ATESA

ATESA is a small school located in Atenas, a rural town in the province of Alajuela in Costa Rica. For more than twenty years, we have implemented Spanish as a Foreign Language programs, internships, and community volunteer programs, connecting international organizations with local institutions in our country.

ATESA was founded in 2004 when teacher Mercedes Arias responded to a request from her student Brent Hunter to create community volunteer opportunities in Costa Rica for the organization World Endeavors, with which he was working.

A few months later, she invited Professor Juan D. Barquero to join the initiative. Both, trained in language teaching at the National University and the University of Costa Rica respectively, combined their experience teaching Spanish as a foreign language gained through U.S. Peace Corps programs in Latin America.

In addition to linguistic goals, they developed programs that also offer cultural experiences, community service, and professional learning opportunities.

The Peace Corps is an independent U.S. government agency that sends volunteers to developing countries.

At ATESA, Spanish instruction focuses on developing all language skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing.

These skills are developed through classroom learning, assignments, and real-life practice outside the classroom.

Before starting the course, each student is interviewed to determine their Spanish level and is provided with the appropriate textbook.

ATESA uses three textbooks developed by the school, adapted to its practical and experiential teaching method.

Learning is reinforced through interaction with host families, participation in cultural activities such as Costa Rican cooking sessions and Latin dance classes, and visits to local and tourist sites where students can practice Spanish in real-life situations.