Five reasons to choose Xela Spanish Schools over
Antigua Spanish Schools
Experience the real Guatemala with a Spanish school in Xela – SISAI Spanish school. Escape the tourist scene of Antigua. Live in the highlands of Quetzaltenango with Maya locals and experience everyday life in Guatemala.
In Xela there is less English and MORE Spanish! Xela has fewer tourists than Antigua, which means you are less likely end up in conversations with another English-speaker in Xela.
Cheaper! Costs in Xela are very low. However, as a larger city, a wide variety of high-quality restaurants and goods and services are still available.
Better for a serious student or traveler: After years of experience, SISAI simply knows that serious students and travelers almost always prefer studying in Xela. Here you can blend into real Guatemalan life and find thousands of Guatemalans not jaded by tourism and happy to talk about whatever you like.
More volunteer opportunities. With an estimated population of 250,000, Quetzaltenango has a distinctly more urban feel than Antigua. Xela offers a wide array of cultural, volunteer and social opportunities not to be found in smaller locales such as Antigua or Lago Atitlan.
Eight reasons to choose SISAI over Antigua
Extra hour a lower cost. SISAI offers an extra hour per day of study at cheaper prices. SISAI’s standard program is 5-hours of study each day, while most Antigua schools offer only 4 hours.
Less expensive home-stays: SISAI’s home-stays cost $60 per week. That includes three meals per day, 7 days a week. Antigua home-stays average about $80 and usually do not include food on the weekends.
Live with an actual family and practice Spanish. Since there is an abundance of foreigners in Antigua, many host families have dwellings more like a hotel than actually living with a family. During SISAI’s home-stay you feel part of the family, the host families will cater to your dietary needs – vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, celiac etc…
The teachers at SISAI native Spanish speakers are university educated and certified in teaching Spanish. They are also the friendliest in Guatemala, and you won’t find a closer community of students, teachers, and friends, at any other Spanish school!
Activities and excursions daily. Every afternoon there are activities to show you the real Guatemala. It is a great time to socialize and make new friends. The teachers are the guides, not a hired 3rd party tour group. You will be able to practice your Spanish without inhibitions because you are in a comfortable environment.
The weekly mini-conferences are a great time to learn about Guatemalan culture and history, and provide a nice break from one-on-one focus to allow students to work on listening comprehension or translations skills while hanging out with other students.
Located in the heart of the Centro Historico area of Xela. Beautiful, centrally located school with indoor and outdoor study areas, conference area, and free internet.
SISAI is a non-profit cooperative organization that gives back to the community. A portion of the tuition dollars help to send a local child to school. School is not mandatory in Guatemala. Many families in Guatemala cannot afford the school supplies and uniforms and therefore do not send their children to school. Sisai Spanish School knows the importance of an education and supports 75 children from elementary school through secondary (high school) in their education costs.