ILang DR

The Spanish schools of ilangDR – Institute of Languages are located inSosua, Cabarete, and Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo. A lifetime opportunity to learn Spanish and immerse in the oldest Spanish culture in the Americas. Dominican Republic is where it all started in 1492 when Christopher Columbus first set foot on Hispaniola (Isla Española) and established the first city of the new world near Sosúa-Puerto Plata. Speaking Spanish as a second language was long considered a “nice skill to have”. In the global village we now live in, millions of business people, students and government workers, particularly in North America, realize it is a “necessity”. Learning Spanish, the second “official” language in the USA (50 million hispanics) and the world’s third (450 million) after Mandarin and English, is a sure way to further your personal and professional goals in your life.

iLangDR Institute gives you the best tool to learn the language and immerse you in the Spanish culture, where old world meets new world, in gorgeous Dominican Republic: comfortable facilities, modern teaching techniques, first class faculty from Spain and Latin America. Their first school is located in Sosúa-Cabarete, on the North Coast, a nature lovers’ paradise, 10 minutes away from the International Airport of Puerto Plata. Their second campus is located in the Zona Colonial, “old town” of Santo Domingo, designated as “world heritage” by Unesco. The iLangDR Institute of Languages is your surest, most exciting way to learn Spanish. Unlike most other schools they are not part of a large, uniform chain, they tailor their classes to meet your personal ambitions. Their managers, teachers and students come from a diversity of backgrounds, ages, needs, and learning styles. Proven methodology, personalized, traditional conversational classes combine with modern techniques, computer assisted lab and practice sessions. Above all, they are top professionals in our field and take much pride in helping you achieve your goals and dreams. They have many years of experience in the language field in the USA, Europe (Spain) and Latin America. Their sister companies iLanguage Inc. and iLanguage SA have long been providing language services to the most prestigious companies such as Coca Cola, HP, Motorola, Western Union, MSNBC, Warner Brothers, WWF,  CND, MW and many more. Proven methodology relies on practicality, contextually focused for quick application, comprehension-based, individuality, daily homework, solid curriculum, and learning tests. Learning how to learn the language facilitates your on-going study of Spanish after hours and beyond the program’s duration.

The Dominican Republic provides an excellent environment for learning Spanish, dating back to Columbus arrival in 1492 and the founding of Santo Domingo, the first town of the new world (first church, first university, first hospital, first bar). The warm and outgoing Dominican population is easy to engage and practice conversation with. They are very patient and supportive with foreigners learning Spanish. With an excellent climate and diversity of beaches, mountains, museums, and nightlife to experience, one can only fall in love with the DR. Accomodation is high quality with electric underfloor heating in bathrooms and in the lounge. Integration between students and Dominican people is actively promoted at the institute with staff, teachers, students. They organize cultural and evening activities among large groups of foreigners and locals alike. Knowing a language is not only a question of grammar, writing and speaking. It is an attitude. That’s why their methodology is not only based on linguistic principles, but also on psycholinguistic principles that acknowledge the nature of communication processes. Their approach takes into account not only the conscious learning and practice of rules, but also a non-systematic learning process based on the student’s own experience. Error is unavoidable in the comprehension of a language system and offers the student the possibility of testing hypothesis and modifying their own linguistic behavior. They value the risks confronted by a student who makes mistakes when trying to communicate something new and know that many times an error is not due to a lack of linguistic recourses but owes to not knowing how to use those resources. Part of their methodology is therefore a positive attitude towards error. Proven methodology based upon practicality, contextually focused for quick application, comprehension-based, individuality, daily homework, curriculum with competencies, and learning contracts. In an iLang DR program, you “learn how to learn” which facilitates your on-going study of Spanish once our program finishes. They emphasize the oral skills of Spanish: they want their students to know and use the language from the minute they leave the class. They also pay thorough attention to grammar and vocabulary; a crystal-clear understanding of grammar rules is basic to be fluent in any language. Reading and writing skills are equally important, and a wide variety of materials is used including published materials from many sources. Their teachers carefully design and supervise the programs of study and level tests. They will guarantee that you are set in the level that suits you best! Prepare for a relaxed and casual learning environment but also for hard work!

