Learn Spanish in Antigua Guatemala

La Antigua Guatemala, at 5000 feet and ringed by three volcanoes, is a one-mile square, cobble-stoned city that was once the capital of New Spain. Founded in 1543, it was the rich jewel of the Spanish crown for more than two centuries. But its baroque colonial architecture was partly destroyed in 1773 by an earthquake. Its lovely location and impressive ruins make it a city unique in Latin America and a “must see” destination for its many visitors. UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site in 1979, and Antigua today combines history, beauty, and modern amenities.

Guatemala’s majority indigenous groups, joined by descendants of colonial Spaniards (ladinos) and European and US immigrants, form a cultural mix with many opportunities for cross-cultural learning. The country is home to two non-Mayan groups (the Xinca and the Garífuna) and to millions of indigenous descendants of the ancient Mayan culture. Their artistic and community traditions delight visitors to Antigua and the surrounding highlands. Altogether, Guatemalans speak 24 languages, including Spanish, making Guatemala an ideal setting for learning languages. Antigua Guatemala is known worldwide for its language schools, and especially for the use of the Spanish immersion method, pioneered by the Proyecto Lingüístico Francisco Marroquín (PLFM).