Costa Rica » Spanish Service Adventure

Costa Rica: Spanish Service Adventure
Interact on a deeper level, and take your language skills to the next level. Designed for high school students, our GLA Experiential Language Curriculum TM seamlessly integrates language into many aspects of the program, including community service and cultural activities. Our teachers use classroom time to prepare students to speak the language as they interact with local people. We currently offer Language programs in Spanish and Mandarin.

On this adventure, you’ll learn all of the important Spanish words for: climb, zip, hike, swim, serve!

Highlights

Volunteer at a village school
Learn Spanish while serving a community
Camp on the beach and learn to surf
Ride down roaring rivers on inner tubes
Zip line through the rain forest – check out this video!
Hike the base of a volcano

Overview

This is the best way to learn Spanish – in a fun and meaningful way in Costa Rica! Costa Rica is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, mountains and forests and warm and friendly people.

Catapult your Spanish skills to the next level while volunteering at rural schools, studying the language, and enjoying the breathtaking biodiversity of Costa Rica. In our free time, hike to waterfalls, try your hand at surfing, snorkel through crystal blue waters and coral reefs and relax on pristine sand beaches.

Read student blog : GLA Alum Emily C. writes about things she learned in Costa Rica.

Community Service

You will volunteer at a high school serving students coming from the surrounding communities. Through an exchange, you’ll help students improve their English as they help you improve your Spanish. This is a valuable service as students are preparing for exams and many will need to speak English for future careers. In addition, we will assist in projects to improve the school’s infrastructure, such as building a library or an outdoor basketball court. On days when classes are not in session, we may also develop activities for an informal summer camp for kids.

Check out a feature article on GLA Costa Rica Alum Max G. and his contributions to the local community.

Hands-On Learning

There’s no better way to learn Spanish than living in the country and practicing with native speakers, while being coached in the classroom by experienced teachers. Designed for high school students, our GLA Experiential Language Curriculum™ seamlessly integrates language into many aspects of the program, including community service and cultural activities. Our unique combination of classes and community service allows beginners to quickly learn the basics and gives advanced speakers the confidence to use their skills with native speakers. On the 21-day program, students will have 45 hours of language immersion. In addition to language, you’ll also learn about Costa Rican culture through workshops on dance, cooking, music and social issues.

Adventure

We will explore a wide range of places in Costa Rica. We’ll visit a local coffee farm and learn about the production of organic coffee. During the weekends, we will do some excursions that will get your adrenaline pumping. You’ll zip line through the treetops of a rain forest, ride river rapids, spend a weekend at one of Costa Rica’s pristine beaches, and visit a volcano surrounded by nature.

Lodging

The GLA Home Base is a small hotel located across the street from a beach popular with the local people. The Home Base has a small pool and wi-fi. It is exclusively used by our staff and students.