Methodology
CR Learning has implemented a methodology called Intercultural Communicative
Competence. We place particular importance on the student’s participation
in conversation and educational games. We integrate the most important aspects about
our country and culture into the learning process.
Our classes emphasize oral communication with the intention of achieving specific
goals geared toward the acquisition of communicative, second language abilities.
By utilizing the language first hand with native speakers under real life circumstances,
the student will be able to immediately absorb and apply the lessons learned in
the classroom through daily life interactions.
Through our professional staff, cultural activities, volunteer work programs and
original teaching material, we guarantee an acquisition of natural motivation to
learn Spanish and its culture.
We have developed an original curriculum utilized at the institute that includes
selected readings and lessons regarding grammar, Latin American culture, history,
and literature. We offer diverse programs according to each student’s second language
objectives, age, interest and learning level.
Our classes consist only of small groups, which are never comprised of more than
5 students (for group courses). Classes are conducted entirely in Spanish.
Summary of CR Learning methodology:
Manuals and Teaching Materials
- A manual for each level developed by the CR Learning teaching staff will be given
to each student.
- Creative games developed by CR Learning.
- CDs, DVDs and other audio-visual items may also be used.
- Another tool used is emails sent to each student with information related to the
topics reviewed in class every two weeks.
- We offer a library for student’s use.
Our staff
Our staff is dedicated to CR Learning and shares our ideals, principles and values.
Our professors are university qualified and credentialed to teach Spanish as a second
language. Our professors receive a training based on our methodology in order to
standardize their teaching method.
Leveling Exam
You can have a leveling exam one week prior the course or you can take this oral
exam on the first day of class to determine the proper level of courses in which
you should be enroll. It is necessary to appropriately place the students in the
correct level in order to take full advantage of their time abroad. Should, however,
after a couple of classes the student find the program to be overly easy or difficult,
the student will be given the option to move into a more adequate class level. If
the student is a strict beginner, a test is not needed.
For your convenience we offer a leveling exam through
Skype.
The First Day
If you can`t take your leveling test, we require that you report to the school 30
minutes before the class in order for us to conduct the leveling exam. If you previously
took your test, you need to arrive at CR Learning 15 minutes before starting your
classes.
We will provide you with a Welcome Package which contains information about Costa
Rica. You will also receive a student card with the telephone number and exact address
of your homestay (in order to provide directions to the taxi driver). On the first
day of class, the host family will accompany you to the Institute and make sure
you know how to get to the school (it is usually a short 10-15 minutes bus ride).
In case you decide to stay in a hotel or take vacation before meeting your homestay
family, we will make arrangements for you to meet the homestay family at the institute.
Public buses are very easy to use and very cheap (about US $.60 cents).
Holidays are:
- January 1 – New Year.
- Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
- April 11 - Juan Santamaria Day.
- May 1- Labor Day.
- July 25 - Guanacaste Day.
- August 2- Feast of the Virgin of Los Angeles.
- August 15 – Mother´s Day.
- September 15 – Independence Day.
- October 12 - Columbus Day.
- December 25 – Christmas.
We will be closed on those days. No refunds are made for days missed due to this
reason.