Spanish in small groups

Although most of our Spanish instruction is performed one-on-one, we often handle groups for Spanish instruction, volunteer work and cultural training at Estacion Biologica in Laguna de Apoyo, Nicaragua. Here are some images from a recent group from a school in San Francisco, California.

The shade of tall trees makes the best stting for Spanish study. Aura is a language professor and also an expert at birds and moths and butterflies. She participates in several research projects at Estacion Biologica. Photo by Stephan Beekhuis.

The young people enjoyed a swim at the beach in front of Estacion Biologica after Spanish classes. Photo by Stephan Beekhuis.

A mango tree provides refreshing shade from the midday sun for these students, who are practicing diction. Photo by Stephan Beekhuis.  

Our ample yard at Estacion Biologica is in front of the lake for a fast entry once classes are over! Photo by Stephan Beekhuis.

As can be seen on the left in this picture, we often have campers at Estacion Biologica. Photo by Stephan Beekhuis.

Our volunteer, Soren, is explaining how we use mist nets to study birds to the group in a group activity.  Photo by Stephan Beekhuis.

Soren is responding to questions about bird study and conservation. Photo by Stephan Beekhuis.

A Spanish student learns to hold a captured bird. This individual is a female Great-tailed Grackle. This species is present where human activity is intense, such as yards of homes. Photo by Stephan Beekhuis.

Spanish students and their teachers are enjoying a relaxing moment before dinner at Estacion Biologica. Photo by Stephan Beekhuis.

After Spanish class, students joke around with Lorenzo. Photo by Stephan Beekhuis.

We at Apoyo Spanish School are happy to provide experiences in Spanish language, culture, and nature by sharing our own experiences with others. Please contact us if you would like more information.




Click on the "escudo" to contact us.

Escuela Luis Alfonso Velasquez in Laguna de Apoyo

We consider our social commitment to be of the highest priority. As a result, we at Estacion Biologica FUNDECI/GAIA collaborate with the Escuela Luis Alfonso Velasquez to improve the quality of education for the poor children who live in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. Most of these children do not come from homes with the advantages of educated or wealthy parents. We help to provide the children with interesting educational experiences, materials and infrastructure. In 2010, we coordinated a repair of the school infrastructure, with a very generous donation from Christine Bruxer and her Canadian junior high school students, and labor provided by the local parents and CPC. 

Our students at the Laguna de Apoyo Spanish School regularly visit the school and interact with the students. We recommend that our visitors bring simple school materials-pencils, composition books, backpacks-to provide for the local children who can not afford their own materials. Here we show photos of our local children in visits from students of the Laguna de Apoyo Spanish School.

Here a donation of maps of the world is presented to the children and staff of the school, generously provided by our Apoyo Spanish School students.

Please come and visit our local children and bring school supplies to help them receive a good education! We will be waiting for you in Laguna de Apoyo. 

Thanks to all who have contributed. Photos by Jeffrey McCrary.

Click on the "escudo" to go to http://www.gaianicaragua.org/.



Our thoughts on food

How one eats may be the best exercise of politics that one can make. At Estacion Biologica, we try to follow the principle "think globally, eat locally". We purchase beans from the Ebert Silva Cooperative in Laguna de Apoyo. Other provisions are purchased from national producers, whenever possible from small-scale farmers. Thanks to prior rural development projects executed throughout Nicaragua, one can find lettuce and other green vegetables grown organically in Nicaraguan small farms. Organic food and fresh products from small-scale producers are our priority!

We serve freshly cooked food, avoiding whenever possible, processed foods and foods imported from outside Nicaragua. Our cooks produce healthy meals from "scratch". Breakfasts include fresh milk, granola, fresh fruit, eggs and "gallo pinto", and the best Nicaraguan coffee available. 

Our kitchen is open-air and informal, and our meals are simple, healthful, and made with locally produced products.

We serve fresh-brewed coffee, freshly ground from whole beans, the best available in Nicaragua!

Our cooks have fun!

Click on the "escudo" to go to http://www.gaianicaragua.org/.

Studying Spanish in Laguna de Apoyo

Spanish courses are provided at Estacion Biologica in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, in the oldest existing Spanish school in Nicaragua. Our school is part of FUNDECI, the Nicaraguan Foundation for Integral Community Development, a registered not-for-profit organization in Nicaragua. All proceeds received by FUNDECI go towards community development and environmental protection in the country.

Jeffrey McCrary enjoys lunch with students of Apoyo Spanish School. Photo Belen Camino.

Young people are welcome here! We have teachers with experience in children's education.

Classes are often held outdoors, under the shade of large trees. Monkeys are often passing overhead during classes.

Mette is diligently finishing her homework-while the less studious ones are playing in the lake!

Our Spanish training courses at Apoyo Spanish School are integrated with other activities of the research station in community and environmental issues. We provide one-on-one and small-group Spanish instruction with accomodations in a natural setting, with the best teachers in Nicaragua! 

Photos by Jeffrey McCrary.

Click on the "escudo" to visit http://www.gaianicaragua.org/.