Instituto Intercultural del Caribe (IIC)
Calle Ayuntamiento #1, El Batey, Sosua, Puerto Plata 57000, Dominican Republic
Instituto Intercultural del Caribe (IIC)
"Spanish Interactive" combines a regular group course (20 les/wk) with 2 privately led educational field trips per week. The field trips are 2 hours (120 minutes) each.
During those field trips, the teacher takes the student onto so-called "Salidas Pedagógicas" into the city. They serve as conversational immersion training.
That way, the students apply and practice their newly acquired language skills from class right away on site in every-day situations with the local people under the guidance of an experienced teacher.
Salídas pedagógicas with your Private Teacher (examples):
* You will go to a market, learn about local fruits and vegetables, practice to ask for a certain product, and learn how to negotiate prices.
* Or you will visit a local restaurant and learn how to order a meal.
* You might also go with your teacher to a pharmacy and practice how to describe an illness and ask for medication.
* Or you will meet representatives of different professions and lead interviews about their job and their professional background.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It may happen that in a certain week there is only one student signed up on a certain group level. Should there be less than 2 students of the same level enrolled to form a group, the course will not be cancelled but carried out as an individual course with a private teacher 1:1. Thus the school reserves the right to provide the individual course at a reduced number of lessons (usually 50% of the total amount of group lessons).
The school retains the right to determine the timetable of the lessons.
If there is an official holiday (see dates when the school will be closed), IIC offers for Group Courses an optional 2-hour “Spanish & Culture“-group class for compensation. Private Lessons will continue to be fully rescheduled.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADD-ON Spanish Trainings 1-on-1:
In addition to this course, students can book single Spanish Workshops (Add-on Trainings with a private tutor) on various topics at their own interest, learning path and budget, including workshops and field trips on Dominican culture and living. As there are:
Workshop “Cultura Dominicana” (1.5 h) = USD 45.-
Workshop “Conversación & Pronunciación” (1.5 h) = USD 45.-
Workshop “Español Médico” (1.5 h) = USD 45.-
Workshop “Español de Negocios” (1.5 h) = USD 45.-
-> price per Workshop (in addition to weekly Spanish course)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other SPECIAL PROGRAMS in Sosua:
- Bildungsurlaub
- University Credits
- Spanish & Dancing
- Spanish & Surfing (windsurfing or kite boarding)
- Spanish & Scuba Diving
Please ask for more information.
Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities
Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.
Average | 4 students |
Maximum | 7 students |
Age range | 16 years old and older |
Average | 35 years old (28 in the summer) |
2 schools, 30 years of experience in teaching, and over 40 partners worldwide: IIC provides an authentic immersion experience and quality Spanish language teaching in a family-like, Caribbean setting.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL:
Instituto Intercultural del Caribe (IIC), founded in 1994, is the Spanish Department of the German-Dominican Language & Culture Institute EDASE. With its 2 schools, one in Santo Domingo and one in Sosua, IIC offers its students the unique possibility to explore the country's diversity in life-style, culture and nature and discover two very distinct faces of the Dominican Republic. They can even combine both study locations within one program if they wish.
The Institute offers mini-group courses and tailor-made private classes all year round with highly qualified and experienced Spanish teachers. IIC intensive courses are accredited in Germany for educational leave (Bildungsurlaub) and for university credits through Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania (US) www.setonhill.edu Preparation courses for the DELE exams, specialized Business Spanish programs as well as tailor-made programs for Study Abroad Groups are available. Special leisure time add-ons like scuba diving, wind/kite surfing or dancing can be booked in addition to a Spanish course.
The Sosua School is centrally located in Sosua in the district of El Batey, within a stone’s throw of the next beach and a little colmado (typical Dominican mom-and-pop store) and a 15-minute walk to the city center with its supermarkets, shops, restaurants, bars, and the public transportation stations. Sosua’s main beaches Playa Sosua and Playa Alicia are also only minutes walking away.
The school building, surrounded by a colorful tropical garden, offers the ideal ambiance for concentrated learning in a relaxing surrounding. Classes often take place on one of the sheltered, airy terraces outside.The indoor classrooms are decorated in a simple, Caribbean style. Cozy sun-chairs in the garden, games, and a small collection of light reading are to be used by all students.
The students have free wifi internet access at the school.
The garden, its terraces, and an open-door communal area create a personal and friendly environment, ideal for relaxation and exchange of experience. They serve as meeting places for the students from abroad learning Spanish as well as the school’s local students who learn German and English in the same building.
The nationality and age mix at Instituto Intercultural del Caribe (IIC) varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 35. In the summer, the average age is 28.
IIC Spanish School teaches students from all over the world, including:
IIC SOSUA:
The Institute is centrally located in Sosua in the district of El Batey, within a stone’s throw of the next beach and a little colmado (typical Dominican mom-and-pop store) and a 15-minute walk to the city center with its supermarkets, shops, restaurants, bars, and the public transportation stations. Sosua’s main beaches Playa Sosua and Playa Alicia are also only minutes walking away.
The school building, surrounded by a colorful tropical garden, offers the ideal ambiance for concentrated learning in a relaxing surrounding. Classes often take place on one of the sheltered, airy terraces outside. The indoor classrooms are decorated in a simple, Caribbean style. Cozy sun-chairs in the garden, games, and a small collection of light reading are to be used by all students.
The students have free wifi internet access at the school.
The garden, its terraces, and an open-door communal area create a personal and friendly environment, ideal for relaxation and exchange of experience. They serve as meeting places for the students from abroad learning Spanish as well as the school’s local students who learn German and English in the same building.
The City:
If relaxation, sports, and nature are your primary interests, besides learning Spanish, then Sosua is the right place for you.
This small town on the north coast of the Dominican Republic offers a broad variety of leisure activities, and so does near-by Cabarete which is only 15 minutes away.
While Sosua mainly attracts scuba divers, Cabarete is known as one of the best kite boarding and windsurfing spots in the world. There is also a great surf wave between the two towns at Playa Encuentro.
At night Dominicans, surfers, and tourists mingle in one of the numerous cafes, beach bars, restaurants, and discos in Sosua or Cabarete, enjoy having a chat, dancing, and partying together.
ADD-ON PROGRAMS in Sosua:
- Culture Class and Culture Activity
- Spanish & Dancing
- Spanish & Windsurfing
- Spanish & Kite Surfing
- Spanish & Scuba Diving
- Bildungsurlaub
- University Credits
Please ask for details.
I had 2 weeks of private Spanish classes.
The school is close to the center of Sosua and its beach. But it is in opposite to Sosua an island of relaxation. The staff was always very friendly, offered coffee and were ready for a small chat.
My teacher was great and I could always demand what I wanted to learn that day.
I coming back again!
Thanks a lot!
The mandatory pretest to determine ability level was ignored. Teacher told me it didn't measure anything and had me do another test of hers and determined me at a very low level and taught me as such. My level determined by the school's pre-evaluation test had been B1/B2. She was teaching me basic information I already knew, such as conjugating verbs in the present and preterite, and teaching me about pronouns.
The speaking domain was significantly ignored. The teacher spoke the most. After four weeks I received a certificate for level C1, which would be a miracle for the most intelligent person. How was the growth to C1 measured when there was not an exit exam? I did not receive what I paid for, nor what I expected. But, I made the best out of the situation.
Add-on Sept2021: The student is continuing to study Spanish with us online to this day. She passed her exam.
RE Feb2019: Thank you for taking the time to share your impressions and providing your review. We appreciate it and we are very sorry that you have been discontent with your class at our school. Indeed, your pretest did not measure your level adequately and we are sorry for the inconvenience. Since we had been informed that you are on C2-level, we had sent out our advanced test; though when receiving your test last minute the Friday before your course start, we, together with your teacher, then considered it more appropriate to ask you to take our other pretest on a more adequate level on site. Accordingly, along our level system (we work along the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR), your proficiency level was then determined as completed B1/ entering B2-level, showing selectively already skills and knowledge of B2-level (sic! repetitions of subjunctive present and imperfect as part of your course content).
Regarding the certificate: Towards the end of your program, you started working on course content and materials of the C1-level which, considering your total amount of 120 lessons of class and following our course curriculum, places you on a (starting) C1-level. Our certificates for regular courses are certificates of participation, stating the highest course level a student has been working on along the CEFR, though not stating that a student has completed a certain level. This, of course, would require oral and written testing at the end of class, which we do only on request, e.g. for academic credits, demanding an official transcript.
We are very sorry that you, in the end, felt unprepared for passing an exam you obviously intended to take back home. We would have loved to serve you better. As explained to your agency prior to your booking, we do only DELE exam preparations; these follow a completely different curriculum and testing method, and are available in private tuition only. We do not prepare for other national nor international Spanish exams, in particular not in open group classes as in your course. Though, if we can support you in the further enhancement of your conversational skills, we are still gladly offering you the possibility to continue working with our professional, native-speaking teachers in online skype conversations.
The classes and teachers were phenomenal! Super engaging and kind. Location was spot on- perfect. Walking distance from the beach, restaurants, grocery shopping, and public transportation.
The facilities were decent but could use some upgrading if possible.
The activities were fabulous and very enjoyable. The housing was livable but could also use updating. (Mentioned bed in other message.
Muchas gracias - thank you very much for your review. We are glad to have had you, happy that you loved your class and our location, and appreciative for your feedback on areas of improvement which we work on. Hope to see you again soon!
