Espaanglisch School is the only low cost language school available in Trujillo. We use native volunteer instructors and teach a variety of students young to old. Volunteers not only get to experience living in Peru but also are offered a number of services at a reduced cost.

Espaanglisch needs to exist in Trujillo for two reasons: one, the lack of high quality education and two the growing importance of a foreign language as part of ones skills. Trujillo is a city in the upswing of the development process. As the area continues to grow so does the popularity of services such as those that Espaanglisch provides.

At approximately ten dollars a month Espaanglisch students receive grammar, conversation based lessons and classes in basic computer skills. In addition the school offers a fun learning environment for the kids classes filled with interactive practice and games.

Language School

The volunteers work mainly as teachers inside the language school teaching English and French in either Trujillo or Chimbote. Besides the teaching, the volunteers help with the promotion of the language school at the beginning of every semester. They reach out to the community, particularly the poorer areas and interact with the people. They do this in conjunction with manager David Mercedes and local teachers.

The promotion is aimed at individuals with few economic resources who have an interest in learning a foreign language. The typical Espaanglisch student has a low income and wants to work in tourism related fields such as in a restaurant, a hostal or on a cruise. Their ages vary from 12 to 50 years old.

Maximum is 12 students per class. Our goal in the classroom is to equip every student with at least basic conversational skills. To teach these skills we use role playing, conversation sessions focused on daily interactions, games, grammar lessons and some homework. Volunteers are free to experiment with your own teaching methods. For example, how about speed dating to get locals talking English to the lovely gringas! We do not believe in exams and they are not given.

Finally we listen to music and attempt to understand lyrics every Friday. Espaanglisch provides ample classrooms, teaching materials and a CD player....but to mix things up we like hearing the music that the volunteers bring. Please bring your own CDs for classroom use.

Now Espaanglisch Language School is also offering English language classes for children in Trujillo and Chimbote. The program gives kids between the ages of 8 and 13 the opportunity to learn a second language in a fun, interactive environment. It is at this time in a student's development that language-learning is most easily achieved, which is why Espaanglisch actively seeks young students with potential. Most students attent lessons for free and some of them pay a very low fee, which covers necessary materials and building maintenance costs. In addition, the fee helps ensure that students are invested in their education.

Espaanglisch also works with a local NGO called skip-peru to benefit children from low-income families. Skip-Peru provides transportation to the students, and Espaanglisch waives their fees so that they can benefit from second language learning. The tuition costs for this special program are provided by some of Espaanglisch's adult programs, such as Gringlish and beginner-level English classes. However, we are not just working with Skip-Peru, Espaanglisch is also promoting English lesson in a different spot in Trujillo. The school there is called Horizon and the purpose of the new school is to give back to the local community in La Esperanza, Trujillo-Peru. Horizon has established a relationship with the local community of Esperanza by offering free English language classes to underprivileged families. Not only is Horizon working with the local community but it is also working in collaboration with Espaanglisch as a means to obtain volunteers. Through the relationship with Espaanglish, Horizon has been able to provide its students with proper English instruction from native English speakers.

Espaanglisch also plans to offer classes in basic computer skills free of charge to children and at a very low cost to adults. We are in the process of organizing this challenging endeavour, and are in great need of volunteers and supplies. The ability to proficiently operate a computer and navigate the internet will open up a whole new world of opportunity for our students, both from the wealth of knowledge to be gained and the job prospects it will provide them

In the future, Espaanglisch hopes to expand and strengthen its existing programs. Any funds remaining after material and maintenance costs are saved in the hopes of purchasing more quality teaching tools someday soon. With any luck, Espaanglisch will have a full library of language learning books in the not-so-distant future.

Volunteers are expected to show up and give their all to their students. In addition they are in charge of collecting the class fee. Mercedes is conscious of what happens in every class and is always available to help guide volunteers and resolve any issues that might come up. Espaanglisch is a unique school in Trujillo and Chimbote, one that grows more popular by each month. Thank you for your interest and we hope to hear from you!!!

Comments (1)

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Highly recommended
written by Slee218, December 30, 2008

I spent three months volunteering with David and espaanglisch. David has a true love for teaching and always is a lot of fun to work with. Also, living with david and his aunt led to some of the most memorable times that I have ever had. Unlike bruce peru and other organizations that over charge it's volunteers, espaanglisch has no volunteer fees.

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