Teachers

My teachers were excellent.  I feel that they were very well prepared and that they gave their very best to the class.  I experienced a good mix of conversation, grammar and discussion of the culture of Mexico. Kathy Crandall

The teachers used different styles which was a benefit to me.  Each spoke wonderful Spanish, each was patient, flexible, good listeners and used their skills to stretch each student as needed. The homework was appropriate.  Delores Mick

The teachers were very patient.  They spoke slowly and clearly, which I very much appreciated.  Laura Berndt

Las maestras eran muy chidas!

I was very grateful to have one-to-one classes.

I really enjoyed both of my teachers. They were very kind, patient...but determinedly pushed us to work in Spanish all of the time, which was very good for me.

The teachers are great. They are totally proficient in the subject matter, and are dedicated to doing all they can to help students learn.

Your teachers were great! I was truly most interested in doing a lot of talking and listening to people speak Spanish! I wanted to know that what I was saying was correct and to practice it over and over. Looking back, I would sign up for the one-on-one sessions.

Las maestras eran muy buenas. Tenían interés en ayudarme Lo que es importante es que el alumno hable mucho, solamente en español.

It was fun to socialize with teachers outside of classes, too.

I was glad the teachers did not use any English. Their enthusiasm, humor and patience were wonderful.

Me ayudaron mucho. Aprendí más de lo que pensaba posible.

The one on one classes were very useful and her approach is superb.

I cannot say enough good things about them; they put 100% effort into their teaching and making me feel comfortable.

The program was just what I needed. I am so glad I took the Plus; My teacher was the best person for it too. She was so patient and helpful. She made class fun, exciting and motivating. She was so incredibly smart.

I appreciated the one on one experience. It was one of my favorite things of the class. She cared about me, my personal life, and my well being there. The other classes were also wonderful and I always looked forward to going to school.

I was extremely impressed with the patience and skills of the teachers. Their styles were very different but that only meant we got to learn in more than one way. I especially enjoyed my Plus time. The teacher always allowed me as much time as I needed to construct my thoughts and sentences in Spanish, never interrupting me with corrections until I was done. Her name should be Patience.

I felt that the program was perfect for me because I had a slight familiarity with Spanish. The teachers are very good. They are thoughtful and friendly. Their teaching methods are full of practical examples and they vary some conversation with grammar lessons.

My teacher of one-on-one went to extra effort to help me understand Spanish and we became good friends in the process.

They were wonderful! Me caen bien!

My teachers were excellent. They had their lessons well planned out. Each day we would review what was already learned, and then new information was added. My first teacher is one of the best teachers I have ever had. Although she never used English, I was able to understand and she made me feel very comfortable in her class. At no time did she ever make me feel stupid. The second teacher is another great addition in your school. His lessons are clear and precise. He always pushed me to my limits, which enabled me to learn even more than I thought I would.

I can't say enough good things about my two teachers. They are two of the best teachers I've ever had. Totally concerned about the student, and able to adapt to my needs instantly. They truly are amazing.

The administration - The service

Diana was very helpful at every turn. Thank you to Celia for your help and your loving hospitality. Mary Watkins.

This is a very well organized program.  I always received prompt responses by email.

The administrative staff were friendly, helpful and very supportive of students.  The internet and e-mail responses were immediate and helpful.  Diana was excellent.

The combination of your good site and timely answers made it easy to choose Cervantes. Gordon Myers.

Thanks to Celia and Diana for making the experience very worthwhile. Roger Sherman

You guys were great! All your recommendations from hotels to restraurants and everything else was fantastic. Bill Maloney

I felt fairly well prepared through the website and you all were very responsive through e-mails. Being able to talk to other people who had been in your program before convinced me that going to your school would be a good choice.

Kind and generous, too.

I really appreciated being able to communicate with my home by using e-mail. It made me feel that I could reach my family easily if I needed to. I was also very glad that there was someone there who spoke English so that I could get help when I needed but couldn't express it in Spanish.

Very helpful and organized.

Diego and Verónica were always willing to help with everything from tickets, transportation, and visits to neighboring towns.

Plenty of useful info on the website. I thought it was great that you provided an email address during my stay.

Absolutely delightful!

Diego me respondió muy pronto con el internet y cuando llegue a la ciudad, hizo la semana facil y interesante.

Thanks Celia for all your help.

My only comment would be that in the beginning of the week, a brief time of orientation would have been helpful to outline the week of activities and times. I like to know what I am doing next to make plans. I found Diego and Veronica so helpful and went out of their way to answer questions and show us the city and surrounding area.

The three of you (Diego, Veronica and Celia) are some of the nicest people I have ever met. You all were very understanding of my needs as well as the other students.

The administration was very helpful in all aspects. If I had any questions they were answered promptly. Everyone at the school was great.

The reason I chose this school is because I received answers to my e-mail questions so promptly. Since then I have been highly impressed with the extra services we have received, such as helping us when we were sick and making hotel reservations for us. You really took care of us.

One of the things that influenced my decision to come to the Instituto Cervantes was receiving e-mails that quickly answered any question I had regarding the school and homestay. The administration is topnotch!

Diego was always great in answering my MANY questions before I came here (via internet). I really appreciate his helpfulness.

I would not change anything. Everyone was wonderful in providing information before my arrival!

I very impressed with the professional way your organization is run. Efficient and friendly--well done!!!

The City

I love this place.  I could probably live in Guanajuato and be happy. 

Beautiful!  The history, the culture, the churches and museums, the universities, and the homes were amazing.  The restaurants and shops were clean and friendly, and the transportation was efficient. Nancy McCarthy

The city is simply wonderful.  We will keep in our minds the best memories of the people, and of the architecture. Jean-Guy Cadieux

I liked the city of Guanajuato.  It felt like it was a good representation of authentic Mexican culture.  It felt safe, and the people are very friendly.

Es una ciudad preciosa. Me encantan las calles torcidas.(callejuelas?) Me fascinaron todos los "shows" culturales casi cada noche. La ciudad tiene mucho que ofrecerle a uno...el panteón de las momias, toda la arte, toda la historia...etc.

Bustling, friendly, safe, interesting, and proud of their heritage.

I loved it.  I was very glad I did not choose San Miguel de Allende. Guanajuato is much better. The weather is marvelous, cool and balmy even in the summer.  I loved the downtown area, especially the Jardín Unión and the minstrels and the mimes. I loved the theatre. We went to see a Cuban singer when we were there. I also enjoyed sitting on a park bench, watching the families and hearing the state band play.

Beautiful. Almost an ideal spot for a language school.

We were very impressed with Guanajuato. The city is clean, safe and the people are friendly.

I think the city of Guanajuato is beautiful, but most important are the people. They are the nicest people I have ever met in my life and I hope they never change.

Una ciudad muy linda, amable e interesante, con mucha energía - una ciudad real, no solo para los turistas

I really enjoyed my visit. There's a good mix of culture, education, art, nature, etc.

One of my favorite cities

After many visits to Guanajuato it remains our favorite in Mexico.

Que padre! La comida es rica, la gente amistosa y la ciudad esta llena de historia, festivales, fiestas, discos, museos y mas. Me encantó.

It's the best! It's a magical city with lots of history and cultural activities.

Fantastic!!

It is so beautiful and historical. The architecture was some of the most beautiful I have ever seen.

I loved Guanajuato and the people.

Peaceful, safe, pretty, interesting, delightful people. I like it better here than San Miguel, because it feels like a real city rather than a tourist town.

The city of Guanajuato is very charming and offers many cultural events. I think it should be high on a list of interesting and entertaining sites in Mexico.

I enjoyed the city very much.

It is Mexico! Anyone would find it interesting and entertaining!

Pretty and interesting. The climate was absolutely WONDERFUL!

