Spanish Immersion for Teachers & Immersion Trips for Spanish Teachers | Total Language Immersion in Costa Rica & Ecuador – Earn CEU’s and PDU’s!

In this Spanish Immersion Program for Teachers, educators will gain the necessary Spanish language skills and cultural understanding to better serve their educational communities and break down language barriers in educational contexts.

Info Meeting: March 18th, 2025 – Register below!
(5pm Pacific, 6pm Mountain, 7pm Central & 8pm Eastern)

This presentation is a general overview of our Spanish immersion programs in Costa Rica and Ecuador.

CHOOSE YOUR Teacher SPANISH IMMERSION LOCATION

Costa Rica

Costa Rica Spanish for Educators Immersion

Highlights

1 – 6 week programs
Live like a local with a host family ( hotel / hostel options too)
20hrs/week Spanish Classes
Optional 1:1 private lessons
Tuesday – Thursday educational outreach projects
Explore amazing beaches, volcanoes, cloud forests, coffee tours, national parks & más!
A great place to include your family or significant other for a post-trip vacation
Interprofessional mix of fellow travelers
Approved for Continuing Education Units and Graduate Level Credits

Location

Based in Santo Domingo de Heredia

Dates

Summer program: you choose your start date- July 5 or July 12, 2025

Registration deadline: April 6th

24/7 Support

24/7 leadership, coordination & support by engaging program leaders

Price

View trip cost and inclusions

Possible to combine with Ecuador programs

Learn more

Ecuador

Ecuador Spanish for Educators Immersion

Highlights

1 – 6 week programs (Consider 10 days to have a full weekend to explore)
Live like a local with a host family ( hotel / hostel options too)
20hrs/week Spanish Classes
Optional 1:1 private lessons
Tuesday – Thursday educational outreach projects
Explore local markets, Inca ruins, national parks, the Andes, soak in volcanic hot springs, mitad del mundo & más!
Approved for Continuing Education Units and Graduate Level Credits
Learn Spanish with other professionals from all walks of life

Location

Based in Cuenca, Ecuador

Dates

Summer Program: you choose your start date – June 14 or June 21, 2025

Registration deadline: April 6th

24/7 Support

24/7 leadership, coordination & support by engaging program leaders

Price

View trip cost and inclusions

Possible to combine with Costa Rica programs

Learn more

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Deadline to register: April 6th

Save your spot

This program fills on a first come, first served basis. Reserve a spot on the trip – no obligation – no credit card, just 30 days to help you coordinate your schedule!

What type of teacher is this Spanish immersion program for?

Classroom teachers who want to improve their communication with Spanish-speaking students, parents & guardians.

Dual language immersion teachers that need to refine their Spanish for a variety of content areas and contexts.

Spanish teachers that strive for native like fluency in everyday conversations. It’s easy to get into a Spanish rut if you’re teaching the same levels over and over. Spanish teachers know that every 3-5 years they should get abroad to immerse themselves in the language and refine higher level grammar concepts.

Our Spanish for teachers immersion program is hands down the BEST way to improve your Spanish over the summer!

Why travel with Common Ground International (CGI)?

This teacher’s Spanish immersion program is inspired and implemented BY educators FOR educators. Program planning, host family coordination, language classes and leadership are designed intentionally for YOU the TEACHER!

You’re not alone

We understand that traveling alone isn’t for everyone. We are in country to support you! There is safety and peace of mind when you have others checking in with you every day. You’re surrounded by a group of like-minded professionals and you’ll work closely with one of our lead Spanish instructors

Earn Continuing Education credits
and graduate level credits

You can earn up to 5 graduate level credits or CEU’s, CE’s while meeting your Spanish language goals. Additional fees apply. Email Leslie for more information.

You know where we live

We’re a Colorado-based organization, and we have a clear track record of amazing Spanish immersion programs. You can call us up at any time (303) 684-5557, speak English (or Spanish), and get your questions answered immediately. That’s worth its weight in gold!

We prepare you before you travel

Preparation is essential for establishing clear expectations, staying safe, knowing the day to day plan, and positioning yourself and your Spanish for maximum success on your program. Our custom pre-departure course is an amazingly effective online course that connects you with your fellow travelers and prepares you for every single detail – including culture shock!

