How many students are in each class?

There are usually 2 to 6 students in a class. This ensures that each student has the opportunity to interact with the instructor as needed while their progress is closely monitored.

What about homework?

The average student should plan to spend up to two hours each day completing assignments and reviewing their notes. In addition to homework, conversation with nationals is a requirement for all students.

How long is the course?

The course consists of 4 levels that last seven weeks each. Including short breaks of one to two weeks between each session of classes, the entire course lasts about 8 months. There is a longer break in December. Specific dates can be found at the Calendar page link above.

How will I be evaluated?

In addition to both written and oral exams given during and following each level, students may be evaluated using criteria of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

Will I be fluent when I finish?

While individual aptitude determines the answer in part, motivation plays a larger role in determining how far you will have come by the end of the course. Fluency requires diligent study, good listening skills, and a great deal of practice; the level that you attain is as individual as you are. Some are fluent after the eight months. Others obtain fluency as they continue to practice what they've learned among national friends and coworkers. In the classroom we'll fully take you through the first four levels of language learning. Level 5 is native fluency, which cannot be taught in a classroom, and can only be acheived after years of cultural integration and motivation! A great and realizable goal.

Are there dress and behavior policies?

As a student you will be asked to adhere to the policies of the Roca Blanca mission base. For details click "roca blanca orientation" on the "Links We Like" page at the top or to the right of this page. You'll also find useful cultural and packing tips there!

What is there for childcare and children's schooling?

We provide child and toddler care with a local family at their house or on the mission base for the four actual class hours, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., and then 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Between 10:00 and 11:00 the children eat almuerzo (a kind of late breakfast) with their parents in the common dining room with everyone else. The students currently pay 50 pesos (around $3.50 US) a day  per child for that service.

We also have staff here who home school their children. When there is more then one family then they may be able to share classes together.

For schooling in Spanish, on the Roca Blanca base we have a Christian high school, grades 10-12. In Puerto Escondido (35  minute drive from here) there is a good Christian Elementary school, grades 1-6, with some of the classes taught in English. Locally (in Cacalote) there is a national elementary school and a televised middle school. In Rio Grande (10 minute drive from here) there are more national schools, elementary, middle, and high school.

Which travel methods and destinations are recommended?

If you choose to fly instead of driving (a 26 hour drive from the border), there are two good routes. You should choose the most convenient one from your point of origen.

Continental Airlines offers a direct flight from Houston (IAH) to Huatulco (HUX). This airport is two and a half hours from us, but we're happy to make the trip for you.

Another option is to fly into Mexico City (MEX), and from there into Puerto Escondido (PXM). This airport is thirty minutes from us. There are some different airlines that fly this route, but we've found that the most convenient one has usually been Viva Aerobus because of their later flights, facilitating an earlier flight into Mexico City and the time it takes to go through Customs there. Their Internet site, http://www.vivaaerobus.com/, is in Spanish, but they have a toll free phone number in the US, 1-888-935-9848. 

We're blessed to accommodate you however you arrive. And we're happy to give you good road directions, or to pick you up at the airport that best suites you.

What about visas?

There are a few kinds of visas that may apply to your stay here. The most common and easiest is the standard tourist visa. That’s given to you at no cost, and you’ll fill it out when you cross the border by land or air. This visa is sufficient to come and study Spanish under, and is normally given for six months. If your Spanish school time goes beyond the six months then you’ll need to make a border crossing to the States sometime before it expires, or take a quick bus ride to Guatemala and cross there, which is significantly closer.

There are also various resident visas that will be necessary if you're coming to live or do public ministry in Mexico. In that case, your sponsoring church or organization will help you with the application process.

What things should I bring?

For sure bring a set of twin sheets if single, double sheets if married. It's advisable to have something warm to wear for the occasional mountain trip. Also, if you bring a Spanish Bible, we use the NIV version for levels 1 and 2, which will be used in class most days. A good dictionary will be a help, although not absolutely necessary. A few small items from home are a nice addition for your lodging. Please feel free to write about any other items you might be wondering about.

Where can I find more about the mission base and staff?

Take a look at the "Links We Like" page above or to the right for a fuller perspective of what the Roca Blanca missions base and it's staff are about, as well as some helpful guides regarding orientation to life in our part of Mexico. And you can always contact us for more info. Please do!

Interdenominational and international?

We've had students from a large variety of churches and persuasions. Our posture is the same as 17th century Lutheran, Peter Meiderlin, "In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity." Our curriculum is English based, but we've enjoyed the international flavor that God has given us so far, with students from the United States, Canada, France, Holland, New Zealand, and Korea.