It is a beautiful city with beautiful people.

Wow! I can't wait to come back

I thought the city was very beautiful and there was lots to do. From walking around the city to hiking in the surrounding hills. It's an ideal city to visit if you are not a very experienced traveler. There are a few reasons for this. The city is safe, it has a university charm and mentality to it, lots of art & culture and it’s a beautiful city.

Your Favorite cultural activities

While I enjoyed the gardens, museums, and dancing, our excursion to the Valenciana mine and Dolores Hidalgo were most pleasurable.  I learned so much about Guanajuato and the people that I can't wait to return.

We really liked the Cervantes Inconografico Musuem.  I really enjoyed climbling "La Bufa" on the hike.

Visit to León,  the Don Quioxte museum, the Friday night dinners....

Trip to Santa Rosa and the ceramic maker; musical/dance events at the Jardín.

I really enjoyed the lecture at the University and the trips to the pottery shops. Chely Hernandez was wonderfully dynamic in her teaching and did a wonderful job as a tour guide to the Museo Ex-Hacienda.

The Flamenco concert in front of la Iglesia de San Diego en el centro.

The symphony concerts in September.

El día de las flores; los museos (particularmente Quixote, Alhondiga, Diego Rivera)

Dance classes, of course

I really enjoyed hiking and the day trip. I really appreciated that my partner who was not a student at the school was invited on the trips.

The musical presentations at various teatros.

Certainly the concerts were a plus. Getting students to buy in Markets (not the Commercial) really helped.

Tour of the city. Museums, the trip to Santa Rosa was great, nice ceramics. Visiting San Miguel de Allende was a highlight. Mostly I just enjoyed being in the center of Guanajuato and watching the people and feeling the life of the city.

I felt I didn't have time for more cultural activities because there were so many things I wanted to see in Guanajuato. However, if I were to return I would love to receive more cooking instruction and I would also attend more dance classes. I would also probably enjoy the classes in history and art appreciation that you also offer.

I enjoyed the dance and cooking class very much, as well as the tour of interesting sights in Guanajuato. I loved the fact that there are so many cultural events in the town of Guanajuato.

The dance class was a lot of fun!

I enjoyed the one hike I went on with the group & I’m sure I would have enjoyed others if I had gone. The dance class was fun, even know it takes me a while to catch on, but Rebeca is a wonderful teacher and she dances beautifully.

The Homestay

I was lucky enough to stay downtown.  I had such a good time at my house!  My roommates were exceptional and the house itself was just beautiful.  Outstanding accommodations and food!

My family was very kind and very interested in my well-being.  They made me feel right at home.  We spoke alot of Spanish.  My room was perfect.  I loved staying at Calvario.

My family was excellent.  They spoke Spanish only and were very helpful.  They made me feel like I was part of the family.

The home was perfect for us. Lupita is a marvel, cooking breakfast to order at 7:30 am, putting out a beautiful, interesting and different comida everyday.  The other members of the family also participateed and helped make our stay fun, interesting and educational.

This was the best homestay I've ever had. Graciela is a wonderful person and her home is marvelous. She was very helpful and kind. She is an excellent cook. She made me feel very welcome. If I ever return, I will schedule my time around when I could return to her home. I really believe that being in Graciela's home made an enormous difference in the whole experience. This was my 4th homestay in Mexico.

I enjoyed my family VERY MUCH. They were excellent hosts.

We feel so very fortunate to have lucked into being housed at the Institute. Everything was so convenient, and we were made to feel we were very welcome and almost a part of the family.

Gorgeous accommodations

Estuvo perfecto. Salí con el hijo de la casa y los padres me hablaron mucho.

Nice simple home. They did not speak a word of English- so I was forced to speak and communicate in any form possible. They were very nice. They went out of their way to help me though, for example when I was packing. They went and got a box for me that I needed.