I started out in a group of three people and then went to a private class.
The staff is very nice and accommodating and the excursions that are offered to us are fun.
I don't regret my money what so ever and I'd recommend this school to anyone.
¡Muchas gracias! Thank you very much for your kind review and are glad that you enjoy being with us - as we enjoy having you!
I had an exellent time here. I did not stay at the apartmens here, but they are really nice. I travelled alone, and met alot of new, interesting people at school. They arrange many excursions which you can choose to participate. This was at great help to see and enjoy nice attractions and places in the area. You can also ask if there's something you would like to do or see, and they will help you.
The school is situated in a beautiful area in Sosúa. I had classes outdoors, with a beautiful view over the green garden.
The classes were simply great. I had a highly qualified teacher for two weeks. He is very professional, with a great sense of humour and a great personality. He quickly evaluates your level of Spanish, and keeps doing so during your classes to adapt his classes for you to learn the best way possible. He uses a big repertoire of pedagogic tools/activities to make variations in class and for you to practice and learn in different ways. The most interesting part for me where the times when we just talked and discussed topics that came up, and new impressions of the Dominican culture - this was a great way to learn more about the country and the people as well as the Spanish language.
I highly recommend this school!
¡Muchísimas gracias! Thank you for taking the time to post your review. We enjoyed having you here with us very, very much and hope to see you again!
Teaching was intense and still fun. School totally took care us--from hotel accommodations to excursions to see the country including seeing whales in Samana! There was great camaraderie among the students from many different countries. In class, our assignments and homework were to write about
ourselves, our country's food, holidays etc. We really wanted to share ourselves and learn about the other students.
It was not boring at all! I learned a lot of Spanish. There was nothing I didn't like and I plan on going back next year.
¡Muchas gracias! It was great having you and you made such great progress in your Spanish language skills! Hope to see you again. Muchos saludos cordiales de todos aqui de tu familia dominicana de la Casa Goethe/ IIC Spanish School
Great classes, teacher and location. N/A activities and housing
Show details » Read more...Muchas gracias, Claire. Thank you for taking the time to post your review. We are excited to see you again soon - ¡hasta luego!
IIC is located in the perfect area of Sosua. It is very convenient to the airport in Puerto Plata, local beaches along with the beaches in nearby cities, shopping and restaurants, and different types of transit services. The grounds are very nice and are in the local architectural style of the Republíca Dominicana. The housing is fair but could use updating and some repairs.
The administration, although extremely nice and helpful, could do a much better job in providing necessary information regarding local services at the very beginning, making certain that fixtures and equipment are working properly, and having more choices of low to moderate priced activities planned.
I liked both of my professors who were well-qualified. My 2nd professor, Sheilla, was amazing. She used a variety of teaching styles to meet the needs of everyone. Although I ended up being very pleased with Sheilla, I felt that my first week with a different teacher with a very different style of teaching was not very beneficial which made me feel like I did not get a full 3 weeks of studies. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5. I also think that I would have enjoyed learning w/ a more diverse group but overall the other students were nice. Also, I made some wonderful friendships which I am sure will last a lifetime and we will continue to help each other with Spanish.
Overall, I enjoyed IIC, and I am very happy with my Spanish Immersion experience with them.
Thanks much.
Hola Angela, thank you so very much for taking the time to give us your feedback also in this review. We are glad that you enjoyed your program with us at IIC and we appreciate your suggestions. This will help us to further improve our services, e.g. as we now provide information on the leisure program and possible independent activities through different channels on site. Infrastructure still is a challenge in our country, but it is improving as well step by step. We truly enjoyed having you here with us and hope to welcome you again soon. Saludos cordiales from the whole IIC/Casa Goethe team - ¡hasta luego!
I really enjoyed my stay there. Had a great time. My teacher was just brilliant, a lovely nice person, including teaching skills and really fitted into this work. The school's student adviser was also very nice and helpful in some orientation and other stuff. Classrooms were okay, the furnishing was a little bad, just plastic chairs, etc. The location and facilities overall were very good and clean. And it's really a beautiful place! That's it.
Show details » Read more...Hola Valentin, muchas gracias - thank you for taking the time to give this feedback. It was great to have you staying, learning, exploring, laughing, working hard with us and giving us the chance to getting to know you as a truly kind person during those intensive study weeks here with us in Sosua. We hope you will have many chances to continue practicing your Spanish. Muchos saludos de la familia IIC/Casa Goethe
IIC Spanish School provides some assistance with hotel or hostel reservations or you can reserve a room on your own. Learn more about hostel housing
We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.
Your letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you.
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 Sosua 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.
Have questions? Get answers from Instituto Intercultural del Caribe (IIC) staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.
Ask a questionInstituto Intercultural del Caribe (IIC)