Is it worse to register to a Language course without knowing any Spanish?
We say yes! But we suggest you already begin at home preparing for your project (evening classes, books, CDs) Sure! One week is the minimum time to register for group classes. If you prefer to take private classes, we are able to set up programs regarding your personal needs for just a few days! Use your time and money well and stay as long as possible.You will take a Language Placement Exam before you register for classes to see exactly what Spanish language course you will take.
Q.--- All the schools talk about the benefits of Total Immersion. How does Dialogue view this?
A.--- Total immersion sounds great, but the question remains, total immersion in what? Hearing the target language for a week instead of your own is a fine idea, but true immersion, the Dialogue way, is so much more. To ensure true immersion, Dialogue accepts only a handful of participants (our term of choice) each week, who immediately become part of the family, all in the target language environment. At meals, during breaks, after dinner, native speakers always predominate at Dialogue.You must let us know as soon as possible in written if you need to cancel your course. In the section on genera conditions, this matter is dealt with in more detail.A.--- Without question. We have developed an extremely effective pronunciation improvement method.
Q.--- You've mentioned a natural approach. What do you mean by that?
A.--- The Greek philosopher Socrates said that hidden inside every human is a philosopher. At Dialogue, we believe that virtually everyone on this planet has the hidden ability to be a master of "multiple" languages. We follow the Socratic Method of drawing out what we believe is already inside rather than trying to cram outside material into a language student's already spinning head. The European Commission is very interested in our de-schooling approach.Yes! Groups of three or more students that enrol together for the same Spanish language course and starting on the same date, get at discount of 10%, as do former students that have studied Spanish at our school before. Not always. The Spanish language courses that appear in the section on Spanish courses are always given. But, the Spanish course will not be given if there is not a minimum of three students enrolled in the Spanish language course in question.Yes. You may take only one Pass/Fail course which can be either and IES or an outside course, but cannot be an IES Spanish language course.
How old are your Spanish language course students and what countries are they from?
Most of the Spanish language course students come from the European Union. Age varies between approximately 20 and 30, although the minimum age is 18.Volunteer opportunities are available in various organizations in San Jos, as well as in several national parks throughout Costa Rica.
Who will pick me up at the airport?
A member of the COSI staff will pick you up. The person will hold a sign with your name on it as well as the COSI emblem.A.--- Just one. You. And no one else. The heart of Dialogue's philosophy is total personalization. At Dialogue, you will never have to adapt to any preconceived system. Rather, we adapt to the way you learn best. You won't have to adjust to general (and often impersonal) learning programs. As in other schools, you will make progress in general language and communications skills, but you'll also focus on and achieve your own communications objectives.
Q.--- How can you sum up the ways in which Dialogue is truly different?
A.--- Most schools attempt to instil linguistic confidence in their students. This is an admirable goal, but it's just not enough if you need to learn the true ins and outs of a foreign language. Each Dialogue session works with not one, but four separate objectives. The Dialogue trainer doesn't just help the student break through the psychological barrier, he or she also helps the student pass listening, cultural and linguistic barriers.When enrolling, the student gives us an idea about his level of Spanish, but there will be a written and oral test on the first day of your Spanish language course to verify the student's real standard.A.--- Elliot Essman, a Dialogue graduate in French, acts as Dialogue's representative for the United States and Canada (and is available to field English- language inquiries from around the world as well).