Figures released by Buenos Aires authorities show that the city expects the number of visitors arriving on cruise trips to increase by 21 per cent in the 2011/2012 season. It has also been reported that they expect a total of 400,000 visitors and 158 ships to dock at the city’s port.

Rooksana Hossenally from Easyvoyage commented: “Buenos Aires is an incredibly beautiful and varied destination and with hundreds of things to see and do; it is no surprise that the city will be popular this winter. It has excellent beaches, which rival those found on a holiday to Jamaica, allowing visitors to split their time between the seaside and the many cultural attractions on offer.”

Visitors arriving on cheap flights to Buenos Aires are also well placed to explore the rest of Argentina and the many treasures that the country has to offer. Easyvoyage fully expects other trips to the region to be similarly popular, with tourists looking for sun during the winter.

Rooksana Hossenally continued: “The capital is a thriving city, full of possibilities. The atmosphere is unique and allows visitors to taste the flavour of Latin America as well as opening travellers’ eyes to the unique history of the region. Anyone willing to explore Argentina and Buenos Aires will find a truly amazing country, full of fine food, wine and amazing spirit. This allure makes Buenos Aires one of the most fascinating destinations in the world.”

About the group Easyvoyage:

Launched in January 2001 by Jean-Pierre Nadir, Easyvoyage.com is the first editorial portal devoted to travel with trade intermediation. Easyvoyage presents an original approach combining four dimensions in one site: high-quality editorial content (a team of nearly 100 people, with 25 journalists who work non-stop seven days a week), comparison of market offers (flights, tours, holidays and hotels), classification of hotels (over 6,000 hotels qualified) and community approach (forum and product grading by the clients).

To fulfil this all-inclusive approach to the market, Easyvoyage has specifically dedicated micro-sites for each topic developed on the portal: easyvols.fr, forum.easyvoyage.com and reserver1hotel.fr. Easyvoyage receives an average of 100,000 visitors a day, amounting to more than 6 million a month, with 10 million pages viewed, and at the end of 2007 it acquired all the sites developed by the company CNI: Alibabuy.com, Prixdesvoyages.com, Prixdesvols.com and Hoymevoy.com.

Today, 10% of French Internet surfers use Easyvoyage to prepare their trip (holidays and tours). In 2009, Easyvoyage generated a volume of sales in excess of 450 million euros with all the trading partners on the site. In June 2007 the site was set up in Spain with Easyviajar.com, in March 2008 in Italy with Easyviaggio.com, In December 2008 in England with Easyvoyage.co.uk and on 25 November 2009 in Germany with Easyvoyage.de.
____________________________________________________
SOURCE:
“Easyvoyage: Buenos Aires Expected to be a Top Winter Destination”
By Easyvoyage
Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011
http://www.sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/29/4085976/easyvoyage-buenos-aires-expected.html

EC, the Malta-based international English language tuition chain, has acquired a 50 per cent stake in Expanish, a fledgling Spanish teaching institution in Buenos Aires, Argentina, EC executive chairman Andrew Mangion told The Sunday Times.

After having successfully internationalised to the UK, US, and South Africa, EC will now apply its experience and knowledge to support the growth of the Expanish brand to other parts of Latin America. Mr Mangion is confident Expanish has the potential to develop its business ten-fold over the next few years to reach sales of $10 million.

Established in 2006 by young Argentine entrepreneurs Agustin Vignale and Alejandro Rched, Expanish has carved a name for itself by providing a range of high quality total immersion Spanish programmes in Buenos Aires and other Spanish-speaking destinations.

Mr Vignale and Mr Rched approached EC a year ago in their search for strategic investors to support their bid for international expansion. They travelled to Malta, the first destination on a carefully planned European roadshow, to meet EC’s management team.

Within 48 hours they left the island with an offer. With due diligence procedures finalised and agreements signed, EC and Expanish have now got down to business.

“We have just signed a lease for an attractive six-storey building in central Buenos Aires to expand the existing school,” Mr Mangion explained. “We will then continue to extend the Expanish brand’s presence by establishing schools in other parts of Latin America. EC is also to expose Expanish to its considerable agent network to widen its client portfolio.”

