Yanapuma Spanish School:
Yanapuma Spanish School is a unique, cooperative, teacher-run Spanish school offering professional Spanish language instruction in Quito, Ecuador at reasonable prices. The Spanish School is oriented towards socially and ecologically aware students, backpackers, tourists and professionals motivated to learn Spanish and to experience Ecuador in the fullest way possible.
Our highly qualified and experienced Spanish teachers are actively involved in the development and management of both our School and Yanapuma Foundation. The Foundation is a non-profit organization whose aims are to facilitate sustainable practices in urban and rural communities throughout Ecuador, and to encourage intercultural exchange that fosters mutual benefit and learning in our globalizing world.
ALL of the profits from the Spanish school help support the work of our Foundation.
The learning environment at Yanapuma is different from many schools, where students often study in small, cramped cubicles. We offer a café-style setting in a large, divided open room with plenty of natural light and a nice view. The space is quiet, with sound absorbing materials, but the class areas have an open feel. Outdoor classes are also possible at our school. Students are encouraged to explore Quito’s markets, museums, parks and tourist areas with their teacher during classes.
For students wanting to make the most of their Spanish study, we suggest a homestay for your accommodation here in Quito. Staying with a family gives you the chance to practice Spanish and to interact with a local family, learning more about daily life in Ecuador.
Yanapuma also offers hostel and hotel accommodation in single room and shared rooms to its students and volunteers, both short-term and long-term. Offerings range from basic to mid-range in price and quality. For longer term students, we also offer accommodations in an apartment.
Yanapuma organizes weekly trips to areas in or around Quito to explore the richness of the local area while offering additional opportunities to learn Spanish. These trips can include a walking tour of the historic city center, a trip up to 4000 meters on Quito’s teleférico, the Quito botanical garden and Parque Carolina, and others.
Our Quito Cultural Package offers 4 excursions per week to various places of interest in or around Quito. Students not participating in this program are welcome to join these excursions for a fee (if there are other students enrolled in the program).
Some examples of our regular excursions are:
Museo del Banco Central
Santa Clara Indigenous Market
Inti Nan museum on the equator
Museo de la Ciudad
Museo Guayasamin
Museo Mitad del Mundo on the equator
Old Town tour
Historic churches of Quito
"Teleferico" cablecar above Quito
Panecillo monument