After 12 years of experience in education and development of teaching programs of Spanish as a foreign language in Costa Rica, there was a concern to innovate the traditional teaching approach and provide strategies towards a flexible and dynamic student-centered educational method. Hence, in 2016 the director of Learn Spanish by the Forest Dinia Suárez, decided to create the first educational choice in Monteverde that offers genuine experiences in an open classroom concept, full immersion of the language where you will discover the culture and improve your Spanish while you wonder the world-renowned Cloud Forest in Monteverde.
Our purpose is to unite people through language, so in addition to our immersion programs we have integrated online options for all our existing programs that allow us to break the barriers of time and distance by offering quality opportunities for all.
”“Experience genuine opportunities to learn Spanish by the forest and discover the essence of language”
Mission
Generate creative and innovative alternatives for the acquisition of Spanish as a foreign language, which inspire people to reach their maximum potential while becoming a bridge for unity between citizens of the world through the Spanish language.
Vision
Working every day by fostering cooperation between people through learning experiences based on cultural exchange, full immersion, connection with nature and innovative teaching methodologies, flexible schedules and personalized programs for both children and adults.
Dinia Suárez
Monteverde is home to 2.5 of the world’s biodiversity; In addition, this paradise in the cloud forest houses 50% of the country’s flora and fauna.
After teaching in traditional systems where the four walls remained a barrier between students and experiential learning, the need arose to explore new approaches and educational techniques. Thus, through the communicative approach among others, she moved the classroom learning experience to the cloud forest and its surroundings when in 2016, she decided to unite her passion for teaching and deep love for nature to found Learn Spanish by the Forest, the first quality and personalized professional education outdoors service in Monteverde.
Certified as a ESL teacher at Universidad Estatal a Distancia, C.R. (UNED) and the teaching of Spanish as a Second Language by El Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC), her greatest aspiration is to share with her students the language, culture and the best of the cloud forest where she grew up.
As a professional educator with a solid academic experience of work in private education and collaboration with internationally recognized educational centers such as The Cloud Forest School, CPI and the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), and as director of Learn Spanish by the Forest, she continues in the search for innovative strategies that provide students with comprehensive and global learning that contributes to the formation of generous and respectful citizens of the world.
Programs
International Standards & Levels
Our four programs and all the content of our courses are structured according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and are equivalent or can be matched to the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). These are international standards that establish common reference to describe each level in terms of speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills in every day context.
C Proficient User
CEFR - C2 (Mastery) / ACTFL- Advanced High, Superior
An advanced student will understand any kind of spoken language, whether live or broadcast, delivered at fast speed, even in a noisy environment. He/she can appreciate irony and sarcasm and draw appropriate conclusions about their use. Can produces complex reports, articles or essays with critical appreciation of proposals.
CEFR - C1 (Effective Operational Proficiency) / ACTFL - Advanced Mid, Advanced High
Students will be able to express themselves fluently and spontaneously almost effortlessly, using proper stress and intonation for social and professional purposes; have a good understanding of humor, irony and implicit cultural references. Can write structured texts with high degree of grammar.
B Independent User
CEFR - B2 (Vantage) / CETF - Intermediate High, Advanced Low
Can take an active part in discussions with spontaneity with native speakers describing experiences, dreams and ambitions. Can write an essay or detailed reports giving details in support of or against a particular point of view. Can summaries orally main ideas in sequences of events in a film and TV programs…
CEFR - B1 (Threshold) / ACTFL - Intermediate Mid, Intermediate High
An intermediate student will be able to participate in more extended conversations, unpredictable situations and explain the main points to support an idea. The student may have enough vocabulary to express him/herself with fluency on topics such as preferences and work using different verbal tenses in more complex structures.
A Basic User
CEFR - A2 (Waystage) / ACTFL - Lower Intermediate, Intermediate Mid
At this level the students can tell a story, describe and compare everyday situations e.g. people, towns or personal experiences in both present and past tense. Can communicate activities, plans and routines. The students may write short paragraphs and phrases linked with connectors like ‘and’ or ‘then’
CEFR - A1 (Breakthrough) / ACTFL - Novice Low, Novice Mid, Novice High
At the end of this level the students will be able to understand, use familiar daily expressions and phrases in order to make simple transactions (banks, shops, transportation…) or follow directions with more confidence. Can introduce themselves and others in a friendly conversation.
Memories