The most wonderful experience! Sylvia and her home are without comparison

Martha and Francisco were delightful hosts. Martha has a great sense of humor and was lots of fun to talk and joke with. She always was on the lookout to satisfy our desires. For example, one day I asked her where I could buy soy milk, and the next day I found that she had bought it herself. Martha and Francisco included us in their party for Francisco's birthday. It was great to meet their family and be part of a Mexican fiesta. Martha knew that I enjoyed learning about Mexican cooking, and when I commented one day that eggplant would be good in a dish she had cooked, she asked me to teach her to cook a dish with eggplant. She shopped for the ingredients and then we made cena together one evening. That was a lot of fun. Francisco was always ready to sit with us for a while and speak Spanish. Their house and garden are very beautiful and peaceful

I really enjoyed my experience with my family. They made every effort to make me feel a part of their family.

Our homestay family was absolutely perfect. They were the nicest people in the world, we wanted for nothing, because they supplied everything. They became part of our extended family. I will never be able to say or show how much we really appreciated them. Anyone lucky enough to be able to stay with them will only be 150% satisfied. I thank you for giving us such a wonderful family.

When I return, please place me with this family again!!

Safety

Guanajuato is one of the safest cities I've been in Mexico. I also felt safe in Zacatecas, but Guanajuato has a real edge. I often spent time in the Jardín Union on my own, even at night. I wouldn't try that in Los Angeles.

Safer than the town I work in everyday!

I never had a moments fear!  Both Guanajuato and the school are very safe.

Guanajuato is a great place to walk in....day or night!

I felt perfectly safe at all times!!!!! People were very friendly, except the Post Office lady. But, que sera, sera.

One of the greatest selling points for your school is the feeling of absolute safety in Guanajuato.

I felt totally safe- even in the middle of the night. I walked by myself many nights after a night out and felt super safe. Guanajuato is such a cute small town that would shatter all the stereotypes of foreigners in terms of safety- no matter what hour of the day or night.

Made for a relaxing and worry free stay, I always felt safe, what an amazing city.

How delightful to be in a city where I can walk at night and not worry.

Safety is very important and all of us need to be aware of its importance at all times. I felt comfortable when my granddaughter was out late at night dancing.

Would you recommend the Institute?

Absolutamente Sí. Ya lo hice.

I have already recommended the Instituto because of the high quality of caring about individual customer needs as well as high quality of caring about the group, in all aspects of the program. I believe the Instituto is well organized and highly efficient in caring for students as well as in teaching Spanish.

I would enthusiastically recommend the Institute.

Yes, we already have. On our second visit we brought a friend -- well, actually, she brought us. We had raved so much about the school to her that she insisted we go again so she could accompany us.

Yes, I would recommend your Instituto to others and I have. It was a great experience for me. I felt as if I could have called anyone if I needed something and also felt as if I had enough leisure time for myself.

Yes, I like the location. The method of instruction is very good

Sí, sin duda. Aprendí mucho y me divertí

Absolutely. Availability + caring attitude of teachers, staff make learning Spanish fun and un-intimidating.

Absolutely

Yes, and have done so!

Certainly! Because you get the job done.

Yes, Rebeca and Chely are fun, patient and knowledgeable.

Yes, definitely. Price is reasonable and the place is beautiful. You learn a lot about the culture of Mexico because Guanajuato is the birthplace of independence. Instruction is nicely done as well.

Yes, because of the friendly staff and competent teachers

YES, because the classes are small and completely concentrated on the students.

I would definitely recommend the Instituto to others. The classes are very helpful for learning Spanish, and the activities were a lot of fun. The atmosphere was very friendly and easygoing, so both the students and staff really seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Definitely. The administrators took care of us so well. The teachers were skilled and patient. The homestay hosts were caring and fun. Before I came, I was afraid to use what little Spanish I knew. Now I can carry on conversations with a measure of confidence.

