Escuela de la Montaña: Spanish Immersion in the Guatemalan Mountains

I traveled to Escuela de la Montana in 2009 with my sister and two dear friends. Knowing only the days of the month and directions, we found traveling to and from the school easy to navigate. The community of teachers and fellow students was warm, encouraging and playful. I remember two parts of the course/stay that made an impact on me. First, I remember how animated and curious my instructor was. He used visuals, examples, and conversation opportunities to help me practice what we were learning. Then, he challenged me to go try it with the local ninos! I had a blast visiting the families and talking with the women who provided meals to the students in the Mountain School. The ninos and I danced like monkeys together, sang songs in Spanish and read children's books together. Everyone helped bring my conversation skills to life. I highly recommend visiting the school and sharing cultures as well as language exchanges. Bueno suerte!

I was a student at PLQ in Xela for 5 weeks in 2014. I spent 2 weeks at the Mountain School and LOVED IT. I tried to spend more time there instead of Xela, but some logistical reason did not allow it. The Mountain School offers a glimpse into what life is like for most Guatemalans. The location is in a community that has suffered directly and formed from the impacts of capitalism. The school has an intimate feel due to it's size and location. I particularly loved this communal feel. The nights are spent at a table chatting, doing homework, learning from the directors about the history of Guatemala, cooking together etc. The place offers a space to think, fresh air to breath, nature to explore and a family like atmosphere. The instructors have been there many years and have relationships with the community. When you stay at the Mountain School not only is it an opportunity to learn Spanish, but the schools mission and presence are a direct benefit to it's community. There are programs for the children, programs for women, abundant opportunities to serve if so desire. Overall, if you have any inkling to go to the Mountain School, don't hesitate. =D

I came to PLQ and only intended to spend one week at the Mountain School, and 8 weeks at the main campus in Xela. I loved the Mountain School so much I ended up staying for six weeks! The staff is small so you get to know them all well. Our days were filled with long walks, lots of Spanish instruction, and jokes. We always felt safe at the mountain school and loved being in the mountains. The scenery was gorgeous and it was interesting to live outside of the more touristy parts of Guatemala. I was taught by each of the teachers for at least one week, and some multiple weeks. I can genuinely recommend them all!

I only spent a week there but I would have spent longer if they weren't full. I ironically ended up going to the mountain school for a week because PLQ in Xela was full my first week of three. I soon fell in love with the tranquility of the place and simplicity of life. I got to know how most Guatemalans live and that was an inspirational experience. I became close with all the classmates because there are only 12 or 14 total (PLEASE EDIT THAT NUMBER AS YOU KNOW THE REAL NUMBER). We would play nightly games together and we just became close because it's such a small group and share tricks of the trades as we learned how to get hot water in the shower or wash fruit. The grounds itself are GORGEOUS, like a real rain forest feel and nothing can beat it. You learn in a small hut outside - one for each student and teacher. It's fabulous! You go have meals with your families three times a day and they soon start to feel like your own. I didn't want to leave and hope to one day return to continue learning Spanish and explore Guatemala with the wonderful folks at the Mountain School.

Although the Mountain School is isolated, the experience here is one that can not be replicated. From the interactions with the community to the dedication of the teachers, it is unlike any school I have attended (and I've been to a few: Spain, Mexico, another school in Guatemala, and Costa Rica). For me, over 40 and over home stays, the Mountain School offers the best of all language learning worlds: a safe, clean, comfortable place to sleep that in no way feels like a hostel (but has warm showers, a shared kitchen, and lots of great spaces to hang out and study in) and shared meals with local community members. The school is so intertwined with the community it's hard to separate them out and that's a good thing. The only reason I gave it a "9" for the social scene is because there isn't one. I don't tend to travel abroad to meet people; I travel to work on my Spanish and learn. The activities that are offered are modest: talks about the health care system in the communities, one man's experience of exile and return during the internal armed conflict, a trip to a coffee and banana cooperative. This isn't the place to go for zip line tours and oodles of foreigners lining up for the next greatest experience (I'm talking to you, Costa Rica). But if you are going abroad to learn Spanish, you can't do much better. The instructors are well trained, highly experienced, and happy in their work. The communicative approach has high yield for your time, each class is one-on-one, and since there aren't many distractions, you can really focus on studying, reading, and interacting with the community. Note: I'm a Spanish teacher, and I'm speaking from my professional experience. My favorite part of the Mountain School is reading to the kids each evening on the street from a favorite children's book (in Spanish, of course), or the week where a group of us decided to do a sing-along for the kids. This is my #1 top recommended school. I have been there twice and will return.

After studying a month at PLQ in the city Quetzaltenango I kept hearing other students talk about la Escuela de la Montaña and decided I should go there for a week. It was a completely different experience than living in the city - I got a completely different perspective of how many Guatemalans live in impoverished rural areas. The school is absolutely beautiful, the surrounding mountains are majestic, the people are so nice. The school is very invested in the community and has several projects going on to further education of the youngsters and provide work to many families. I personally spent more time exploring social issues that plague the campesinos/rural population of Guatemala and how they affect their daily life. It was truly an eye-opening experience.
The daily activities and trips were great, the one-on-one Spanish instruction is incredible. Very competent teachers who really enjoy their job. Shout-out to Tito, looking forward to the next fútbol match. Watch out, his son is getting good too...

Phillip Anuta
Osteopathic Medical Student DO'19
Des Moines University
Des Moines, Iowa

My plan in coming to Guatemala was to study Spanish at this school for 5 weeks and then travel around Central America for 6 or 7 more weeks. Well, I feel in love with this place and ended up studying here for 10 weeks. I not only learned Spanish from amazing teachers, but also learned so much about the politics, social justice issues, and life in rural Guatemala through the teachers, through time spent with families talking and doing life with them, through talks given by people from the villages, and great trips. My view of Central America changed through sitting and listening to stories of this amazing people. It is also a really good place to learn Spanish because you can not fall back on your English. The families and teachers and most staff only speak Spanish. You must learn it. I can't speak highly enough of this place. I have friends now in Guatemala. You will not regret choosing to come to this place.
It is rural. And I loved this. It is away from the business of the cities and way to totally immerse oneself in the language and the people.

An incredible setting with extremely experienced teachers. Very affordable with great daily opportunities to interact with the wonderful people who live near the school. My Spanish was improved markedly after only two weeks. The lesson plan was tailored to my level.

We did field trips to a nearby town and felt that were well cared for by the school. We will return soon.
We took hikes in gorgeous terrain, saw a volcano erupting, and played with the children in the villages close to the school.