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Intensive Spanish

Spanish by the River - Turrialba
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Course description

Just like the Standard Spanish course, our Intensive Spanish course is based on the internationally recognized CEFR framework for learning, teaching and assessment which is also the basis of DELE-Diplomas (Spanish as a Second Language). The levels are Basic User (A1, A2), Independent User (B1, B2) and Proficient User (C1, C2). The difference between the Intensive and Standard Spanish course is that you will advance more quickly since you will spend more hours per day studying and practicing Spanish.
6 levels: A1 (2 wks), A2 (2 wks), B1 (4 wks), B2 (4 wks), C1 (6 wks), C2 (6 wks)
Materials included: Workbook.
Others included: Introduction folder with Tourist information including area map & info about the course (levels, objectives, contents and evaluations) /placement test / coffee & tea during breaks / introduction talk on Sunday / Friday’s happy hour / certificate upon completion.

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities

Class schedule

Course duration
1-52 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday
Classes per week
30 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 60 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday

Class times

Morning session
08:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Afternoon session
01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level. You may also take this test before your arrival in Turrialba.

Class size

Average 4 students
Maximum 6 students

Student age

Age range 4 years old and older
Average 25 years old
(20 in the summer)

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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school

School description

Our school in Turrialba, Costa Rica, is called Spanish by the River. It is located a little outside of the typically “Tico” town of Turrialba. In the school, you can find a fully equipped kitchen, a library, hammocks, several study areas, computers, free Wi-Fi and a beautiful garden. Spanish classes are mostly held outside, in one of the little huts or on the roomy porch, from where you have a beautiful view of the volcano and the lush, green surroundings. You can spot exotic birds like toucans, hummingbirds, and other tropical species while attending classes. During breaks, we serve delicious coffee from the surrounding highlands.

Year opened
2002
Number of classrooms
5

Facilities

  • Library
  • Social Activities
  • Cultural Trips
  • TV Room
  • Eating Area
  • Free Internet
  • Wireless Internet
  • Computers
  • Studying Area
  • Sports Activities

Teacher qualifications

Native Spanish speakers
All
Teachers with Spanish teaching certification
Over 50%
Teachers with college degrees
Over 50%

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at Spanish by the River - Turrialba varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 25. In the summer, the average age is 20.

Spanish by the River teaches students from all over the world, including:

Netherlands
40%
USA
40%
Germany
10%
Other
10%

School holidays

Spanish by the River does not hold classes on the holiday dates below. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Open dates
Year round
School holidays
None

School location

Spanish by the River - Turrialba is located in the mountains and near world-famous rivers,
surrounded by primary and secondary rainforest. Turrialba is a great place for people who are looking for an authentic experience involving meeting Ticos and Ticas and those who want to enjoy outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting, hiking, and horseback riding.

Take a video tour

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photos

Photos

  • Spanish by the River - Turrialba 1/11
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  • Spanish by the River - Turrialba 3/11
  • Spanish by the River - Turrialba 4/11
  • Spanish by the River - Turrialba 5/11
  • Spanish by the River - Turrialba 6/11
  • Spanish by the River - Turrialba 7/11
  • Spanish by the River - Turrialba 8/11
  • Spanish by the River - Turrialba 9/11
  • Spanish by the River - Turrialba 10/11
  • Spanish by the River - Turrialba 11/11
reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

based on 2 reviews
5 stars
2
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"The one-on-one time with the instructor was amazing and the location was really beautiful"

Ashley Weber, student from USA

I was really glad I ended up staying in the hotel in Turrialba instead of the hostel because I experienced the city much more and had to learn the bus routes, cash system and so forth. I wish they made OBVIOUSLY available the other Spanish language books that students can study when they are not in class. The teacher was really, really good at figuring out what I needed to work on and how to achieve it.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
3 Jun 2024 - 14 Jun 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
Richelle Lankhaar, Reservations manager at Spanish by the River - Turrialba responded to this review.
04 July 2024

Hi,

Thank you so much for taking the time to send us your feedback. Really appreciate it!
You know where to find us for any future plans.
Pura Vida!

"I had a good experience."

Tasmin Neumann, student from Costa Rica

I had a really good experience with Spanish by the river. In my class we were just two students and one teacher and that was absolutely perfect. We shared the same level and developed quickly Spanish. Our teacher would teach us what we want to learn and would make suggestions. I really appreciated that she was local and could tell us more about the area and traditions of Turrialba. In the afternoon we had time to discover the area and talk about it in the next class. The teacher and the location was perfect. My only complain is that it took a full week until we received the second exercise book. That was too long.
In total I am happy and fulfilled with my experience. I learned what I was looking for and would recommend this course.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Date of study
7 Mar 2022 - 11 Mar 2022
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
Richelle Lankhaar, Reservations manager at Spanish by the River - Turrialba responded to this review.
25 June 2022

Thank you for taking the time to write a review, we really appreciate it!
Don't hesitate to come back 1 day or give another location of ours a chance.

housing

Housing

Spanish by the River offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast

176 €
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: Outside the city center of Turrialba
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, telephone, and garden
Distance to school: 3 - 30 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
176 €
Our homestay in Turrialba, Costa Rica gives you the opportunity to live with a host family. Living with a local family is a unique experience that will provide you with the opportunity to not only learn the language but also explore the culture. Our host families have been carefully selected. The rooms are private and have shared bathrooms. Home stays may include breakfast, lunch and/or dinner and laundry. Food is typical Costa Rican, nevertheless most families can adapt a little upon request (e.g. considering people’s diets). If you don’t use our pick-up service, you need to call the school to let us know at what time you will arrive in Turrialba so your host family can welcome you at the school or at the bus station.

