Time in Immersion*	Likely CEFR Progress (from Zero)	What Students Will Likely Be Able to Do
Month 1 First 4 weeks of immersion	A1 / Early A2	Learn survival Spanish: greetings, introductions, numbers, basic daily routines, simple classroom language and questions. Begin to understand common phrases used in homestays, shops, buses, and community life.
Month 2 Building a foundation	Solid A1 → Solid A2	Handle everyday situations such as ordering food, buying groceries, asking for directions, talking about family, likes and dislikes, weather, and schedules. Participate in short real conversations with support and repetition.
Month 3 Growing in confidence	Solid A2 → Early B1	Hold longer conversations about daily life, studies, travel, and basic work or ministry topics. Explain simple experiences, give basic opinions and reasons, and understand much of what host families and teachers say in familiar contexts.
Month 4 Consistent communication	B1 (in progress)	Speak more fluidly about a wide range of everyday topics. Manage most common situations in Spanish (travel, shops, appointments, homestay, church). Follow the main ideas of conversations, simple talks, and videos, and read short texts and articles.
Month 5 Expanding range and accuracy	High B1	Express opinions in more detail, compare ideas, tell stories with clearer sequence using past, present, and future. Understand most everyday conversations and many community or ministry situations, with occasional need for clarification.
Month 6 Independent communication	Strong B1 / Emerging B2	Communicate independently in most real-life situations, even on somewhat unfamiliar topics. Participate actively in group discussions, follow the main points of sermons, presentations, and media, and write connected paragraphs about experiences, plans, and opinions.
Month 7 Refining accuracy	Stable B1 → Early B2	Speak with more accuracy and variety, use more complex sentences, and handle misunderstandings in conversation. Follow longer conversations among native speakers, especially on familiar social, cultural, or faith-related topics.
Month 8 Greater flexibility	B1+ / Approaching B2	Switch comfortably between different everyday contexts (school, homestay, church, community projects). Explain viewpoints, tell detailed stories, and respond more naturally in fast-moving conversations.
Month 9 Confident interaction	B2 (in progress)	Communicate with native speakers with relatively little strain on either side. Follow longer talks and group discussions, understand many TV programs and online content on familiar topics, and interact confidently in most daily situations.
Month 10 Upper-intermediate use	Stable B2	Express ideas clearly and in detail, defend opinions, and adapt language to different contexts (informal / semi-formal). Read articles, devotionals, and ministry or academic materials with good comprehension, even if not understanding every word.
Month 11 Depth and confidence	Strong B2	Understand the main ideas and many details of complex texts and conversations on a wide range of topics. Express differences, contrast, and cause–effect clearly. Participate fully in community life, projects, and leadership roles in Spanish.
Month 12 Solid independent user	High B2 / Bridge to C1	Operate comfortably and independently in Spanish in almost all situations related to daily life, travel, study, and ministry. Follow most native-speaking pace, understand content on familiar topics, write clear, structured texts, and build deep relationships entirely in Spanish.

*This chart assumes active daily immersion (homestay, classes, homework, and regular use of Spanish in real contexts). Actual progress varies by student motivation, previous experience, and individual learning style.

What They’ll Be Able to Do by C1 (Advanced)

Level	Skill Category	What Students Will Be Able to Do
C1 Advanced / Proficient User	Speaking	Speak fluently, naturally, and with very few pauses. Express detailed opinions, nuance, humor, and subtle emotions. Participate confidently in debates, leadership discussions, ministry work, presentations, and professional conversations with native speakers.
	Listening	Understand long conversations, fast native speech, sermons, university lectures, podcasts, and most TV or online content—even when the topic is abstract, unfamiliar, or culturally complex. Rarely needs repetition.
	Reading	Read and analyze complex materials such as academic texts, devotionals, ministry resources, literature, news analysis, reports, and professional documents. Identify arguments, tone, cultural references, and deeper meaning.
	Writing	Write clear, well-structured, and sophisticated texts for academic, professional, or ministry purposes. Create reports, essays, devotionals, presentations, case studies, or long-form messages with correct grammar, cohesion, and organization.
	Real-Life Abilities	Operate fully and independently in Spanish-speaking environments: leading ministry activities, guiding community projects, discipling, teaching, mentoring, resolving conflicts, and understanding cultural nuance. Build deep relationships and navigate complex situations confidently.

