Study Spanish in Pichilemu, Chile

PILS - Spanish School at the Beach:
Pichilemu Institute of Language Studies (PILS) is a unique Spanish language school offering intensive and non-intensive Spanish courses in Chile's surfing capital, Pichilemu to students from around the world. In addition, we offer study abroad semester programs and college credit programs for US and international college & university students. Pichilemu is located on the rural coast of Central Chile and approximately 3.5 hours by bus from the capital, Santiago which has an international airport.

PILS is perfect for someone who wants to focus on learning Spanish in a small beach town with many outdoor activities available. The classes are personalized and group class students must be at a similar level. Our college-educated professors are creative and patient. They are experienced in working with the individual needs of their students privately or in small groups. PILS classes participate in "Living Spanish" where student practice their Spanish in town during instructor led activities.

PILS is accredited by Brookhaven Community College in Texas and the Universidad de Bolivariana in Santiago, Chile.

College credit for US and international students:
PILS is the perfect place for students who want to receive college credit for their studies. US college students can receive credit for 9 different undergraduate Spanish courses at PILS. In addition, we offer a semester abroad program. Non-US students can receive a Universidad de Bolivariana (UB) certificate for a 40-hour course (at four levels) with PILS.

Our Philosophy:
At PILS our philosophy is Seriously Fun Learning. We are serious in our learning goals and teaching strategies, but we want to have fun in and out of the classroom. Our school is founded on the idea that not all students want to study in a city environment, and that the great outdoors plays a part in clearing our minds for the next endeavor.

One of our main purposes is to build bridges between cultures. Because our school is also an English language school for Chileans, the opportunity exists to branch out and practice with locals on a daily basis. We like to promote cross-cultural experiences between students.

- Group Spanish Classes (for beginner, intermediate & advanced levels)
- College Credit Programs for US college / university students (Design your own study abroad program)
- Semester Abroad Programs
- Universidad de Bolivariana certified 40 hour course for non-US students
- Private Spanish Lessons
- Spanish + Surf Package
- Spanish + Kite Board Package
- Spanish + Multi-activity Package
- Santiago-Pichilemu City Combination Program
- Online Spanish Classes

We offer Spanish courses all year round. Group classes are based on availability. Single students who register for group classes will be given an equitable amount of private classes if no suitable partners are available. However, solo travelers can be assured that we'll do our best to find appropriate group partners. During our high season November-April more frequent group classes run starting every Monday.

Pichilemu is located 3.5 hours southeast of the International Airport and Capital city, Santiago de Chile. We are in the 6th region and on the central coast. Pichilemu is country town meets surf town; ride your horse to the supermarket while you talk on your cell. It's slow-paced, dusty, rustic, but quaint and beautiful with a small but loyal following of surfers and windsurfers from Chile and afar. The weather is agreeable all year, the accommodation prices are cheap outside high season (December - March), and the beaches and surf are truly representative of the wild Pacific.

We enjoy a dry, Mediterranean climate that is never very hot nor very cold. Pichilemu is famous as the surf capital of Chile and the surf in Pichilemu is very consistent all year. There are easy beach breaks for very beginners. The point break in town has a sand bottom (so safe), but the currents and size generally make it an intermediate wave.

Because Pichilemu is a summer tourist town, there are a variety of accommodation options available both during the tourist season and outside of it. We recommend equipped cabins, hotels, hostels, and homestays with local Chilean host families. Prices are higher on long weekends, holidays, and the months of January and February.

Homestay Accommdation with Chilean Host Families:

Sra. Viviane: Offers more independent homestay situation with an small private kitchen and shared apartment style living quarters.

Sra. Pati: Mother of 3 teenagers, head of the household, working mom, and generous to all who step in her home (although never short of witty comebacks or healthy amount of teasing) Pati is used to accommodating the strange eating needs of her foreign guests.

¨Surf was great, the staff was excellent and the homestay was like a second family. All in all a great experience. In fact I left Pichilemu and Chile in January, 2009 only to find myself wishing I was back there. So in March I went back!¨ - Wei Chian Ong, Australia

"Travel in a country where we hardly speak the language is challenging.  So after a week of bumbling along and just getting by, we stumbled into Pichilemu Institute of Language Studies and met the people.  Immediately it felt like we were with long time friends.  The great energy and the small classes made learning easy and fun.  By the end of our lessons we had developed a new confidence in our ability to communicate with those around us.  It added another layer to our vacation.  We enjoyed our time in Pichilemu so much we plan on returning to further our language skills as well as surf in that awesome green water." - Jacki and Louis Arevalo, Salt Lake City, Utah  USA, February 2011

"PILS is a language institute with a healthy learning environment, energetic instructors, and a strong "buena onda". The pre-test administered during orientation allows the instructors to cater towards your specific language developement needs. My instructor and I focused on past-tense verbs so that I could reach one of my goals of telling personal stories while in social situations. The two hour course allowed plenty of time to practice my new story telling skills while at the local empanada stand or while shopping at the fish market. The biggest growth spurts in my life-long Spanish speaking journey have come after spending a week or two in Pichilemu. I would recommend the Spanish courses offered at PILS to anyone, and don't forget to try the muffins in the reception area! They're the perfect before class snack." - Chad Mills, USA