Home > Spanish Immersion > What to Expect

WHAT TO
EXPECT

FROM YOUR SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAM

A Spanish immersion program is the adventure of a lifetime! And it is the best way to learn a language. Studying Spanish abroad immerses you directly in the Latino language and culture. This makes learning faster and it consistently places you in real-life situations—you live in your target language.

Your Spanish classes are conducted solely in Spanish. You live with a host family, sharing their home, eating meals together, and conversing in Spanish every day. You also practice your Spanish language skills in the community, in the supermarket, at restaurants and bars, and chatting with local friends you make at the Maximo Nivel institute. On the weekends, you explore the city, travel around, take tours, and even trek through archaeological ruins and up the side of volcanos. Throughout all of it, you are completely immersed in the Spanish language 24/7.

Be fluent in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru!

INTERESTED?

REQUEST INFORMATION &
LEARN ABOUT TRAVEL GRANTS!

Life as a Spanish Student

Arrival Day

Airport pick-up is included in your Spanish program. Maximo Nivel’s professional drivers meet you outside of baggage claim as you exit the airport—just look for the yellow smiley face flag. You receive a Welcome Pack detailing your accommodations, orientation time, and all emergency contact details. Depending on your time of arrival, you come directly to the Maximo institute or you go directly to your accommodations.

Orientation

Your Welcome Pack tells you the exact time of your orientation. Your host family shows you the best way to get to/from your family-stay and the Maximo Nivel institute. If you are in another type of accommodations, the Maximo Nivel team shows you the route. Orientation is very important because we cover specific details about your program, including a health and safety review, dos and don’ts, available cultural activities and tours, and a short walking tour to be sure you are familiar with the area. During your orientation, you also take your Spanish placement exam to determine your level.

Your Spanish classes are either scheduled during the morning session 9:00AM – 1:00PM or during the afternoon session 2:00PM – 6:00PM. Which session you study in depends on the number of students enrolled and the Academic Director’s weekly plan.

During Your Program

During your program, you start the day with breakfast at your host family, generally around 7:00AM to 8:00AM. If you have class in the morning, you head to the Maximo Nivel institute either by bus, taxi, or on foot. If your classes are in the afternoon, your mornings are free for a number of different activities. You can spend some time with your host family, explore the city, take excursions or hang out at Maximo Nivel. There are plenty of great restaurant options around Maximo Nivel, so be sure to get out and try some of the local food and do some looking around. Take advantage of the many free activities on campus including salsa classes, cooking lessons, Tandem Conversation Program, and more. Do not forget to check out the monthly Activities Calendar!

In the evening, you have dinner with your host family. After dinner, families like to sit and talk about their day and hear about yours—remember, this helps you become more involved in the daily routine of your host family and helps develop your Spanish language skills. If you plan to miss dinner, or you are going out with friends, just let your host family know you will not be there for dinner.

At night, your evenings are free to relax at your accommodations or enjoy time with new friends. You have your own key to the family-stay house and you are free to come and go as you please. However, you must respect the family’s routine and house rules. If you choose to drink, please do so responsibly! It is important to follow the Maximo Nivel safety rules—we want you to have a fun and safe experience abroad.

Weekends

Your weekend are free to go sightseeing, traveling, or trekking. You can arrange tours with Maximo Nivel’s on-site travel partner or pool together with other participants and head out on your own. Go whitewater rafting, climb a volcano, hike through the mountains, or hang out and get some hammock time. If you are traveling, please be sure your host family knows where you are going and when you plan to return. If you decide to stay with your host family on the weekends, you are welcome to get involved in their family routine, go to church with them on Sundays, and in general spend quality “family time” together.

If you are looking for a great highlights tour, check out the Mini Adventures. These 1-week itineraries combine travel and accommodations and bring you to the “must-see” places in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru.

Departure Day

Departure day is always bitter sweet. You are probably excited to go home and share your experience with family and friends, but you also realize you are going to miss your new friends in Latin America. Remember, you are always welcome to extend your stay!

On your last Friday, make sure you come to Maximo Nivel to check-out, collect your “I Lived it” t-shirt, get your Spanish certificate, and leave us your feedback card. Client service is very important to us and we take your feedback seriously—this helps us improve the Spanish program and ensure a great experience.

On your last Saturday, you are welcome to stay at your accommodations until 11:00AM, and breakfast is included. We are always happy to help organize a ride back to the airport.

what-to-expect-welcome-pack-intern
Spanish Placement Exam

SPANISH PLACEMENT EXAM

DETERMINE YOUR SPANISH LEVEL

At Maximo Nivel, everyone takes a Spanish placement exam except for absolute beginners. The placement exam ensures you are placed at the appropriate level, which is especially important for small group classes. For those taking private Spanish, this is the best way to gauge your strengths and weaknesses so your classes can be customized to your needs and goals.

Spanish program participants take the placement exam during orientation, which happens either on the day you arrive in-country or in the morning before your first day of classes. The Spanish Placement Exam is always free and takes approximately 30–45 minutes. The test evaluates your Spanish language skills in 5 areas: Reading, Writing, Grammar, Listening, and Speaking. The Listening, Grammar, and Reading sections are scored on a 0–100% scale, while Writing and Speaking are graded on a 0–4 scale using half-points, 0 is Beginner and 4 is Native Speaker.