Meanwhile, EC is gearing up to open its centre in San Francisco later this month, its fourth operation in the US, in the wake of a strong wave of growth at the centres in Boston, San Diego and New York.

Occupying the entire 18th floor of a recently refurbished landmark 1930s building at 100 Montgomery Street, EC San Francisco is set in the heart of the business district, just off Market Street, the main thoroughfare. The school will house 16 classrooms accommodating 220 students and ancillary facilities, and a staff complement of 22.

EC – now employing over 700 full-time and part-time staff of 22 nationalities across its operation – will vie for business against global English as a foreign language (EFL) brands. Mr Mangion said EC’s excellent reputation for high standards, its top 10 worldwide ranking, and experience in other major US cities will serve it in good stead at its newest destination.

EC San Francisco will be officially inaugurated in September. Now operating nine centres in three continents, EC is to continue to focus its growth strategy on the UK and US, the world’s first and second largest EFL markets, over the next two years, Mr Mangion confirmed.

The weak sterling added to the UK’s attractiveness over the past few months, and despite being faced with a few challenges, particularly a potential visa review depending on the outcome of the election next Thursday, EC’s forecasts for 2010 for its centres in London, Cambridge and Brighton are promising.

EC’s British operation has outgrown its Maltese arm, but Mr Mangion maintains Malta is an essential market for the group, since the island is strategically located for European travellers looking for malta holidays or study abroad programs

Mr Mangion, who chaired the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations (Malta) for two years and spearheaded the implementation of several measures to raise standards in the local industry, is sure official statistics for 2009 will show a 20 per cent decline over 2008.

“The market will almost certainly also see a revenue drop of 20 per cent,” he said. “Even if student weeks did not fall by the full 20 per cent, the average rate per student week decreased significantly as centres slashed their rates to try to attract business.

“We started 2010 with numbers down on last year, but they seem to be picking up and we are seeing a comeback for the all-important third quarter and the fourth.

“I would be very pleased if the Maltese industry managed to end the year at least on a par with last year or at least

slightly up. I hope there will be further recovery in 2011.”

The investment in EC Malta continues nevertheless. Over €400,000 has recently been channelled into the refurbishment of the school for adults in St Julian’s.

EC has also taken over nearby premises previously occupied by the Bell school, which closed last year. Following extensive redecoration, EC has now relocated some tuition facilities from another centre to the corner property.
_________________________
SOURCE:
“EC acquires 50 per cent stake in Argentine Spanish centre”
Sunday, May 2, 2010
by Joanna Ripard
http://www.timesofmalta.com
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100502/business/ec-acquires-50-per-cent-stake-in-argentine-spanish-centre.305476

Many students know that investing in a study abroad program is no joke. It takes a significant amount of time and money in order to complete. AmeriSpan’s promotion is offering participants to maximize their investment by offering an extra 1-2 weeks free of charge. Lodging at host families or apartments is also provided free of charge for any extra weeks accrued. The requirements to receive the special offer require applicants to enroll no later than July 31, 2011, use the discount code of “Get Free Weeks” when registering for a program that starts after August 1, 2011 and finishes before the end of 2011.

“We chose to offer this special because these countries are very popular destinations, including our #1 program, Learn Spanish in Barcelona. Moreover, we believe that language students learn more by staying in a Spanish immersion program for more weeks rather than less weeks and more hours,” explained John Slocum, AmeriSpan’s co-founder.

Spain, Argentina and Guatemala are three countries that are famous for Spanish language immersion programs as well as a range of special activities that attract many traveling students. The Spanish language schools that are covered by the new promotion are located in Buenos Aires and Cordoba in Argentina, Antigua in Guatemala, and Alicante, Granada, Sevilla and Valencia in Spain. Argentina, home of the Tango, features sites of interest such as the Iguazu Falls, the Andean Lake District and Patagonia. Students taking up programs in Guatemala may visit the remains of the ancient city of Tikal, explore the great lakeside setting courtesy of Lake Atitlan, and go for a bargain-priced shopping spree at Chichicastenago. The entirety of Spain is home to many sites and interesting activities, which would range from great beaches in Alicante to discovering the essence of Flamenco in Granada.

Founded in 1993, AmeriSpan Study Abroad offers more than 100 study abroad, language-learning and volunteer programs worldwide for participants of all ages and language level. The Philadelphia-based organization has long been an innovator in the study abroad field, building its reputation by offering high quality, low cost language immersion programs. In 2011, the company was named a finalist for the “Innovators in Social Media” award sponsored by GoAbroad.com. In May 2011, the company was named a finalist for the Star Award as Best Agency in North America for the fourth consecutive year. The industry’s prestigious Star Award is voted by organizations worldwide and awarded annually. AmeriSpan has received the award the past two years.
__________________________________
SOURCE:
“Learn Spanish Program Announces Discount for Studying Abroad”
by Robert Tidwell on Jul 21, 2011
http://www.newsjunkyjournal.com/
http://www.newsjunkyjournal.com/learn-spanish-program-announces-discount-for-studying-abroad/2513164/

International award-winning educational provider, AmeriSpan Study Abroad, has added a budget-friendly Spanish school in Buenos Aires, Argentina targeted at students who would like to learn Spanish in Argentina. Increasing the number of budget-friendly schools is part of the organization’s Study Abroad Push It Forward initiative with the goal of making it easier for people to study, travel and work abroad. Other parts of the initiative include student-friendly prices on college study abroad programs, scholarship grants, and an innovative fundraising program.

AmeriSpan Vice-President, Beth Lieberman explains, “Budget-friendly does not mean lower quality. We never sacrifice program quality. These programs are simply not our first choice if everything else was equal. These schools may have a few more students in a class, less variety in program options, or fewer lodging choices.

As the job market and college acceptance has grown more competitive, students and professionals have become more globally minded. Learning another language, especially Spanish, is fast becoming a required skill for many occupations. Language immersion or studying the language in a country where it is spoken is recognize by most as the fastest way to achieving proficiency. For nearly 20 year, AmeriSpan Study abroad has specialized in language immersion, including Argentina Spanish schools and other educational travel programs.

Students are enrolling in overseas study programs in record numbers for numerous reasons: enhanced educational experience and an improved college resume, a broadened personal and cultural experience, further mastery of the nuances of a second language, the exploration of foreign universities, and discovering whether a particular country is a good fit for an individual are all reasons that students are opting to study abroad. AmeriSpan’s offering in Buenos Aires is certain to provide all of these opportunities, along with delivering a thoroughly enjoyable learning experience.

Our goal is to always deliver high quality programs at affordable prices. In the current economic environment, we are trying to offer budget-friendly options in our most popular destinations. Since so many people are looking to learn Spanish in Buenos Aires and there are several Buenos Aires Spanish schools with excellent academic programs, this was a place we wanted to add a program,” commented John Slocum, AmeriSpan’s co-founder.

Both of AmeriSpan’s Buenos Aires Spanish schools are located in different parts of the cosmopolitan city of 11 million. The typical program includes 20 hours a week of intensive Spanish courses and a variety of optional cultural activities organized by the school. Participants have the option of living and eating with local families to further immerse themselves in the culture. AmeriSpan highly recommends family homestays because it speeds the process of learning the language by putting into practice the lessons from class.

Participants in the program are from a diverse range of backgrounds, and encompass all age groups and mainly from Brazil, North America, Western Europe and China. All language levels are accepted and programs start most Mondays year round.
AmeriSpan is a well-established agency that has been repeatedly nominated for the Language Travel Magazine Star Award, and in 2009 and 2010 was named the Best Agency in North America. The company’s staff has a strong commitment to international travel, language-learning, and cross cultural understanding. Overall, AmeriSpan’s Study Abroad offers programs in more than 100 cities and 45 countries worldwide.
__________________________
SOURCE:
“Budget-Friendly Spanish School in Buenos Aires, Argentina”
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) June 27, 2011
http://www.prweb.com
http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebArgentina/Spanish-schools/prweb8602592.htm

New Spanish Crash course in Buenos Aires!!!

