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May 3, 2006
Presenting: Hermilo Brito from the Ideal
Language School in Cuernavaca - Making Spanish Learning Fun
One of the reasons I chose to travel to Cuernavaca this past April
was that it is one of the world's centers for Spanish teaching.
Cuernavaca has in excess of 40 language schools and attracts language
students from all over the world to this beautiful city with the
near perfect climate. After all, Cuernavaca is "La Ciudad de
la Eterna Primavera", the City of Everlasting Spring.
During my first week in Cuernavaca I had the oportunity to study
Spanish at the Ideal
School for Spanish and I enjoyed my one-on-one instruction with
Estela, one of Ideal's most experienced teachers. With humour and
patience she put me through the usual torture of the Spanish subjunctive,
of "ser y estar" and many of the other grammatical nuances
that the Spanish language tosses at us non-Latinos.
During my stay at Ideal I really enjoyed the atmosphere, from our
first guided walk with one of the teachers through downtown on our
first day (with first-hand instructions on how to use the bus system),
to our field trip (to a gallery opening), to the coffee breaks,
to some of the tasty authentic Mexican snacks served (e.g. chilaquiles),
to various birthday and going-away celebrations. The ambience was
very personal and enjoyable, almost family-like.
The school itself is located in a beautiful residential neighbourhood
with a tropical inner courtyard. My classroom was outside, under
a "palapa" (a palm-leaf-thatched Mexcian sun umbrella)
and learning Spanish open-air, amid blooming bugainvillas and chirping
birds was an experience in itself.
Let me present to you Hermilo Brito, the creator of the Ideal School
for Spanish, and also the president of the Association of Spanish
Language Schools in Cuernavaca.
The Ideal teaching team, with Hermilo Brito (center). The chilaquiles
are ready to be served...
1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and your personal
background. How did you get involved in the field of language teaching?
Now many years ago, on the 60’s, I had the great opportunity
to work in the first Spanish teaching center in Cuernavaca. This
center was established by Ivan Illich, a philosopher and catholic
priest; the center was named CIDOC (Centro Cultural de Documentación).
It actually wasn’t a school, it was a center, well known in
the university and intellectual circles, to discuss innovative ideas
about the end of the past century. Among the activities at CIDOC
were the sending of volunteers to countries in Latin America; those
volunteers were required to learn Spanish, so CIDOC had an important
Spanish teaching department. In CIDOC, I acted as Spanish language
teacher, Coordinator, Director of the Spanish Programs and General
Manager.
In 1975, Ivan Illich decided to close the center, this represented
an opportunity to establish IDEAL
(Instituto de Estudios de America Latina) just like a Spanish school,
following the path that I had initiated in CIDOC doing what I like:
teach my language.
Over all these years I continued training myself to improve my skills
in the language-teaching field, taking courses and attending conferences
related to this subject. My concern has been to improve and develop
our methodology, in order to become a leader in our area.
2. You are also the President of AIPEC, the Association
for Spanish Language Schools in Cuernavaca. Please tell us about
the association and Cuernavaca as a language learning destination.
The association of Spanish Language Schools in Cuernavaca was organized
11 years ago; 12 schools concerned with turning our city into a
global center of Spanish learning got aid from the Mexican government
to promote Cuernavaca. After 11 years, Cuernavaca’s overall
cleanliness has improved, we have more tourist services available
to foreigners, the city is safer, we have talked with our colleagues
from the tourist services to coordinate our efforts to offer the
best to our visitors, we have organized shows and cultural events
for all Spanish language students, and we are in contact with different
government offices to promote Cuernavaca as “The World Center
for Spanish Teaching” among other activities and challenges.
My teacher Estela with the "cuadro de tiempos"
Cuernavaca is the world’s second most important city teaching
Spanish as a second language. The success of Cuernavaca’s
language schools, in addition to the development of an appropriate
teaching methodology also resulted from the city’s excellent
location; we are 1 ½ hours away from the largest city in
the world, Mexico City, and very close to various places where students
of Spanish language and Mexican culture can get to know the different
facets of this country, through activities which range from cultural
visits to museums and archeological sites to recreational destinations
such as Acapulco. Visitors can choose from among a wide variety
of places to visit.
Cuernavaca, by itself, offers numerous cultural and tourist attractions.
Above all, Cuernavaca offers the opportunity to admire and learn
about the different times of Mexican history. Above all, Cuernavaca
is best known for its weather; local temperatures are between 20
and 30 ºC (68 to 86 ºF) almost throughout the entire year.
3. Please tell us about the history of your school, Ideal
Latinoamerica.
