BridgeChile

As a pioneer in language immersion, BridgeChile offers a practical, proven and communicative approach that will have you speaking Spanish from the very first day. Our professional teachers are qualified, dedicated, enthusiastic, and know how to make classes fun and effective. At BridgeChile, we also know that your experience abroad is about more than just class; it's also about getting to know the local people and the culture. For that reason, we offer a rich program of activities, excursions, and special courses that allow you to make the most of your time in Chile.

At the heart of it all is the nation’s capital, Santiago. Nestled in a valley at the foot of the picturesque Andes, the bustling metropolis is an interesting blend of contrasts: colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers, lively street scenes and quiet parks, elegant shopping and local street markets. In Santiago, you will find the charm and culture of Latin America with all the amenities of the first world. The city is clean, safe and efficient, and its six million residents are very friendly and hospitable to foreigners. In addition, the city is ideally located in the center of the country. This makes it a nearly perfect base from which to visit northern and southern Chile, as well as to see the sights of the central region. In less than an hour and a half in either direction, you can be strolling on the coast of the Pacific Ocean or skiing in the snowcapped Andes. With plenty of recreational options, striking natural beauty, and the conveniences of a modern capital city, Santiago makes a great location to study Spanish abroad. BridgeChile is located in the neighborhood of Providencia, a combination of modern, high-rise buildings and quiet, tree-lined residential streets. It is just a few blocks from the main avenue 11 de Septiembre, where you will find many sidewalk cafes, plenty of shopping opportunities, as well as the metro stop "Los Leones." Just a five-minute walk from the school is one of the city's most popular night spots, Suecia, where there are some 50 restaurants and nightclubs located within a five-square-block area.

Our modern, conversational approach to language instruction makes our Spanish classes enjoyable and effective. With our conversational method of language training, you may be surprised at how quickly you learn to speak Spanish. Our methodology is designed to make you comfortable using the new language in practical, everyday situations, such as traveling, meeting people, using the telephone, conducting business, and participating in conversations. Thanks to our communicative and dynamic approach, you will find yourself speaking Spanish from the first day of class. In addition to our effective methodology, our quality teachers consistently receive rave reviews. BridgeChile Spanish instructors are native speakers, have university degrees and have received extensive training in how to teach a foreign language. Most importantly, you’ll find our instructors not only qualified, but also friendly, patient, enthusiastic, energetic and always available for questions and guidance. This combination of a highly effective methodology and qualified, dedicated teachers means that whatever program you choose and at whatever level you begin your course, you will be guaranteed to improve as quickly as possible. These are some of the basic principles of the BridgeChile methodology: -No Translation in Class We use the direct method of language instruction, which means that the student and the teacher speak only in the language being learned. There is never any translation in the classroom and this makes you talk and think in Spanish. Students are always amazed at how quickly and easily they learn with this method! - Teacher Rotation The people you speak with every day all have different accents, voices, pronunciation, and vocabulary; therefore, it is important that you not become accustomed to just one teacher. We rotate teachers in class, exposing you to many types of speakers and ensuring that you understand the language in a variety of situations. Teacher rotation also keeps class fresh and interesting. -Emphasis on Communication Our methodology focuses on speaking and listening. Grammar, reading, and writing are all included, but we teach it through a very practical approach without being tedious, boring, or repetitive. You will speak the language, not analyze it. We believe that the key to learning a new language is communication. -Materials & Homework Study materials such as textbooks and workbooks are included in your program. Additionally, you may be assigned a small amount of homework. This will give you the opportunity to continue your language learning outside the classroom and to supplement your conversational instruction with some reading and writing. As a student at BridgeChile, your language level will be measured precisely and your progress will be constantly monitored. BridgeChile offers courses to students of all language levels, from complete beginners to very advanced students. In order to accurately place you in the school’s curriculum, we ask that you take our Online Spanish Placement Test prior to your arrival. The test will help place you in one of the language levels described below: Beginner 0-40% The knowledge of a beginner student may range from knowing nothing of the language to having basic vocabulary and knowledge of some phrases, but being unable to communicate in the language. High Beginner 41-55% At a high beginner level, a student can ask and respond to simple questions, ask for information, and relate basic biographical data. A student may understand the basics of a topic if it is familiar and visual aids are used. Intermediate 56-70% At this level, students are capable of managing the language within everyday situations that are predictable. They can talk about personal interests, have survival skills for travel, and can express and recognize some degree of opinion, attitude and mood within a limited conversation. High Intermediate 71-85% At a high intermediate level, a student can manage the basic structures of the language, has a substantial vocabulary, and is confident within routine situations that arise socially, or while traveling. Users at this level can communicate about a substantial range of subjects, express opinions, and give detailed information. Advanced 86-100% An advanced student has a high degree of fluency and a comfortable use of language structure. Users are aware of the role that the language plays within the culture and can adapt their language use according to the situation. They can manage themselves easily within routine areas, can maintain lengthy casual conversations, and have a wide range of expressions. Evaluations The teachers and coordinators at our school are constantly evaluating your progress to assure that you are learning as productively as possible as well as enjoying your stay. As proof of your efforts, you will receive a certificate of completion at the end of your course. If you are seeking college credit and need additional documentation, we will be happy to provide that for you.

