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Putney’s Language Learning programs in France, Spain, Costa
Rica, and Argentina emphasize having fun while speaking
French or Spanish in natural, everyday situations.
Our 59 years of experience have taught us that communicating
with local people, rather than sitting passively in a
classroom with a group of other Americans, is what best
promotes progress toward fluency. Friends and contacts
developed by Putney over the past five decades, from farmers
and bakers to journalists and government officials, help
make our students aware that learning a language is the key
to understanding and participating in another culture.
Carefully planned itineraries in each country
take students to the most famous sights as well as
untouristed areas where they have exceptional opportunities
to immerse themselves in local life and culture. Our
programs in France and Spain are travel-based, while Costa
Rica is focused on community service, and Argentina combines
community service and cultural exploration.
Putney’s approach to language learning is active and
systematic. Beginning at each student’s base
level, we encourage them to discard their inhibitions and
fear of making mistakes. Our talented leaders direct
conversational exercises to help students develop confidence
with their speaking ability as they work toward fluency. The
low student-to-leader ratio enables Putney leaders to give
participants individual attention. Our method is active,
fostering a supportive, noncompetitive atmosphere in the
group.
A short homestay is the most intensive component
of the program. During their week in the homes of local
families, students challenge their language skills as they
exchange details of their lives and become immersed in the
family routine. Our well-connected local homestay
coordinator carefully selects each family from among his or
her contacts and friends in the community. While this part
of the program inevitably makes students nervous prior to
arrival, in retrospect it is often the highlight, allowing
students to “conquer” a bit of French, Spanish, Costa Rican,
or Argentine culture on their own.
Participants must sign a pledge to speak French or Spanish.
Students agree to speak in the target language with the
leaders, within the group, and with the many foreign friends
they will encounter during the summer. This commitment,
combined with an adventurous spirit, is the principal tool
for making progress in a foreign language. On their return,
many students happily report that they are not only
speaking, but thinking, and even dreaming, in a foreign
language.
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France |
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10th-12th
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Unit A: 6|28 - 8|05
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$9190
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8th-9th
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Unit B: 7|01 - 8|02
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$8990
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Spain |
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10th-12th
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Unit A: 6|19 - 7|22
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$8990
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8th-9th
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Unit B: 6|25 - 7|28
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$8990
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10th-12th |
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Unit C: 7|02 - 8|04
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$8990
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