Our school, IDEAL, was established on 1975, after the CIDOC (Centro
Cultural de Documentación) project ended. The CIDOC trained
many teachers and people to teach Spanish as second language. I
was one of the people involved with the Spanish-teaching activities
and, jointly with a colleague, we established IDEAL (Instituto de
Estudios de America Latina). With the enthusiasm of the first years,
we reached our goal to create a place where students from all over
the world could meet each other to learn Spanish and discover Mexican
culture.
In 1996, due to the distinctive didactics and philosophy of the
School, I continued this project by myself together with my son,
who follows the tradition of Spanish-teaching. We both have in mind
to develop the best method that will allow students to learn the
language in the best and most dynamic way.
The beautiful property of the Ideal School
4. Please tell us about your Spanish language classes,
your class facilities, your weekly schedule and your teaching faculty.
The purpose of our courses is to introduce students to Spanish
as a second language, as many have studied it as a foreign language
in their countries of origin. Another goal is to encourage immersion
not only into the language but in culture and everyday life.
Our program at IDEAL begins with individual Spanish of no more than
5 students and optional extracurricular activities which are a highly
recommended compliment to the program. Every week these include
charlas (informal talks) and conferences, round table discussions,
songs and movies in Spanish as well as cooking classes, dance classes,
coffee social and excursions to cultural and historical sites among
many other options.
We teach 9 levels of Spanish; each level emphasizes communication
and language practice as appropriate for each student’s level
of proficiency, using various interactive techniques that allow
the student to speak and communicate in Spanish from day one.
IDEAL has 5-student capacity classrooms (plus teacher); some of
them are in the garden (palapas, small areas only covered by palm-tree
roofs). IDEAL has 2 conference rooms with a capacity for 18 and
60 students, respectively. The meeting area at IDEAL is the cafeteria,
where students socialize and enjoy the “Hora del Café”,
the time when the school offers coffee and some snacks (at 11 am),
Monday through Friday. Students are invited to enjoy the gardens
and areas within IDEAL once classes are through, they can also watch
TV, watch a movie or navigate on the Internet (wireless) which are
included in the services offered.
A fundamental part of IDEAL is our teachers, who will accompany
you every step of the way in the adventure of learning Spanish and
discovering a new culture.
IDEAL’s teachers are specialists with university training
or many years’ experience teaching Spanish to foreigners or
both.
When teachers start working at IDEAL, they receive a course in “Techniques
for teaching Spanish as a Second Language”, which covers the
fundamentals of the method we use at IDEAL. All year we provide
training courses in which teachers learn new techniques and theories,
discuss existing teaching methods, and reinforce the teaching methods
we use.
However, what distinguishes our teachers is their spirit of teamwork
and enthusiasm for teaching and making the atmosphere at IDEAL pleasant
and supportive.
A going-away party for one of IDEAL's students
5. Please tell us about your Spanish language teaching methodology
and your pronunciation improvement programs.
The method of IDEAL
is directed towards the development of the student’s ability
to communicate in Spanish, especially in the spoken world. From
the very first day students will able to immerse themselves in the
language and culture. In this way students will become familiar
with how we live, our beliefs, our history, our politics, our fiestas
and why we celebrate them, and much more regarding the Mexican culture
and social life.
According to Stephen Krashen (www.sk.com.br/sk-krash.html):
“One can learn or acquire a second language informally, the
same way one acquires the first. Formal, structured lessons represent
another learning process and are not indispensable in the process.”
For this reason our method is based on this “Natural Approach”
(http://maxpages.com/thena/The_Natural_Approach),
and we try to channel the teaching – learning process in this
direction, so that students learn by interacting: teacher –
student, student – teacher, student – student, student
– surroundings.
Also our work is focused on maintaining an atmosphere of courtesy
and confidence in the classroom and in the institution in general.
Here the teacher’s part is fundamental, as it consists of
creating an environment in which students feel relaxed and at ease,
which, in our opinion, is the best way to learn an language.
At IDEAL we place special interest in the process of immersing
students in culture, for the accessible points of reference it offers
them. For a student to develop sound communication skills, she needs
to assimilate cultural elements of the country or region where she
learns a language. Moreover, language and culture are inseparable.
At the beginner’s level, pronunciation is not a great issue,
since we only focus in correcting pronunciation when it turns into
an obstacle to communication. In the more advanced levels of our
program, pronunciation is more important, because intermediate and
advanced students need to improve the way they pronounce the words
and the way they modulate when they speak Spanish. Above all, Ideal
is able to develop a specific program to improve pronunciation if
a student or a group so requests. We had worked for many years on
pronunciation before I realized it is not essential when speaking
Spanish as second language.
Some of IDEAL's teaching faculty
7. Please explain your "Spanish for Professionals"
program to us.
Each year our student body includes managers, attorneys, doctors,
nurses, school teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters,
engineers, ministers, seminarians, nuns, and people in many other
professions for whom it is essential to learn the specific vocabulary
of their respective professions.
