Ecuador- Montanita Location Welcome to Montañita, a special school in a special location. Our School is based in the stunning beachside village of Montañita. We are right there, by the beach! We are commonly also called 'Nativa Bambu' by local Ecuadorians due the unique and stunning design of our school. Perched on the most prominent hill directly over looking Montanita and the sea, constructed of eco friendly native bamboo, this is truly Ecuador at its best. The most common expression when a student first sees views school is 'wow'. Designed to harmonise with the environment, and using traditional native construction techniques, it really is stunning. About the School The school in Montanita is special, and we want to invite you to become part of it. It is special for quite a few reasons, the school itself, the passion of the teachers and staff, and Montanita the location. The school is set just a couple of minutes walk from the centre of Montanita but is a world apart! As soon as you step in, you will be aware that you have found a special place of people that care. Our teachers are well qualified, and want you to make the most of your time learning Spanish. They are passionate about teaching, and will help you make the most of your abilities. Our teaching methodology follows the three key ingredients of successful learning. Your classes will be split into both grammar (it’s important to get the fundamentals right!) This is followed by speaking in practical situations, a conservational approach. The last ingredient is fun! If you are enjoying yourself is so much easier to learn. We will help you with interactive games and activities so you can apply what you have learnt in a practical and real way! We invite you to learn Spanish in Ecuador with us. You will take home found memories, make lifetime friends, and of course improve your ability to speak and write Spanish. The Courses Mini Group Spanish (20 lessons per week) Our School provides small mini-group Spanish. We pride ourselves on the quality of these courses. There are 4 lessons per day, 5 days per week. With 6 different ability groups you will be with others also keen to learn, at the same level. By having others in your class it is an excellent way to stay motivated, practice what you are learning and to meet other students. Classes consist of 2 hours of largely Grammar based learning. We still try to make it fun! Then there is 2 hours of more conservational or activity based Spanish, to put into practice what you have learnt. We have found this approach to be extremely effective. The groups are very small, normally 3-5 persons, in fact the maximum per class is only 5! So you will get lots of attention, and your learning needs are catered for. Occasionally we will not meet our minimum numbers per class in your ability group. In this case your lessons will be replaced with 15 hours of private one on one lessons. Spanish Private One on One classes Some people learn best with individual attention. If this is you, then we suggest our private classes. With our teacher only focused on your needs, you can guarantee that you will learn quickly and efficiently. This is often the best route to take if you are limited on time, or if you have specialised Spanish to learn, or just because it suits your learning style best. The teacher will be following a well proven course syllabus, but is free to concentrate on any weaknesses you have, or to discuss in conjunction with you, and areas you want to work on. Our teachers are all qualified professionals and with private classes your Spanish will improve rapidly. Travelers Survival Spanish  You are traveling through Ecuador, or perhaps even Latin America! Your time is short, and you don’t want to spend too much time learning Spanish. This is for you! Learn what you need to 'survive'. The course is all about conservational Spanish and the daily phases that will allow you to understand, and be understood. This is a very practical course so you can apply what you have learnt quickly. The course is just 10 hours per week (2 hours per day) so there is plenty of time to enjoy all that Montanita has to offer. Spanish & Surf Montañita is the home of surfing in Ecuador, and known as one of the best sites anywhere in South America! If you can already surf, just take some of the Spanish and head for the break! If you can surf, and always wanted to, or are a beginner why not combine your Spanish by taking surfing lessons? Montanita is one of the best places you could possibly find to start your new surfing passion! First, there is very CONSISTENT waves ALL YEAR! The waves are very manageable at low tide for beginners, and are bigger and more powerful at high tide. Also, the closer to the point you go, the bigger the wave sets are. Therefore you can choose your level of surfing very easily. This makes Montanita perfect for all levels and abilities from beginners to very experienced. Montanita also 'eats and breathes' surfing. It IS the culture. So you will very soon become immersed in surfing. Lastly, there are hundreds of miles of other breaks all although the coast. If you want a deserted first class break you can easily find it! AND, surf boards ARE allowed in local buses. Montanita - simply a surfer’s paradise! Learn Spanish & Dive! A great way to see Ecuador is below the surface! This area of the Pacific coast has excellent diving opportunities. It is a great combination. Learning Spanish in the morning right on the beach, and Diving in the afternoon. With Isla Del Plata and other Dive locations not far away, Montanita is a great place to base yourself. If you are already an experienced Diver we suggest your take our package of Spanish with 6 dives per week (3 two tank dives). You can easily upgrade to more dives if you wish. There are 25 Dive locations from Montanita, so you have a lot of variety! Or, you can take our dive professional course. This is combining Spanish with becoming a professional PADI Dive Master. Spanish (after English) is the second most important language for Dive instructors to learn for employment. So this is an increasingly popular course (and one of the few like it in the world!). What better place than near the Ecuador, with warm water, tropical fish, whales, dolphins, soft and hard corals!  