Each Spanish student is given an evaluation form to fill out at the end of their time at Instituto Chac-Mool. We ask the students to give us feedback on the teachers and staff, facilities, activities, host families... anything pertaining to our program. This information is valuable to us and we consider each evaluation with great enthusiasm. We've included student quotes on this page, to respect student privacy we do not publish email addresses.

Tulum was wonderful in every way! Great teachers, classes and family stay... And of course, I had the ocean, the beach and lots of yoga classes! May need to return soon!
 -Suzanne, Traveler

Thank you, Chac Mool, for an incredible language learning experience! Bottom line: the Chac Mool teachers and administration exceeded my expectations tenfold! The instruction was individualized, relevant, thorough, and FUN. Thank you again for the unforgettable memories and jump starting our path to becoming bilingual!.
 -Sloan, Teacher

I just wanted to send you a quick note to tell you how much we enjoyed our time in Tulum at Chac-Mool. It was more than we could have ever hoped and dreamed for. At first my children really wanted nothing to do with "summer school" but by the end they were trying to figure out how we could extend our trip in order to go to school!

Everyone there was so helpful, friendly, and kind to myself and my children. Nelly was amazing as was Fernando and the rest of the staff. The extra cooking and capoeira classes were so much fun that we didn't even realize we were learning!

The host family that was set up for us was amazing. They took care of every need and we became quite close to them during our stay. They were many tears shed by both families when we had to say goodbye to our Mexican family. We hope to return some day in the near future.
 -Michele, Teacher

When I take two teens on Spring break to "school" [in Tulum] and not hear one complaint that says a lot about the teachers, the personalization, the feeling of Chac-Mool. This was effortless learning. And it gave us a feeling of familiarity with the town, improved our confidence in using public transportation and overall improved our confidence in adventurous travel in the area. (Not to mention improve our Spanish language skills). Our teachers made us feel like they really were interested in our lives. I had very interesting conversations, teaching topics felt more like sharing thoughts, ideas, and knowledge than a one way learning situation. This was definitely adult style learning at its best. I cannot recommend Chac-Mool enough!!
 -Jeanne, Nurse Practitioner

I had such a wonderful time in Tulum, and the classes with Nelly and Mauricio were so valuable.
 -Mary, Medical Student

Very good school with amazing teachers. Although on my spring break [in Tulum] it was a good balance of learning and practice. The immersion technique is the best I've used and my confidence and skill have definitely improved."
 -Zak, College Student

The school was really beautiful and pleasant and what a nice setting to learn!
 -Terri, Air National Guard

Thank you thank you thank you Nelly is wonderful. I learned so much today!!! Thank you again for the quick sign up.!
 -Liz, traveling in Tulum

I had nice lessons in Chac-Mool in January and February. I like your school, teachers and students. And I like my host mother, Maria, too. She was very kind and good cooking.
 -Kazuko, in Cuernavaca from Japan

We both thoroughly enjoyed the school, the teachers and the place. It was great having the classes in those palapas. It was always cool even though the temperatures were in the mid 80s every day.
 -Anita, Retired

Tell Julio that I really enjoyed his and Juliana's classes in Tulum. I'll probably go again for 2 weeks in early Jan. 2013.
 -George, student at both Tulum and Cuernavaca schools

Your school is one of the most well-organized language programs I have seen. I wish you all the best in continuing such an amazing program.
 -Susan, Professor

When I arrived at Chac-Mool I was sure it would be another failed attempt at learning Spanish. Instead, I had the most wonderful experience of being able to communicate in another language for the first time!! It has been great- everyone at the school was kind and helpful, especially my maestros. I cannot wait to come back and learn more.
 -Malia, Student of Public Health, Ph.D.

(re: arriving from Mexico City) directions were very clear and helpful. Pullman Morelos bus was amazing, TV, snacks, chatting with people. Taxi very easy also. School was great, immersion policy very helpful. Teacher Veronica and Giovanni very patient, my placement seemed just right.
 -Jackie, retired

We want to tell how pleased we were with your school at the new location in Tulum. We traveled to Yucatan Peninsula at the beginning of February with our 9 year old granddaughter, Jasmine. The objective was twofold: to give Jasmine an appreciation of that region of Mexico and to give her some training in the Spanish language.

We were fortunate to find your Tulum school and enrolled Jasmine as a beginner for a week, a couple of hours a day, one on one. Jasmine seemed to thrive in the outdoor classroom with her teacher, Alejandra. We enrolled her for a second week with three hours of class a day, and then a third and then a fourth week, postponing our planned tour of the Yucatan Peninsula. After 55 hours of class, Jasmine's comprehension of the language leaped from nearly zero to useful as we moved about Tulum and she was timidly speaking the language as her confidence grew.