This program includes 4 hours of group Spanish lessons, designed
to reinforce general language skills, and a 1 hour private lesson
to study professional Spanish. Professional Spanish consists of
vocabulary, aspects of Mexican culture, visits to places of professional
interest for the student, analysis and discussion of documents and
written information when needed, and meetings with professionals
in the student’s field, if deemed necessary.
8. You also offer a "Family Program" in your school.
What is this program all about?
Well, this program has now passed to a second term now, since we
are pushing new programs: Basic Program (only 4 hours), Basic +
Private Program, Cuernavaca – Cancún Program, and Volunteers
Program, among others.
The “Family Program” is oriented to host full families
(parents and sons) offering a complete solution to their needs such
as classes for children, kid-friendly host families, child-oriented
activities, and others. The Family Program has not yet had the success
we expected, however, should families attend IDEAL to study we are
able to provide them the best.
9. A variety of other specialized programs are offered
by your school: Mexican History and Culture, Hispanic Literature
and the Environment and Social Development / Sustainable Development.
Please explain those programs to us.
We receive groups, for which we provide tailored language + cultural
programs depending on individual needs and preferences. Simply they
contact us to discuss their particular needs. For them, besides
the training of Spanish we program classes regarding history, culture,
literature, social issues among others. All activities for them
are oriented to support their in-class learning experience. To this
end we take them on excursions to specific places, we run workshops
applying the knowledge of the students, we contact people that can
speak about experiences and work in the field studied, and we put
everything in place to suit their academic and learning needs.
10. Many of your students stay in homestays. Please describe
this accommodation method and its advantages.
IDEAL
students are generally placed with host families in Cuernavaca,
who as part of the IDEAL program include their student guests in
everyday Mexican activities. As a student you are not just a client,
but rather a member of the family. With your time and preferences
in mind students are always invited to go shopping, to attend family
celebrations, receive suggestions on what to do in Cuernavaca, or
simply wander around town.
Host families are selected by the IDEAL staff following our standards
regarding the distance of the house from the school, the comfort
level of the home and the student's room, the quality of the meals
provided, and most importantly, how friendly and hospitable the
family is. The host families of IDEAL need to be part of the experience
of our students, speaking with them, giving recommendations, involving
them in their activities and providing a comfortable place to stay
in Cuernavaca.
Andrea (2nd from left) with 3 students
11. Please tell us about the excursions and extracurricular
activities that you offer to your students.
Every week there are planned excursions to tourist attractions and
cultural places of interest. For each excursion there is a guide
who explains the place and provides orientation for students, and
teachers give students an introduction to the site they will be
visiting before the trip.
The places we visit most often are: Mexico City (Historic District,
Museum of Anthropology, Frida Khalo’s House, Xochimilco, Coyoacan),
Pyramids at Teotihuacan, Taxco, Puebla, Chalma and Malinalco, Las
Estacas Nature Park, Pyramids at Xochicalco, etc. For excursions
lasting 2 days or more we go to Acapulco, Puebla and Tlaxcala, the
Monarch Butterfly sanctuaries in Michoacan, Queretaro, etc.
We also offer the following activities:
- Private Consultation. Every day, from Monday
through Thursday, students may request a private consultation, which
is a 15-minute private session with a teacher to ask questions about
vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, conversation, and doubts in
general.
- Talks and Lectures. They are usually held at
1:00 p.m., after classes, and focus on various topics related to
Mexican and Latin American culture. Subjects include Mexican history,
politics, customs, relevant historical events, social and religious
symbols, art, Mexican food, tourist orientation, and many others.
- Round Tables. Every week there is a round table
where we discuss a topic which may be controversial and open to
different interpretations: family, cultural differences, business
in my country, politics in my country, corruption, etc. We know
we will not resolve any of these issues or reach conclusions that
will be published in specialized reviews, but we will practice Spanish
in an easy-going, informal, and of course interesting setting.
- Songs in Spanish. Some people learn a language
better with music, and this is a Spanish class with the best known
traditional or popular songs from Mexico and the Spanish speaking
world: Cielito Lindo, La Cucaracha, Eres Tu, and many more.
- Field Trips. Every week we organize a trip to
a place close to IDEAL. The places we visit take little time but
offer students the chance to get to know places of interest in the
city or practice their Spanish and learn about Cuernavaca’s
marvelous cultural and historical heritage.
- Movies in Spanish. Watching movies is a good
way to practice Spanish; every week we show a movie in Spanish.
Another option is to choose a film from IDEAL’s ample collection
to watch any time the audiovisual room is free.
- Dance Class. There is no better way to feel at
ease in Mexico than dancing; also, this class gives students the
chance to meet local people, as it is also open to non-Spanish students.
