Centro Catalina Spanish School Cartagena
Centro Histórico, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia
Centro Catalina Spanish School Cartagena
Standard Course plus 10
This course is designed for people who wish to progress fast and want to focus on their own subjects. You have classes in group in the morning from 09:00 am until 12:40 and 2 private lessons with a teacher in the afternoon which will be sheduled when the you are here at school.
Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities
Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.
Average | 5 students |
Maximum | 8 students |
Age range | 18 years old and older |
Average | 30 years old |
Our Spanish school is located in a beautiful 16th century colonial house and offers all the necessary accommodations to give Spanish classes with access to the internet, a small library, video projectors, the use of audio materials, and also a TV/DVD player that is used during “Movie Night.” Because we are a small school it gives us the advantage to have both a friendly atmosphere as well as a highly professional learning atmosphere which allows students and teacher to get to know each other which achieves a better exchange between cultures and the success of language learning.
Our group courses are dynamic, multicultural, and enjoyable with students from all over the world. A majority of our students come from Canada, Australia, USA, Holland, Switzerland and Germany. The average age ranges between 18 to 35 years old. However, it is also very common to have mature adults between 50 and 65 years old who are not only interested in learning the Spanish language but also in the Colombian and South American culture. Our groups are small with a maximum of 6 participants per class, and we aim to have a continuous and successful dialogue between students and teacher. Each lesson lasts 45 minutes with a break of 15 minutes between classes. There are three different levels per course: Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced. Upon arrival, the student will take a Placement Test in order to determine their level and be placed in the correct Spanish class.
The nationality and age mix at Centro Catalina Spanish School Cartagena varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 30. In the summer, the average age is 30.
Centro Catalina Cartagena teaches students from all over the world, including:
Centro Catalina Cartagena 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.
Our Spanish school is located inside the prestigious old town area of Cartagena de Indias.
Centro Catalina is a Spanish school situated in the heart of the Cartagena de Indias’ old town area, just one block from the well-known Santo Domingo square and the Santa Teresa hotel. Our Spanish school is located in a beautiful 16th-century colonial house and offers all the necessary accommodations to give Spanish classes with access to the internet, a small library, video projectors, the use of audio materials, and also a TV/DVD player that is used during “Movie Night.” Because we are a small school it gives us the advantage to have both a friendly atmosphere as well as a highly professional learning atmosphere which allows students and teacher to get to know each other which achieves a better exchange between cultures and the success of language learning.
+Die Klassengrössen waren optimal
+Die Lehrpersonen waren angenehm, offen und zu meist motiviert
+Die Ausstattung der Klassenzimmer waren in Ordnung
+Die Location liegt in einem zentralen und ruhigen Ort (Obwohl eine Bausstelle im Nebengebäude war)
+/- Die Aktivitäten waren meist interessant jedoch etwas redundant für die Personen, die etwas länger vor Ort sind (Animator ist relativ neu und braucht noch etwas Erfahrung oder Unterstützung)
-Bei Personen die länger vor Ort sind kann es vorkommen, dass Schulstoff wiederholt wird, weil es zu wenig unterschiedliche
Klassen-Niveaus existieren (Auch gar nicht möglich aus Sicht der vorhanden Ressourcen).
I stayed there for 4 weeks and achieved Level B1 after just starting with the Spanish language. The teachers were all very young and extremely friendly. Apart from the great classes in the morning with 5 to 9 students (9 was a bit too much) I also had class in the afternoon which helped me a lot to improve my speaking skills. Now I am able to have a good conversation in Spanish and use my learnings. I would recommend Centro Catalina to everyone who wants to learn Spanish and enjoy the Caribbean breeze with a good Colombian vibe. The afternoon/evening activities were very nice and I could connect with other students as well as practicing my Spanish.
Show details » Read more...Friendly interactive course with a motivated group
Show details » Read more...Do not attend this school if you already know some Spanish and are looking to learn more. Let's start with the fact that there are no books so you don't know what you are studying, where you are going, or where you have been. Classes are basically conversation. I found that beginners with no Spanish progressed rapidly for about two weeks. Those of us with more experience, to a person, felt that we learned little and were frustrated. I started in class with two young men who had been studying intensively at the school ( morning and afternoon) for 6 weeks. They were just starting to conjugate irregular verbs in the preterite (simple past), In 4 weeks at other schools I had already done the present, preterite, imperfect, conditional and future tenses. I went to more classes to learn more about the imperfect and conditional, and made that clear to the teachers. That did not happen and in fact I think I speak less now than before I went to Centro Catalina. This is not the fault of my teacher who was great. It is the system.
With respect to accommodations, as it turned out, my roommate and I were the only students with air conditioning (other than a few who did home stays and paid extra for it). I don't think I would have survived without it. Our apartment was lovely, with an ocean view and a pool. But the location wasn't great. It was not near any other students and we were the only students in the building. Also, the internet did not work for most of the time we were there and we had to complain every day before it was fixed. Further, the apartment was poorly maintained. All it would have taken was a screwdriver and some WD40 to fix most of it, but in the time I was there the lock to my roommate's bedroom broke and she was locked out, the handle in the shower broke, most of the cabinets needed tightening, the lock to the front door stuck several times, the tv never worked and one plug stopped working.
