“WE’RE the first to offer a program of this kind in Costa Rica, and it’s the result of years of careful planning and research,” says Aida Chaves, founder and director of the Costa Rican International Language Academy (CRLA), a language school in San José. She is referring to the new Spanish for Seniors program, a specialized language-learning and cultural exchange targeted to students 50 years of age and older.
A three-week, all-inclusive program, Spanish for Seniors combines Spanish-language instruction with cultural and tourist activities. “It’s important to maintain an active mind, body, and spirit…especially for seniors,” Chaves says. “The Spanish for Seniors program is sensitive to that, and we incorporate light physical activities such as walking, swimming, dancing, and light aerobics classes.”
Each week, classes are offered at a different campus location, providing students with the opportunity to learn the language in a native setting and discover Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity and natural wonders. Destinations range from the remote mountains to the north and the volcanic region with its thermal waters to the white-sand beaches of the Pacific Coast.
SPANISH for Seniors was created to address the increasing number of older visitors expressing an interest in learning the language. Chaves felt it was necessary to develop a program tailored to older people because, while the learning process matures with age, one’s learning capacity isn’t negatively affected.
“It’s a misconception that older people learn at a slower rate,” Chaves says. “In reality, the elderly tend to pick up the language faster than many of our younger students. Older students have a vested interest in learning and understanding the language word for word.”
A key element to the success of the program is its instructors, who are chosen for their ability to adapt to the different learning needs of older students. All Spanish for Seniors instructors are bilingual, have university teaching degrees, and are trained to be culturally sensitive to the challenges faced by international students learning a second language in a foreign country.
Comprehension, reading, writing, and listening are covered through the use of a variety of teaching methods and materials – without the stress of the classroom environment. There are no end-of-study exams, only self-assessments in which students correct and evaluate their own work.
“It’s the CRLA philosophy,” Chaves says. “Without the pressure of tests, learning becomes enjoyable and ultimately more effective.”
DURING each week of the program, Spanish classes are conducted every morning, totaling a minimum of 15 hours of instruction per week. Free computer classes are also offered to help students familiarize themselves with navigating the Internet and using email. The rest of the day, students are free to explore their surroundings and partake in the many cultural, physical, and nature activities organized by the school.
Week one takes students away from San José’s hustle and bustle to the mountainous region of Monte de la Cruz, above Heredia, north of San José. With national parks, volcanoes, waterfalls, and endless hiking trails to discover, students can choose their adventure or just enjoy the facilities at the five-star hotel where they are lodged.
During weeks two and three, students are whisked to the north-central region of San Carlos, close to the famous Arenal Volcano and famous for its thermal waters. When not admiring the volcanic views from the hotel, students enjoy saunas, natural swimming pools, and mineral hot springs.
Week three takes place in Papagayo, in the picturesque northwestern province of Guanacaste, commonly referred to as Costa Rica’s “gold coast.” This week is about fun in the sun. Students stay in a luxury beachfront hotel and can keep entertained with daily pool or beachside activities, nightly cocktail parties, international cuisine, and miles of white-sand beach.
STUDENTS can enroll in the standard three-week program or in any one or two weeks out of the program, or combine all three destinations, depending on their wants and needs. The program is flexible to the student; accommodations, tours, and even study destinations can be tailored to suit time and budgeting needs. The school will also plan a detailed itinerary for students who choose to extend their studies beyond the regular program.
The price for the three-week program is $3,750 and includes all accommodations, food, transportation within Costa Rica, select excursions, and Spanish classes and materials. The per-week price is $1,250 per person.
“The program is timely,” Chaves says. “Costa Rica’s tourism industry is booming, and one of our country’s greatest appeals is that there is something for everyone, at any age or fitness level. Spanish for Seniors provides older tourists and visitors with the opportunity to experience Costa Rica close up, in the most natural way possible. It’s a perfect blend of cultural activity, language learning, and sightseeing.”
