Guatemala offers one of the best Spanish immersion programs in Central America. We offer Spanish classes for beginners through advanced students, online Spanish classes, and homestay with a Guatemalan family.

Study Abroad: Learn Spanish in Guatemala

The best way to learn the Spanish language is to study abroad in an immersion environment. Celas Maya provides one-on-one Spanish instruction with an experienced native speaker. You can also continue your Spanish lessons over the internet. We also offer Quiche' (K'iche') classes.

Volunteer Opportunities

Celas Maya works with many organizations in Quetzaltenango and throughout the region dedicated to activities that improve the lives of Guatemalans.

Besides studying Spanish, volunteering is one of the biggest reasons travellers have for coming to Quetzaltenango (commonly known by its Mayan name, Xela.)

At Celas Maya it is possible to combine Spanish classes with volunteer work without losing any study time. To gain even more experience with the culture and the Spanish language it is possible to live with a Guatemalan family. The combination of Spanish classes, volunteer work and living with a host family is the best opportunity to immerse yourselves not only in Spanish language but also in cultural experiences that will enrich your understanding of the environment.

There are literally dozens, maybe even a hundred or so, organizations that are always looking for volunteers. Everyone who is interested in doing volunteer will find an organization that fits their interests in social, cultural and political projects. Every organization is more than happy to welcome you but most of them require a level of Spanish (basic, intermediate or advanced) and an available time (morning/afternoon, days/weeks/months). Our volunteer coordinator has knowledge of the organizations and can advice the student to find the best possible volunteer placement.

Celas Maya offers a broad and various program counting numerous volunteer organizations. As a volunteer you can work with children, women, youth, education, health, human rights, construction, animals, small business support and eco tourism. Often projects offer a combination of these themes.

For a quick overview of some organizations we work with, click here.

Study Spanish & Volunteer

- Students at Celas Maya (in Xela or online) can use the volunteer advice an extra and free service.

- Groups, universities, agencies etc. Contact Celas Maya for more information about the prices and the opportunities.

- Individuals who are interested in only doing volunteer work without having classes, and want to experience the Guatemalan culture to live with a family, are also welcome at Celas Maya.

The host family offers a private room, 3 meals a day (Monday through Saturday), purified water at meal times and hot showers. more info

For volunteers who don´t have language classes at Celas Maya, they can stay in the host family for only $ 65 / week.

For volunteers who also have classes at Celas Maya, the weekly price of the home stay is
$ 45.

Perhaps your time in Xela is short, or you feel that you do not have any particular skills to give to an organization. There are many other ways in which to participate in our community. We have been working many years with foreign guests and understand their desire to help in some way as they become awakened to the many challenges here. For this reason, Celas Maya offers weekly conferences as well as discussions and excursions to social projects in and around Xela.

Through this introduction to projects and organizations, students will be able to see how they can appropriately and responsibly assist with time, money or other support.

Our teachers and staff are all committed to working at a successful and socially responsible organization. Throughout each week we will announce benefits and other activities happening around Xela in which students may have an interest in participating. We also keep a bulletin board with volunteer work, benefits, other requests for assistance, and information on how to stay involved in Guatemalan issues even after you have returned home. And please don't forget
that just by attending Celas Maya you are directly supporting our scholarship program for rural Maya youth.

Celas Maya works with many organizations in Quetzaltenango and
throughout the region dedicated to activities that improve the lives
of Guatemalans.