SEMESTER

13 WEEK SEMESTER PROGRAM

Semester program will focus on the intensive language study and the history, culture and socioeconomic institutions of Ecuador.

SPANISH INSTRUCTION:

150 hours of Spanish instruction. The number of Spanish levels/groups is determined according to the number of students.

1 week: Quito orientation, Cuenca tour and placement exam and city tour
4 weeks of Spanish instruction: including many activities
1 week of group trip including conferences, hotels, meals, transportation, guide
2 weeks of Spanish instruction: including many activities
1 week of independent travel
4 weeks of Spanish instruction

ACADEMIC COURSES:

The semester program includes the same activities as summer programs and two academic courses may be included in the afternoon: Anthropology, History or Ecology.

Anthropology: 30 hours Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Ecology or History: 30 hours Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

These courses will be taught in English.

SPANISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

This is a description of the Spanish Program offered by Fundación Amauta, which is for adult students. Readings may vary according to students’ interests.

Levels:

If the college/university requires minimum proficiency in Spanish, such as a year or two of Spanish instruction, then we can divide the group into different levels based on ability, starting with:

Intermediate
Upper intermediate
Advanced

If it does not, then:

Beginner
Intermediate
Upper intermediate
Advanced

Each level includes:

Grammar
Listening comprehension
Writing
Reading
Conversation
Vocabulary

A placement exam will be given the first day of class.

READINGS:

Beginners: Short stories

Intermediate: South American and Ecuadorian legends

Upper Intermediate: Spanish and Latin American authors, stories

Advanced: Latin American literature, various authors

THE SPANISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM INCLUDES A SPECIAL ACTIVITY EACH WEEK

These are some of the activities that take place during the semester program:

1.A special gathering with local university students. The purpose of this activity is to give our students the opportunity to meet new people and to make friends with whom to share activities during the remaining three weeks and to practice Spanish. This activity is carried out on Friday afternoon at 4:00 pm, and it includes a snack.

2.In this activity students go to the local market and buy ingredients to prepare a typical Ecuadorian dish at home with the family and bring it the next day to share with the rest of students and explain how it was prepared.

3.Lecture: topic according to the students’ interests

4.Community service

5.Photography contest

6.Bulletin board

7.Local Interview project

8.“Cuenca: Cultura y tradición” Project

HOMESTAY

We arrange homestays with local families for all our students. They are provided with their own rooms, eat their meals and participate in family life. This allows them to practice their Spanish outside the classroom and to integrate into community life. Families in both urban and rural areas are available.

You can choose whether you want to stay in a house or apartment; whether you want to stay with the family that has children; or even a vegetarian family.

For those who prefer to live independently, we can arrange for a private room or apartment.

AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES: OPTIONAL

Tuesday and Thursday: Salsa lessons: 20 lessons

Schedule: 5:00-6:00 p.m.

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES: OPTIONAL

1.Ingapirca trip, Transportation, Guide and entrance; families will provide lunch.

2.Chorro waterfalls and Yunguilla

3.Cajas National Park: (ONE DAY) or Cajas National Park plus Manglares Churutes (TWO DAYS)

4.Family party at the end of the program.

TRIPS DESCRIPTION

GROUP TRIP TO THE COAST

Day 1	Departure from Cuenca to Guayaquil
Day 2	Breakfast Departure to Playas Visit to the Cerro Blanco natural forest Lunch in Playas and free afternoon
Day 3	Breakfast Departure to Puerto del Morro for bird watching and to observe the mangroves Lunch Departure to Alandaluz Ecological Center Dinner at Alandaluz
Day4	Breakfast Departure to the Isla de la Plata Full day Dinner at Alandaluz
Day 5	Breakfast Visit Agua Blanca nd Salando Communities Dinner at Alandaluz
Day 6	Breakfast Visit to the communities, handicrafts Free afternoon Dinner at alandaluz
Day 7	Morning 8:15 - Return to Cuenca

GROUP TRIP TO THE ORIENTE / JUNGLE

Day 1	Departure from Cuenca Visit to the Incan Ruins of Ingapirca and to Balbanera the first catholic church in Ecuador Arrival at Baños, the entrance to the jungle
Day 2	Breakfast Departure to the waterfalls Two groups: bike and bus Lun at Mirame Lindo Spend the night at Puyo
Day 3	Breakfast Departure to Misahualli Lunch at El Paisano Afternoon: Visit the Jumandry caves Dinner at El Paisano
Day4	Breakfast Departure to the jungle Canoe trip Stay at cabins Dinner at the camp
Day 5	Breakfast Trekking in the jungle Dinner at the camp
Day 6	Breakfast Visit the Indian village Afternoon Swimming in the Puni river Dinner at the camp
Day 7	Departure to Baños - lunch and return to Cuenca