Buenos Aires is often described as the Paris of the South, which makes it a fascinating Spanish-immersion destination
From fabulous tango shows to soccer (fútbol) matches with roaring crowds, there are few cities in the world that can boast the same sort of richness and diversity as Buenos Aires.
This jewel in South America’s crown succeeds in combining sophisticated elegance with a coolness that is represented across all of the city’s barrios. Buenos Aires boasts ornate architecture, a lively café scene, La Boca’s colorful houses, the crumbling, faded grandeur of San Telmo’s cobbledstoned streets, Palermo’s vibrant restaurant culture, Colegiales’ tree-lined avenues, and the less frequently travelled area of Barracas, with its mosaic-tiled architecture. Buenos Aires has something for everyone.
There is so much to see and do in Buenos Aires, it is difficult to know where to start. Hours can be whiled away in one of the cities fantastic cafés such as Café Tortoni, a place once frequented by famous Argentine writers, poets and painters, or El Ateneo Grand Splendid, once a theatre, now an elegant bookshop where readers can enjoy a cortada (a cup of warm, frothy milk with a shot of espresso) and a medialuna (sugar-glazed croissant) in palatial surroundings.
It is no secret that Argentina is home to some of the best steak in the world. Accompanying the lively café scene are endless restaurants, which offer mouthwateringly delicious meat and first-rate red wine. Parillas (steak houses) seemingly sit on almost every corner, satisfying any carnivorous traveler.
The city’s flourishing arts scene is yet another feather to add to its sombrero. The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes holds over 12,000 pieces, including work by Goya and Van Gogh, whilst the Museo de Arte Moderno de Buenos Aires (MAMBA) and Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA) play host to a mixture of national and international exhibitions including work by Emilio Pettoruti, Jorge de la Vega, Henri Matisse, and Mario Testino. Visitors can also simply take in the street art that has transformed Buenos Aires into a living art gallery, where the exhibits change constantly.
The sprawling metropolis of Buenos Aires comes alive at night. Glamorous tango shows offer themselves as warm-ups to the fun to be had ahead, entertaining visitors and locals alike with their sensual routines. If an early night is what you are after, prepare to be disappointed; restaurants don’t get busy until 9:00 p.m., and boliches (nightclubs) really kick off at 4:00 a.m., with clubbers dancing the night away to a whole range of music from electronic to hip hop, from house to reggaeton.
Fabulous, vibrant, and oozing with culture, Buenos Aires is a city that overwhelms, excites, and satisfies.
Spanish Schools
Elebaires
Using university-accredited, native-Spanish-speaking teachers, Elebaires aims to give its pupils the chance to fully immerse themselves in South American life. Whether one decides to simply have lessons, enroll in an internship program to gain valuable professional experience, or take part in a volunteer project with local communities, the school will do its best to create a personalized learning experience.
Elebaires’ teaching methods include direct, active learning techniques that cover all aspects of the Spanish language, including reading, writing, and listening. Courses are structured to make learning Spanish fun and interesting while accommodating student needs in classes of no more than seven students. Cultural education is provided through visits to cafés, parks, museums, and other points of interest around the city.
The school offers a variety of different programs, including home-stays, volunteering, internships in many different fields, and English-teaching opportunities.
Cultural Activities & Spanish Academy (CASA)
CASA means “home.” The term home is very commonly used by people to describe where they live and is closely associated with a sense of security, comfort, belonging, and calm. CASA tries to teach Spanish with this concept in mind. Classes are designed for occasional travelers and those who want to enjoy Buenos Aires and its extensive cultural and sports activities. CASA is located in downtown Buenos Aires, close to Retiro, La Recoleta Cemetery, and the financial district.