Important Facts

- 5 Independent modules each week day. Students can take as many modules a week as they prefer.
- The same modules will be repeated each week.
- Duration: 2 hours per day, from 4pm to 6pm
- Guaranteed availaibility each day
- Price: 20 US$
- No Registration Fee
- All materials included (a simple factsheet hand out)

Monday Module I: Eat, Drink and Practice your Spanish

“Tengo hambre…” “Quiero tomar una cerveza…”
This module focuses on communicating in restaurants, bars and cafes., from basic greetings, how
to read a menu and order food, to expressing special dietary needs, and making complaints. It will
provide students with everything they need to know to enjoy eating and drinking in Buenos Aires.

Tuesday Module II: Shop til you Drop and do it in Spanish

“¡Qué buenos zapatos de tango! Quisiera comprarlos…”
This module focuses on buying things in a variety of different situations, from clothing stores to
supermarkets and kioskos. It will provide students with the tools to know to shop with success in
Buenos Aires.

Wednesday Module III: On the Move, Travel in Spanish

“¿Cómo voy a…?” “¡Estoy perdido!” “Me gustaría viajar a Iguazú.”
This module focuses on providing phrases and vocabulary to help students move around the city
of Buenos Aires, other parts of Argentina and even other Spanish-speaking countries with ease. It will go over topics such as how to buy tickets, get directions, book accommodation and much
more. It will allow students to successfully navigate Latin America.

Thursday Module IV: Everyday Fundamentals, Ask for it in Spanish

“No me siento bien, quisiera ver a un médico…” “Necesito extraer más dinero del banco.” “Quiero
llamar a mi familia.” “Necesito revisar mi correo elecrónico.”
This module focuses on communicating in day-to-day situations and using basic services such as
withdrawing cash at banks, getting the laundry done and going to a doctor. This will allow students
to get things done!

Friday Module V: Making Friends and Socializing in Spanish

“Quiero hacer amigos argentinos.” “Me gustaría hablar como un porteño.”
This module focuses on teaching students to speak in informal social situations. It covers topics
from how to introduce yourself and talk about family, to general conversational phrases and
vocabulary for conversations in a variety of social contexts. It will allow students to converse with
locals and make new friends.

Tong, 17, said he was excited for a chance to experience the Argentine culture and the Spanish language.

“I’m still working on the fluency. That’s one of my main (reasons for) applying for the scholarship,” he said. “I talked about how I’m usually pretty good at the grammar part, but I want to improve my oral fluency in the language.”

Tong became eligible for the 2011 National Spanish Exam Junior Travel Award by scoring high on the national exam. Then he submitted a written essay and an oral interview with his Spanish teacher to a selection committee, appointed by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese.

For the application, he wrote an entire essay about maté, a type of tea that’s an Argentine staple. He was introduced to the drink through an Argentine camp councilor at the Concordia Language Villages last summer.

“He would always walk around with his maté in the morning,” Tong explained.

The National Spanish Exam from last year earned him a scholarship to the two-week Spanish immersion program at Concordia Language Villages. He was one of 10 students in the nation to win the scholarship.

Tong started studying Spanish in seventh grade at Seminole Middle School. He already had some experience with languages, fluent in the Shanghai and Mandarin dialects of Chinese. His parents moved to the United States from China so his father could attend graduate school at Louisiana State University. In 1995, the family moved to Tampa and eventually bought a house in Pinellas Park in 2003.

Tong’s accomplishments don’t end with languages.

“He’s very strong, academically,” his mother, Ying Tong, said. “He competes in a lot of different activities, and does pretty well in all of them.”

Tong is president of the junior class and a captain of the debate team, among other groups. He’s currently torn between studying medicine, law or engineering after graduating high school.

“I’m just keeping all of those open,” he said.

Tong also enjoys piano and considers debate his favorite activity within school.

For the award, he will be traveling with Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica to Argentina, where he will experience horseback riding, tango and the Iguazu Falls, along with maté. The group also will make a stop in Uruguay.