If you are a beginner we suggest that you take our Spanish and Open Water package. This includes 20 hours of group Spanish (or 15 hours of private) per week for 20 weeks, and a fill PADI open water certification course (the most popular learn to Dive certification in the world.) Learn with our professional dive company to Dive safely. A very popular package. Learn Spanish and see the underworld in Montanita!  Volunteer at a Ecological farm, or help the children and teachers at the local elementary school  Just 12 miles (20 km) from Montanita is an amazing project. Tucked in a valley is a very proactive ecological program. Designed to replant and replenish the trees around this area, it has been very successful. You day will be spent helping out with planting, pruning, and the daily life of a farm passionate about to restoring nature to its pristine. The local school at Montanita deals with many poor children. There is a strong community sprit and the local community encourages you to become involved. This is often extremely rewarding, making friend and helping the local children. There are very few resources, and help is really needed. Your input is appreciated, and it is not long before the local children are coming up to you in the street to say 'Hola' Accommodation Special Cabanas with million dollar views! There are a very limited number of cabanas that have a fantastic vista of the sea! As one couple put it 'the french doors open up to a fantastic view of the sunset over the wide open ocean' they are extremely attractive and finished in native bamboo style, Full ensuite facilities. They are normally double occupancy, and therefore perfect for couples or when with a friend. A single supplement is available. There is also a separate self contained kitchen available for cooking if required. Price: $105 per person per week! Based in double occupancy. Please add $5 per night for single supplement Shared Mini Dorm These are constructed of traditional native bamboo and blend in perfectly with the surrounding. They are on a shared basis but you will have your own privacy with individual bamboo screens. A maximum of only four per dorm allows you plenty of space. They come with excellent views of the ocean! A separate self contained kitchen is available for cooking. They are basic, but perfect for the traveler on a low budget! Price: only $56 per week! Pseudo Home Stay With your Ecuadorian host family you have the opportunity to be fully immersed in Ecuadorian life. It is important to understand that you will be located in a local Village (not Montanita as there are limited families available here) normally 5-15 minutes away by bus (only 25 cents) these villages are quite poor and won’t have the conveniences you will be used to. It is full immersion in Ecuadorian life.  There will be flush toilet and your bed. Often you will be roomed by yourself but sometimes you will to share your room for short periods. The families are very friendly but the facilities are basic by western standard. All families are members of the Ecuadorian Prodecos Project (Foundation for development of rural tourism), and act as a small family run posada. The family lives onsite with you. We call this a ’pseudo’ home stays. It can be the best of 'both worlds' i.e. you can become involved as much as you wish in family life yet have much more freedom, Price: $108 per week including two meals per day. Home stay with our neighbours- 'Nativa Bambu' Letti and Adriano with daughter Adriana are our next door neighbours! Letti loves gardens and artist creations, and Adriano a passionate surfer (long board) for over 25 years! If you want the advantages of an excellent 'native bamboo' location, only 1 minute from our school, being able to converse daily with Letti, and the always amusing Adriano, this is an excellent choice. Freedom to come and go, yet be involved in daily family life as much as you wish. Limited to two students. Price: $120 per week including three meals per day. Prices Please add a one off registration fee of $20. Spanish Mini Group (20 hours per week)* $140 per week *If you are the only one at your level this is replaced by 15 hours private lessons Spanish One on One Private (20 hours per week) $195 per week: Additional hours at $9 per hour Survival Spanish (10 hours per week) $75 per week Spanish & Surf Mini Group Spanish + Surfing $215 per week Private Spanish + Surfing $275 per week Spanish & Dive (please add your Spanish course price) Open Water $350 Diving $80 per two tank dive  Spanish & Volunteer (minimum 4 weeks) Group classes & Volunteer $180 per weeks Private classes & Volunteer $235 per week   Travelling Classroom (this includes accommodation. Spanish lessons, all travel and activities) 5 weeks $1450 Option Favourite location one week add on $350 Option Galapagos week add on $1400   Accommodation Special Cabanas $105 per person per week (based on double occupancy) Please add $5 per night for single supplement Shared dorm $56 per week Pseudo Homestay $108 per week Homestay with a teacher $120 per week All prices are in US$