Playa del Carmen Spanish Institute offers a different methodology to other language schools. The school offers to learn in a total immersion experience. Our lessons are not held in traditional classrooms but in different locations in Playa del Carmen such as art galleries, local cafes, restaurants, Mayan ruins, caves, etc. We split the class in grammar and conversation and have different levels. Students receive a certificate of course completion after taking the course.
We are the only Spanish School in Playa del Carmen completely run by locals! 100% Mexican.
All our locations are central in Playa del Carmen, in downtown. Please note we limit age so we can have a dynamic class.
The nationality and age mix at Playa del Carmen Spanish Institute varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 25. In the summer, the average age is 25.
Playa del Carmen Spanish teaches students from all over the world, including:
Playa del Carmen Spanish Institute has been operating since 2005 but we have been offering a new methodology for studying Spanish since 2017. Our school is focused in total immersion, which means students face real time situations everyday. Our class is not held in a traditional classroom environment but we have different locations each day: local cafeterias, restaurants, the beach, cooking lessons, art galleries, Mayan ruins, local shops where students learn by doing and interacting. This allows the students both to learn and know Playa del Carmen. All our locations are in downtown Playa del Carmen and we have different class levels.
We are the only Spanish School in Playa del Carmen run by locals 100%
Playa del Carmen is the top destination for tourism in Mexico, its very walkable.
Classes ouside of traditional classroom were very effective. All lessons were conducted in a Starbucks food court kind of setting. I participated in two weeks of instruction. Week one seemed formulaic, coberng topics irrespective of my prior knowledge. Weeks two very much tailored to my needs for growh. I did not utilize the school for housing instead oping for an Air&B. I was not impressed with the logistics of the school admnsitration! I signed up for a mix of group and private instruction. Because of my pretest plaement there was not a group suitable for me to be placed in. That was a welcome result as placment as a pure beginner would have been a waste of money spent! Instead, I had four hours of private instruction per day divided amog two instructors. Starting week 2, I was told that I would have four hours per day with one instructor. NO BUENO! I complained litterally to my two instructors and the schedule reverted to 2 hours per instructor per day. AT NO POINT DID THE SCHOOL COMMUNICATE WITH ME DIRECTLY. So, lessons were effective, settings were good, instructors were competent and engaging, but the professioalism of the TAAN school was lackin.
Show details » Read more...I loved my teacher Ilse, so enthusiastic and kind. Unfortunately there were only 2 of us on the lessons so we ended up having 2hrs individual classes as we were at different levels.
My confidence grew hugely by having this one to one time, geared around my own preferences and pace
We generally didn’t go to many new places as we gravitated towards air con!
I didn’t mind that at all.
I would definitely book Ilse again, Muchas gracias
I received about half the hours I had paid for, as much of the time was spent driving/walking to places where class would take place, this included a nearly hour walk to a supermarket during one of the days. Teachers were switched multiple times and there was no lesson plans. Could have learned more just talking to locals.
Show details » Read more...Took a 4 week standard spanish course with teacher María and a group of students which included Germán French Italian América and Canadian. I enjoyed having class in different locations everyday and having activities each week which included salsa dancing, yoga, cooking and a class in a cenote cave. 4 weeks were ideal. And took me from beginners to intermediate. I also enjoyed the fact that we had group projects during class which allowed students to work together and make presentations and discussions.
Show details » Read more...The teachers were awesome, very lovely and understanding. We did a lot of activities all together and they help me a lot with my Spanish which was very bad. Now I can understand a bit and speak a bit
Show details » Read more...I took 4 weeks of private lessons with Maria. We had class in different beaches and locations in the area. My wife also participated in some sessions, and we loved the class the setting and the food. We are now travelling through Mexico and would recommend this school to anyone.
Pd. We loved a lady we met who was 90 and taking group class and was more active and lively than teenagers in the group. We stayed in a hostel near the main avenida.