What the school excelled at was activities. Due mostly to their social director the school was fun. There were tours, tastings and David had weekly BBQs at the School-owned house. David went out with the students most nights dancing, drinking, seeing the sites and truly made the school seem like a family. Further, it was a great group of students from around the world.
I'm really happy with my experience at Centro Catalina. The school is very well organised, has plenty of students (in March, we were between 25 and 40 students) to split into small group with homogeneous levels. Teachers were really good, structured and organised. The team is lovely. The school is well located in the touristic centre of Cartagena (perfect spot for an extended stay, with beautiful historic city, fab weather, lovely fruits). I studied there for 2 weeks but could easily have done 3 or 4 if I had time. Some social activities are offered for the afternoons.
Show details » Read more...The instructors were very knowledgeable, professional, and really made you feel welcome. The planning of the lessons was very logical and was a good mix of new material and repetition/games to help cement in the material previously learned.
Show details » Read more...I studied Spanish for three weeks, and in my opinion, everything was perfect.
Show details » Read more...Everything was perfectly arranged. It was in a good location, very central. They had a nice patio where a hammock was present, and there was a canteen where you could get fresh orange juice every day. The staff was very cheerful, very kind. They had a house cat which created a warm feeling. The classrooms were fine. The teachers were good. They wanted to help with everything. What I did find annoying was that some teachers did not speak English. It was hard when you did not understand what she explained.
Furthermore, the family was very sweet. Less than in Bogotá, much less involved. Everyone had his / her own life. They spoke no English and my Spanish was not at the right level for the right to speak so it was hard to communicate. The mother of the house was super sweet. It was a nice apartment, good room, and good facilities. Everything was all right.
I liked Wilson very much. He was a good teacher and was very friendly. I learned vocabulary and verbs.
I liked Ray because he was friendly, but he did not speak too much. There were many exercises. The better it was for all.
Juliet was a very good but very shy teacher. David was very sympathetic and he organized many things.
The one thing I did not like much was the North Sea because there was noise as the windows were open. The building is a bit far too. It was very windy by the windows. There was no hot water at the shower, but the cleaning lady was very friendly and the kitchen had many things.
I plan to go back next year but not to the North Sea.
A thousand kisses to all,
Isabelle
Well, the staff is great, and so is the location and the school. I really loved the activities that the school provide, such as bike riding, movies, etc.
But I don't think the test is efficient, 1 page of test and 3 questions are not able to fit me in the right level, and even after when I moved level, I don't think the teacher was pay attention if I was on the right level, less or more advanced of the other students.
The first teacher I had was amazing, really dynamic and with several activity that made everything so easy and efficient.
The others teachers don't seem like they have a methodology to teach, each day treats a different thing, and I had the same subject repeated over and over again.
Spite of the messy line of learning, I had my Spanish improved a lot.
Other thing that made me very uncomfortable at school, is that there were a lot of students from the same country that kept speaking in their own language at school, in class, in activities. You never know if they are talking or laughing at you, besides, how can we practice if they are always speaking other languages?
It should have a policy of Spanish only at school.
I had a great time in Cartagena with the teachers, the class and the several activities I joined. My homestay family was just lovely and I can only recommend of doing that wich helps you to improve your speaking Spanish. Cartagena as well is a lovely city and you can easily spend a few weeks there without getting bored. Overall a great experience!
Show details » Read more...School has a very good and safe location. It is right in the old city and not too far from house location. There are many choices when it comes to transportation in Cartagena and they are not too expensive. School and teachers left overall an excellent impression. They were always very pleasant, accommodating, often with a great attitude and smile on their faces. My special recognition and thanks to Mr. Andres and Mr. Jorge for their professionalism and friendly approach. There were plenty of different types of activities each week, something for everyone. Hosting family was very welcoming, friendly and helpful. The only suggestion is to have in option (additional charge) an AC in the room when choosing a hosting family.
Show details » Read more...The teachers of the school are great! Sindy especially! They are welcoming, nice and very good at their jobs. I am a teacher myself and it is clear that they know what they are doing!
There are too few levels and that means that a lot of people of very different levels are put together in the same class. When I was there we had a group of Americans from a college there to do a summer course. Their grammar knowledge is very good as they have been studying spanish for a long time at college. They do, however, have no real training in language use and it became quite frustrating trying to have real speed conversations with them. Maybe this could give an idea as to what you could do in terms of differentiating.
The housing I have already reviewed before I left the school. My host mother was unwelcoming, gave us hardly anything to eat for breakfast and we (me and the girl I shared family with) were not satisfied.
Cartagena is a beautiful city and I loved it. Would be happy to come back if I could be more challenged in the language next time.
Homestays are carefully selected and offer students the opportunity to learn more about the local culture in a comfortable setting while studying Spanish in Cartagena de Indias. These homes are often between 15 - 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
It is possible to live in a rented apartment during your study in Cartagena de Indias, but this tends to be more expensive. Centro Catalina Cartagena provides some assistance with apartment rentals or you can rent an apartment on your own. Learn more about apartment housing
Centro Catalina Cartagena 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 Cartagena de Indias 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 Centro Catalina Spanish School Cartagena staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.
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