Important also, for both of our objectives, were afternoon activities with other students and teachers, cooking and crafts being the most enjoyable, as well as excursions on the weekends to snorkel, both at cenotes near Tulum and to the beach at Akumal to swim with turtles and to the lagoons just north of there (we grandparents joined in the activities and excursions as well).

Alejandra was fantastic in gaining Jasmine's friendship and trust and Nelly and Mauricio and their boys are terrific people and the parents are talented teachers.

We have Jasmine's Chac Mool Spanish language workbook with us and plan to continue lessons here. I hope we can visit Tulum and your school soon to repeat our very, very positive experience.
  -Eric and Roberta, Grandparents

I was never disappointed once in the people at Chac-Mool, and all my expectations were exceeded. I especially liked the teacher to student ratio, for more opportunities to interact more intimately with the learning material and other students. It was a really good environment and the teachers were filled with intellectual and charismatic demeanors. I have changed as a person (for the better) due to my experiences here, and I have learned that my opinions do not go unheard. So thank you Chac-Mool, for being everything I hoped you would be.
 -Raina, student

Chac-Mool far exceeded my expectations. Everyone was extremely helpful and very friendly. I felt valued and welcome the entire time. The personal attention within the small groups was the key to success- plenty of opportunity for conversation and individual support. Though the grounds are not essential to learning, the cleanliness and beauty created a luxurious atmosphere that supported a feeling of security and happiness. My only regret was that I only had two weeks!
 -Sumner, Teacher

Chac-Mool provided a tranquil and comforting environment for my language aquisition journey. As I struggled to learn Spanish with my head throbbing and my ego shrinking, I was supported through the process by the kind and patient teachers who helped me with their humor and excellent instruction.
 -Sherry

Learning a new language requires feeling success, being supported enough to make mistakes, and knowing that those who are teaching you respect you and want you to learn. That is exactly what Chac-Mool provides.
 -Elizabeth, Teacher

I totally enjoyed my experience here in Cuernavaca with Chac-Mool. The family I stayed with was everything you could hope for. They were conscientious, gracious, helpful, interactive, accepting, and welcoming. The food was excellent! The school placed me in a level I desperately needed to work on. The subject material/matter was an answer to my needs in understanding my usage of Spanish. I totally enjoyed meeting the staff, family and students at Chac-Mool.
 -Joanne, Computer Consultant

Thank you for all your help in getting me prepared for my two weeks at Chac-Mool. They were absolutely wonderful. I came away with so much Spanish, and the confidence to use it, not to mention the great cultural tours, fabulous people. I could go on. I'm a little sad to be back to my regular life. How uneventful by comparison!
 -Shelby, Teacher & Director

Because of your love and extreme dedication to your work in helping others understand Spanish, we have been able to take the next step in our journey of reaching out the "hurting" in Cuernavaca! God bless you for helping us so diligently! Chac-Mool is the BEST in our eyes!!!
 -Paul and Sharita, Missionaries

I just wanted to say that the website you created for Chac-Mool is fantastic. It was so chock full of information that when I went, there were no surprises - I knew exactly what to expect. Your website is the main reason we chose Chac-Mool and I stated that in my evaluation. I had a fantastic time! It was the most different kind of vacation I have ever had.
 -Betty, Software Engineer

We (reluctantly) returned from Mexico yesterday ending our two week session at Instituto Chac-Mool. It was even better than we had hoped for! The classes were extremely practical, the teachers inspirational, and the team that Julio and Deana have put together there is a model of efficiency! Our Mexican family kept the program going, speaking only in Spanish, and inspiring us to improve day by day. And we couldn't have gotten along any better either! And it all began with your support! I'm sure Instituto Chac-Mool has not seen the last of us!
 -Charles, Special Education Teacher

I have just returned from Chac-Mool and my experience with both the school and the homestay was fabulous! Thank you for your help with all of our questions/concerns. I have a feeling I will be going to Cuernavaca again soon.
 -Betty, professional

This trip filled in many Spanish gaps for me. Though it was difficult to communicate at first, the teachers and family helped me to better my communication ability.
 -Joe, Student (Spanish for Law Enforcement Personnel)

At first I was a little nervous about coming here and not knowing anyone, but immediately I met people, and also I met friends. The school is gorgeous. I don't even feel like I'm here to learn but I did and a lot! Thanks to the teachers who made it possible. But I would have not learned as much as I did if it weren't for mi familia. I didn't know how much it would really help to be totally immersed in the culture. The excursions we went on were great – so much was gained, so much was learned.
 -Samantha, student

Instituto Chac-Mool turned out to be far more than I could have possibly expected. It offers just the right combination of quality, flexibility and value. My only regret is that I have to go home.
 -Ben

I was very pleased with my experience at Chac-Mool. I feel I have been given the basic information to be able to communicate with the patient population I work with. If I return I would continue with the medical course with the idea of obtaining more cultural aspects of the population and perhaps more observation of patient care/practice in Mexico.
 -Linda, medical professional (Medical Spanish)