Spring break 2011 in Argentina

South America, especially Chile, Peru and Argentina, is going to be an increasingly popular destination for spring breakers, according to STA Travel. During March, students could get air tickets as cheap as $400 to Lima, Peru. With tickets to London running $600, that looks like a pretty good deal, especially considering that South American lodgings can be affordable.

______________________________________
SOURCES:

“Student wins national award, trip to Argentina”
By JULIANA A. TORRES
Article published on Thursday, April 7, 2011
http://www.tbnweekly.com
http://www.tbnweekly.com/pinellas_county_schools/content_articles/040711_sch-01.txt

“Spring break 2011: From Mexico to Europe, what your trip said about you”
By Deborah Netburn
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
April 22, 2011
http://www.latimes.com
http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/lat-spring-break-2011-cancun-las-vegas-and-volunteering-20110330,0,5532004.story

As a new student here at Expanish, I also have an opportunity to share all of my new experiences as they happen; to help others that may be interested in making their way to “Paris of the South.” There are so many new sounds, smells, and sights to take in, that the adventure has only begun.

My first day of class at Expanish was of course filled with anticipation, but the friendly staff here welcomed me as soon as I walked in the door! I took my placement test, apologized for my Spanish, and was told not to worry! That´s why you are here – to learn, and to improve. I was given my room number and off to my first Spanish Class I went. The first couple of hours went rather smoothly, except for my timidness in speaking… but I know that will quickly change. And the short breaks gave me an opportunity to rest my mind… and check my email.

To finish the day, all new students were given a nice orientation about the city, the school, and the staff. Overall, it was a complete success! First day jitters are normal at any school, especially when you are in a new country. But all fears were quelled from Murphy in the admissions department, to Paula with my curriculum, Marina at the front desk, and of course my professor Eduardo. With the support of the staff here I know that I will attain my goals over the next 3 months.

Ill be blogging each week about my experience so make sure you re-visit!

So when I read about Spanglish Exchange on a former BA resident’s blog, I knew I had to check it out once I got to town.

Founded by Maya May, a Downers Grove, Ill., native who’s lived in Buenos Aires for years, this super-cool event pairs native English and native Spanish speakers for a couple of hours. And since these several-days-a-week evening events are held at hip restaurants, bars and clubs in BA barrios such as San Telmo, Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood, they give you a great excuse to get out and experience city nightlife (and get a free drink with what amounts to a $5 or $6 admission fee).

Here’s how it works: think speed dating, where you rotate from table to table and partner to partner–except instead of talking about how you love quiet evenings at home and walks on the beach, you alternately chat for five minutes about your lives in both English and castellano–even if neither of you is terribly fluent in the other’s language. And while five minutes sounded like an ETERNITY when first announced, they fly by when your mind is spinning like a top trying to come up with proper verb tenses!

Spanglish Exchange JUST celebrated its second anniversary this month, and has proved a huge hit with everyone from short-term tourists to new Buenos Aires residents to native porteños, as BA locals are called. Not only is it a great way for solo travelers like me to get out and chat with fellow tourists and BA dwellers, but it gives you a chance to brush up your rusty language skills in a low-stress environment (rather than at the local post office–but that’s a story for another post!).

After my Spanglish Exchange session was over, I ended up going to a tango milonga with a couple of super-friendly Vancouver, B.C., travelers I met that night. And I met a really cool guy who hailed from Mongolia and was doing a study-abroad program in BA through his university in London (who knew I had to fly to the end of the earth to meet someone from this far Eastern country?).

But isn’t that what international travel is really all about–stepping outside your comfort zones and pushing the envelope? While my perfectionist Type-A self was a bit hesitant about jumping in at first, I knew it was EXACTLY what I needed during a solo vacation designed to help me contemplate some bigger life changes. After all, I’ve moved to Europe by myself, quit a good corporate job (twice!) to make a living as a freelance consultant and writer–so how hard could this really be?

Today, Spanglish Exchange. Tomorrow, who knows?
________________________________
SOURCE:
“Language learning-meets-speed dating at Buenos Aires’ Spanglish Exchange”
11.29.10
http://www.chicagonow.com
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/todays-chicago-woman-culture-dining-nightlife/2010/11/language-learning-meets-speed-dating-at-buenos-aires-spanglish-exchange.html

Looking south, the country become more humid where are tallgrass prarie ecosystem dominates the landscape. Before few trees existed recently there are more imported species from America.

