Our Teaching Methodology

After an initial evaluation to determine language ability, each student spends five hours per weekday in a one-to-one instruction program tailored to fit her/his particular needs.  Beginning and intermediate students generally participate in oral drills and written exercises designed to improve understanding of grammar, build vocabulary and improve comprehension.  Advanced students often study Spanish and Latin American literature to polish speaking and comprehension skills,  Conversational expression and comprehension are stressed at all levels.

But the educational experience does not stop at the end of class each day.  The families with whom students live offer gentle and helpful advice with pronunciation and vocabulary, and provide a relaxed opportunity to engage in interesting conversation.

Furthermore, although beautiful,  Quetzaltenango does not have a long history of catering to tourists, and, unlike more resortish Latin American cities, very few shopkeepers and street merchants have learned to speak English.  So whether ordering a restaurant meal, haggling over the price of a huipil in the local market, buying a tube of toothpaste or getting a shoe shine in the park, students must speak Spanish in virtually all day-to-day activities.

Beyond the study of language, CMI administrators try to involve all students in the beautiful and fascinating culture of Guatemala.  Towards this end, CMI offers frequent educational activities such as evening and afternoon seminars over topics ranging from recent political events to Mayan religion, and from sanitation to education.  Additionally, CMI sponsors recreational activities, including trips to the picturesque and important indigenous markets, hikes in the spectacular surrounding countryside, visits to nearby towns, and regular fiestas and dinner gatherings.