My experience with Chac-Mool was a good one. I felt the instructors were well versed in their material and I liked the program very much.
 -Eva, volunteer

Just a short note to say one GRANDE MUCHO GRACIAS! I had a great time and it was an awesome experience! The school and host family were perfect!
 -Curtis, Social Science Teacher

This was one of the nicest travel experiences I've had to date. My family was wonderful, my teachers were first rate. It could not have been better.
 -Carol, Teacher

I have enjoyed my experience at Chac-Mool. While I believe that immersion is inherently frustrating at times, I am extremely happy with the results. In three weeks I have gone from zero Spanish to being comfortable speaking and hearing Spanish all day. I am impressed by your program.
 -Eric, professional

Very pleasurable & helpful. Staying with my family was at least half of the value of a very valuable program.
 -Pat, medical professional

My family was fantastic, I don't think I would have learned near as much about both the language and the Mexican culture without their help.
 -Will, Physician (Medical Spanish Course)

Instructors at the school were always prepared and very good about answering questions and explaining ideas. The class size was very helpful in my learning more. Without the efficiency of the administrative staff, my stay would not have been possible.
 -Joni, Police Officer

All in all, I feel like I couldn't have done better had I hand picked my own teacher and homestay family. It was truly an excellent and lifelong memorable experience. I wish all Canadians could get the REAL Mexican cultural experience as I know many have formed opinions based on a one or two week beach holiday at a tourist resort. Hardly in the same ballpark.
 -Vicki, Executive Assistant

I think it is awesome that Chac-Mool provides such a supportive environment. Chac-Mool takes a multifaceted approach to teaching, they support the spirit along with the mind!
 -Janelle, Student

I think after 2 weeks my confidence and level of ability is massively improved - plus the experience of living with a Mexican family has been fantastic. Especially the food.
 -Ian, IT Consultant

From my first contact with the folks at Institito Chac-Mool over the Internet, I knew that I had made the right choice in selecting a Spanish language program in Cuernavaca. The staff went out of their way to welcome me to Mexico and to make even my short stay educational, enjoyable and hassle-free. The teachers were friendly and enthusiastic and seemed to really like teaching the classes and getting to know the students. My Spanish ability improved dramatically with only 1-week of classes and I intend to make Institito Chac-Mool an annual trip. Thanks Chac-Mool.
 -Randy, professional with interest in politics

It was very wonderful. I owe the success of the trip to my host family. They made me feel very comfortable, wanted, and cared for me during my stay in Mexico. The instructors were very friendly and super helpful. They held a solid pace in class & created a great learning environment.
 -Kellie, student

Great school with very personal & outstanding staff willing to teach you the aspect of Spanish you are interested in. Excellent conversational practice and the school grounds are clean and well maintained.
 -Pyra, M.D. (Medical Spanish)

I arrived at Chac-Mool not knowing what to expect. I thought that I would improve my Spanish and nothing more. But with fellow bicultural students and outstanding instructors I found myself immersed in the rich literature and history which has to Mexico offers. In short, I experience a personal cultural renascence.
Miguel, a fellow student, assisted me in interpreting the nuances of a novel titled, "La Frontera". The author is a Chicana, (Mexican American woman) what I learned was that being bilingual has and will have important leadership advantages for the upcoming millennium. While attending the program I noticed that many other students were experiencing this same cultural rebirth. Seeing this filled me with a sense of hope for all peoples. I return to San Francisco with a new and enduring sense of self and for this I have nothing left to say but the words, thank you.
 -Ramón, Teacher

Although I was nervous on arrival, that was quickly replaced by a sense of excitement and curiosity. My family was great, better than I could have hoped for. They created a home-away-from-home environment which was a great supplement to the more structured learning at the school.
The city of Cuernavaca is an awesome place to get to know! Everywhere I went there was something to see, or something to do!!! Being out in the city and talking to people was a great way to put the school work into practical use, and I was able to remember alot more than I ever could in high school classes.
 -Rachael, Student

This has been a wonderful experience for our whole family. My husband and I greatly improved our ability to listen and speak Spanish. My kids have learned an incredible amount of Spanish and enjoyed learning the culture and playing with the sweet children they met. Our 'family' was just that, they worried for us constantly and were gracious as well as hospitable. The teachers were very knowledgeable and personally interested in our progress. This has been the trip of a lifetime.
 -Debbi and family

General Information

about us | peer spanish courses | professional spanish | service learning | excursions | housing | college credit | student references | contact us | register for classes | home | mobile website

Spanish School for children at sammye.com

Cuernavaca Spanish School

school | cuernavaca | getting here | senior program | FAQ | rates

Tulum Spanish School

school | tulum | hotels & rentals | getting here | FAQ | rates