We offer the best language and cultural outcomes

The primary difference with our teacher Spanish immersion programs is that we weave 4 Spanish language components into your everyday experience. In other words, you learn Spanish through everything you do Mon – Fri. Here is how we do it:
– You learn Spanish for educators (and general Spanish) in daily Spanish immersion classes with native Spanish teachers.
– Staying with a local host family keeps you immersed in speaking Spanish 24/7, and forces you to acquire Spanish. As you relate to your host family and experience daily culture in Latin America, you notice your everyday communication improving.
– Preparing and delivering educational workshops to target communities with identified educational needs provides community support. Additionally, it requires you to use Spanish in a practical and educational context.
– Visiting local schools and interacting with local teachers gives you insight into education systems in Spanish speaking countries.

How is this program different?

We weave 4 Spanish language components into your everyday experience to maximize your Spanish learning and cultural exposure. Here’s how…

Small Group Conversational Spanish classes

You choose your Spanish class track and take a placement test to determine your class level.

Spanish for classroom teachers: You define which type of Spanish immersion you’d like your classes to focus on. This curriculum revolves around classroom management and parent conversations in Spanish.

Spanish for Spanish teachers: curriculum focuses on refining higher level communicative proficiency in Spanish, and/or it can include a focus on tips and techniques for teaching Spanish back home.

Lodging with a local host family

Participants are immersed in speaking Spanish 24/7 and acquiring Spanish as they relate to the host family and experience daily culture in Central and South America.

Your host families will…

Provide you with a private bedroom
Share breakfast and dinner with you
Make sure that you are as comfortable as possible in their home
We recommend host family stay to complete the 24/7 immersion aspect of the program, your general Spanish conversational skills will sharpen quickly!

Of course, you have the option in both Costa Rica and Ecuador to stay on your own in a hostel or hotel. You will miss out on some conversational Spanish, but if you need your private space, you can certainly get it.

Weekend Adventures

Saturday through Monday mornings we have time off to explore the countries we visit! You can do this on your own or with the CGI group. We speak Spanish on these excursions and help you capture teachable moments as they pop up.

In Ecuador, explore Inca ruins, hike in the Andes, soak in volcanic hot springs, hike to waterfalls,visit local artisan markets!
In Costa Rica relax on the beach, visit a volcano, zipline, hot springs, sloths, see turtles nesting and laying their eggs!

Educational Service Projects

Work with underserved communities with identified educational needs. Visit schools and interact with local teachers.

Our community engagement projects give you the opportunity to:

Practice and improve your Spanish in an educational setting and a real life context.
Not only will the community service activities help meet the needs of the underserved, but they also require teachers to be using Spanish in a practical context to meet certain objectives.

This is an important piece to your language development and improving your Spanish.

We generally volunteer between 9 and 12 hours per week.

It has been incredible. I honestly can’t say what could’ve been better. The home stay was a really great opportunity to learn the culture authentically… the classes were excellent… the excursions were so much fun, so if you’re thinking about it, just do it!

Stacey

Los Angeles

COSTA RICA & ECUADOR SPANISH IMMERSION FOR TEACHERS

A perfect blend of Spanish immersion, professional growth and adventure

What are the expected outcomes?

Become more fluent in Spanish

A life-changing experience

A deeper understanding of the culture

Insight into the cultural and educational system in Latin America

Successful educational outcomes for your students in the US

Engage in successful communication with your Spanish speaking students and families in the US

Spanish Immersion for Educators is specifically designed for teachers to drastically improve their Spanish communication skills. Participating in this program results in more effective and successful communication with your Spanish-speaking students and families in and out of the classroom. We intentionally integrate the four components below so teachers walk away with practical Spanish skills to use in and out of the classroom.

Spanish Classes

Volunteer work

Host family living

Exploring the hot spots

Download Program Brief

Spanish Courses for Teachers and Education students

Download Courses Flyer

COSTA RICA IMMERSION PROGRAM DETAILS

COSTA RICA SPANISH FOR EDUCATORS IMMERSION

Highlights

1 – 6 weeks in length
Consider 10 days to have a full weekend to explore
Live like a local with a host family ( hotel / hostel options too)
20hrs/week of Spanish classes
Optional 1:1 private lessons
Tuesday – Thursday outreach projects
Great day trips
Explore amazing beaches, volcanoes , cloud forests, coffee tours, national parks & más!
A great place to include your family or significant other for a post-trip vacation
Interprofessional mix of fellow travelers
Approved for Continuing Education Units and Graduate Level Credits
Fly in and out of San Jose (SJO)

