I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was in Costa Rica, and also mentioned I was here for a purpose. Goodness, those weeks have gone by quickly and there has been other things going on, but I should make a mention of what I am doing here!
I am attending a Spanish language intensive course at a language institute. I would like to make an objective writeup talking about this as a way to learn a language, but it would involve a lot of research, since my own experiences aren't true of language learning everywhere in the world. But here is what I am doing:
I am in class three hours a day, four days a week. There are actually options for more hours and more days, but for me, 12 hours a week is sufficient. I am going for four weeks, and am currently on my fourth week---so just two more days! Last year I went for nine weeks, which gave me lots of opportunities for advancement, but which was honestly past the point of diminishing returns. I paid for group classes, but because it is the off season, there is currently only one other student in class with me. The lessons, which are of course taught by a native teacher, involve some grammar instruction and standard vocabulary learning, but are long on conversation. Which can be pretty tiring---three hours of speaking a foreign language at an advanced level can be pretty mentally tiring! The class runs from 9 AM to noon, and I walk to and from class. After class, I walk home, make some noodles, and do other things. The institute actually offers some "cultural activities" like cooking and dance, but I haven't participated. Like other institutes, it also offers a homestay option, but I am living in an AirBnb. A lot of the activities and amenities that an institute like this offers is designed for younger people with less experience, but as a man in his forties who has lived in Latin America before, I need less hand holding. Is the idea.
While too polite to discuss my personal finances, four weeks of instruction cost less than $1000--- prices vary by country and institute, of course. And of course, I had to fly here and find a place to live, etc. This isn't cheap, but it is probably only slightly more expensive than a community college course, and cheaper than even a state university course. It is also in a small group with a lot of chances to talk to a native speaker in a dynamic setting, as opposed to the type of classroom learning in a normal academic setting. It is also probably much cheaper than other things people do while vacationing--- a swanky resort would cost more for a week, and would not be as beneficial. And of course, as I found out recently, it is less than I would pay for a music fest in the US. I mean, my weekly tuition here might be around what a family of four might pay for a night out dining. It really is a great option for its price.
I am also travelling around Costa Rica, or at least the San Jose area, when I am not in class. When school ends in two days I will have more time to travel, and will go further afield. At this point, I am an advanced Spanish speaker, or at least that is the level I have studied to. Obviously, not every student will get up to advanced level just from studying in an institute, no matter how intensely (and I also got to this level through other means as well). After all this learning, I don't know what I will do next, but it certainly has been a worthwhile voyage.
Feel free to ask me questions if you are considering something like this yourself.