IXBALANQUE

COPAN RUINAS, HONDURAS

 ABOUT US, COURSES, PRICES

MAYAN RUINS PROGRAM(4 WEEKS) Option #1 

Individual course, single room home stay with fan

MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

COPÁN RUINAS PROGRAM  

Homestays:

1. Are most homestays within walking distance of school? R// all homestays are within walking distance. Copán Ruinas is a small town.

2. Are there other students living with same family? R// One student / homestay, unless other requested. 

3. If students chooses shared room, does he/she share room with other student or member of the family? R//Private room, unless other requested, the student don’t   share room with member of the family.

4. How many meals does the family provide? R//Host family provide 3 meals / day.

5. Do you have any family accommodations with private baths? R// most of our homestays are with a private bath.

6. Can entire families stay at the same family? R// entire families can usually stay at the same homestay.

7. When should the students arrive to and depart from the host family, before he/she has to start paying for extra days? R// You should arrive to and depart from the host family the day before and after classes. Anything outside of this time frame are extra days. Non-studying travel companions pay more.

8. Is laundry service included? Yes, laundry service is included.

 Children:

1.     What is the youngest student accepted into the regular program? R// minimum age to study in the 4 hr/day at the regular price – 8 years old.

2.     Do you have special program for children? Children’s programs – Typical program for children (8 years old): this program is very special, 4 hours / day, 5 days / week, same price. Includes games, songs, visit the park conversation, stories, drawing, etc. they are flexible when it comes to children and their needs. We have special classroom for children.

3.     Do you have any child care for children that are not studying? What is it? What is the cost?   R// child care is provided by the house mother in the house or by the maid/nanny. If child is under 8 years old: same as adult home stay price, but includes child care if needed (when parents are in school or want to do activities not appropriate for small children).

 Language Program 

1. Maximum number of students per class? Average number of students per class R// one student – one teacher (very flexible to the students particular needs, normally faster than group instruction).

2. Number of different language levels? R// beginner, intermediate, advanced, superior.

3.  Text and method used? R// total immersion theory. Combination of grammar, reading aloud, games,  conversation outings in and around town, etc, writing and oral text the first day to classify your level   and the same test the last day to meansure progress if the student want.

4. What do you do about college credit? Check with your school before enrolling. We can provide you whatever information your university may need to verify that you studied here. We gave a diploma to certificate that he/she studied our school.

5. Do you feel comfortable with highly advanced / superior levels? What has your experience been so far? Do you feel comfortable steering advanced and superior levels to private instruction? R// when the student knows the grammar very well, we spoke with them of very important subjects of our society, like: Ethnics groups of Honduras, Folklore, woman Law in Honduras, Children’s Law in Honduras, about the _Mayans, etc. We don’t have any problem with any level and age.

6. Do you have an orientation? When? R// The school gives a mimeographed sheet explaining cultural differences, etc, then the Director gives an informal orientation regarding the activities that the school hosts. The school also has students coming in at all different times, so there is not formal orientation (we give the orientation when you arrive to our school).

7. How are classes scheduled? If not always the same, please include a sample itinerary. R// Classes are held in two sessions: 8:00am- 12:00M or 1:30pm – 5:30

8. How are teachers scheduled? How often does the students change teacher? R// students can expect to change teacher every week, unless they are beginners or request otherwise.

9. Does someone take the student to school the first day? Who? R//nobody. The students receive an orientation sheet and a map when he/she arrives; therefore it is not necessary that anyone takes him/her to school the first day. Also Copán Ruinas is a small town.

 Atmosphere: 

1. Do teachers and students frequently socialize outside of classes? R// many students and teacher socialize outside of classes.

2. Age (mostly university students, independent travelers, professionals, older/retired)? R// We attend any age, from 8 years old to ahead.

3. Study environment (casual, classroom, indoor, outdoor). Our classes are in our garden or in our classroom, can be as formal or as relaxed as students wished.

4. Your maximum capacity? R// 20 – 30 students.

5. Describe the area where is your school located? Our school is 1 ½ block west of the central park, we counted with a garden where the students can receive classes, library, we have 2 offices, a class room especially for children.

Other:

1. Weather?  How much rain during rainy season (afternoon, evening)?  R// Copán Ruinas is located in the western highlands of Honduras, more the 1,800 feet above sea level. This altitude is known as tierra templada, or temperate land, and it is therefore comfortable year-round. The visitor will experience neither the swelter of the coastal jungles, nor the night-time chill found at higher elevations to the west and in Guatemala. Like other tropical countries, Honduras has two seasons - wet and dry. The dry season usually lasts from December to May, the wet season from June to November. During the wet season, mornings are typically clear, then thunderstorms build through the afternoon into a refreshing shower, then the clouds dissipate in time for a lovely sunset. The coolest months are January and February, while March and April are the warmest. Still, this is the tropics, so average temperatures tend not to vary more than 10 degrees Fahrenheit (5 Celsius).

2. Culture events and festivals: there is a town fair in March. (The week before 19).

3. Important advice: The town is small, everyone knows everyone. Should not be a problem to walk alone at night.

4. Activities: we offer one excursion or activities per week to the different place around Copán Ruinas, like: Horse back riding, Hot spring, Caves, Farms, Bird watching, Indigenous villages, dance classes, cooking classes, etc.

5. Weekend trips: the students can arrange this trip but we will helping anything that they will need.

6. Do you arrange for volunteer work? Our school encourages the development of Honduras. That’s why we offer the opportunity for our students to get involved in various activities that promote our development. Our school encourages the development of Honduras. That’s why we offer the opportunity for our students to get involved in various activities that promote our development. Our program can involve you in a wide range of community projects, including ecology and the environment, health, education, religion, and children’s issues. The students can study in any turn and work in the other.

7. Start dates: every Monday, the students can arrive on Saturday or Sunday.

8. Airport  pick up: the students can travel from the airport in San Pedro Sula with Hedman Alas, www.hedmanalas.com or with a private transfer, this cost $120 for 1 – 4 people, 5-8 students $150, 9 – 15 this cost $225.

9. Our school is close: Easter Thursday and Friday, December 25 and January 01.

10. Hotels in Copán Ruinas:

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