Host Families We highly recommend that BridgeChile students stay with a local family during their course. It is a great way to practice your Spanish skills outside the classroom and to learn more about the country’s culture, people, and cuisine. Homestays allow you to fully immerse yourself in the study abroad experience and can be an integral part of your language learning. Information about host family lodging -A private bedroom, a shared bathroom, two meals per day, and one load of laundry per week are included. -Three meals per day, a private bathroom, and/or a double room can be requested. -All of our host families are middle-class and live in apartments or homes in safe and attractive areas. -Many host families are individuals living alone, but some are couples with or without children. Very few families have young children, but some have grandchildren around quite frequently. -Distances to the school vary from a few minutes walk to 45 minutes by public transportation. -All families are carefully screened and visited to ensure that the accommodations are suitable for students. -Many families have been with the program for years and have consistently received excellent student evaluations. -Most families host several BridgeChile Spanish students at the same time. -Students may come and go as they please, but are asked to respect the routine and wishes of the host family. Hotels and Apart-Hotels Hotels typically offer more amenities and privacy and are recommended for students who prefer more luxurious lodging or who may have guests. We work with a number of hotels close to the school. These hotels include a private bathroom and cleaning service, and laundry service is typically available. In hotels and apart-hotels, meals are generally not included, with the exception of breakfast in some locations. Apart-hotels also include a small kitchenette and living area.

Excursions are a great way to practice your Spanish outside of class while getting to know the country and culture around you. Two afternoons a week, you and your classmates will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Santiago with a Bridge Spanish teacher as your guide. Excursions are included in the cost of all programs; however, students are expected to pay for their own public transportation costs and entrance fees (if applicable). Some of the excursions we offer are described below. We invite you to participate in as many as possible to truly make the most of your time in Chile! Viña Concha y Toro Chile is famous worldwide for its wine production. This popular excursion takes you to the vineyard Concha y Toro, where you will be given a guided tour of the winery in Spanish. There are many fine wines to be tasted and bottles are sold at much lower prices than can be found outside the winery. Viña Cousiño-Macul Founded in 1856, Viña Cousiño-Macul is the only winery established in the 19th century that is still in the hands of its founding family. The winery prides itself on supervising the growth and production of all the components that go into its world-class wines. You can take a tour of their vineyards and wine cellars as well as try a couple of glasses of their fine wine. Mercado Central Mercado Central is an experience of all five senses. Housed in a 19th-century wrought iron building, this large market actually consists of many smaller markets, including a fish market, meat market, vegetable market, and flower market, as well as hundreds of individual booths selling anything from traditional handicrafts to soccer jerseys. There is also an entire section of Mercado Central devoted to small restaurants serving just about any kind of seafood you can imagine—and even some you can’t! Cerro San Cristobal The best views of picturesque Santiago can be seen from the Metropolitan Park at the top of Cerro San Cristóbal. An 860-meter hill overlooking the city, San Cristóbal marks the highest point in Santiago. A teleférico (gondola) will take you halfway up the hill where you can visit a wine museum and restaurant, or walk among the palm trees and lawns with excellent vistas. To complete the experience, you will take the teleférico to the top where you’ll be treated to a magnificent view of Santiago stretching out between the Andes to the east and the coastal mountain range to the west. To return, you’ll take the funicular down to the bohemian barrio of Bellavista, famous for its hip nightclubs and excellent restaurants. La Chascona Visit the house of Pablo Neruda, Chile´s most famous poet and winner of the 1971 Nobel Prize for Literature. The eclectic structure, designed by the poet himself for his third wife, is now open to the public as a museum. Commonly known as "La Chascona" ("The Lady with Disheveled Hair"), the house is located in Bellavista, a funky Santiago neighborhood at the foot of Cerro San Cristóbal. Museo de Bellas Artes Explore the oldest art museum in South America on this fascinating outing. Founded in 1880, Santiago’s Museum of Fine Arts now resides in a stately French neo-classical building constructed in 1910. The museum houses masterpieces from Chile´s colonial period as well as modern works done by national and foreign artists. After visiting the museum’s treasures, you can stop for coffee and dessert and then take a stroll through nearby Parque Forestal, one of Santiago´s most famous parks. Museo Histórico Nacional This excursion takes you to the National History Museum located in Santiago’s bustling central plaza, Plaza de Armas. The museum houses an exhibit showing the diverse periods of Chilean history from its discovery until 1973. After touring the museum, you can take a short walk through the Plaza de Armas and visit Santiago´s gorgreous cathedral, historic central post office, and shops on Paseo Ahumada, a pedestrian street in the downtown area. Centro Cultural Palacio La Moneda This newly constructed cultural center is located next to the presidential palace, La Moneda, underneath the recently remodeled Plaza Constitución. The center is home to a variety of rotating cultural exhibits on such topics as Chilean film and Mexican art. After visiting the center, you'll take a stroll into the central garden of the presidential palace and take in the impressive architecture of this very historic building, site of the 1973 coup engineered by former general Agusto Pinochet. Museo de Arte Precolombino Get a glimpse into Latin America’s ancient past with a trip to the Pre-Colombian Art Museum. The small but fascinating museum houses one of Santiago´s most interesting collections, including ceramics, textiles, paintings, and sculptures from a wide range of Pre-Colombian cultures. Located in the city’s main business district close to the Plaza de Armas, the museum is also home to a library, lovely courtyards, and a small café. Pueblito de Artesanos Los Dominicos Housed on the site of an old ranch, this market is hosted by a group of artisans offering a wide range of quality crafts and gifts. There are restaurants and shops where you can try homemade cakes and excellent peach empanadas. You will also be able to visit the beautiful old Dominican church built on the site.