Location
Based in Santo Domingo de Heredia

Price

View trip cost and inclusions

Sloth - Costa Rica Spanish Teachers Immersion Trip

Winter 2025 Dates

1-Week Programs

2/1/25 – 2/8/25

2-Week Programs

2/1/25 – 2/15/25

3-Week Programs

2/1/25 – 2/22/25

4-Week Programs

2/1/25 – 3/1/25

5-Week Programs

2/1/25 – 3/8/25 (wk 5 is “off-program”) – see FAQs

6-Week Programs

2/1/25 – 3/15/25 (wks 5 & 6 are “off-program”) – see FAQs

Summer 2025 Dates

1-Week Programs

7/5/25-7/12/25
7/12/25 – 7/19/25

2-Week Programs

7/5/25 – 7/19/25
7/12/25 – 7/26/25

3-Week Programs

7/5/25 – 7/26/25
7/12/25 – 8/2/25

4-Week Programs

7/5/25 – 8/2/25 (wk 4 is “off-program”) – see FAQs
7/12/25 – 8/9/25 (wk 3 & 4 are “off-program”) – see FAQs

5-Week Programs

7/5/25 – 8/9/25 (wks 4 & 5 are “off-program”) – see FAQs
7/12/25 – 8/16/25 (wks 3 – 5 are “off-program”) – see FAQs

6-Week Programs

7/5/25 – 8/16/25 (wks 4 – 6 are “off-program”) – see FAQs

*Click here to check out the EC/CR combo program dates

View pricing

Costa Rica Spanish Immersion - Poas Volcano

Teachers group - Costa Rica Spanish Immersion Trip

Costa Rica School - Spanish Teachers Immersion Trip

Costa Rica Spanish Teachers Immersion Trip volunteer group

General Program Itinerary:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Return from Optional Excursion	Volunteer orientation	Volunteer prep	Volunteer work	Morning excursion	Optional Excursion	Optional Excursion
Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5 pm	Spanish classes 1-5 pm -cooking class	Spanish classes 1-5 pm	Spanish classes 1-5 pm – dance class	Spanish classes 1-5 pm

Monday

Return from Optional Excursion
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5 pm

Tuesday

Volunteer orientation
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5 pm
– Cooking class

Wednesday

Volunteer prep
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p

Thursday

Volunteer work
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5 pm
– Dance class

Friday

Morning excursion
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5 pm

Saturday and Sunday

Optional Excursion

First Saturday & Sunday

Saturday: arrive in country, get settled with your host family
Sunday: town tour, orientation, meet trip leaders and participants

Mon – Fri Afternoons

Small group Spanish classes from 1-5pm

Tue – Fri Mornings

These are the days we dedicate to community outreach work.

Weekends

Explore the country! We put together a weekend trip every weekend. You are free to join us, stay with your host family, or DIY a weekend excursion!

Costa Rica Medical Spanish Immersion Program

Next steps

Save your spot

Request info

Schedule a call

Back to top

“I came on this trip to practice my Spanish because next year I’ll be teaching just in Spanish. I got to communicate with other teachers, see schools, and stay at home with my host mom. It’s been a really beautiful experience being fully immersed.”

Emily

“I came in order to better serve my students and families. The experience here has been fabulous! I can’t believe how much I’ve learned in 4 weeks. It’s amazing and I highly recommend anyone come and do the program”

Sarah

“This is my third time to travel with Common Ground and I can’t say enough amazing things about the program. Everytime I come back I remember why it’s such a special place. I couldn’t recommend this program enough. Pura vida!”

Sam

“I came because I wanted to improve my Spanish but I think the most important thing about this trip was the connections that I made with people: with my Spanish teachers, my classmates, people that I met in the program… it’s been super special and something I’ll never forget.”

Kaitlyn

This program has everything I was looking for: total immersion, classes everyday, opportunities for excursions to see the country, stay with a family and work in the community.

