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The Special studying projects
La Casa en el Arbol is a Language School aiming at the promotion of foreign and Mayan languages as tools toward a better understanding between different ethnic groups ( see: www.lacasaenelarbol.org).
The school also offers eco-tourism and cultural immersion programs. As the Pioneer of intercultural youth exchanges in San Cristobal, the school organises activities which offer a mixture of languages and Maya culture.
During the activities, the participants take a 4 hours of Spanish, Tzoztil or Tzeltal lessons a day and enjoy visits and conferences in San Cristobal and its surroundings. Visits to some of the most characteristic museums of San Cristobal and to the villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan are foreseen during the stay.
The program does not only offer the knowledge of a new language but also a better understanding of Chiapas and its native communities.
The participants will leave with a deep knowledge of a complex part of Mexico. They can be sure to join a life-changing experience. Guided extra visits can also be organised upon request.
Title: “LANGUAGE AND CULTURE OF MAYAN CHIAPAS”
La Casa en el Arbol – School of
languages, San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas State, South Mexico
| CODE | NAME | LOCATION | DATES | TYPE | AGE | MAX VOLS |
| NAT SPE 1 | LANGUAGE | San Cristobal de las Casas | 06/07 - 27/07 | STUD | 18 + | 10 |
| NAT SPE 2 | LANGUAGE | San Cristobal de las Casas | 03/08 - 22/08 | STUD | 18 + | 10 |
Background
The Special Language camps want to be an occasion to learn languages and get to know the complexity of Chiapas. Through a professional course of Spanish, Tsotsil or Tseltal (Maya languages) and a series of visits and conferences with local experts, the participants will gain a deep knowledge of Chiapas, its Maya origins and present situation. The camp is not a workcamp and participants will not be involved in manual or volunteering activities. The language camps are part of an effort toward the promotion of multilinguism as bridge between ethnic groups that La Casa en el Arbol has been carrying on since its creation.
Study theme
Participants will study 4 hours a day (5 days a week) with a professional teacher (Available languages are: Spanish, Tsotsil and Tseltal for spanish speakers) in an official private language school in San Cristobal (“La Casa en el Arbol”). The courses will be organised in groups. After studying the volunteers will take part in socio – cultural visits and conferences in San Cristobal and the surrounding villages. All conferences will be held by experts in a different field of interest. Week ends are free.
Leisure Time
Additional visits to other tourist locations in Chiapas can be organised upon request (Palenque, Tonina, the Montebello lakes, the Agua Azul waterfalls, the Sumidero Canon, etc).
Accommodation
In a local youth hostel. Lunch and dinner will be taken in a local restaurant.
Location
San Cristobal de las Casas is the cultural capital city of Chiapas, the southern state of Mexico.
Terminal
National: San Cristobal de las Casas. International: Mexico city or Cancun
Participation fee
7900 Mexican Pesos (about 775 US€ / 490 €)
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