Spanish Language Schools in Mexico

The second most spoken language across the world is Spanish, just short of Mandarin Chinese. Over 6% of the world population speaks Spanish, not including a further 60 million people who speak Español as a second language. The Romance language originated in a historic region of Spain called Castile before becoming the official language in countries covering three continents. With an expanding number of people learning the language, Spanish is a beneficial and exciting language to learn.

What better way to learn Spanish than in the country with the most Spanish speakers? Mexico is a country blossoming as a travel destination which holds an authentic, traditional vibe. This page has everything you'll need to get started. Start by reading this expert guide to finding a Spanish Language School in Mexico. Then read reviews and choose a Language School from the list below. You'll be well on your way to becoming a fluent Spanish speaker!

Once you have decided to learn Spanish, you are now faced with the dilemma of choosing your preferred program. The program you choose needs to compliment your goals and ideal type of working style. Do you want to learn the ins and outs of the language from the grammar to the written word? Or are you more focused on solely learning speech so you can communicate on future holidays? Do you want to have independent study to learn español yourself surrounded by textbooks? Or would you rather work in groups and go on excursions to practice in real life situations? There are plenty of options available to suit your needs.

Program Types

University Courses: Enrolling in a Spanish learning course at University will be an intense experience, but there is a great relief in knowing that you are gaining a structured way of learning which works. If you are already a University student then it will be well worth spending a semester in Mexico as you can advance your Spanish while gaining college credit. There are still classes for those who are not University students to study at school, for example, summer programs. The good thing about this is that you can learn Spanish while also studying another subject like Mexican history. Pros: Acclaimed teaching, strong structure, University credit. Cons: less flexible, limited individual attention.

Group classes: This is a great method if you want to learn in a less intense teaching environment which will involve more fun excursion activities. There is also a more flexible choice selection process where you can decide if you want to study for a week or for two months. Since Spanish is the dominant language, you will feel overwhelmed and scared when you move to Mexico as you cannot communicate with the national population. However, group courses places you in the same beginner position as other foreign students so you have people to relate to. Another bonus is that a lot of group courses offer a homestay experience, meaning you can live in a traditional Mexican household so you will fully immerse yourself in their way of life. Pros: Programs for different ages, level and lengths, greater immersion experience. Cons: no college credit, less individual attention.

Private Tutoring: Another way in which you can learn the language is through investing in a private tutor. This allows you to be very flexible in the days, hours and even the times of when you would like to be taught. Of course the best perk is that you will have the teacher’s whole attention, so they can monitor your process and continue correcting your mistakes. This means you can be more open to them on if there are certain subjects you would like to learn about and you can move at your own pace. Prices can be a bit steep although they can be as cheap as $15 per hour. Pros: One-to-one attention, course prioritized to your needs. Cons: More expensive, less immersion programs.

Cultural Immersion/Extracurricular Activities

Mexico is a country enriched with a unique culture that you will not be able to experience anywhere else. Because of this, you are best to try your hands at as many activities as possible. Various representations of art, from painting to sculpture, are a big part of the culture so arts and craft classes are a must. Or you could try your hand at cooking, dance and music. Fortunately many language programs will offer these classes to you and they may offer trips across the country, like to the Mayan ruins of Moxviquil, so you can have the a great Mexican immersion experience.

Curenavaca: This city might not be one that you heard before, but you won’t regret choosing here to learn Spanish. Called the “Beverly Hills of Mexico", Curenavaca is one of the most idolised destinations to learn Spanish across the country. It’s easy to understand why as the city hosts more than a staggering 50 language schools meaning this is a hangout for a lot of English speaking students. Located a mere 30 minute drive from the capital city, there are many sites to visit including Palacio de Cortés (the oldest colonial era civil structure in the Americas), the Teopanzolco Archaeological Site and the central plaza which comes alive at night.

Mexico City: It won’t come as a surprise that the third largest city in the world, with a population of an approximate unthinkable 116,220,000, holds plenty of courses for students to enrol in. If you are hoping for an eccentric cultural experience abroad then Mexico City is the place of choice for you. The Historic Center of Mexico City neighbourhood and the “floating gardens" of Xochimilco are UNESCO World Heritage Site worth a visit. The arts and culture of the city is too one not to be missed. As well as being the third best city for the amount of theaters it holds, there is also artwork from the likes of Frida Kahlo framed on the gallery walls.

Oaxaca: This state holds many highly acclaimed language schools, like the Amigos del Sol. With a population of approximately 4 million, Oaxaca is famous for homing sixteen officially recognised cultures like the Zapotecs and the Mixtecs. As well as giving an insight into unique people, the state offers even more natural beauty with various national parks like the Lagunas de Chacahua. The city is great to walk around as it showcases historical landmarks like pre-hispanic ruins, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and the archaeological site of Monte Albán. Also, there are miles of sandy beaches on offer so you can practice your Spanish will gaining a relaxing holiday experience!

Country Information

When studying in Mexico, there are a few things you will have to make note of on how the language compares to in other Spanish speaking countries. For example, the written ‘c’ is pronounced like the ‘k’ sound in ‘court’ or the ‘s’ sound in ‘cent’ whereas in Spain the ‘c’ letter is like the ‘th’ in think. Despite these differences, this will not have a big impact on your Spanish when spoken in other countries. It is more like having an accent or dialect, similar to how the British speak English compared to the American.

Highlights

• Check out the crowd: Approximately 110 million (98.5%) of the population speak Spanish in Mexico.
• Did you know..? Spanish is the second most studied language in the world with around 20 million students.
• Spelling Bee: Spanish is a phonetic language meaning words are pronounced the way they are written.
• Phrase Origins: You may be prone to saying “Hasta la vista” as you say your fond farewells, but you may find it strange that this famous Schwarzenegger catchphrase literally means “Until the sight."

The course you take will have to reflect the level of Spanish, if any, that you can already speak. Some classes make you sit a test before you are enrolled so they can place you on the program which will be the most rewarding to you. It is daunting to enter a country where almost the entire population speaks Spanish, but remember: you are not alone. There are plenty of students who are in the same position as you and this can be a big comfort when you are new to the language learning process.

The course you take will have to reflect the level of Spanish, if any, that you can already speak. Some classes make you sit a test before you are enrolled so they can place you on the program which will be the most rewarding to you. It is daunting to enter a country where almost the entire population speaks Spanish, but remember: you are not alone. There are plenty of students who are in the same position as you and this can be a big comfort when you are new to the language learning process.

Scholarships

Despite Mexico being a fairly cheap place to live, there are still scholarships available to you if you are finding it difficult to raise funds for the trip:

• Boren offers scholarships for US students who hope to study abroad.
• The Mexican Government offers scholarships for College/University students to study at Mexican schools for a semester.

Why Learn Spanish in Mexico

At first it will seem very challenging to learn Spanish. There are many grammar and verb rules that you have to learn, which at times might seem like a maths lesson, but once you have mastered them the language flows easier. It’s true that you could learn Spanish in your home country through textbooks or at University, but nothing comes close to learning the language through a first-hand environment. You may think that you know how to speak Spanish before coming to Mexico, but not understanding their quick fluency with words may jolt your confidence. That is why you are best to start straight in Mexico; to make sure you are pronouncing the words correctly and to get to grips with how they compose sentences. Staying in the country will also keep you motivated to learn the language as it is not only a hobby, but an essential to survive. You can listen to conversations taking place around you and converse as well, rather than not being able to fully practice the language at home.

With a colorful culture, historic ruins and natural sites, Mexico is the perfect country to spend your time learning Spanish!