Sarah

ECUADOR IMMERSION PROGRAM DETAILS

Ecuador SPANISH FOR EDUCATORS IMMERSION

Highlights

1 – 6 weeks in length
Consider 10 days to have a full weekend to explore
Live like a local with a host family ( hotel / hostel options too)
20hrs/week of Spanish classes
Optional 1:1 private lessons
Tuesday – Thursday educational outreach projects
Explore local markets, Inca ruins, national parks, the Andes, soak in volcanic hot springs, mitad del mundo & más
A great place to include your family or significant other for a post-trip vacation
Interprofessional mix of fellow travelers
Approved for Continuing Education Units and Graduate Level Credits
Fly in and out of Quito (UIO) with domestic flight to Cuenca or overland travel with us on optional weekend excursion

Location
Based in Cuenca, Ecuador

Price

View trip cost and inclusions

Ecuador Immersion Trip details - Common Ground International

2025 Dates

1-Week Programs

6/14/25 – 6/21/25
6/21/25 – 6/28/25

2-Week Programs

6/14/25 – 6/28/25
6/21/25 – 7/5/25

3-Week Programs

6/14/25 – 7/5/25

4-Week Programs

6/14/25 – 7/12/25 (wk 4 is “off-program” – see FAQs | consider combo trip)

5-Week Programs

6/14/25 – 7/19/25 (wks 4 & 5 are “off-program” – see FAQs | consider combo trip)

6-Week Programs

6/14/25 – 7/26/25 (wks 4 – 6 are “off-program” – see FAQs | consider combo trip)

*Click here to check out the combo EC/CR program dates

View pricing

Ecuador Spanish Immersion - Ingapirca ruins

Group - Ecuador Teacher's Immersion Trip - Common Ground International

Cuenca City - Ecuador Spanish Immersion Trip - Common Ground International

General Program Itinerary:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Morning excursion	Volunteer orientation	Volunteer prep	Volunteer work	Morning cultural activity	Optional Excursion	Optional Excursion
Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5 pm	Spanish classes 1-5 pm	Spanish classes 1-5 pm	Spanish classes 1-5 pm	Spanish classes 1-5 pm

Monday

Morning excursion
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5 pm

Wednesday

Volunteer prep
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5 pm

Tuesday

Volunteer orientation
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5 pm

Thursday

Volunteer work
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5 pm

Friday

Morning cultural activity
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5 pm

Saturday and Sunday

Optional Excursion

First Saturday & Sunday

Saturday: arrive in country, get settled with your host family
Sunday: town tour, orientation, meet trip leaders and participants
Optional: Weekend excursion before programs begins (Quito city tour, Mitad del Mundo, Avenida de los volcanes, Baños y más)

Mon – Fri Afternoons

Small group Spanish classes from 1-5pm

Tue – Fri Mornings

Community outreach work.

Weekends

Take time to explore the country! We put together a weekend trip every weekend. You are free to join us, stay with your host family, or DIY a weekend excursion!

Ecuador Medical Spanish Immersion Program

Next steps

Save your spot

Request info

Schedule a call

Back to top

“This trip has been the best experience of my life. I’ve learned so much about myself, Spanish, the language, the people… Ecuador is incredible. The whole experience is so well thought out so that you are incredibly immersed, I don’t want to leave”.

