Tico Lingo

I spent 4 weeks at Tico Lingo and I loved it! One of the greatest benefits of this program lies in the opportunity to join on any given week and stay as long as feasible. So you really have a chance to make this work with your schedule!
Another reason why I recommend Tico Lingo is their commitment to use only Spanish in class (with slight variations based on the group’s level). The students are invited to engage in meaningful conversation, encouraged to share opinions or even debate questions, all while keeping it light and funny. Don’t be surprised if you’ll be prompted to engage in philosophical discussions you might not have had even in your native language :)
And…Tico Lingo is a community of wonderful people—knowledgeable and fun teachers, kind and helpful staff, and adventurous fellow students! While it was great to enjoy the continuity offered by being with a core small group for the entire time, it was equally great to have new students join each week bringing some fresh perspectives to the class.
No host family in my case, but had a great rental condo so I was able to travel with my partner and pets :)

On your arrival someone from the school will pick you up at the airport then drives you to your family.
They had an evaluation prior to the start of the class so we would fit in the appropriate level.
4 hrs daily class of Spanish, lots of grammar and verbs.
Fresh coffee is always available as well as water and tea.
After class the option to salsa dance or do some yoga was available.
Cooking classes to learn how to cook a Costa Rican meal. And then eat it too!!
On the first day of school we got a guided tour of the city.

The host family was wonderful. Very kind and thoughtful. They prepared meals each day trying different fruits, main dishes and fruit juices. We ate together and spoke in Spanish.

The tour to Manuel Antonio was beautiful beside the rain, it rains a lot in Costa Rica. We saw monkeys and sloth, iguana and parrots.
A refreshing stop at the beach before heading to lunch. A long drive to get there but well worth it. Wish we had a guide from the park to explain a few things.

Ticos are so very kind and patient.
Loved every moment of my stay.

My wife and I completed 2-weeks of instruction and wish we had stayed longer. I made rapid progress in this immersive program despite this being my first-ever Spanish instruction. The instructors are sensitive to the learning needs of students. The administrative staff are responsive and helpful. We greatly appreciated residing in a homestay where minimal English was spoken and we practiced what we learned in class. We welcomed interacting with the diverse student population. We plan to return. Thank you Tico Lingo!

i really am thankful for this experience. i have noticed my spanish levels change in just days and i really do care for my peers deeply. i could go on about how this experienced has impacted me as a person in so many good ways. There was never a time where I wasn’t having fun. now when I think of Tico Lingo, I remember all of the loving people I met, and how much they still mean to me. the host families are beyond generous and have made my experience ten times better. i went from not knowing how to have a conversation at the dinner table, to playing games and doing many activities with my host family. I genuinely think of them as my second family. the teachers were so very helpful and interactive with the students. the afternoon activities always put me in a perfect place to test and practice my spanish while also having a good time. traveling with other people around me brought me closer to everyone. this program pushed me outside of my comfort zone to the max, and i think that is what i am most thankful for.

An excellent, and professional experience I had at Tico Lingo. From the staff, and learning, to a supportive host family.
A step in the right direction, for people wanting to learn Spanish.
Have taken Spanish courses on two separate occasions, with Tico Lingo. First one I did, I did not stay with a host family, and I wish I did. Even though it is not home sweet home, with a little bit of flexibility on the students part, living with a Costa Rican family will benefit the learning experience. It will put more value into learning Spanish by having a taste of the culture behind it.