View all Spanish schools in Guadalajara »

Vancouver Language Centre

Bernardo de Balbuena No. 60 Col. Ladrón de Guevara 44600, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44600, Mexico
Map
Q&A
courses

All courses

school

School description

VLC is more than a language school. It is a unique learning community, where students and teachers alike are challenged to constantly improve.

Various Programs
Our success lies in diversity. Unlike ordinary language schools, we offer highly effective programs for students who are learning Spanish, as well as English. We also have a strong TEFL / TESL (Teaching English as a Foreign / Second Language) program.

High Standards
VLC is the only school in Guadalajara which exclusively employs qualified native English speaking teachers for our English and TEFL Certificate Programs. Similarly, we only hire qualified native Spanish speaking teachers for our Spanish program.

Foreign Spanish students mingle with local Spanish-speaking English students. Our English teachers learn Spanish and TEFL students acquire practical experience within the school. Our teachers and student teachers experience language learning first-hand as they improve their own Spanish skills. This symbiotic relationship with our students and staff offers a fertile language learning environment.

Spanish Language Programs in Mexico
Our Spanish language courses have been carefully developed to improve your Spanish language skills quickly and efficiently. Our sophisticated curriculum ensures that you learn what you need, when you need it, without missing or repeating material.

TEFL / TESL Program in Mexico
(Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
Our TEFL Certificate Program offers everything you need to get started teaching English effectively. The courses are taught by seasoned professionals who have a wealth of information to share with you. Our in-house practicum assignments ensure that the transition from theory to teaching is educational and stress-free.

English Language Programs in Mexico
Our English language courses were originally developed at our school in Vancouver, Canada, where we have over 10 years of experience training more than 20,000 English learners. Our English language programs are distinguished by their sophisticated level system, internally developed textbooks, and carefully designed grammar and communications curricula.

In all of our programs, our goal is to provide students with the best possible learning environment. Students speak only the language they are learning, whether they are in the classroom or enjoying leisure time. Our Spanish, English and TEFL classes are intimate, with only 2 to 10 students.

Year opened
1997
Number of classrooms
18

Facilities

  • Social Activities
  • Cultural Trips
  • Wheelchair access
  • Eating Area
  • Free Internet
  • Wireless Internet
  • Studying Area

Teacher qualifications

Native Spanish speakers
Over 50%
Teachers with Spanish teaching certification
All
Teachers with college degrees
Over 50%

University partners

VLC Idiomas has partnerships with the following universities and colleges in Mexico. You can gain full or conditional acceptance into one of these institutions.

Universidad de Guadalajara

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at Vancouver Language Centre varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 25. In the summer, the average age is 20.

VLC Idiomas teaches students from all over the world, including:

Mexico
50%
USA
15%
Canada
10%
Brazil
5%
Ethiopia
5%
Japan
5%
Other
10%

School holidays

VLC Idiomas 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
None

School location

Vancouver Language Centre/Guadalajara is in a quieter part of Guadalajara, yet is only 15 minutes by bus from the central cathedral. VLCs modern, two-story school has 20 bright classrooms; a shady, green central garden, a sociable cafeteria, Internet-connected computers for your use and a wireless network for your laptop.

VLC/Guadalajara was founded in 1997. VLC has 300?400 students a month in English courses and its bilingual primary school has about 100 youngsters. We also offer Japanese, French and Spanish courses. We have an administrative staff of about 12 people, about half of whom speak fluent English.

Take a video tour

Read more...
photos

Photos

  • Teachers and Staff at Vancouver Language Centre 1/10
  • Students of Vancouver Language Centre 2/10
  • Students of Vancouver Language Centre 3/10
  • Activities offered at Vancouver Language Centre 4/10
  • Common room at Vancouver Language Centre 5/10
  • Teachers and Staff at Vancouver Language Centre 6/10
  • Activities offered at Vancouver Language Centre 7/10
  • Classroom at Vancouver Language Centre 8/10
  • Classroom at Vancouver Language Centre 9/10
  • Classroom at Vancouver Language Centre 10/10
housing

Housing

VLC Idiomas offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

N/A
weekly
Age range: 16 - 60 years old
Location: In the city center of Guadalajara
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (21 meals per week)
Facilities: Free internet, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 10 - 35 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
N/A
Homestays in Guadalajara

Experience Mexican culture while studying Spanish, English or TEFL language programs at Vancouver Language Centre! A VLC homestay offers you a unique chance to become immersed in Mexican culture and the Spanish language while you study in Guadalajara.

