1. What can I gain from attending Martí Spanish Academy?
You will significantly improve your fluency, as well as your listening and writing ability, and will be better prepared for the coming school year. The amount of time that you spend at one 10-day session at the Martí Spanish Academy is the equivalent in time to one year of class in school. Our emphasis, however, is on conversation: gaining more confidence and fluency through interactive discussions and fun and dynamic hands-on activities. Expect to be around people just like you who want to be fluent en español. It takes a lot of energy to think and communicate in a foreign language, but the more you speak, the easier it gets!
2. Who can apply to the Academy?
Students in grades 9-12, including graduating seniors, are eligible:
- Students must have maintained a minimum of a “C” in Spanish for the previous year and must currently have at least a “C.” (Certainly, the higher your grades, the better chance you have of being accepted.) Acceptance also depends on your responses in Part II of your application and your teacher recommendation in Part III.
- You must have completed Spanish 3 before attending the Academy.
3. When should I apply and when will I find out if I have been accepted?
There are two types of admissions—early and regular.
Candidates who meet the selection criteria will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Space is limited, therefore, we highly recommend that you apply early. Filling out an application does not guarantee acceptance into the academy.
Early admission applications (including your official high school transcript and teacher recommendation) must be postmarked by December 15, 2009. Candidates will be notified of their acceptance no later than December 30, 2009.
Candidates who apply for early admission, are accepted, and send in their non-refundable deposit of $400 (for 10 days) or $800 (for 20 days) by January 15, 2010, will receive a $100 discount off their final payment.
Regular admission applications (including your official high school transcript and teacher recommendation) must be postmarked by February 15, 2010. Candidates will be notified of their acceptance no later than March 1, 2010.
Late applications are those postmarked after February 15, 2010. If the candidate is accepted and decides to attend, there is a late charge of $100 added to the normal tuition.
Please be advised that if you are accepted to the academy, we can only guarantee
your spot when we receive your deposit.
4. Where can I find an application?
You can download an application directly from our website, or we can send you one in the mail.
5. What if I’m not taking Spanish this year, but have taken 3 or more years?
May I still apply?
Yes, you may still apply. We recommend seeing a private tutor once a week to maintain your skills, however.
6. Does acceptance obligate me to attend the Academy?
No.
7. How can I prepare myself for the immersion experience?
The best way to prepare yourself for a total-immersion experience is to consistently study your grammar, verb tenses, and vocabulary. You also have to mentally prepare yourself for not communicating in your native language for either 10 or 20 days. Yes, it will take a lot of energy, but the end result is incredibly rewarding. Simply promise yourself that you will communicate in Spanish the entire time, even if you think your grammar sounds silly—don’t forget that our mentors are there to guide you every step of the way.
8. What if I accidentally speak in English?
- To maintain the integrity of the Academy—which is to fully immerse you in the Spanish language and culture – it is imperative that you come to the Academy wholeheartedly prepared to do your best. Don’t worry if there are words you don’t know. Our dedicated instructors are there to make sure you succeed!
- If you accidentally speak in English, we gently remind you of your oath and move on. If it becomes a habit, though, you will be sent home without a refund and at your parents’ expense.
9. I’m not sure if I should attend the 10-day or 20-day session. How can I decide?
- The 10-day session is ideal for students who wish to improve conversational skills and who have busy summer schedules—it is enough time to be fully immersed in Spanish, but short enough to allow for other plans.
- The 20-day session is ideal for students who plan to continue with Spanish in college or who want to study abroad. This session will dramatically improve your fluency and give you a jump start toward long-term fluency.
10. What is the maximum number of students in a class?
Class size will never be more than 15—that ensures lots of personalized attention and instruction to facilitate language improvement. A maximum of 45 students can attend the academy.
11. What should I bring?
Upon acceptance, you will receive a packet of information detailing items to bring and not to bring.
12. Is transportation provided to the Academy?
Although transportation is not provided, we will ask you in your acceptance packet if you would be interested in car-pooling with people from your area. Then we will put you in touch with other attendees so you can coordinate your plans.
13. What if I follow a special diet?
We do our best to provide a variety of authentic Hispanic cuisine while students are at the academy. Every effort will be made to accommodate students with special diets. Please keep in mind, however, that there may be some things we cannot change. If a student is not certain, it is a good idea to bring some non-perishable snacks.
14. What if I get sick?
All students are required to have health insurance. In the event that you become ill, we will contact your parents immediately and bring you to a local doctor, if necessary. The student is responsible for payment at the clinic, as well as additional expenses (prescriptions, etc.).
15. How close is the nearest doctor’s office?
Because of its flexible hours and walk-in service, the doctor’s office we use is Physicians Treatment Center, approximately 5 miles from the academy.
16. How close is the nearest Fire & Rescue/ Police Station?
The Fire Station and Rescue Squad are on Fort Avenue, 1.2 miles from the academy. The nearest police station is Lynchburg Police Station, approximately 2 miles from the academy.
17. How much money should I bring with me?
You would only need money in the event that you had to visit the doctor, hospital, and/or get a prescription filled. All other expenses are taken care of in your tuition.
18. Can I attend Martí Spanish Academy several years in a row and get a unique
experience each summer?
Yes! Martí Spanish Academy is uniquely designed so that students may attend several years in a row and not repeat the same material. Each year would be another dynamic experience.
19. How can I get in touch with my parents?
Since Martí Spanish Academy is a full-immersion experience, we ask parents and students to sign a pledge that the student will only speak in Spanish during the student’s stay, except in the case of an emergency. (Students do not need to bring a long-distance phone card in the event they need to call home in an emergency.)
20. Can I drive myself and leave my car parked at the Academy?
Due to limited parking, we need for students to be dropped off and picked up. In your acceptance packet we will ask if you want us to put you in touch with other students from your area so that you can car pool to and from Martí.
