Ratings and Comments for Tecún Umán
- More language schools in Guatemala
- Return to the Spanish Language Schools Directory
Student ratings for Tecún Umán
Overall Ratings:
Evaluation from vgsmith:
Evaluation from ntaylor:
The atmosphere is friendly and enjoyable, both inside and outside the classroom. The school works with each student to make certain that they are at an appropriate level.
Evaluation from xthomas:
The teachers are very straightforward and precise. I learn the information quickly from them.
Evaluation from ybwilson:
I participated in so many fun activities in such a short time.
Evaluation from rthomas:
I have absolutely no regrets about studying Spanish in Tecún Umán. I learned more about Latin America, the world, and myself than I ever could have confined in the USA.
Evaluation from kxwagner:
One of the top schools in the city.
Evaluation from petra:
A great experience - friendly atmosphere, good teachers, lots of well organized and interesting activities.. I absolutely recommend it!
Evaluation from Brian:
This is a good school. The Director and staff were very accommodating and adjusted the instruction to meet my goals and abilities. I was challenged but never to the point where the experience wasn't enriching. I had a very limited knowledge of Spanish and I was surprised how much I learned during the time I was at the school. I stayed my first two nights at a small hotel and it was inexpensive, quiet and clean. I stayed the remainder of my time with a family and it was a great experience. I recommend this as it adds to the learning experience - my hosts were laid back and understood that I was a student. Meals served by my family were also good. The school made this arrangement for me and it was a great deal as I was on a limited budget. Antigua was very nice. It is a tourist destination but seems to go out of its way not to be innundated with the dark side of modern/commercial culture. The town seemed much safer than I expected as apparently there is a strong but low key police presence in Antiqua, as tourism is important to its economy. One thing that I did not expect but turned out to be fun and interesting was the daily optional activities and tours offered by the school. Every day there was something to do after class if student were so inclined - most were free or just a few dollars and well worth the time.
Evaluation from Rona Yohalem:
The teachers were excellent, the ambiance was friendly and fun, the attention to students needs was terrific. The director and his staff were always available and helpful.
Evaluation from sasattorney:
I liked my teacher. If you want to stay with a Guatemalan family, make sure you say that up front. Otherwise, you may get put in a boarding house with other foreigners. Food in my boarding house consisted of a lot of rice, tortillas and white bread. The road trip to Tikal was poorly organized. Go with a travel agency instead of the school. The director and his family are honest, hard-working people. They are dedicated to students' language acquisition. They don't speak much English so come with some basic skills in Spanish.
Evaluation from rwiddicombe:
Exprerienced teachers, friendly staff & director, great weekend trips, engaging activities and a very pleasant atmosphere. Antigua is a charming and fun city with lots to do. My experience here was fantastic.
Evaluation from me123:
My teacher was incompetant; she had no idea what to do with a beginning student and had no teaching materials at all. She spent her time picking wax out of her ears with her keys complaining that she worked too much and didn't have time for her kids, which made me feel guilty so that we ended lessons early everyday (but I still paid for the time). They have a lovely building but the classes were held down the road in a truely filthy shack. If it rained there was nowhere to go, so the classes simply ended. The family I stayed with had a separate wing with rooms for students and the only person who talked with us was the maid. However, the room was very clean, the food was amazing, and the maid was very nice. A few students had terrible families and moved to hotels. I studied at another school in Xela, which was fantastic.
Evaluation from THAXTERC:
Good school but quality depends on the professor as the school does not have a text or well defined program. There is a syllabus which is basically a list of topics. I had Juan Luis Estrada as my teacher and he is very experienced and qualified. I think I was very lucky to get him as he is the very best!
