" I had a fantastic experience with Guatemalensis Spanish School in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Nora and Rolando are amazing directors who plan the best excursions and activities and are there for help whenever you need it. The teachers here are phenomenal and are truly interested in improving your spanish skills in whatever area you need. I really connected with my teacher. The school is beautiful and in a great location in Xela. My host family lived right around the corner from the school. The family was welcoming, nice, and caring. Xela is a city rich in experience and culture. The citizens here are nice and willing to engage in conversation. With the Guatemalensis Spanish School, you really experience Xela as a Guatemalan. All the places you go to see and experience make you love Xela. I’ve been here for a month and have improved my spanish skills phenomenally. This was a truly valuable experience, and I hope to return again very soon. "

 Evan Lege, U.S.A.

"If your goal is to acquire a mastery of the Spanish Language in a Safe and hospitable environment, then the Guatemalensis Spanish School is a great choice. I have been to the school twice, for 2 two-week classes, and have learned enough to feel comfortable on the streets and countryside of Guatemala. The owners, Nora and Rolando are extremely accomodating. They are kind and very informed. Learning Spanish through an immersion experience has been an incredible experience for me. If you choose to come to this school, you will learn Spanish, and you will learn much about yourself and life. With great sincerity I recommend the Guatemalensis Spanish School.  "

 Joe Engelbrecht, California, U.S.A.

" Mi experiencia en Guatemala: Yo siento que mi experiencia en Guatemala fué bien. Yo aprendí mucho acerca de la cultura guatemalteca y la cultura de los Mayas. Mi experiencia en Quetzaltenango fué interesante porque es muy diferente de Corea o los Estados Unidos. Por ejemplo, muchas personas en Corea o Estados Unidos hacen énfasis en estar teniendo muchas cosas, pero aquí, muchas personas hacen énfasis en la persona. En la mayoría del mundo, muchas personas no están feliz pero yo pienso que la mayoría de los guatemaltecos están muy felices. A mi me gusta Guatemala porque yo pienso que la gente está feliz. En el futuro, yo quiero regresar a Guatemala para estudiar más. Yo estoy muy triste ahora porque yo voy a regresar a Costa Rica mañana en la mañana. Yo no voy a olvidar las ropas de los indígenas, la escuela que se llama Guatemalensis, mi familia de Guatemala y a mi maestra. La ropa de los indígenas fué de muchos diferentes colores e interesante porque no hubo la ropa similar en Corea. Las personas en la escuela fueron muy amables y yo no voy a olvidar, especialmente mi maestra, mi familia de Guatemala fué amable también y nos dieron comida todo el tiempo en que Eun y yo estuvimos aquí. Entonces yo no voy a olvidar mi experiencia en Guatemala. "

 Mee Kyung Choi, Korea

"I enjoyed every minute of the almost 3 weeks I attended Guatemalensis Spanish School.  I would definitely recommend it to any student interested in learning or improving their Spanish vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and conversation skills.  I learned far more than I ever thought possible in this time with no previous Spanish, and am now able to have a conversation in present and past tenses, find directions, understand books movies and newspapers, participate in activities, and obtain goods and services.

Nora and Rolando work tirelessly to support a diverse and well organized curriculum that includes lessons delivered in various ways to suit different learning styles. There are also many opportunities to participate in free or inexpensive trips and activities that offer a wealth of enjoyable physical and cultural activities in the region, including Mayan ruins, hot springs, hiking trips, and more.  They have over 20 years of experience running this great school and hosting students from all over the world from different backgrounds and levels of expertise. The teachers were all very professional, patient, organized, and well trained and adjusted their pace to match that of the students.  During the time I was there, no student ever had anything but great things to say about the school (unlike quite a few other schools described by other students I met) – several enjoyed it so much they returned for more lessons during their travels.  The home stays also were all well spoken of – both an economical way to live and visit, plenty of great local food, as well as an excellent opportunity to practice Spanish conversation and meet others."