Taylorrae

3-6 Week COMBO IMMERSION PROGRAMS IN ECUADOR & COSTA RICA

Combine both countries

2025 Dates

Ecuador

Costa Rica

3-Week Programs

2 wks EC:
06/21/25 – 07/05/25

1 wk CR:
07/05/25 – 07/12/25

4-Week Programs

3 wks EC:
06/14/25 – 07/05/25
2 wks EC:
06/21/25 – 07/05/25

1 wk CR:
07/05/25 – 07/12/25
2 wks CR:
07/05/25 – 07/19/25

5-Week Programs

3 wks EC:
06/14/25 – 07/05/25
2 wks EC:
06/21/25 – 07/05/25

2 wk CR:
07/05/25 – 07/19/25
3 wks CR:
07/05/25 – 07/26/25

6-Week Programs

3 wks EC:
06/14/25 – 07/05/25
2 wks EC:
06/21/25 – 07/05/25

3 wks CR:
07/05/25 – 07/26/25
4 wks CR:
07/05/25 – 08/02/25

3-Week Programs

Ecuador

Costa Rica

2 wks EC:
06/21/25 – 07/05/25

1 wk CR:
7/05/25 – 07/12/25

4-Week Programs

Ecuador

Costa Rica

3 wks EC:
06/14/25 – 07/05/25
2 wks EC:
06/21/25 – 07/05/25

1 wk CR:
07/05/25 – 07/12/25
2 wks CR:
07/05/25 – 07/19/25

5-Week Programs

Ecuador

Costa Rica

3 wks EC:
06/14/25 – 07/05/25
2 wks EC:
06/21/25 – 07/05/25

2 wk CR:
07/05/25 – 07/19/25
3 wks CR:
07/05/25 – 07/26/25

6-Week Programs

Ecuador

Costa Rica

3 wks EC:
06/14/25 – 07/05/25
2 wks EC:
06/21/25 – 07/05/25

3 wks CR:
07/05/25 – 07/26/25
4 wks CR:
07/05/25 – 08/02/25

*Check out the Costa Rica or Ecuador programs

View pricing

Teacher Immersion Trip

Rating

4.96 out of 5 based on 57 customer ratings

The ratings and reviews and testimonials for this Educator Spanish Immersion Trip speak for themselves

Check our testimonials

All of our programs include basic travel medical insurance with trip interruption, delays, lost bags, etc. Here is the standard description of coverage for your included travel insurance plan.

If you have any uncertainties about your upcoming adventure, it might be a good idea to consider additional travel insurance coverage. If you’re looking for a Cancel for Any Reason policy, we suggest you shop for it here:

Adult Spanish Immersion travel insurance

Diversity and Inclusivity on Spanish Immersion

Our mission of Impacting Communities Through Language extends to ALL travelers and learners regardless of age, gender identity, physical ability, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status.

Learn more

Spanish Immersion Program FAQs

What happens in case of an emergency?

Our trip leaders will seek the attention of a health care worker and make decisions along with parent/guardians/emergency contacts back in the US. We will be in touch with parent/guardians/emergency contacts as soon as possible. We will also help the participant initiate the process for claims on the travel/medical insurance policy that was purchased.

What does “Off Program” mean?

You can travel with Common Ground at any time of the year. That said, there are approximately 10 – 12 weeks a year where we gather groups of adults, students and families and create larger programs that include: volunteer projects, planned weekend excursions and day to day interactions with our USA-based leadership team. We refer to these dates as “on-program”. Off-Program refers to the dates during the rest of the year when there are no groups traveling with you. Off-Program travel is a more independent, can be more immersive, and doesn’t usually include volunteer projects. If you choose to travel off-program, we’ll work with you to customize an itinerary that fits you perfectly and balances your class time with cultural activities and a wonderful host family experience.

What if I have a food allergy or dietary restriction?

Usually this is not an issue. We have several host families that can accommodate to food allergies and dietary restrictions. Please let your trip coordinator know ahead of time so we can prepare for this accommodation.

What if my host family does not work out and I need to switch?

If there is an issue with your host family, trip leaders will be very involved and be able to make a quick switch to find a family that is a better match for you.

Will I have access to the internet?

Yes. Year after year more and more host families have Wi-Fi in their homes. Additionally you are able to connect to Wi-Fi at the language school. There are also Internet cafes in the center of town that you can use for a minimal price.

What type of preparation should I expect to do before going on this trip?

You will be involved in at least 3 virtual pre-departure meetings beginning 1-2 months before your departure. During these meetings you will have a chance to meet the other participants, learn specific trip details and itineraries, start working in groups on your volunteer projects, and a number of other things.

What is the weather like in Costa Rica and Ecuador?

From about May/June through October/November it is rainy season. The sun may shine in the morning (and it will be humid), but it will certainly rain in the afternoon (but it’s usually not a cold rain). December through April is dry season. It will be sunny, humid, and may rain here and there.

What time zone is Costa Rica and Ecuador?

October – March Costa Rica is on Central Time. April – September it is on Mountain Time. October – March Ecuador is on Eastern time, April – September Ecuador is on Central Time.

How safe are Costa Rica & Ecuador?

This is actually the #1 reason we chose to have our Spanish Immersion Programs in Costa Rica and Ecuador. Costa Rica has a long history of peacefulness and political stability, and it hosts over 1.5 million tourists a year. Tourism is a very large portion of the country’s economy, which means that in general tourists are treated very well. For many years Ecuador has attracted a great deal of international attention and tourism to its Galapagos islands and the interior of the country is stable and peaceful as well. One of the biggest factors contributing to your safety while on Spanish immersion with Common Ground is that you’re traveling with a group, and you have a Common Ground leader with you. We’re there by your side day to day to help you keep your focus on improving your Spanish.

Where do we stay while on Spanish Immersion in Costa Rica & Ecuador?

