interested in expanding your social connections, learning Spanish is a sure way to find new friends. In fact, even the process of learning Spanish, especially if you chose to immerse yourself in a Spanish-speaking culture, will provide opportunities for deep, fun, meaningful social interactions. For more information

Learning the basic grammar of a new language is important — even if you’re studying abroad in an immersion program and also hanging out at the beach or hiking in the rainforest. A language’s grammar is the glue that sticks everything together, ensuring clear communication and smooth navigation through social situations. So read on to find out about the five most important rules of grammar in the Spanish language. 1. There are several ways of saying “you” (second person). Standard forms across the board in any Spanish-speaking country include: tú (you singular, informal); usted (you singular, formal) and ustedes (you plural, formal). All these forms are used when addressing both males and females. There also some regional forms of “you” as well. You may hear vos in Costa Rica, Argentina, and other countries as an alternative to the second person singular tú. In addition, you’ll hear vosotros/vosotras in Spain to represent the informal plural of “you” (think: “y’all” or “you guys.”) 2. Nouns are assigned genders and reflect number. For instance, the beach is “la playa,” To visit the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica, though, you would say “las playas de Costa Rica.” The word for beach is assigned a feminine gender,

Learning a language nowadays can be so much easier than in decades past. Today’s top methods concentrate on helping the student learn Spanish through direct experience in a natural, dynamic environment. And that means not just signing up for a Spanish course, but studying abroad and immersing yourself in the Spanish language and local customs. Read on to find out about five tips that will help you learn Spanish much faster. Study in a Spanish speaking country that’s open to tourists and students. Costa Rica, for example, is known for its peaceful history, its tourist-friendly citizens, and its clear Spanish dialect. Most tourists find that the local ticos, or native Costa Rican speakers, have a relaxed and joyful approach to life, and tend to be friendly and helpful towards people from other countries who come to learn their language. Stay with a host family. A host family provides invaluable guidance, introduces you to local events, and helps you learn the basics — like how to use the local public transportation. You may even find a host family with members your age who know the best places to hang out. You may even end up forming friendship bonds that last for years.

Hay muchas escuelas que ofrecen una experiencia de estudio en el extranjero, por lo que puede ser confuso cuando intentas elegir una escuela de idiomas donde puedes aprender español en el extranjero. Pero hay algunas cosas clave que debe tener en cuenta al buscar, y que elevan las mejores escuelas de idiomas por encima del resto. Entonces, para saber cómo elegir la mejor escuela para aprender español , sigue leyendo: Una reputación estelar en línea y fuera de línea La escuela que seleccione debe tener una reputación excepcional, tanto de boca en boca como a través de reseñas en línea. Consulte con las escuelas y universidades que han enviado a sus estudiantes en programas de estudio en el extranjero a la escuela que tiene en mente, así como con revisiones en línea independientes como TripAdvisor para ver qué tienen que decir. No debe conformarse con nada menos que excelentes críticas. Diversos datos demográficos Cuando te embarcas en una experiencia de estudio en el extranjero en Costa Rica para aprender español, lo último que quieres encontrar es que muchos estudiantes de tu propio país solo hablen inglés. Es por eso que es importante asegurarse de que la escuela que elija para

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

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

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.

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

If you’re planning to take a trip in a Spanish-speaking country and don’t know Spanish yet, it’s time to equip yourself with the basics — including courteous amenities. In Costa Rica, for example, the people are very open and patient with tourists, yet they still place value on being respectful and pleasant to everyone. Whether you’re traveling across the country or just passing through town, here are some common phrases in Spanish to survive a conversation.