 J. Krakowski, Canada

"If you are thinking about learning spanish in Xela, you cannot go past the vibrant and authentic Guatemalensis. We spent three weeks at Guatemalensis and loved every minute of it. School directors Nora and Rolando are committed to ensuring you are completely happy with every aspect of your experience, be it accomodation, schooling, social activities or Xela life in general! They are also alot of fun. In three weeks we both made great progress with our spanish thanks to the highly professional and dedicated teachers. We also enjoyed the benefit of salsa lessons, cooking, cultural talks, trips to local hot springs, saunas and climbing every volcano in sight! Feel free to email us at mikejclarke@gmail.com if you want any more information or have questions about our experience. "

 Kate & Mike, Australia

"To whom concern:  I would highly recommend Guatemalensis Spanish School to any person or organization. The owners are very professional and caring. They have provided excelent teachers, accomodations and the school es exceptionally Clean, Safe and located in a great location. I interviewed 10 other schools and picked this one. I will proudly recommend Guatemalensis to all and hope to return for further education. I believe the experience of the school is one of their keys to their success. Great School, Great Owner/Operators, Great Teachers. Thanks –your friend. "

 Bill Sario, U.S.A.  2-25-2010

"5 semaines absolument ideales a la Guatemalensis Spanish School : une prof ultra competente et sympathique, une famille adorable, des activites variees et interessantes et des rencontres enrichissantes... De plus Rolando et Nora, les responsables de l'ecole sont toujours la pour aider un etudiant qui en a besoin. En bref, je recommande chaudement cette ecole a qui veut apprendre rapidement et agreablement l'espagnol tout en decouvrant le Guatemala!!   "

 Caroline Bourgeois, France

"Nun war ich ein Monat in dieser Schule und soll meine Meinung da zu schreiben…Subjektiv natürlich…. Guatemalensis Spanish School ist eine kleine Schule und deswegen sehr familiär geführt von dem Ehepaar Nora und Rolando. Sie und die lehrerinnen bemühen sich sehr um das wohlbefinden ihrer Schützlinge und helfen und unterstützen wo es möglich ist. Die Gast familien sind ausgewählt und haben Erfahrung mit Verüchztheiten und Wünschen “Extranjeros” Aber zu sagen ist Guatemala ist Guatemala und ka un nicht mit Europäischen Maβstäben verglichen werden!. Zu den Lehrerinnen, soweit ich sie kennen gelernt habe, sind sie alle gut organisiert, nicht auf den Mund gefallen und haben viel Erfahrung im Unterrichten. Nach mittags aktivitäten und Lusflüge gibts natürlich auch, aber sollte jemand mehr auf “Fun” als auf lernen aus sein, würde ich mich vorher erkundigen wie es mit anderen Studenten aussieht, oder eine gröβere Schule empfehlen. Hängt jedoch stark von den anwesenden Studenten ab. Ich zum Beispiel war 19 und somit die Jüngste in dieser Zeit mit einigen 30 und 60 Jahrigen. "

 Sophie Thérèse Stöttinger, Austria

"I took classes at the Guatemalensis School in Quetzaltenango (Xela) for four weeks during November and December of 2008. I found this to be a very rewarding experience, for many many reasons. Here are just a few:

Xela is a perfect location for a language school. It is a great learning environment for a number of reasons. First of all, it is safe. I was able to feel part of the city without worrying about my safety, which was very important. It enabled me to feel what it’s like to live in Guatemala. My host family provided everything for me; most importantly, during these four weeks it was like my home.  

The language instruction was also very good. The individual 1-on-1 training catered to my specific Spanish ability. In addition, the many extracurricular activities and excursions supervised by the teachers taught me more than one can learn in a classroom. And these excursions went well beyond mere tourism; they were more about meeting and learning the environment and its people than just some sightseeing tours.

The school’s directors Nora and Rolando were a big reason why I enjoyed my time in Xela so much. They weren’t just directors, they were friends. Each day during breaks, they ate snacks and talked with us students. It seemed like they enjoyed our company as much as we did theirs. I had the feeling they weren’t just there to run a school – they were actually concerned about our progress and wellbeing.

The Guatemalensis School is more than a mere language school. It also organizes projects to help those in need in Xela. “Learning Spanish and helping others” isn’t just a motto here – it is for real. Year in and year out, the social projects organized by the Guatemalensis School help 25 children afford education. I had a chance to meet the children involved and to feel part of the projects as well. I learned an unbelievable amount from these experiences.  

All in all, through my host family, the activities at the school, and the social projects, I now feel a real connection to Guatemala. For me, it’s no longer just a country somewhere in Latin America. I am confident I will return."

