One of my favorite stories from my time studying literature was the very real story of El Dorado. El Dorado was this idealized mythical place that the Spanish and Portuguese searched for endlessly when they found America. It was supposed to be this amazing place where everything was made of gold, and the citizens were all but nude save for the gold painted on their bodies.
One can only imagine how the conquistadores’ minds went wild thinking of the possibilities. But the joke was on them. No such city was ever found. In fact, it’s said that at least one civilization used the story to persuade the explorers to go elsewhere and leave them alone.
“We have no gold, El Dorado is that way.”
Little did the conquistadores know, El Dorado wasn’t a place, the gold wasn’t at the destination, it was the journey itself- the knowledge they acquired from their travels.
This is the foundation of El Dorado Spanish School. They know where the gold is: Language, Knowledge and best of all, sharing these riches.
El Dorado is a language school was founded by a Colombian-Polish couple, Robinson and Ewa, both language educators. Their schools focus on English and Spanish for foreigners and have been open in Envigado for about three years and in Poland for about eight.
They’re located in Envigado at Calle 30sur, 43a-51 right next to great restaurants and cafes and easy to get to right between Avenida Poblado and Avenida Las Vegas. If you’re coming on the metro like I did, buy an Integrado Envigado to Estación Ayurá and take the metro bus that goes to Pavezgo, it will drop you off right at the door!
Ewa and Robinson chose Envigado because they felt it was more true to the local culture. Though Poblado is more central, and more densely populated by foreigners, Envigado is a better representation of local culture and dynamic.
Nevertheless, there will be a Poblado campus of El Dorado Spanish soon, stay tuned.
El Dorado has a variety of approaches to Spanish education, and they’re ready for the kind of public that needs their services. Whether you’re traveling through with limited time, staying for a long time, here for business, or with family, they can design a program that will work best for you. However, no matter what program you choose, they lead you into Spanish speaking in a fun and entertaining way, with highly qualified Colombian teachers and a professional approach.
El Dorado provides Spanish for Travelers because many foreigners that come to Medellín aren’t planning on staying, but rather are passing through. Seeing as Colombia’s Spanish has notoriously one of the clearest accents to learn, it makes sense that while these travelers are here, they want to absorb as much Spanish as possible.
El Dorado is prepared to teach these kinds of foreigners the “most usable” Spanish that will be useful to them while they’re here and as they continue their travels, what they call “survival Spanish” to get you out of a bind.
You can partake in:
Prices per program are as follows.
Intensive Program 240,000 COP per week (aprox. $76) includes:
The Semi-Private programs (Small groups) for 680,000 COP ($215.00) and 1250,000 COP ($396.50) depending on the package you choose both include:
Or private programs for 770,000 ($244.00) and 1450,000 ($460) depending on the package which all include the same.
Ask about El Dorado’s courses for children and teenagers and learn Spanish as a family!
The Spanish for Business Courses provide an introduction into the Latin American market, by that they mean they’re teaching you a culture that comes with doing business here. Culture is such an important part of language learning that at times it can be a bigger communication barrier than vocabulary.
El Dorado teaches you to understand business and business culture in Colombia to improve communication with your clients and future partners. Their goal is to take professionals to peak skills in speaking, writing, reading and listening.
The methods used in class have been tested in the European school and place the student face-to-face with real life situations.
Prices for programs are the same as Spanish for Travelers.
El Dorado uses what they call a “direct” or “natural” methodology. While, sure, in Medellín you’re supposed to be immersed in the language, you’re probably getting less Spanish than you originally planned on in your daily life. That’s why El Dorado’s methodology is to always keep the class in Spanish, to get your ear used to what you’re hearing every day and get that much closer to a larger vocabulary and a higher language level.
El Dorado has conversation clubs twice per week (Wednesdays and Fridays), salsa classes, and walking tours around beautiful Envigado!
Stop by El Dorado in Envigado, look at their Facebook, website, check out their YouTube Channel, or email them at contacto@eldorado.cc
This post was written in collaboration with El Dorado Cultural Center.
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