At the end of your Spanish program, we always recommend you take the placement examn again to see for yourself how much you have improved!

IN YOUR SPANISH CLASS

LANGUAGE LEARNING IS DIRECT & COMMUNICATIVE

In Spanish class, you speak Spanish—you speak a lot of Spanish! This is the most important aspect of learning a language. Your instructor has you work individually, in pairs, and in small groups. Communication is always in Spanish. Maximo Nivel uses the Direct and Communicative methodologies—this means, Spanish is used to teach Spanish (‘direct’) and you are pushed to speak and converse (‘communicative’). In the beginning, this may feel a little overwhelming, but after just a couple of days, you see the long-term benefits.

The Communicative Approach to language learning views interaction in the target language as both the MEANS and the END GOAL of studying another language.

Learning another language ultimately requires the development of integrated skills—Speaking, Writing, Listening, and Reading. There are also language systems such as grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation that you must develop. The active use of the language—especially speaking and listening—is the best way to build your understanding and fluency in Spanish. Teachers move from the instruction phase to activation quickly so you do not get bogged down by too many rules. Spanish is activated through conversation, debate, oral presentations, and written assignments. You learn Spanish by using it in practical situations that facilitate your ability to think in Spanish.

Remember, as a language learner, keep your sense of humor and be ready to laugh at yourself. Get comfortable with the idea that you can not comprehend every word your teacher says. Instead, you should try to use what you do understand, including non-verbal cues, contextual information, and cognates to get to the main meaning. Your Spanish teacher’s job is to get you speaking as much as possible!

Spanish Immersion Video

Maximo Nivel’s Spanish Immersion programs provide an authentic immersion experience that takes you beyond the classroom—it is the most intensive and professional Spanish program available in Latin America. Schedule a call with a program advisor today!

Spanish Levels Offered

SPANISH LEVELS

MOVING FROM BASIC TO ADVANCED

Maximo Nivel uses 10 levels to classify Spanish learners. Our Spanish language rubric is matched to both the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Spanish levels at Maximo Nivel include:

1. Basic
2. High Basic
3. Pre-Intermediate I
4. Pre-Intermediate II
5. Intermediate I
6. Intermediate II
7. Advanced I
8. Advanced II
9. Fluent I
10. Fluent II

MAXIMO NIVEL CEFR ACTFL
0.0
0.5
1.0		 Basic
Basic
High Basic		 A1 Novice-Low
Novice-Mid
Novice-High


Class Description: Basic classes are for learners with no previous experience in Spanish. Learners are taught basic grammatical structures, vocabulary, and you immediately begin speaking in Spanish, thereby gaining a concrete foundation in the language.

For learners with an elementary knowledge of the Spanish language, these classes focus on reinforcing grammar, teaching new vocabulary, and increasing speaking capacity, enabling you to express yourself clearly in daily situations.

MAXIMO NIVEL CEFR ACTFL
1.5
2.0		 Pre-Intermediate I
Pre-Intermediate II		 A2 Intermediate-Low
Intermediate-Mid


Class Description: These classes build on learners’ previous experience with Spanish, reinforcing all areas of the language, with an increasing importance placed on speaking, reading, and vocabulary.

MAXIMO NIVEL CEFR ACTFL
2.5 Intermediate I
Intermediate II		 B1 Intermediate – High


Class Description: At this point, learners likely speak Spanish, but are still struggling with the more difficult grammar points. These classes focus primarily on conversation, reading, and vocabulary; as well as on increasing your grammatical accuracy by reinforcing areas such as the use of the ‘subjunctive’ and ‘indefinite past.’ Focus is on the ability to express yourself spontaneously and to interact across a variety of social situations with increasing accuracy.

MAXIMO NIVEL CEFR ACTFL
2.5
3.0		 Advanced I
Advanced II		 B2

Advanced-Low
Advanced-Mid
Advanced-High


Class Description: These classes build on learners’ conversational base in Spanish, and begin to more finely tune communicative competence by building vocabulary and introducing students to idioms, slang, and points of ‘common usage’ in Spanish. Advanced classes also include emphasis on written expression.

MAXIMO NIVEL CEFR ACTFL
3.5 Fluent I C1 Advanced-Plus
Superior
4.0 Fluent II C2 Distinguished


Class Description: Fluency classes at the first and second level continue to fine tune learners’ Spanish skills. Emphasis is placed on advanced communicative competence – the ability to communicate completely in the Spanish language, across all kinds of situations. Classes emphasize oral skills, sophisticated vocabulary, and increasing learners’ understanding and ability to use idiomatic Spanish.

Ready to Immerse Yourself?

APPLY NOW

Ready to work, study, travel? Complete your application online and get ready for an extraordinary experience abroad.

NEED MORE INFO

Not sure which program is right for you? Fill-in the short form and a Program Advisor answers all your questions.

SCHEDULE A CALL

Let’s talk about it! Schedule your preferred time and date and a Program Advisor guides you through every step.

PEOPLE WHO TALK ABOUT US…