 Adrienne Günzel, Berlin, Germany

" I studied at Guatemalensis 8 weeks. The thing that impressed me the most was the way everyone was nice and helpful to me. Showing very warm friendliness, the school owners Rolando and Nora, the teachers, and the host families all did much more for me than one could normally expect from a language school. I would particularly recommend Guatemalensis to individual women students, because they will take very good care of you. During my stay, Nora and my host mother were very conscientious in giving me advice about how to keep safe during daily life and when travelling. Thanks to them, I was able to enjoy my time in Guatemala with great peace of mind. Moreover, the school did an excellent job of arranging excursions―such as horse riding and mountain climbing activities and trips to hot springs , beaches, and nearby towns. Their planning and participation made it possible for me to greatly enjoy various kinds of excursions that I wouldn’t have been able to participate in without their support. I think it likely that everyone who studies at Guatemalensis will shed some tears when saying good-bye to the school and have a strong yearning to return and meet all those lovely people again. "

 Aiko Masaoka, Japan

" On a recent trip to South Africa I was lucky to meet a german couple who had already been to GSS about seven years earlier and still remembering of having had a great time there. Inspired by this couple I finally decided to do the same and later ended up studying spanish for 5 weeks at GSS. Now I can say it was a good decision! The quality of education in my opinion is very good here and I am quite impressed by the amount of spanish you can learn in such a short time. Furthermore I appreciated the relaxed atmosphere during the breaks and activities. The directors well knew how to mix seriousness in the education and fun during all the rest of the time."  Otra vez muchas gracias por los buenos tiempos! "

 Rémi Koelling, Germany

"Six weeks can be a dreadfully long time, or it could also be an awfully short time, depending on your perspective. I spent six weeks in Guatemala, studying spanish with Guatemalensis Spanish School. Needless to say, I found the six weeks way too short, and that time passed way too quickly. Arriving in Xela with absolutely no spanish whatsoever, I'll be lying if I said I had no doubts or fear. However, as soon as I stepped into Guatemalensis, everything fell into place and I immediately felt at ease in this lovely school in the middle of a centroamerican country I know so little about. The teachers here not only have incredible aptitude and attitude for teaching, they are also encouraging and patient. I started off reciting numbers and fruit names in spanish to now carrying out conversations and cracking jokes with locals with decent ease in these short six weeks. Never would I have expected such rapid progress and I have no one other than Guatemalensis to thank. Of course all work and no play makes a dull boy. The school curbs that by organizing many activities and trips, not only to help us gain insight into the rich culture and heritage of Guatemala, but also to render us with more opportunities to practice the spanish that we have learnt. With soaks in hot springs that resemble paradise from the movies, natural saunas and visiting immensely interesting mayan villages and breathtaking lakes, what is 5 hours of spanish classes?. Homestay with a genuinely amazing family was also a great experience, and yet another opportunity to further practice and improve in spanish. It also aided me in feeling more belonging, albeit temporary, to Guatemala. To sum it up, time is simply too short when one is having fun and with a heavy heart I had to bid Guatemala and Guatemalensis goodbye. However the wonderful time and fulfilling experience I had with Guatemalensis in Guatemala will always, always bring a smile to my face when I reminisce about it, crowded "chicken buses" and all. The knowledge I have learnt, the insights that I have gained, the friendships that I have bridged, and the fun I have savoured, I hope one day soon I could go back, and meanwhile I recommend this experience to every one. "

 Jessica Yuan Xi. Singapore

"I highly recommend the Guatemalensis Spanish School in Xela. The teachers are professional, friendly and very patient. They tailor the lessons to your needs to make sure you get the most of them. The atmosphere of the school is really open, friendly, and the school's directors are very welcoming and friendly. The activities organized by the school were a lot of fun while also being a good chance to practice spanish. As a smaller school, Guatemalensis was able to give the personal touch to all aspects of my stay in Xela. I really enjoyed my time here and am sad to leave!."

