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Volunteer & Study

Maximo Nivel - Cusco
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Course description

This course combines volunteering with Spanish group classes. Volunteers usually work 3-4 hours per day in the morning and take 2 hours of Spanish in the afternoon. Participants can choose the type of project among the following:

- Working with kids
- Teaching English
- Medical/Healthcare
- Construction
- Animal Care

No Spanish knowledge is required to participate. Accommodation in a host family with a shared room and 2 meals/day (breakfast and dinner) is included in the program fee.
This program is designed for Spanish learners looking for an intensive language-learning opportunity and cultural immersion while working in a developing country and giving back to the global community. Throughout your language training, the teacher will continuously assess your ability in the four language skills – Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing; and the four language systems – Grammar, Vocabulary, Phonology, and Function. Textbooks and materials are all included in course prices, and all of the teachers are experienced native Spanish instructors – either certified in teaching Spanish as a foreign language or with their Bachelors and/or Masters in Education. We also have a free Tandem Conversation Program offering free conversation practice with local English students to supplement your regular classes.

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities

Class schedule

Course duration
1-52 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday
Classes per week
30 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 55 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday
School holidays
25 Dec 2024, 31 Dec 2024 - 01 Jan 2025, 25 Dec 2025, 01 Jan 2026

Maximo Nivel - Cusco does not hold classes on the holiday dates above. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Class times

You can choose from the following class times:

Morning session
09:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Afternoon session
02:00 PM - 06:00 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level.

Class size

Average 4 students
Maximum 8 students

Student age

Age range 16 years old and older
Average 26 years old
(23 in the summer)

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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school

School description

Máximo Nivel offers a beautiful home base facility for studying Spanish in Cusco. Our comfortable, modern building was designed with the needs of students and teachers alike in mind, with numerous classrooms and accessible services. A snack bar with free coffee and tea is situated in a large cafe area that encourages mingling and language practice. We host a large English program for local Peruvians as well, creating a true intercultural center, and the computer labs and free weekly salsa lessons help you keep in touch and learn about the country.

Our package includes:

- Airport pick-up
- Orientation, project management, and 24/7 support
- Walking tour
- Official certificate of Spanish / Volunteer service / Internship work / TEFL Certification
- Letter of recommendation
- Free Spanish textbook and materials
- Free Spanish language tutoring table
- Free Tandem Conversation Program
- Free access to high-speed Internet and computers
- Office-wide WiFi access
- Free Salsa dance classes
- Free cooking classes
- Free coffee and tea
- On site snack bar
- Monthly international party
- Institute open 7 days/week
- Emergency contact number 24/7
- A toll-free emergency hot line in the U.S.

Year opened
2003
Number of classrooms
20

Accreditations

Facilities

  • Social Activities
  • Cultural Trips
  • TOEFL Test Center
  • Eating Area
  • Free Internet
  • Wireless Internet
  • Computers
  • Studying Area

Teacher qualifications

Native Spanish speakers
All
Teachers with Spanish teaching certification
All
Teachers with college degrees
All

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at Maximo Nivel - Cusco varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 26. In the summer, the average age is 23.

teaches students from all over the world, including:

USA
50%
Germany
10%
Canada
5%
Switzerland
5%
UK
5%
Other
25%

School holidays

does not hold classes on the holiday dates below. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Open dates
Year round
School holidays
25 Dec 2024, 31 Dec 2024 - 01 Jan 2025, 25 Dec 2025, 01 Jan 2026

School location

Máximo Nivel is located in the heart of Cusco, a short walk from the famous Plaza de Armas and in the midst of the historic ruins, wonderful artisan markets and delicious restaurants the city offers.

Take a video tour

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photos

Photos

  • City of Cusco 1/21
  • 1-on-1 classes at Maximo Nivel - Cusco 2/21
  • Classroom at Maximo Nivel - Cusco 3/21
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  • Maximo Nivel - Cusco 20/21
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reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

based on 1 review
5 stars
1
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"True Immersive Experience - Loved it!"

Martha

I can't say enough about how much I liked my experience in Cusco. I spent 3 weeks taking group classes and stayed with a local host family. I loved the style of the classes, the teachers were very engaging and focused on having the students talk and practice what we were learning. The school is very close to all the action in plaza de armas and there are many restaurants to try out nearby, the food in Cusco is AMAZING! At the host family I was able to try some of the traditional foods as well, my favorite was sopa minuto. It was great getting to practice what I was learning in the classroom at dinner time with the family (they didn't speak any English!), I was only there for a few weeks but I felt that the family really cared about me! The school offers salsa classes and cooking classes for free, and I really enjoyed doing the Spanish conversation program. I was able to make some local friends through the conversation program who then took me out on the weekend to Sacred Valley. Overall, it was an amazing experience and I can't wait to be back!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
2 weeks
Date of study
7 Oct 2019 - 25 Oct 2019
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
housing

Housing

Maximo Nivel - Cusco offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - 2/4-person shared room - Breakfast and dinner

Included
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Cusco
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: 3-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Wireless internet
Distance to school: 1 - 20 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
Included
Family-stays are all with pre-approved families and include breakfast and dinner Monday through Sunday. All of our host families are middle-class and live in homes and areas that are attractive. Most family-stays include a shared room and shared bath. Many of the families have been hosting international travelers for years. Guests are given a key to the house and are free to come and go as they please, but they must respect the routine and rules of the family.

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner

£ 41
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Cusco
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Wireless internet
Distance to school: 1 - 20 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 41
Family-stays are all with pre-approved families and include breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday through Sunday. All of our host families are middle-class and live in homes and areas that are attractive. Most family-stays include a shared room and shared bath. Many of the families have been hosting international travelers for years. Guests are given a key to the house and are free to come and go as they please, but they must respect the routine and rules of the family.
student-residence

Student residence (off-campus) - 2/4-person shared room - Breakfast and dinner

£ 41
weekly
Age range: 18 - 26 years old
Location: In the city center of Cusco
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: 3-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Wireless internet
Distance to school: 5 - 25 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 41
Student residences are similar to a family-stay, as they are still houses managed by a family living in the residence, in charge of catering the meals daily. however, they are larger and offer accommodations with a larger group of participants from 10 to 40 people between the ages of 18 to 26 years old, to create a "university dormitory" style experience. Families are less involved with the students who stay in these big houses. Both private and shared rooms are available as are private and shared bathrooms. Student residences include breakfast and dinner 7 days/week. Guests are given a key to the residence and are free to come and go as they please, but they must respect the routine and rules of the residence.

Student residence (off-campus) - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner

£ 62
weekly
Age range: 18 - 26 years old
Location: In the city center of Cusco
Housing type: Student residence (off-campus)
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Wireless internet
Distance to school: 5 - 25 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 62
Student residences are similar to a family-stay, as they are still houses managed by a family living in the residence, in charge of catering the meals daily. however, they are larger and offer accommodations with a larger group of participants from 10 to 40 people between the ages of 18 to 26 years old, to create a "university dormitory" style experience. Families are less involved with the students who stay in these big houses. Both private and shared rooms are available as are private and shared bathrooms. Student residences include breakfast and dinner 7 days/week. Guests are given a key to the residence and are free to come and go as they please, but they must respect the routine and rules of the residence.
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

Your letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you.

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Cusco based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Maximo Nivel - Cusco staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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