Evaluation from Josgolden:
Enseignement: J'ai appris énormément avec mon professeur même si celui-ci n'avait pas vraiment de méthode d'enseignement. Tout était basé sur la conversation. Maison: Il y avait 6 étudiants des USA qui parlaient principalement en anglais. Fun factor: Au Guatemala, la majorité des voyageurs voyagent en groupe. Ils ne sentent pas vraiment le besoin de créer de nouvelles amitiés. Bars: Je recommande l'Onis pour son décor et le Rainbow Cafe pour sa musique live du mardi. Hora feliz: L'école organise un 5 à 6 entre étudiants seulement dans un espace très peu chaleureux de l'école. Pour un 5 à 7, je recommande le Café Sky. Excursions: L'école organise des visites très intéressantes la semaine et la fin de semaine. Ces visites permettent de rencontrer d'autres étudiants. Antigua est une ville sale, bruyante et peu chaleureuse. Par contre, elle possède toute une histoire avec ses nombreuses ruines et églises.
Evaluation from marie44:
Evaluation from skurran:
I had a great time here. All of the teachers were very helpfull and a together created a very enjoyable atmosphere for learning.
Evaluation from skurran2005:
The teachers were great...very patient and fun...GREAT school!!!
Evaluation from boogsbobo:
Tecun Uman was like a family in Antigua. The teachers were all extremely professional and friendly, my homestay was perfect, and the rest of the students were great. I loved the afternoon activities, and they were always fun. I learned so much!
Evaluation from parceno:
A Montrealer, I attended Escuela Tecun Uman for 3 weeks from December 29, 2009 to January 19,2010. This is a GREAT school! The Director, Mario Castellanos and especially my professor Carlos Valle (and staff) were very accommodating and adjusted the instruction to meet my goals and abilities.Mario made it a point to know all students by their first names;and, Carlos knew when there was something I did not comprehend and was able to guide me through any difficulties I was challenged but never to the point where the experience wasn't enriching. I already had a good knowledge of Spanish and I was surprised how much I learned during the time I was at the school. I stayed three weeks with a family and it was a great experience. I recommend this as it adds to the learning experience - my hosts were laid back and understood that I was a student. Meals served by my family were modest but good. The school made this arrangement for me and it was a great deal as I was on a limited budget. Antigua is ancient, very nice with lots to do and very cheap. It is a tourist destination but seems to go out of its way not to be innundated with the dark side of modern/commercial culture. The town seemed much safer than I expected as apparently there is a strong but low key police presence in Antiqua, as tourism is important to its economy. One thing that I did not expect but turned out to be fun and interesting was the daily optional activities and tours offered by the school. Every day there was something to do after class if students were so inclined - most were free or just a few dollars and well worth the time. Many sites to visit not far from Antigua. In my opinion,Tecun Uman School is the Harvard University or McGill Unversity of spanish language schools! Paul Arsenault à Montréal, Québec.
Evaluation from khemmanun:
Evaluation from rclark:
Very professional operation, experienced teachers. Activities were cancelled some days or required additional payments but the homestay was fantastic. Director Mario was very helpful in locating and delivering our luggage lost by the airline. I would highly recommend this school.
Evaluation from Kairho:
I cannot see how any school could be better than Tecun Uman. In two weeks I could hold meaningful conversations in Spanish; who knows how much I will learn after returning again next month!
Evaluation from broomfield:
I can't say enough about this school! They picked me up from the airport and from that point until I left one month later was nothing short of amazing! Fernando (son of the director, Mario) happily answered all my questions prior to arriving, which put all my worries aside. All of the students I met absolutely loved their teachers and so did I! Juan Luis built my confidence and I immediately started improving my Spanish within the first few minutes. I studied a total of 80 hours and wish I could have done more. Next time! I volunteered at a program I learned about through TU called Semierro mi Angel Guardian which was awesome (information is on TU's website). I also did three weekend trips with Victor who works for the school. I highly recommend traveling this way as it was a blast, a great price, you get to learn about the culture, continue with your Spanish, meet new friends (and you get picked up and dropped off wherever you are staying, which is a nice bonus). My homestay was incredible. I'm vegetarian I they made me some of the best meals! My family was warm and welcoming and because I felt so comfortable I got to practice Spanish during breakfast, lunch and dinner with them encouraging me along the way. My experience with Tecun Uman has created one problem-nothing will ever compare!
Popular Phrase: conjugations of spanish verbs | Hello in Spanish | Conjugated Verb: coser - to sew, sew up; to stitch, stitch up [ click for full conjugation ]
The classrooms in the main office building are nice. The auxiliary building is spartan.