Ideal Spanish Language Program!!

I spent almost three months at Tico Lingo, and if you are looking for a place to improve your Spanish quickly without feeling like you're "wasting" valuable vacation days, you've found the perfect spot. Spend some time here and you'll have a blast, but also come out the other side with some new skills!

I had three different teachers (Erick, Karina, and Freddy) as I advanced through multiple levels, and all three were excellent. I was really impressed by the way they were able to adapt to the various needs of perhaps the most diverse classrooms I've been a part of, while still pushing the material forward. Every class was challenging but engaging, and each brought their own personality to the classroom. When I arrived in Costa Rica, I had zero Spanish knowledge (I could say "Hola!") By the time I finished my program, I was in the "advanced" level at the time, and could comfortably handle myself on the streets of Costa Rica. I'm not saying this to pat myself on the back, but to give credit to how effective the staff and the structuring of the program is.

The atmosphere around the school is also great for making meaningful progress in your language skills. My fellow students ranged in age from early 20s to mid 60s, but everyone is friendly and excited to be there. The vibe at Tico Lingo is very chill and friendly, but you will also still be surrounded by a bunch of other earnest Spanish learners. It really helps take away some of the anxieties about throwing yourself into a country before you speak the language, since you're all in it together! There are also plenty of activities organized by Tico Lingo throughout the week to help cultivate a social atmosphere, which really helped everyone to make friends quickly. My favourite was "intercambio," when locals are invited to come hang out and practise their English while you practise your Spanish.

The real standout of the program overall though was the homestay experience. Instead of returning to some hotel room or dorm to fall back into your rotten English ways, you'll be staying with a local family - you can't escape the Spanish, but that's what you want! My Tico family was extremely welcoming, and my Tico "Mom" was an amazing cook. They really made me feel at home, bringing me to family occasions, to watch football games, or teaching me how to cook some local recipes. It was so gratifying to feel my Spanish improving through the weeks, from stammering out the most broken incoherences to fully conversing and joking with my family.