ABOUT KIE BALAM SPANISH SCHOOL

Kie-Balam spanish school was established by a group of Spanish language teachers in 1990 and is one of the oldest Spanish language schools in Xela. Our Spanish school is certified by the Guatemalan government, the local Department of Education, and registered with the Guatemalan Department of Tourism.

The program is designed with the clear objectives and work plans of the student. We offer you an intensive language program. It offers you the opportunity to contribute your ideas and experience to the learning process. This provides the best climate for success in learning what is relevant to your needs. We are also registered with the Guatemalan Department of Tourism, which also acts in a supervisory capacity.

Kie-Balam is distinguished in qualifications and facilities. Kie-Balam’s founder is certified as a Bilingual and Special Education teacher in the USA, with two minors in Linguistics and Spanish and an MA in Administration of Higher Education from Northeastern Illinois University. Kie-Balam’s director has a degree in Teaching Spanish as Second Language, with a thesis on teaching Spanish as a second language and the special didactic of the subjunctive.

Kie-Balam offers students an intensive language program tailored to each individuals needs. Each student has the opportunity to contribute their own ideas and experiences to the learning process, providing the best climate for success in learning a new language.

We are distinguished from other schools of our type by our qualifications and facilities. We do not use unqualified teachers. The director is certified as a Bilingual and Special Education teacher in the USA, with a minor in Linguistics. Our facilities are large enough for groups of 50 students.

The student works one on one with an instructor five days a week.

Our school conducts sessions year round. We begin with a test to assess each student's level of fluency in Spanish. We progress according to the student's abilities and needs. At the termination of their studies, students take oral and written exams to determine Spanish competency. The school's assessment resembles the Foreign Services Institute (FSI) style exam.

Our Teachers

To ensure a high quality education, all Spanish teachers are native Guatemalans who have educational degrees. All of the teachers have experience and have received training in teaching Spanish as a second language. Their training is updated every six months.

Why Choose Kie-Balam?

Learning Spanish in a Spanish speaking country gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and language of Guatemala.

Kie-Balam emphasizes a program of Total Immersion enabling students to begin speaking Spanish from the very first minute they arrive in Quetzaltenango. Students choose whether to live with a Guatemalan family and whether to take classes morning or afternoon.

Students use only Spanish with their teachers. The time you spend with your family gives you an opportunity to practice and will reinforce the information you have learnt during class. All students receive one-on-one instruction with their teacher five days a week. Bilingual teachers are available, and the English-speaking school director is available to help with any arrangements you might need to make.

Spanish language classes are given year-round, and students may stay for as little as one week or many months.

In your first class you will be given an oral and a written test to assess your level of fluency in Spanish. You will be given oral and written exams to track your learning progress and adapt lessons according to your abilities and needs. The school's assessment exam is similar in form to the Foreign Services Institute (FSI) exam.

STUDENT BENEFITS

= Free internet access 7 days per week
= Free coffee, morning or afternoon tea
= 10% discount at Café Q (recommended by Lonely Planet)
= Book exchange
= Resource library
= Video library
= Weekly activities
= Sunny courtyard and classroom study areas
= Recreation room with a ping pong table
= Cable TV,
= Internet Wireless
= Range of accommodation options
= Art-gallery of Guatemalan artists

History

The school was opened in 1990, with the intention of using the school as a base point for the establishment of rural libraries. The following libraries have been opened over the years since then:

• Concepción Chiquirrichapa, Quetzaltenango
  
• Los Llanos del Pinal, Quetzaltenango
  
• Huitan, Quetzaltenango
  
• Granja Penal, Quetzaltenango
  
• Carcel de Hombres, Quetzaltenango
  
• Carcel de Mujeres, Quetzaltenango
  
• Nuevos Horizontes, Refugio de Mujeres, Xela
  
• San Andres Xecul, San Cristobal Totonicapan
  
• San Pablo, La Laguna, Atitlan
  
• San Juan, La Laguna, Atitlan
  
• Cruceñita, Santa Cruz, Atitlan

Mission

Our mission encompasses the following projects:

• Bilingual Rural Schools and Libraries
  
• Special Education
  
• Literacy
  
• Shelter for Battered Women
  
• Habitat for Humanity
  
• Reforestation Projects
  
• Recycling
  
• Orphanages

Kie-Balam had the signal honor to be the location for the training of international election observers during the 1996 Guatemalan elections.

Location

We're within walking distance from the Galgos or Alamo bus stations. If we know you're coming, we'll meet you at the bus station. If not, just take a cab to the school. Come to the school during daylight hours. Saturdays, we're in from about 9 AM to about 1 PM. Sunday afternoons, we're in the school from 2 PM to 7 PM. We've put directions in for our home, but you might not find us home.

Kie-Balam means "The Good Jaguar"