Students learn to dance to rhythms popular in Mexico, such as salsa
and cumbia, in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
- Mexican Cooking Classes. Learn to prepare –
and above all, to enjoy – typical Mexican dishes: enchiladas,
fried tacos, stuffed chili peppers, chilaquiles, Mexican style rice,
pan de muerto, rosca de reyes, and many others.
- Social Coffee Hour. Every week we go out to a
local restaurant or café. Accompanied by a teacher students
can practice Spanish and enjoy pleasant company and stimulating
conversation.
- Parties and social gatherings. Although there
are planned parties and gatherings, such activities are organized
spontaneously on any day of the week. These occasions offer students,
teachers, and friends an opportunity to enjoy one another’s
company in an informal setting.
- Spontaneous Activities. Students, teachers, and
IDEAL staff members are always willing to organize activities outside
their normal schedules, such as trips to the movies, concerts, local
fairs or festivals, professional wrestling matches, or whatever
comes to mind.
IDEAL students during our field trip to a gallery opening
12. Your school has a very pleasant family-like atmosphere.
Please describe some of the activities that create this special
environment.
In addition to the optional and cultural activities above described,
there are details fostering the family-like atmosphere: mid-morning
“Coffee Time” (La hora del café), coffee and
snacks are offered to our students, The Palapas (outdoor classrooms
with palm tree roofs) where classes are informally given, spontaneous
activities organized by teachers and staff to make students speak
the language, know the culture and enjoy Mexico take place.
Students at IDEAL
know that they can reach out to anybody to get information about
their stay here, or to make comments about the school or families;
the important thing is to build trust and to make their studies
and stay in Cuernavaca enjoyable. IDEAL is located in a contemporary
colonial building, where we have aimed to provide a harmonic atmosphere.
The size of our school helps to have a family-like atmosphere;
students, teachers and staff know each other, like a small group
of friends. We are not like those huge schools where students are
just a number; our students have a name (sometimes a nickname) and
many things to share with us, and vice versa.
13. How does one earn university and college credits by
studying at Ideal Latinoamerica?
It is possible to receive academic credits. IDEAL does not offer
credit directly, but almost all colleges and universities grant
academic credit for studies at IDEAL. Ask whether your college or
university accepts studies at IDEAL and what their requisites are.
Usually, inquiries should be directed to the department of admissions,
foreign languages, or studies abroad.
For our part, we will be glad to help you obtain credit by sending
your school any documentation it may need, such as syllabi, study
plans, academic reports, transcripts, etc. We do not charge extra
for doing this, but IDEAL has requisites for academic achievement
and attendance that will determine your grades in Spanish.
Students of Texas State University – San Marcos, Johns Hopkins
University, and Eastern Washington University, can receive credits
for their studies with us due to previous agreements, ask for information
before your trip to Mexico.
A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE is that we are accredited by the Mexican
Ministry of Public Education (Code: SEP - 17 PBT 01451).
A birthday cake for one of IDEAL's Japanese students
14. Where do your students come from and what kind of experience
are they looking for?
Most of our students come from the USA, however, Canadians, Germans,
Swiss and Japanese students are also well represented. It is not
difficult to meet students from the following countries: Philippines,
Vietnam, Africa, Brazil, France, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway,
Denmark, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Israel, Japan and from many other
countries.
The experience they are looking for is quite broad; many USA University
and college students come to IDEAL to try new experiences and to
have fun in another country while getting credits for their studies.
We receive many retired French Canadians looking to improve their
Spanish skills and fulfill their lives with new experiences after
a lifetime of work. Europeans are very attracted to the exotic culture
of Mexico, they are usually very smart speaking languages and are
independent travelers, we provide them with information about how
to get to interesting places to visit by themselves. Most of our
Japanese students are young women experiencing life outside Japan,
frequently changing their point of view about how life should be
lived, and at the same time they get to see a really different culture
to their own, like the Mexican culture.
Business people are an exclusive segment; they are looking to improve
their language skills to be able to communicate with partners and
employees in Spanish, but they are also seeking to understand our
culture and its impact on their business. I appreciate your asking
these questions. We say that we provide a new language, cultural
knowledge, but the experiences are so important that students remember
them for life.
It’s important to note that we are changing our global image
from Ideal Latinoamerica to Ideal School for Spanish, including
logotype, colors used, webpage etc. We invite you to visit www.ideal-school.com.
Thank you, Hermilo, for taking the time to talk to us about your
language school. I had a wonderful time at IDEAL and in Cuernavaca
in general and I hope to have the opportunity to visit this beautiful
place and your school again. All the best to you, your team and
all your students.......
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Helpful links:
Mexico
Tourism Information
State
of Morelos Tourism Organization
Official
website of the City of Cuernavaca tourism
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