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner

197 €
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: Outside the city center of Turrialba
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, telephone, and garden
Distance to school: 3 - 30 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
197 €
Our homestay in Turrialba, Costa Rica gives you the opportunity to live with a host family. Living with a local family is a unique experience that will provide you with the opportunity to not only learn the language but also explore the culture. Our host families have been carefully selected. The rooms are private and have shared bathrooms. Home stays include breakfast, dinner and laundry. Food is typical Costa Rican, nevertheless most families can adapt a little upon request (e.g. considering people’s diets). If you don’t use our pick-up service, you need to call the school to let us know at what time you will arrive in Turrialba so your host family can welcome you at the school or at the bus station.

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

225 €
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: Outside the city center of Turrialba
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (21 meals per week)
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, telephone, and garden
Distance to school: 3 - 30 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
225 €
Our homestay in Turrialba, Costa Rica gives you the opportunity to live with a host family. Living with a local family is a unique experience that will provide you with the opportunity to not only learn the language but also explore the culture. Our host families have been carefully selected. The rooms are private and have shared bathrooms. Home stays may include breakfast, lunch and/or dinner and laundry. Food is typical Costa Rican, nevertheless most families can adapt a little upon request (e.g. considering people’s diets). If you don’t use our pick-up service, you need to call the school to let us know at what time you will arrive in Turrialba so your host family can welcome you at the school or at the bus station.
student-residence

Student residence (on-campus) - Single-person shared bathroom - No meals

169 €
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Address: Spanish by the River S.A., Aptdo 42 – 7150 Turrialba, Costa Rica, América Central, Turrialba, Cartago 7150, Costa Rica
Location: Outside the city center of Turrialba
Housing type: Student residence (on-campus)
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, telephone, computers, wireless internet, free internet, and garden
Distance to school: 1 minutes
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
169 €
If you like to be independent, yet share with fellow students, we recommend staying in our hostel at our Spanish school in Turrialba whilst studying Spanish in Costa Ruca. We have 4 bedrooms with a shared bathroom and one bedroom with a private bathroom.

Each room can be shared by up to 2 students, but you if you don't mind paying a little more you can have your own private room. A fully equipped kitchen is available for everybody staying in the hostel. If you want we can offer a continental breakfast in the morning for $6.

Student residence (on-campus) - 2-person shared room - No meals

211 €
weekly
Age range: 15 years old and older
Address: Barrio El Recreo, 50 metros después de la Entrada de Chirraca, en el muro de piedras, Turrialba, Cartago 7150 , Costa Rica
Location: Outside the city center of Turrialba
Housing type: Student residence (on-campus)
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, telephone, computers, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, and garden
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
211 €
If you like to be independent, yet share with fellow students, we recommend staying in our hostel at our Spanish school in Turrialba whilst studying Spanish in Costa Ruca. We have 4 bedrooms with a shared bathroom and one bedroom with a private bathroom.

Each room can be shared by up to 2 students, but you if you don't mind paying a little more you can have your own private room. A fully equipped kitchen is available for everybody staying in the hostel. If you want we can offer a continental breakfast in the morning for $6.

Student residence (on-campus) - 4-person private bathroom - No meals

338 €
weekly
Age range: 15 years old and older
Address: Barrio El Recreo, 50 metros después de la Entrada de Chirraca, en el muro de piedras, Turrialba, Cartago 7150 , Costa Rica
Location: Outside the city center of Turrialba
Housing type: Student residence (on-campus)
Room type: 4-person shared room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, telephone, computers, wireless internet, free internet, and garden
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
338 €
If you like to be independent, yet share with fellow students, we recommend staying in our hostel at our Spanish school in Turrialba whilst studying Spanish in Costa Ruca. We have 4 bedrooms with a shared bathroom that can be shared by up to 2 students, but you if you don't mind paying a little more you can have your own private room. Furthermore, we have a bedroom with a double bed and a bunk bed with a private bathroom. You can book this room for one, two, three or four persons.

A fully equipped kitchen is available for everybody staying in the hostel. If you want we can offer a continental breakfast in the morning for $6 per person.

PRICES per night:

- One person: $30
- Two persons: $35
- Three persons: $40
- Four persons: $48
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. The school is also not authorized to issue documents to support your visa application. If you need a visa, you have to apply for a visitor or tourist visa on your own.

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Turrialba based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Spanish by the River - Turrialba staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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