Spanish Venture
Kick off your Spanish Journey
Spanish Venture Experience
3-4 Months ($299/week)
The Spanish Venture Experience was created for students who feel a deeper calling in their journey with the Spanish language—those who are beginning to understand that their purpose may include serving Latino communities, whether in their own country or through mission trips, and who desire to communicate with authenticity and clarity. This program is designed for learners who are ready to dedicate meaningful time to immersive Spanish study. An extended stay allows students to engage in everyday life, interact with local families, and apply their language skills in real, natural contexts, leading to deeper understanding and greater confidence. Available year-round, the Spanish Venture Experience offers intensive instruction, cultural grounding, and the opportunity to form genuine relationships within the community. Students may enroll for any length, depending on their schedule and learning goals, giving them the time they need to truly launch forward in their Spanish fluency.
Class schedule:
Monday to Thursday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm (16 hours/week, in small group classes, up to 5 people).
Optional classes in the afternoons:
- Intensive lessons -One-on-One -4hrs extra/per week
- Tico Food Experience (Cooking Class) – 1 hr/week
- Cross-Cultural Missions Class – 1 hr/week
- Natural Fitness Adventure Class – 1-3 hrs/week
- Medical Terminology Class – 4 hrs/week
- Spanish for Teachers – 4hrs/week or more
Weekends are open for tours, extra activities, and attending the Mission church service.
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is a standard for language proficiency. Here’s a rough idea of what you might expect in 3-4 months:
Expected Progress in 1-4 Months of Immersion (from Zero):
| Time at CISA | Likely CEFR Progress | What Students Will Likely Be Able to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 First 4 weeks of immersion | A1 → Early A2 | Learn survival Spanish: greetings, introductions, basic questions, numbers, schedules, classroom language, and simple daily routines. Begin to understand common phrases used in homestay and community life. |
| Month 2 Building a foundation | Solid A2 | Handle most everyday situations: buying food, asking for directions, talking about family, likes and dislikes, simple past and future. Participate in short conversations with locals (with some repetition and patience). |
| Month 3 Growing in confidence | A2 → B1 | Hold longer conversations about daily life, studies, travel and basic work or ministry topics. Explain experiences, give reasons and opinions in simple Spanish, and understand much of what host families and teachers say in familiar contexts. |
| Month 4 Consistent communication | Toward solid B1 | Speak more fluidly and independently about a wide range of everyday topics. Manage most situations in Spanish without translation, follow the main ideas of conversations, sermons, or group discussions, and read short texts such as messages, announcements, and simple articles. |
*Progress assumes active daily immersion (homestay, classes, homework, and regular use of Spanish). Individual results may vary based on motivation, previous experience, and personal effort.
What They’ll Be Able to Do by B1 (Low-Intermediate):
| Skill Area | What a Solid B1 Student Can Do |
|---|---|
| Speaking | Hold conversations about daily life, family, work, travel, and personal interests. Express opinions, explain experiences, and describe future plans with growing confidence. Manage most everyday interactions without switching to English. |
| Listening | Understand the main ideas of conversations at normal speed in familiar contexts. Follow most of what host families, teachers, and locals say. Grasp the general meaning of simple audio, sermons, videos, and announcements. |
| Reading | Read short articles, emails, descriptions, instructions, and social media posts. Understand everyday texts related to travel, services, faith, school, or community life. |
| Writing | Write simple paragraphs, personal reflections, messages, and descriptions. Communicate experiences, opinions, and plans in an organized but basic manner. |
| Interaction | Participate in group conversations, ask for clarification, negotiate meaning, and keep a conversation going even with limited vocabulary. |
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.
Request your personalized budget
At CISA, we understand that every student has a unique schedule and specific needs during their time with us. That’s why we create personalized budgets for each client. Please fill out the form below with your information, and our team will contact you shortly to provide a customized estimate and answer any questions you may have.
