About the ICC

Our School

The Instituto de Comunicación y Cultura, established in 1986, is one of the oldest and most experienced language schools in Oaxaca. Located close to the Santo Domingo Church, the Institute is situated in a lovely colonial-style building. Beginning, intermediate and advanced Spanish classes are taught by instructors with university degrees in teaching Spanish as a second language and who have many years of experience in helping foreign students to learn Spanish. The level of instruction is of such a high caliber that American universities bring groups of students to the Instituto for college credit.

The I.C.C. has three basic aims:

  1. To provide motivating materials that teach students to function in real-life situations in which Spanish is spoken.
  2. To teach only authentic Spanish.
  3. To give students a feeling of success and achievement in language learning.

 

Emphasis is placed on communication, but grammar and phonology are an integral part of the courses.

The ICC is a member of the the Union of Schools for Spanish as a Second Language in Oaxaca (UEESO).

Our Approach

The Institute was the first in Oaxaca to use the modern and highly effective communicative approach. Nowadays, the teachers combine natural and communicative approach together with a unique approach developed by the school throughout the years. This approach allows students to learn easier and faster through their personal interests. This way, each student has an opportunity to evolve in his own pace.

One important aspect of this approach to teaching Spanish as a second language is that the learning process takes place in a local cultural context by means of various activities and authentic cultural tours. The result of this method is that, in addition to learning the grammar and vocabulary, the students also receive an education how the language is actually used. This is an invaluable asset for anyone serious about learning and using a foreign language.

Spanish classes in Oaxaca at the ICC are small to ensure that each student receives the personal attention they need to quickly develop their Spanish.

Our Director

Yolanda Garcia has over 30 years teaching experience and sets very high standards for all the other teachers at the ICC.

Being a Oaxacan native, Yolanda's knowledge of Oaxacan culture is unparalleled. She sits on the board of various cultural and historical societies and has connections with many cultural institutions in Oaxaca.

"The spanish classes at the ICC were great. They were the perfect balance of educational, informative and fun. The teaching was very professional and personal and the atmosphere was just right. We highly recommend the ICC to anyone who wants to learn Spanish!"

- Jonathan Thaw (April 2012)


“Probably my favourite time at the ICC was the excursions. Yolanda (the director) took us personally on tours of the surrounding pueblitas, showing us the specific hand crafts that each town specialized in, often including a demonstration of the traditional methods the still use.”

- Tim Wang,
United States


“Their approach of practicing speaking Spanish all the time while using correct grammar worked so much better for me than my first school's approach of many hours of learning grammar and then speaking for only part of class.”

- Tim Wang,
United States

"The teaching staff at ICC is fantastic.  The classes were organized to facilitate real life conversations, which was exactly the practice I needed. The school is also located in a great part of the city, close to the heart of centro historico.  I plan to return."

-Marla Renn

Vancouver, Canada

“As an advanced student of Spanish, I have to look carefully for language schools that can help me, so I was delighted to find that the instruction in ICC was so in-depth. Because of the school’s association with the Oaxaca Times, the staff are a well-informed resource for what goes on in this beautiful city.”

- Jim Innocent

United States

“The ICC's classes focus on practical Spanish. It helped me better understand what people say and what they mean... and in turn helped me to become more fluent, not just linguistically, but culturally.”

- Marie O'Brien,
United States


“I was pleased with the flexibility of the school to meet my needs – they designed an advanced class appropriate for my language level, met me at the airport despite flight complications, and organized excursions based on the sights I wanted to see in Oaxaca Valley.”

- Sarah Roggero,
United States