I highly recommend the Institute. The administrative staff, owners, and instructional staff are professional as well as personable. I felt my needs were met. Everyone who desires additional help learning Spanish should meet Chely! Could she be duplicated and sent to Texas? She is a whirlwind of enthusiasm and spirit! Veronica is a top-notch private instructor too -- and well versed in the politics and social structure of Mexico as well. She was very easy for me to understand (her Spanish) and helped me become more comfortable in my efforts to communicate in Spanish.

Yes, I would recommend the institute to others. I feel the people are wonderful, and the teachers and staff really care about the students’ personal satisfaction as well as making sure they have a positive learning experience.

Absolutely, This was not only one of the best learning experiences of my life, but one of the best life experiences. The magic is the people; I've never felt as welcome anywhere. Well done and thank you.

Yes I would recommend the Instituto to others. The school was is in a prime location, away from the traffic and cement of the city. You are able to experience both extremes, nature & city life. The teachers are excellent & the teaching method is very effective.

Your experience

When we started at Instituto Cervantes we didn't know a thing about the Spanish language.  We chose to do it the intense way and also live with a Mexican family.  Our Spanish started to grow fast!  We had classes with fun people and had slight discussions-alot more than we expected.  Besides, it was a great time, which I would repeat anytime!  We were really sad to leave and we are planning on coming back!  Heico and Corinna Koch

I had a "kick-ass time!!!!" Tuan Nguyen

We wished to learn Spanish and as much as possible about the Mexican culture.  The instituto and our Homestay gave us an excellent environment for both.

Fantastic!  I learned about a years worth of Spanish in 3 weeks.  It sure beats a class at the University.

Wonderful!!!! Simply Wonderful!!!!

Culturally interesting and engaging.  It was completely a successful experience for everyone in the family.

Immersion is definitely a great way to learn.  I would recommend that someone stay as long as possible, because the longer you are immersed, the more you pick up. 

Amazing!

It was much better than I expected.  A great experience that I would like to do again for a longer period of time.

Wonderful! It exceeded my expectations in that I was given special help due to my "new-learner" level. Also, I felt the protection of the Instituto in all aspects of my stay. I wanted to return again this year. Hopefully I can work it out to go next year.

I've been to four language schools in Mexico and I have to say that Guanajuato was my best experience.

Delightful and fun.

Nothing but fond memories, and a great inspiration to continue studying!!!!! My husband was amazed with how much Spanish I "picked up" from just being there two weeks. I have a long ways to go and am glad I took advantage of your school.

The school experience was the highlight of my trip. I felt really empowered by my newfound ability to communicate in Spanish and enjoyed using the language outside of the classroom during my stay in Guanajuato.

A learning experience and a vacation made even more memorable by the wonderful people I met and consider as new friends.

Excellent and rewarding to find out that Senior Citizens can still learn.

Una experiencia que no voy a olvidarme.

I had a great time at the Institute. The location is gorgeous, the teachers and staff are wonderful, and Guanajuato is a magical city.

Fantastic! I feel like I had a great vacation and a wonderful learning experience all in one.

I was afraid that I would feel homesick, but I was so busy doing so many fun things that I didn't. The salsa classes were fun, and the ceramics were wonderful! I did not want to leave after my 3 weeks! The other students I met were great too; we bonded in such a short period of time. The staff was nothing but helpful and encouraging. I experienced and learned all I wanted at the Instituto.

I had a blast, and hope to return soon. Thanks!

A once in a lifetime experience that allows you to connect with another culture. The friends that you make are unique and unlike any other friendship.

A fun learning and cultural experience with very friendly staff, house parents and townspeople.

Very effective in language learning.

I enjoyed every bit of it!!!

My experience was enjoyable and my money well spent. There is little I would change about either the facilities or teaching methods of the institute.

As a student who had no background in Spanish, I feel like I understand a lot more. I feel like I learned a lot and one day will be able to speak it without much difficulty; The experience has allowed me to make the first steps, and they have been very positive.

I enjoyed my 4 weeks in Guanajuato & my Spanish greatly improved.