Learning Process at your Own Pace

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) provides a general guideline for how language proficiency is measured and how much progress can typically be made within a certain period of study. However, language learning is a highly personal process—progress depends on each student’s unique abilities, learning style, motivation, and dedication. At CISA, we recognize that every learner is different, and we focus on helping each student advance at their own pace, maximizing their potential through personalized instruction and real-life immersion.

CISA Curriculum

The CISA curriculum was designed by the Directors and is structured into multiple levels to support progressive learning. You will receive a textbook that corresponds to your level and class placement. As you progress through the book—and depending on the length of your stay—you may move on to the next level and textbook during your time at CISA.

Teaching Approach:

If you have specific goals (e.g., learning vocabulary related to medicine, education, business, ministry, or missions), your class can be customized to fit your learning needs. The textbook serves as a guideline, but teachers also incorporate:

Handouts

Homework

Additional teaching tools and activities

First Day at School

Arrival Time: Please arrive by 8:00 AM on your first day.

Spanish Assessment: You will begin with a Spanish language assessment to determine your current level.

Note: Children will not be assessed and will begin their classes immediately.

Based on your assessment results, you will be placed in a class that best matches your Spanish level. You will also receive a CISA Spanish Workbook.

Class sizes are small—typically between 2 to 5 students.

The first few days serve as an evaluation period. If it becomes clear that your skill level is higher or lower than initially assessed, we may move you to a class that better fits your needs.

Your first day also includes an Orientation session, where you’ll receive your schedule, tour the facilities, and have time to ask questions.

Helpful Hint: Bring your own notebook or workbook to take extra notes during class.

Turrialba Tour

During your first week, this program includes a Free Turrialba Tour —usually scheduled on the first Monday. You will take a guided bus tour of Turrialba to help you get to know the area and key locations.

Tour Details:

• The tour begins at the main bus stop in Tuis.
• On the way to Turrialba, you’ll pass through La Suiza, a nearby town with a pharmacy, grocery stores, bank, and other useful services.
• After arriving at the main terminal in Turrialba, you’ll explore the city on foot. You’ll visit and become familiar with important places like:
  • Central Park
  • Banks
  • Coffee shops
  • Grocery stores
  • Other local landmarks

Currency Exchange Information:

• You’ll have the opportunity to exchange U.S. dollars to Costa Rican colones.
  • If you plan to use a bank teller, bring your passport.
  • If you’re using an ATM, your Interac card should work.
  • Helpful Tip: It’s usually faster and easier to use an ATM, as bank lines in Costa Rica can be quite long.
• After the tour, you’ll return to Tuis and your homestay via the bus.

Helpful Hint:

To save time, bring your passport with you to CISA that morning, so you don’t need to return to your homestay to pick it up before the tour.

Coffee Tour

As part of your CISA experience, you’ll enjoy a free visit to Café Misión, a local coffee plantation located in the school campus. Café Misión is a mission initiative that produces high-quality Costa Rican coffee while supporting the local community through sustainable practices and fair employment.

Tour Details:

During the tour, you’ll walk through beautiful coffee fields, learn about the coffee-growing process from seed to cup, and discover how Café Misión combines traditional methods with modern techniques to create an exceptional product. You’ll visit the roasting area, see the drying patios, and enjoy the rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee.

Of course, no coffee tour would be complete without tasting! You’ll sample different varieties of Café Misión’s signature coffees while learning how to recognize flavors and aromas like a true barista. This experience not only teaches you about one of Costa Rica’s most iconic exports but also connects you directly with the families and values behind every cup.

School Credits

Students who wish to earn university or high school credit for their Spanish studies at CISA must present our official curriculum to the Spanish Department of their home institution. Each university or school determines the number of credits that can be awarded based on our curriculum and the length of the student’s program at CISA.

To begin this process, please email us before enrolling so we can send you a copy of our curriculum and a certificate of enrollment confirming the exact study period at CISA. Your institution will then review the materials and determine credit eligibility according to their academic policies.

Coordinator Guidance

Students can feel confident reaching out to the International Logistics Manager & Coordinator (English-speaking) at any time during their Immersion Experience.

The Logistics Manager is available to:

• Address any questions or concerns
• Offer guidance and support
• Provide insight into cultural differences
• Help you integrate smoothly and make the most of your time at CISA

Certificate and Graduation

At the end of your time at CISA, you will participate in a small graduation ceremony to celebrate your accomplishments.

All students gather together to honor the graduating student.

The graduating student is also invited to share reflections and thoughts about their experience.

You will receive a CISA Certificate, which includes the total number of hours you studied.

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