I had a great time studying for 6 weeks during last January and February at Playa del Carmen Spanish. I was able to advance from beginner B to intermediate 1. Class was split in grammar and conversation, 2 hours each and the material provided was a mix of book and own teacher made material. We not only learned by the book but by exploring Playa and having our ear get used to the language. During weeks we would have class in cenotes, cafes, cinemas, parks and more meaning we were able to explore the area while learning Spanish. Overall i fully recommend.
Show details » Read more...I took their course both in México City and Playa del Carmen. This is a good school to include activities for good value for money and learn Spanish. I recomend this school for dynamic people who want to learn with motivational teachers and be on the move
Show details » Read more...I only went to Playa del Carmen Spanish Institute for a week and I am very happy I didn't invest more money into these classes considering they weren't really classes. My "teacher" didn't have a curriculum to follow, we met at a busy coffee shop which was loud and hard to hear. never showed us the fundamentals, gave homework and never checked it. i basically paid to meet people and make friends. i never learned one thing. i switched schools and studied so much better elsewhere. the only cool thing was the activity and we made authentic Mexican cuisine.
Show details » Read more...Overall I really enjoyed the class, but the days were too long. I think I would have learned the same amount in half the time. Although it was very nice to be outdoors for the classes it was sometimes loud and distracting. Not always the best learning environment. The excursions were a nice touch, but nothing was learned so it almost felt like wasted time.
Show details » Read more...I signed up for only 2 weeks, 2 private lessons a day. The teacher Alejandra was great! Always well prepared and very patient. For the practice of the conversation she has always chosen interesting topics, so that an interesting dialogue could emerge, and I could learn much about Mexico, its inhabitants and customs. She has always responded to my questions and suggestions. I really liked the fact that the classes took place every day in another café. It was not always quiet for work, but comfortable. So I learned to find my way around the streets of Playa del Carmen and got to know all the pretty cafes.
Show details » Read more...I would say this is several experiences in a single one because you have lessons outdoors most of the time as opposed of a classroom. My teachers Maria and Aldo we both knowledgeable and patient with the needs of the students in our group through the course of the 6 weeks arranged. I liked the school was flexible with the included weekly activity: they gave us options among beaches, cooking and salsa lessons. Do know lessons are dynamic and for students who enjoy being outdoors as opposed to a 4 walled room.
Show details » Read more...I am sorry to say, A class in a cafe with noise and many people, in addition I was talking to other students who do not speak better than me. To learn I need to speak with someone who speaks good Spanish, there was not a course plan at all. At the fine exchange for a private class the teacher called Aldo went very well. And I did not live with a family I was business that I was renting room I was speaking in English with my neighbor in the room. I thought to go with a family in imerscción. Discula I do not want to offend anyone
Show details » Read more...I had a great experience at the language school in Playa del Carmen. Maria the instructor was very patient and willing to go the extra mile to accommodate my level of Spanish. We had fun on our two outings.
Show details » Read more...I was on holiday learning Spanish and exploring Playa del Carmen. The class taking place in different spots and in chilled locations proved the perfect combination for enjoying the beach and learning Spanish. I was originally planning on doing a 2 week course but found the group of teachers so approachable and dedicated that did 4 weeks. I didn't book accommodation so not sure how to review it.
Show details » Read more...The teachers were amazing. Although my "beginner" course wasnt so beginner due to other students being more advanced ( even though they were only there for the first week, they recieved preference, which left me extremely lost and confused). I also found the classes in cafe setting with mostly dialog a little challanging as i am a visual learning. Paulina my teeacher was extremly helpful and fun.
Show details » Read more...First of all my teacher Maria was the most patient, kindest, professional with a sense of humor that I have ever encountered. She was extremely well organized and our sessions clipped along at a consistent steady pace doing various leaning activities. I had some personal concerns about being in a 4 hour class but the time just flew by and before I knew it I was getting my homework assignment and class was over.
