Tips

FAQ's

Where is the school?

Babilon Language Coaching is located in the beautiful Historic center of Santiago de Queretaro, Queretaro. The city is in an area of Mexico commonly known as El Bajio, three hours northwest of Mexico City. (See map of Queretaro centro, map of central Mexico).

When and how do I pay?

You have to pay 50% of the course package fees (including course fees, books and accommodation fees) at least two weeks before the start of your classes. The remaining 50% of your course package fees have to be paid at the first day of class, before the start of the class. Payments can be done via PayPal, which is a very reliable and convenient method of payment.

Do you organize excursions and activities?

In addition to your regular classes, Babilon regularly offers additional activities to broaden your cultural experience and understanding of the Mexican culture.  Some of the activities include:

Piñata party: Celebrate a traditional Mexican fiesta with us.  Enjoy food, fun, friends .... and don´t forget the piñata! Coffee Night: Get to know your professors and other Mexican students at one of the local cafes downtown. Querétaro and its legends: Take a walking tour through the city at night.  Your guide, leading the way with a fire-lit torch, is an important person in the history of Mexico.  Live the drama of Mexico´s history in the very locations where it took place.  (Tours are $110 pesos per person.)  Mexican Movie Night: Come with popcorn and a soda in hand to enjoy a Mexican classic or recent favorite film with us. You can sign up for any of our field trips planned during your time studying with us.  Make sure you sign up early before all the spaces fill!  Costs for each trip include transportation between the school and our travel destination and admission tickets when applicable.  We will let you know if you should plan to budget for food or bring a sack lunch if necessary. Freixenet Bernal Tequisquiapan San Miguel de Allende Sierra Gorda Teotihuacan Ixtapa Museo de la Ciudad

Do you have internet and telephone access at the school?

Yes, we have wireless internet access and students will receive a phone card from the school when they arrive.

How many students are in the group classes?

A group class normally consists of 3-6 students.

Are the teachers native speakers?

Yes, all of our teachers are experienced native Spanish speakers, and possess a certification to teach.

Who comes to study at Babilon?

Students, businesspeople, and travelers of all ages and all walks of life are welcome.

What is the cost of living in Mexico?

The cost of living in Mexico is generally lower than that of Europe and the U.S. Below is a list of estimated prices in U.S. dollars.
Can of soda.................50 cents
Cup of coffee........................$1
Movie ticket.....................$3.50
Bus ride...................... 35 cents
Cigarettes........................... $2
Gasoline.................. $ 1.54/GAL
Private doctors visit...........$30
Loaf of white bread........$1.00

What is the current exchange rate for the Mexican peso?

The rate is constantly fluctuating. Check online to find its most recent value and to check it in comparison to other currencies around the world. Good websites for this are:

finance.yahoo.com/ www.xe.com/ucc/

When is the school closed?

The school is closed on Sundays and national holidays. Check our calendar to know the exact days we will not be open.

What are the start and end dates for classes?

Group classes begin every Monday, and private classes begin at the date of your choice. All schedules can be modified to suite your personal desires and necessities. You can take classes for as little as one week, or as long as you want. If you complete a full seven week session of classes, you will advance one level within the Common European Framework.

Does the school offer college credit?

Yes, college credit can be arranged through your University. Some US colleges and universities will award you credit based on the result of a proficiency exam administered upon your return or on the final evaluation we give you upon completion of an entire course. Talk to your academic advisor to find out the specific policies of your University.

Are materials included in the course price?

No, but materials are very affordable. You should budget to spend about $20 for your personal set of books for each course.

Do you accept students who have no previous knowledge of Spanish?

Yes, all levels are welcome. We offer a free placement exam that will determine your placement. Students who are just beginning to study Spanish for the first time can benefit greatly from their classes.

What teaching methods do you use?

For a fast and effective learning progress we use two main teaching methods: The “Communicative Approach “(which stresses communication) and “Experiential Learning “(which makes use of real life situations).

Communicative Approach
•  Lessons are designed so that the student is motivated to speak
•  Basic skills (reading, listening, writing and conversation) are developed evenly
•  Provides a solid base of grammar, and focuses on fluent student speech
•  Errors are corrected after finishing a task (this approach supports student‘s confidence in their verbalization skills)

Experiential Learning
•  Application of gained knowledge into real life (for both social and work environments),
•  Development of communication skills,
•  Role play for practicing real situations (e.g. negotiation, telephoning, arranging appointments etc.),
•  Discussion groups,
•  Face-to-face conversations.
We use teaching materials from international publishers. Furthermore, our teachers use a wide range of additional materials such as audiotapes, CD, video, up-dated Internet articles, foreign materials and specialized magazines (e.g. The Times, The Economist, The Harvard Business Review) in order to make our lessons even more interesting and creative.