The bulk of the time you spend in Costa Rica is in a small town called Santo Domingo de Heredia. This town is about 20 minutes N of the capital city San Jose. The language school where you will walk to every morning is about 600m south of the downtown area on the main road. In Ecuador we stay in host families as well. Cuenca is a beautiful colonial city surrounded by beautiful mountains.

What are the host family homes like?

You will be staying in a middle-class home setting. You can expect the home and your bedroom to be small. Your bed probably won’t be as comfortable as your bed is here in the US. Most homes have tile floors, no carpet. Most families do not have dish washers nor clothes driers. You may be given a couple different keys for the home: one for the exterior gate off the street, and another for the actual doors to the house.

Will my host family speak English?

Your host families may speak a little English, particularly if they have school aged children. However, we encourage them to not let you know. The best way for you to continue learning Spanish is to have to use it!

Will I have another student from the trip in the same family with me?

This depends. In Ecuador you may have another participant from our program staying with you in your host family. Usually in Costa Rica you are paired 1:1 with a host family. When possible we like to limit the number of students to one per family. This increases your opportunities to speak Spanish. If you’re traveling with a sibling we’ll make an effort to place you in neighboring host families so that you’re at least close to each other. If you’re traveling with your spouse for some or all of the time, then yes we can place you in the same family.

How are host families chosen?

Having a student is a significant boost to our host families’ income. Because there are more families requesting students in the town than we have need for, we are selective in who we employ to host you. The host families that our students stay with are screened for various things:

– Criminal and/or questionable social activity
– Suitability of the living quarters that you will occupy
– General “likeability” and friendliness
– Availability of a family member at the home during the hours you are scheduled to be there
– Age and sex of the family’s children. We would not place a teen girl with a family that has teen boys for example.
– Proximity to the language school

Will I be able to go to church?

Certainly, there aren’t a ton of different faith options in town, but there is a nice Catholic church in the middle of town with several service times throughout the week, an evangelical church close to the town center center and several other faith worship options in nearby towns.

Will I be able to shower every day?

Yes, you will be able to shower every day. There is no guarantee that your shower will have warm water, but you’ll certainly have access to a shower.

Is the water safe to drink?

You can drink water from the tap almost anywhere in Costa Rica. In Ecuador you need to drink bottled water. If you’re on our program and we’re headed to a place where water is not safe to drink, we’ll certainly let you know and have you get bottled water.

Do you have payment plans?

Absolutely. Most of the time the program cost is spread out over 3 payments. If you need other specific arrangements, we can probably be flexible with you. If you’d like to make just one payment, that’s fine too. Acceptable forms of payment are Visa, Master, Discover, Check and Cash.

Will I receive a packing list for my Immersion Program?

Yes. Shortly after your register, you will receive a list of clothes, personal items, donations you need to begin collecting, and other miscellaneous items to pack as soon as we receive your application.

How long does it take for a passport?

Typically 60 – 90 days.

Will my cell phone work while I’m on Spanish Immersion?

Some do, not all. This depends on your service provider and your specific phone, so check with your service provider first. If your specific phone isn’t capable, most service providers have world phone rental options. This isn’t usually the most economical way to call home when you’re in Costa Rica or Ecuador. You can purchase local chips you arrive to the country. We recommend using Skype, What’sApp or FaceTime. If you won’t have a computer with you, your Common Ground trip leader always will and you’re welcome to use our computers to call home.

Will we have the opportunity to exchange money?

Absolutely. Of course it’s always a good idea to have a little cash on you in Colones (Costa Rican currency) or USD for Ecuador (Ecuador is on the US dollar), but honestly you don’t need much right away when traveling with a Common Ground Spanish Immersion group. After you get settled into your host family, we’ll make sure you have the opportunity to get local currency right away. We do not recommend exchanging you money at the airport as they generally have unfavorable exchange rates. Credit & Debit cards are accepted throughout the country, and ATM machines are more and more common every year. The ATM is convenient, and usually provides a good exchange rate. It is important to notify your bank that you will be traveling abroad, and you’ll probably want to inquire about any foreign transaction and/or currency fees.

What is meant when referring to private in-country transportation in the application form?

You will most likely have the same guide and driver for your group the whole time you are on the program with Common Ground, and our destination is further than walking distance. In the mornings we will head to our volunteer site together (either walking or on the private bus). In the afternoons we will leave the outreach work site and head to the language school. During the weekend excursions we will certainly be on the private bus with guide and driver chaperoning our travels.

