AmeriSpan is pleased to announce updates to our French Language & Fun and Professional Development programs. For those interested in learning to surf the waves on the incredible beaches of Biarritz, while learning French, check out our French & Surfing in Biarritz, France program. Biarritz is home to many top surfing competitions, such as the annual Biarritz Surf Festival. Open to all French and surfing levels, participants receive an hour and a half of daily (M-F) surf instruction from Pol Plantec, a highly skilled surfer who started the HASTEA Surf School. These lessons are tailored to your individual needs and skill level. 

 French for Diplomatic Relations, located in Bordeaux, France, is designed for ambassadors, diplomats, international organizers, government agents, and political science students. Participants receive both group and private French lessons. The private French lessons focus on vocabulary development, more formal terminology, observation of diplomatic communications, formal speeches, and the examination of professional documents. Each participant's private lessons are tailored to their individual needs.

Of course, our standard French immersion programs are available in both Biarritz and Bordeaux, as well as 6 other cities in France. 

French & Surfing in Biarritz France

French for Diplomatic Relations in Bordeaux France

French Language Programs in France

One popular type of AmeriSpan Teacher and Education courses are our Maestro Spanish for Educators programs offered in Mexico and Costa Rica. AmeriSpan Maestro programs are for teachers and educators in all fields to immerse themselves in the Spanish language and regional culture, while learning about local teaching customs. These programs aid all educators with the rapidly increasing Limited English Proficient (LEP) students and parents who primarily speak Spanish.

With the growing Hispanic population in the United States, these programs are an exceptional opportunity for teachers to be exposed to the culture and language of their students and parents. By learning about the Latin American educational setting, it will be easier to relate to LEP students, their parents and the common struggles they face in US classrooms. It is remarkable what educators can take from the program and bring back to their classrooms, schools, and districts.

Here is what one participant in the Alajuela program had to say:  “ The directors and staff at the Institute have made it possible for me to meet teachers and principals and to visit the public schools in Costa Rica. It has been fascinating to discuss the successes and challenges they have experienced in the educational system. I would highly recommend this program as the institute will do everything to ensure that your experience here as both a teacher and student is exceptional.” AmeriSpan’s Teacher and Educator Spanish Programs in Costa Rica and Mexico are prefect programs for teachers and educators in all fields to immerse themselves in the Spanish language and regional culture, while learning about teaching local teaching customs. 

Maestro Spanish for Educators (La Manzanilla, Mexico)

Teacher and Educator Study Abroad Programs

When choosing a Teenager Study Abroad program for high school students it is important to do your research.  Here are 7 Things to Consider:

1. Level of Supervision - AmeriSpan offers 3 levels of supervision for Teenager programs. The Summer Camp programs are fully supervised. In Junior Immersion programs, Teens have to learn to balance supervised activities, free time, and a curfew. Independent Teen programs offer no supervision and no curfew, making them best for families or extremely mature and well-traveled teens.

3. Type of Lodging - Programs either offer lodging in shared student dorms and residences or accommodations with a local host family. It is important to make sure your teen is comfortable where they are staying so that he/she can get the most out of the program.

Go to Teenager Study Abroad

Our Study French and Painting program in Aix-en-Provence, France is a unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  Not only is France the home of some of history's greatest Master and Impressionist painters, but the region of Provence has long served as an inspiration to painters worldwide.  Its fields of lavender, cypress trees, and green hills and dusty roads have a charm that no other place in the world possesses.

This program combines daily French and painting lessons and includes all art supplies, which is a rare convenience.  You will study at the "Atelier du Soleil.", or "Sun Studio" with a local Impressionist painter in her garden or in the center of town.  Downtown Aix, by the way, is a lively small city where you can practice your French without the intimidation that some feel in fast-paced Paris!

The French school, meanwhile, will give you the comprehensive knowledge you need to speak French confidently while supplementing your language lessons with a brief understanding of French culture and society.

Find out more! Study French and Painting in Aix-en-Provence

Want to learn Arabic? We recommend taking a close look at our program in Amman, Jordan.  I just returned from a trip to Jordan and will be blogging over the coming days and weeks about my experience. The bottom line, I highly recommend the school in Amman and the country of Jordan. Wow is what comes to mind as I think about my experience.

People seem to love this photo of spices at a little store in Amman, so I thought my first blog would be about the food in Jordan. Since I have been on a diet since I returned a few days ago, you can surmise that I found the food delicious.

The staple seemed to be lamb and chicken and it was served in a variety of ways, but I was addicted to the many salads.  Many are commonly known abroad and were already favorites of mine such as Hummus, Baba Ghanoush and others.  You are able to find some of these at ethnic Greek or Lebanese restaurants but others I discovered for the very first time.  

One Jordanian pointed out to me that before Lebanon’s civil war and its continued unfortunate position of being caught between Syria, Israel and other Middle East powers, it had long been a popular tourist destination.  This particular Jordanian gentleman wanted me to know that what so many Europeans and Americans call Lebanese food is NOT just Lebanese food, it is a common throughout that part of the world.  His point was that much of this food so many call Lebanese could just as easily be called Jordanian food, if only Jordan had been a big tourist destination in the 50s, 60s and 70s.  And don’t forget, both the Greeks and Romans at one time ruled Jordan so their impact on the food is everywhere as well.

One widely used ingredient was Za’tar (pronounced ZAH-tur) which is blend of spices and herbs (thyme, sesame seed, salt and more) used throughout the Middle east. Za’tar is said to increase mental acuity. It is usually mixed with olive oil and baked into the crust of flat, round pita bread and boy is it tasty!

One great experience in Jordan is Petra’s Kitchen where you are taught the names of many common Arabic spices and foods, how to cook them and get to eat whatever you cooked.  Anyone going to Jordan should visit Petra where some of the ruins were highlighted in Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. Petra’s Kitchen experience is available most evenings.

You should never choose a language program for the food but in Jordan you’ll be able to eat well and Learn Arabic.

Learn Arabic in Amman Jordan 

Petras Kitchen Info 

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About the Author: John Slocum co-founded AmeriSpan Study Abroad 17 years ago and is recognized as one of the true experts in Study Abroad.  He has helped start language schools in Guatemala, Peru and Bolivia as well as assisted schools in Ecuador, Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina and Costa Rica on improving their overall language programs. Finally, John worked closely with STA Travel when they introduced their language immersion programs in Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA.