Free Spanish Lessons

As a precursor to your ITTO TEFL course 25 hours of group Spanish instruction absolutely free, valued at $244 USD.

Language and cultural exchange group at ITTO.

For those interested in practicing their Spanish, a language and cultural exchange group has also been formed. It is made up of trainee-teachers, and students studying English or Spanish. Students take turns practicing language and sharing about their culture. With over 2000 Mexican learners of English as a foreign language, you are sure to obtain a real cultural and linguistic interchange. This activity takes place at the main building of the EFL school.

Focused conversations:

If you wish to Teach in Mexico, we higly recommend you gain a deeper insight of Mexican culture. You are cordially invited to our lectures where related discussions follow. With the use of movies, CD ROMS, slide shows, etc; among others, some of the following topics are practiced daily at 5:15, NO extra charge. On your first day of class, you should speak to our Students Service Coordinator, in order to arrange your teaching practices schedule, so that they will not conflict with this activity.

1.- History and Culture of Guadalajara and Guadalajara Now.
2.- Conocer Mexico.
3.- History and Culture of Mexico.
4.- Quinceañera: Princesa por un día.
5.- ¡Fiestas Mexicanas! Mexican Holidays.
6.- La Ley de Herodes.
7.- Los Aztecas.
8.- Let´s visit Mexico.
9.- Celebrating the Day of the Dead, among many others.

City tours

Some exciting activities during the summer months are the walking and bus tours. These are open to all people, so our students join with other vacationers. The tour visits many places and sites of interests around the city. Since Guadalajara sports a wealth of beautiful architecture and historical buildings, these tours are very worthwhile. Most of the sites visited are located in the downtown area, as are we. There are also tours to other parts of the city and some little known, but very important sites. The tour guide informs the participants about the significance and cultural points of the different sites. The great thing about these tours is that they are completely FREE. They are conducted on various days of the week. There are both morning and afternoon tours as well. During the summer months, we update our students on the different tour options so that they can take advantage of them.

Mexican cooking (homestay program):

We encourage our families to have the students learn to prepare a traditional Mexican meal for lunch while in their home on Mondays. We know of NO OTHER program that promotes this. Once you choose the dish you want to make from our Mexican recipe guide, your host family will provide you with the ingredients, support, encouragement and warmth to help you make a traditional feast.

Salsa lessons (free of charge)

Salsa is a street version of Mambo. Salsa reflects the joy and abandon of the tropical days. Major reasons why this social activity is so popular among our students are:

• Mingling of ITTO Trainee-Teachers, local English as a foreign language and foreign students learning Spanish.
• The way this activity combines flexibility with progression.

Since all skill levels run in parallel during the class, you do not have to attend consecutive lessons. Practice the Spanish language and join in the fun every Friday at 6:15 p.m. and Saturdays at 2:00 p.m.

Karaoke club (free of charge)

Meet local students as you gather at the main building of the EFL school auditorium for an evening where you will enjoy singing, practicing language or merely chatting along the tunes of Cielito Lindo, Besame Mucho, Guadalajara and many of those memorable songs that have made Guadalajaran (Tapatío) singers and authors representative legends of the most traditional Mexican folk songs. Of course, if you wish to be trendy, modern Mexican and English songs are also available.

This event is conducted by a professional music instructor. Every Wednesday evening at 7:15 p.m. and Saturdays at 2:00 p.m.

Ceramic crafts

Would you be interested in learning the craft of Ceramics during your stay in Guadalajara? We would like to let you know about another one of our extra curricular activities that may be of interest to you. We work with a local Ceramic school that can teach you and give you pointers on how to create your own works of art in ceramic. The lessons are provided FREE of charge, students only need to buy all the necesary materials. Classes are held in the afternoons. You may attend as long as you wish during the class hours. Do not let this opportunity to learn this art pass you by, contact us for more information about this class.

Guitar lessons (free of charge)

At ITTO, we offer our students free guitar lessons. These lessons are conducted at our facilities in the evenings, two days per week and Saturday. Students must either bring their own guitar or rent one in the city. Lessons will consist of many of the most traditional Mexican ballads and songs.

Excursions

One of the most valuable aspects of gaining your TEFL Certification and/or Teaching in Mexico is the opportunity to really live the culture of this beautiful land. An important part of our TEFL program is that we provide our students with just such an opportunity. In addition to the wide variety of cultural events that take place here in the historical downtown area, which are absolutely free of charge, we organize field trips to certain areas of special interest. Flexibility is a key feature in our program. Years of experience have taught us that not all students enjoy the same activities outside the classroom. There is a small additional charge for these excursions to cover the cost of transportation and the tour guide. ITTO does not receive any part of this fee. Though the arrangements for the excursions are made by us, students are asked to pay all fees directly to the service provider. Excursions are organized in and out of the city, enabling students to compare the enthusiasm and bustle of modern Mexico with the most provincial countryside. Students are responsible for their own meals on the excursions.

Guadalajara - Tlaquepaque

We visit historical, cultural and traditional places. Los Arcos de Guadalajara, Hospicio Cabañas (Humankind Patrimony), Minerva Fountain, Republic Square, Niños Heroes Monument, the Cathedral, Expiatorio Plaza, El Palacio de Gobierno, the famous Degollado Theatre, and picturesque San Pedro Tlaquepaque with its typical arts and crafts of the region. The tour takes approximately 5 hours and is available Monday through Saturday. US $15: Departure at 9:30 a.m.

LakeChapala and Ajijíc

LakeChapala, the largest lake in the country, is located 30 miles Southeast of Guadalajara. A visit to its towns and villages along the shore is a truly memorable experience. The town of Chapala boasts a beautiful church and pier. Chulavista is a beautiful American residential colony. Ajijic is an old rustic town with craft shops, hand made rugs, clothing, leather goods, and silver jewelry. One hour for lunch.The tour takes approximately 6 hours and is available for Monday Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday. US $20: Departure at 9:30 a.m.

Tequila

We will take you to the land of Tequila which is 30 miles West of Guadalajara. Learn the History of Mexico´s national drink; its planting, harvest, distillation, aging process, and its taste. We visit the ranch "El Indio" where you can see the cultivation of the plant that is used to make tequila, the blue agave. After experiencing the Mexican ranch, we will then take you to to the processing plant where the distilling process will be explained. You will also see the aging warehouses. Souvenirs and samples are available. Do not miss this unique experience. The tour takes approximately 6 hours and is available for Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday. US $20: Departure at 9:30 a.m

Tequila Express

The Chamber of Commerce of Guadalajara, Ferrocarril Mexicano and the Jalisco State Goverment have organized a unique train tour on weekends. Such tour has been named: "Tequila Express".

The trip begins at 10:30 AM at the train station, located at Av. Washington and Calz. Independencia. Once there, passengers are received with live mariachi music, once they check in, they are assigned a wagon.

They board the train at 11:00. During the trip to the town of Amatitán (1h, 30'), snacks and complimentary drinks are offered while the mariachi bands play Mexican music. A tour guide, meanwhile, explains the history of Hacienda San José del Refugio (home place of "Tequila Herradura").

The stewardesses and security guards make the trip more enjoyable, the train features Red Cross paramedics and private security. The staff will gladly listen to any complaints, suggestions or comments from the passengers, doing a follow up to such observations.

Once the train arrives at its destination, passengers board a bus that takes them to Hacienda San José del Refugio. A tour guide shows the premises. After that, the guests visit the tequila production area, passing by the steam ovens, where the agave pines are cooked, then they go to the old distillery (circa 1800), where people can see all the tools and instruments of the time that were used to produce tequila, included a device pulled by a mule.

The tour includes a visit to the museum where a video is shown; the video depicts everyday work at the hacienda. At the end of the tour, people have a buffet lunch made up with Mexican dishes; at the same time, a live show of folk dances, charro tricks, and impersonators is presented to the guests. Live mariachi music is playing all the time and there is even a dance contest where the couple who wins gets a free gift from the host.

People can sing and dance in a real Mexican atmosphere, surrounded by gardens, trees, plants and live animals.

The tour costs $70.00 USD (aprox.) for adults, and $35.00 USD (aprox.) for children under 12. Kids under 5 travel free of charge.

Fitness

ITTO has arranged for a special short-term membership plan and fee at the Guadalajara franchise of Gold´s Gym®, for those students interested in keeping fit while they attend our TEFL Certification Program. One franchise is a short 5 minute bus trip away from the school, while the other is located on the West side of the city. Both are very well equipped, and offer excellent services.

The special rates available to ITTO students are as follows:

Cost per visit:$8.50 US dollars (approx.*)
15 visits in a 1 month period:$50.00 US dollars (approx.*)
30 visits in a 1 year period:$150.00 US dollars (approx.*)
*Prices may vary slightly due to peso/dollar exchange rate.

While we will provide assistance in making membership arrangements, our Trainee-Teachers will be responsible for paying all fees directly to the Gold´s Gym® of their choice.

For those students that would like to take swimming lessons during their stay in Guadalajara, we can offer these through a local swimming school. Students wishing to only swim laps to keep fit or just refresh their bodies after a long day, can come at specific hours for "nado libre" (relaxed free-time swimming).

As a special discount for our students, the school has waived the enrollment fee and ITTO students only need to pay weekly fees.

The weekly prices are as follows:
Assisting every day - $15.00 USD
Assisting 3 days per week - $11.00 USD
Assisting 2 days per week - $10.00 USD
If you are interested in this option, let us know and we can make the arrangements for this activity.