What is the proposed tip amount for guide and driver?

A good rule of thumb is $2-$3/day that our driver is shuttling you around, and $3-$5/day that a guide is leading you. They work very hard for you, and we take great pleasure in thanking them generously at the end of our programs.

What if my family, spouse or partner wants to join me for part of the program?

Many spouses, fiancées, friends and other family members join our groups for a portion of the program. We’re happy to arrange this for you with both your host family, and any private hotel accommodations that you require while on vacation portions of the program. If this is something you’re considering, we just ask that you let us know early on so that we can make appropriate arrangements for you. This is not a last minute decision that you can make, it does require special arrangements, so we ask that you notify us at the time you submit your application.

How much extra spending money should I plan on bringing?

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to not budget enough money for additional expenses. The challenge is that this is a question that depends heavily on your tastes and the specifics of the program you’re applying for. To give you an idea of the typical expenses you may be responsible for: a normal lunch will usually run $7.00-$12.00; dinner runs $10.00 – $15.00. Optional excursions are something you should also plan for, but each program is very different. These excursions really add some amazing experiences to your Spanish Immersion Program. Tips excluded (see tips FAQ question), if you were to not include any additional excursions, and live as frugally as possible for the time you’re there, you should plan on $150 for a 2 week program and $300 for the 4 week program.
The best approach however, is to take a look at the specific itinerary for your program that highlights the expenses you’re responsible for, and begin planning your additional expenses accordingly.

Do I need any special immunizations or take any other preventative measures?

Of course you need to be current on your standard immunizations before you travel on Spanish immersion. When traveling in Central and South America there is variation risks of Typhoid, Yellow Fever, and Hepatitis A and B. We suggest you consult both the CDC website for Costa Rica and CDC website for Ecuador and check with your primary care physician to prepare for your Spanish Immersion in Costa Rica or Ecuador.

WAIT NEED A FEW DAYS TO THINK?

Spanish Immersion for Teachers & Immersion Trips for Spanish Teachers | Total Language Immersion in Costa Rica & Ecuador – Earn CEU’s and PDU’s!

Costa Rica

Costa Rica Spanish for Educators Immersion

Highlights

Location

Dates

Registration deadline: April 6th

24/7 Support

Price

Possible to combine with Ecuador programs

Ecuador

Ecuador Spanish for Educators Immersion

Highlights

Location

Dates

Registration deadline: April 6th

24/7 Support

Price

Possible to combine with Costa Rica programs

What type of teacher is this Spanish immersion program for?

Why travel with Common Ground International (CGI)?

You’re not alone

Earn Continuing Education creditsand graduate level credits

You know where we live

We prepare you before you travel

We offer the best language and cultural outcomes

How is this program different?

Small Group Conversational Spanish classes

Lodging with a local host family

Weekend Adventures

Educational Service Projects

COSTA RICA & ECUADOR SPANISH IMMERSION FOR TEACHERS

Become more fluent in Spanish

A life-changing experience

A deeper understanding of the culture

Insight into the cultural and educational system in Latin America

Successful educational outcomes for your students in the US

Engage in successful communication with your Spanish speaking students and families in the US

COSTA RICA IMMERSION PROGRAM DETAILS

COSTA RICA SPANISH FOR EDUCATORS IMMERSION

Winter 2025 Dates

1-Week Programs

2-Week Programs

3-Week Programs

4-Week Programs

5-Week Programs

6-Week Programs

Summer 2025 Dates

1-Week Programs

2-Week Programs

3-Week Programs

4-Week Programs

5-Week Programs

6-Week Programs

General Program Itinerary:

Next steps

ECUADOR IMMERSION PROGRAM DETAILS

Ecuador SPANISH FOR EDUCATORS IMMERSION

2025 Dates

1-Week Programs

2-Week Programs

3-Week Programs

4-Week Programs

5-Week Programs

6-Week Programs

General Program Itinerary:

Next steps

3-6 Week COMBO IMMERSION PROGRAMS IN ECUADOR & COSTA RICA

2025 Dates

Ecuador

Costa Rica

3-Week Programs

4-Week Programs

5-Week Programs

6-Week Programs

3-Week Programs

Ecuador

Costa Rica

4-Week Programs

WAIT
NEED A FEW DAYS TO THINK?

Earn Continuing Education credits
and graduate level credits