I did appreciate the homework factor. Another student I talked with on the last day who had another teacher told me she didn't have homework to do after her classes. For me the homework really helped build my vocabulary and decipher all the options for verbs, and nouns and to put sentences together. At first the homework was basic but by the end of the week it was substantial, but that is why I signed up for the class. To learn as much Spanish as I could in a short amount of time.
I also had the gift of being the only student in class that week with the exception of the first day where there were two more students finishing up their week of classes. Subsequently, I basically had one on one private lessons with Maria for the rest of the week. Maria gave me a lot of instruction on how to keep learning and practicing Spanish when I returned to the states. One of those things was to start reading children's story books in Spanish which I have found to be really helpful in learning how to speak, put logical sentences together and to build vocabulary.
We met in cafe's and on the last day we met at Walmart and went grocery shopping. Maria had a list of foods I had to find and pick out and it was a great way to learn. After class we went to another teacher's home and joined her and another student and and we made sopes from scratch and sauteed cactus, which I had never eaten before, and other vegetables to put on the sopes. Then we grilled up some meats at the outside pavilion grill, where we all sat down and enjoyed a delicious meal together. It was a fun way to end the week and to spend some down time with Maria and get to know her not as just my teacher but as a person with a life outside of teaching. It also helped me be in a social setting and where I could practice conversational Spanish in a group without feeling intimidated.
I stayed in a boutique hotel on the north end of town and could easily walk to all the class destinations.
Honestly, I do not have anything to report that was negative or that I did not like. And i am already planning a trip back to take class with Maria again.
I would highly recommend the Spanish Institute to anyone interested in learning the language. It is affordable, the syllabus is well organized and you are not stuck inside a classroom setting, Sweet Maria was awesome and very passionate about teaching non Spanish speakers.
It was an all around awesome experience!
Shay Tibbits
I liked the idea of having the class in different places because I got to know the top local spots in town. My teacher was very professional and lessons were very dynamic in my opinion. Overall I really enjoy Playa and the school and can fully recommend it to anyone.
Show details » Read more...Excellent!! The best school language experience ever!!
It was fun and fast learning experience! The best professors ever!!
Thank you so much for all the help with the housing!
I enjoyed the class because it allowed me both to learn Spanish and discover locations where locals go in Playa del Carmen like cafes, art galleries. I took the intermediate class in the 20 hour per week course I can't remember the name but learned a lot and enjoyed my time. I didn't book housing but aulirbns are quite convenient as an option.
Show details » Read more...Very positive experience, the teacher was prepared, I followed lectures with interest and I met many interesting people, I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn a new language by making new acquaintances.
Show details » Read more...Homestays are carefully selected and offer students the opportunity to learn more about the local culture in a comfortable setting while studying Spanish in Playa del Carmen. These homes are often between 10 - 15 minutes away from the school by public transport. Families usually offer affordable meal plans that allow you to sample the local cuisine. If you have special requests or diet restrictions (because of religion or health reasons), please let us know in advance. Your housing starts on the Sunday before your first day of class and ends on the Saturday after your last day of class, unless otherwise noted. Learn more about homestay housing
Student residences are more suitable for an independent student, who is looking for clean, basic accommodation at an economic price. All students must be 15 - 55. Your housing starts on the Sunday before your first day of class and ends on the Saturday after your last day of class, unless otherwise noted. Student residences often do not include any meal plan. Learn more about student residence accommodation
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.
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 Playa del Carmen based on your budget, schedule and preferences.
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.
Playa del Carmen Spanish Institute has been operating since 2005 but we have been offering a new methodology for studying Spanish since 2017. Our school is focused in total immersion, which means students face real time situations everyday. Our class is not held in a traditional classroom environment but we have different locations each day: local cafeterias, restaurants, the beach, cooking lessons, art galleries, Mayan ruins, local shops where students learn by doing and interacting. This allows the students both to learn and know Playa del Carmen. All our locations are in downtown Playa del Carmen and we have different class levels.
We are the only Spanish School in Playa del Carmen run by locals 100%
Playa del Carmen is the top destination for tourism in Mexico, its very walkable.
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