 Penny Davis. Australia

"Für alle, die Spanisch lernen möchten und zur selben Zeit Zentralamerika erleben und sehen wollen, kann ich die Guatemalensis Spanisch Schule nur empfehlen. Die Lernmethoden und die Lehrer sind ausgezeichnet, die Nachmittage sind gefühlt mit Exkursionen und Aktivitäten, die Stadt Xela und ihre Umgebung bieten einiges an, und die Gastfamilien sind freundlich! In den nur drei Wochen in denen ich die Schule besuchte, habe ich aussergewöhnlich viel Spanisch gelernt, und konnte die Sprache in meinem täglichen Leben einsetzten und verbessern. Wenn es darum geht, soviel Spanisch wie möglich zu lernen, und zur selben Zeit Guatemala und ihre Kultur kennen zu lernen, ist Guatemalensis eine ausgezeichnete Wahl. "

 Eric Schwaninger, Switzerland 

"I have learned a great deal in my 2 weeks studying Spanish. Although the pace of the class was fast towards the end because I didn't have more time, I now have the fundamentals in order to study outside of class. I have learned about the Present, Preterit, Imperfect and Future. The varied styles of teaching are good -writing, reading and conversation. Repetition is a great way to learn. There is also a great selection of resources to use. The activities are also very informative and enjoyable. Thank You! "

 Abbie Kirkby. England

"I heard about Guatemalensis Spanish School through a fellow traveller and found it more than lived up to its excellent reputation. The teachers and administrators are all incredibly friendly and I found the atmosphere welcoming and relaxed. My teacher was extremely good, better than any Spanish teachers I had had previously, and I felt I learnt a great deal in just a week. The school arranged a family for me to stay with who turned out to be one of the best families in Guatemala, constantly happy and laughing, it was a great place to stay, especially as I had the priviledge of being there over Christmas. I'll never forget that party!. The highlight of the week was taking part in one of the school's projects. We visited a local village and held a christmas party for families who live in poverty. It was a great way to spend an afternoon and you could tell what a difference Guatemalensis Spanish School makes to the lives of those less fortunate. I honestly cannot find fault with this place, and recommend it highly to anyone interested in learning spanish and experiencing Guatemalan life at its best."

Kieran Ball, London, U.K.

"Before enrolling in Guatemalensis, I was concerned about studying and chatting with the same person for 5 hours a day, 5 days a week. Any worries were soon dispelled after my first day. All the teachers were so relaxed and friendly, that the time flew. Days chatting and joking on the sunny terrace never seemed like study. Excursions were fun and interesting. My family were also great ensuring I enjoyed my Spanish immersion. "

 Brian Kearney, Ireland

"Guatemalensis is an awesome school run by quality people. The instructors are well qualified and extremely helpful. The excursions were fun, organized, as well as educational. I fully enjoyed my time at Guatemalensis and I would, without a doubt recommend this school to anyone seeking a fun, safe, and quality place to learn Spanish."

 Jessica Hua.Vietnam

Although I was only able to study at Guatemalensis for two and a half weeks, I can honestly say I learned so much. I studied French for three years in high school and college, but I am sure I already know more Spanish after this short time here. Not only that, but I am more confident in my Spanish because I have been forced to use it in this setting, both at school and in my daily life here in Guatemala. The one-on-one teaching environment allowed me to practice and learn at a pace that was comfortable for me. I am convinced that this kind of immersion is the best way to learn a language.  My teacher was intentional with me, making sure I understood each lesson.

Also, Nora and Rolando (directors) looked out for my husband and I like we were their own. They let us give input on what kinds of activities we wanted to do on the weekends. They were great hosts and gave us helpful information for our further travel inGuatemala. I would highly recommend studying Spanish at Guatemalensis.

I studied at Guatemalensis nine years ago and loved it. Unfortunately, I didn’t practice and I forgot much of what I learned. However, after being here for another two and a half weeks I am mostly back up to speed.  This is a wonderful school and I have greatly enjoyed studying here again! The one-on-one teaching with native Guatemalan teachers is hard to beat. The teachers here understand some English, but mostly speak Spanish with their students in order to teach them to understand Spanish more rapidly. Living with a host family provides ample opportunity to practice Spanish and share life with the locals as well. Guatemalensis organizes activities twice during the week and on weekends as well. They asked us what types of activities we were interested and tailored the activities to our liking. There are several language schools in Xela, but in my opinion Guatemalensis Spanish School is the best one. The directors and teachers are passionate about teaching Spanish and sharing their culture with the students. I think GSS is definitely the best value in town!!"

Dave and Bethany Garth
www.garthsontour.com