The soil is extremely fertile and thus the country is capable of producing large volumes of food. However this high level of food production is also the reason that parts of the ecosystem are becoming damaged.

The Andes create a portion of the country where it rains very little, this makes the soil very dry and means that agriculture is much more difficult. The forests are much more coniferous towards in the south.

Conversely, the north is much more diverse and includes big cats such ad the cougar, jaguar and the ocelot.

There are other interesting creatures such as Howler Monkeys, Crocodiles and the Bushdog. On top of all of this there is an incredible range of birds. In particular, Hummingbirds, Flamingos, toucans and swallows.  These dazzle visitors with their vibrancy.

However to be able to organise some tours to see the wildlife, before travelling you should learn Spanish in Buenos Aires first to make sure you get yourself the best deal. Using yours Spanish knowledge you will also be able to learn more about the flora and fauna as well a make your journey exploring this exciting ecosystem easier!

There are a huge amount of Spanish schools in Buenos Aires, so choosing one that can help you target the vocabulary that you will need will be very important. Once you are able to travel Argentina you will appreciate how diverse the flora and fauna of the country is.

Here is some of what Dolores wrote for us upon her return.

I spent the summer of 2010 working with The Experiment in International Living. I traveled to Argentina to learn Spanish, stay with a host family, learn the tango and do community service. We did a lot of fun things during this trip. We visited forest preserves, saw tango dancing in the streets, poverty, but also beauty. One of the most rewarding experiences was the community service. The projects included helping refurbish orphanages, playing with the orphans and helping special needs children. I enjoyed all of my service projects but there was one that I will never forget.

When we arrived at Centro Del Ciego we were only told to, “Walk in, play with the kids and leave,” I was excited; I couldn’t wait to play with the little kids! All the kids were escorted into the room to find their seats, and get ready for their bicentennial performance.

There was one little girl in the room that caught my eye. She had long curly hair, big brown eyes and a kind smile. A friend called out to her and said, “Jessica come look at my dress, it’s beautiful.” When she said this she took Jessica’s hand and ran it along the dress. It was then that I realized Jessica was blind. After touching the dress, Jessica responded by saying that her friend’s dress was beautiful. At that point my eyes began to water. I wondered how she can say something is beautiful without seeing it. It made me sad to think of all the things I love that she may never be able to see.

After the performance we were able to play with the children, I played with Jessica. I was able to get to know her and talk to her. She is a beautiful little girl with so much potential, but she lacks resources. She needs a walking stick and an abacus. The center cannot afford such aids for everyone.

Now that I have returned from the trip I feel that I have grown. Going on the trip to Argentina last summer was truly a unique experience. I never realized that poverty and lack of special needs assistance was nearly unattainable in foreign countries.

Since I’ve returned from Argentina I’ve realized I have become a better person. I help out more around my house and instead of just passing by people who need help I stop and assist them. I want to continue helping the less fortunate like I did when I was in Argentina. Since school has begun I have been elected Vice President and I will be using that role to my advantage. My goal is to start a fundraiser for the children at Centro Del Ciego in Posadas, Missiones Argentina. I would like to send them money, abacuses, and clothes. I want everyone to be touched by those children like I was. They are amazing, smart and beautiful–just like us. By working together we can help them be just as independent as we are. I know that I can make a difference in someone’s life; If not everyone’s then at least one, Jessica’s.

Dolores is one of 16 students who received Farther Foundation scholarships this year enabling them to participate in unique and life changing experiences across six continents. Inspired by experience students become active and engaged learners, full of potential and more fully aware of the world and its opportunities. Farther Foundation scholarships are supported by tax deductible individual donations.
____________________________
SOURCE:
“Opening eyes in Argentina”
By Farther Foundation
Nov 4, 2010
http://triblocal.com
http://triblocal.com/oak-park-river-forest/community/stories/2010/11/opening-eyes-in-argentina/