A few tips:

(1) For an enjoyable homestay experience in Mexico, be prepared to:
-Spend time with your hosts and participate in the daily family routine.
-Adapt to your new lifestyle in Mexico and join in the activities at home.
-Speak the Spanish language whenever possible.

(2) During your stay, be polite and considerate to your homestay family:
-Tell your hosts if you will not be home for meals.
-Call if you will be home late.
-Discuss weekend or vacation plans in advance.
-Ask your hosts before you invite friends to their home.
-Offer to help with preparations if your friends stay for a meal.

(3) You are responsible for the costs of:
-All transportation.
-Personal telephone calls. You should purchase an international telephone card or a cell plan.
-Your hosts are not required to provide transportation or entertainment. If they do invite you out somewhere, offer to contribute towards the cost of the excursion.

(4) Keep your room neat and clean:
-Offer to help with some household chores.
-Make your bed in the morning.
-Wash your own clothes.

(5) Please tell the Homestay Coordinator about:
-Any problems with your homestay. We are here to help you have an enjoyable visit.
-Any medical or insurance issues.

(6) During your stay at Vancouver Language Centre, its staff and your hosts are authorized to arrange for any emergency treatment or hospitalization.

MEALS
You may find the schedule and diet in Mexico very different from what you are used to. Most people in Mexico eat the following three meals each day:

Desayuno-Breakfast: This meal is normally served between 7:00 A.M. and 8:30 A.M. For many families, breakfast is quick and casual. Coffee, cereal, quesadillas, chilaquiles and tamales are often found on Mexican breakfast tables.

Comida-Lunch: Most Mexicans have lunch between 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. Lunch is traditionally the big meal of the day. On school days, you may take a "bagged lunch" to school with you. Many students like to prepare their own lunches. If you wish to do this, suggest it to your host parents. They will appreciate your help.

Cena-Dinner: This is usually a light, late meal in Mexico, around 8:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.
Mexican food is sometimes quite spicy and optional hot sauces made with different chilis are a standard. If you prefer mild food, dislike or are allergic to certain foods, please specify it on your application.

Your hosts want you to enjoy your meals. You should tell your host if you are hungry. If you do not accept something to eat or drink the first time it is offered, they will probably assume you do not want anything. They will not know your preferences unless you tell them. If you feel uncomfortable discussing this with your hosts, mention it to a member of the Vancouver Language Centre staff. We will find a tactful way to bring it to the attention of your host family.

GIFTS
Many host families offer gifts to their guests. You might want to bring some souvenirs from your country for your hosts, too.

HOUSE RULES
You should ask your host family about their specific house rules at the beginning of your visit. You will feel more comfortable.

Remember that you are here to have fun and wonderful experiences!
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. If you wish to receive your paperwork by express mail, you will be charged $100 when you register.

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 Guadalajara 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 »

Read more...
map

Map

Bernardo de Balbuena No. 60 Col. Ladrón de Guevara 44600
Guadalajara
Jalisco 44600
Mexico

School location

Vancouver Language Centre/Guadalajara is in a quieter part of Guadalajara, yet is only 15 minutes by bus from the central cathedral. VLCs modern, two-story school has 20 bright classrooms; a shady, green central garden, a sociable cafeteria, Internet-connected computers for your use and a wireless network for your laptop.

VLC/Guadalajara was founded in 1997. VLC has 300?400 students a month in English courses and its bilingual primary school has about 100 youngsters. We also offer Japanese, French and Spanish courses. We have an administrative staff of about 12 people, about half of whom speak fluent English.

questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Vancouver Language Centre staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

Ask a question
Show prices