ACLAS offers language and cultural immersion programs for Spanish as a second language and Latin American Studies. We tailor these programs to satisfy the specific needs of foreign universities. They integrate Spanish-language study and Latin American Studies with the opportunity to learn about Latin American culture/lifestyle by living with an Ecuadorian family and by experiencing Ecuador through adventure tourism.

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ACLAS is famous for the language immersion programs it provides to diplomats and international executives. These programs combine Spanish language training with the study of diplomatic and/or business topics specific to Latin America. Students can also choose to experience the culture and lifestyle behind Latin America´s diplomatic and business worlds by sharing life with a carefully selected Ecuadorian family. In addition to diplomats and executives, we adapt our Spanish programs to meet the needs of any professional. 

• Total Immersion Courses

The purpose of our total immersion courses is to completely expose the student to the Spanish language and Latin American culture. Thus, as part of the course, the student lives with a family and receives five (5) hours of language/culture instruction per day. A typical program includes the following areas: listening comprehension, writing skills, grammar structures, guided and free conversation, phonetic correction as well as Ecuadorian and Latin American culture and civilization. Courses are completely one-on-one, the student is the only one in class and the only one living with a particular Ecuadorian family.

A four-week immersion course includes: - Living with an Ecuadorian family for 28 days
- Three meals daily and laundry service for 28 days
- Five (5) hours of Spanish classes daily (except weekends)
- Materials (notebooks, photocopies and information resources)

• Intensive courses

Intensive courses are similar to immersion courses. The only difference is that the student does not live with a family. If needed, ACLAS can help the student find a hotel, hostel, etc., that meets his/her needs and can take care of reservations or related matters.

A four-week intensive course includes: 

- Five (5) hours of Spanish classes daily (except weekends)
- Materials (notebooks, photocopies and information resources)

• Courses per hour

Using the same Learning for Life philosophy we apply in all our programs, ACLAS provides Spanish courses by the hour. These programs offer the student the number of hours of instruction she/he requires.

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ACLAS has aquired special recognition and prestige for its English as a foreign language training. We are especially well-known for the organization of courses for Ecuadorian professionals whose positions require English. These courses combine language training with focused study of areas professionals will need in their field and in diverse English-speaking countries. ACLAS provides English programs based on 30-hour modules, however, the amount of time required to complete each module depends on the student.

As part of our English teaching program, we also provide the following services.

• English for Specific Purposes (reading for medical students, ecological terms for tour guides and so on)
• Exam Preparation

ACLAS participates actively in teacher training as a way to contribute to the national effort to improve the quality of Ecuadorian education. We work with educators from preschool to university levels, teaching them how to apply Learning for Life and Whole Language philosophies in the classroom.

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ACLAS´ Translation Department is composed of university professors, many of whom have graduate degrees from universities in the United States and Europe. The department translates both technical and non-technical documents. Each translation undergoes a detailed revision by linguistic specialists who are native speakers of both languages involved.

Translation jobs can be received by e-mail, mail, courier or fax. The translated documents will be delivered as printouts, on floppy disks, by fax or as an e-mail attachment. The text´s original format is always preserved, unless the client specifically requests it be changed. As a rule, all documents are kept completely confidential.

ACLAS offers interpretation services for private or public, formal or informal, meetings and conferences that are local and/or international in nature.

With this type of interpretation, the interpreter acts as a communicative link between two individuals or between a lecturer and the public attending a conference. The lecturer expresses his/her thoughts which the interpreter then translates and transmits to the public (usually two or more sentences at a time, depending on complexity and length). This interpretation system allows the public to understand what the lecturer or speaker has said in an accurate and timely manner.

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