Entry- All visitors require a valid passport. Visitors from the USA and Europe do not require a visa. A tourist card, valid for 90 days, can be purchased at the airport for US$ 10. There is a US$ 20 departure tax. Vaccinations and health. Vaccinations are not stipulated officially, however, the following are recommended, as with trips to other tropical countries: Tetanus, Polio and DTP, furthermore hepatitis as prophylaxis. A malaria-prophylaxis is not necessary, the tourist areas are safe, only the borderland to Haiti passes a low danger. Don’t drink Dominican tap water, and be wary of food that may have been washed in tap water. Time – GMT minus four hours, with no adjustment for daylight saving time

Weights & measures -Metric with some US measurements

Extra expenses -In comparison to other islands in the Caribbean, the extra expenses are relatively low in the Dominican Republic. The prices vary according to item and exchange rate. A glass of beer costs between 1 to 3 dollars, a refreshment beverage between 0.75 and 2 dollars and a cocktail 2.50 to 5 dollars. A fish dinner can be had for 10 to 15 dollars, a Dominican specialty, goat-meat with tomatoes for 3 to 6 dollars. A wind-surf board cost about $15 per day, and a diving tour, can cost approximately $50. A rental car costs approximately 40 dollars per day. Make sure, however, that you rent the vehicle with comprehensive insurance incl.. It is not advisable to drive at night, since often other vehicles have sparse illumination, and different driving practices. Drive very carefully and be mindful of pedestrians and animals. A tip is approximately 1 U.S. dollars per luggage-piece for baggage carriers and 1 U.S. dollars per day for the chambermaid. In restaurants a tip from 5 to 10 percent is usual.

Transportation -Rental cars are available from all international agencies, Avis, Hertz, Budget, Enterprise etc. Prices are usually cheaper than in the USA or Europe. Local agencies offer special deals for Jeeps and motorcycles.
Comfortable, Air-conditioned buses run between all main cities. Bring a sweater, however, because the temperature is often kept quite low. The trips are very favorable: A bus trip to Santo Domingo from Sosúa (3-4 hours) costs approximately $10 U.S.  Minibuses (Guaguas) are used for shorter distances. They are usually overfull, but very cheap and stop where you want. Price: From Puerto Plata to Sosúa is less than 1 US$. Within the cities, there are collective-taxis, called Públicos. You can just flag the driver at the roadside. Price: Between 7 and 10 Pesos per trip. Tourist Taxis are considerably more expensive than Públicos; the 30 minute drive from the airport to the city center of Santo Domingo costs about $25 U.S. Most taxis drive without a meter but fares are indicated at the taxi stations and can be negotiated in advance. In almost each city, you can use motorcycle-taxis (Motoconchos). For short transportation within the city, 10 Pesos is normal, this charge doubles at night. If you want to drive outside the city, negotiate the price in advance. Between Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, La Romana Samaná, Monte Cristi Santiago and Barahona there are regular small private jet hire. The prices for a one-way-flight is approximately 100 dollars, with flight times of approximately 30 to 60 minutes.

Souvenirs – The most common souvenir is jewelry made from amber. Also larimar, the blue stone that is found only in this country. Other gems, rum, Music CDs and Dominican handicrafts are also popular with vacationers. Don’t forget the first-class coffee and hand rolled cigars. Products that may not be exported are black coral, tortoiseshell, tiger-shells as well as crocodile-leathers.

Phone – To telephone from the hotel is the simplest, but also most expensive. Outside the hotels calling centers offer better value. The telephone stores are usually located in shopping centers and tourist areas.

Electricity- The voltage is standard 110 volts @ 60 hz. The sockets/plugs are also standard American style. European visitors will need adapters and special plugs to use native 220v AC devices.

Food and beverage – The native kitchen blends itself from African, Spanish, Indian and international influences. Rice and black beans are basis of the usually simple, hearty and spicy meals. A typically Dominican meal called la bandera (the flag) consists of rice, beans as well as braised meat. Green salad , fried green cooking-bananas, are served as side dishes. Miscellaneous fish are also common at mealtime, like squid, crawfishes or lobster, caught fresh from the sea. Of course, the numerous tropical fruits, like pineapple, mangos, papayas, avocados and coconut contribute to the diet. Vacationers can find typical, and international dishes at affordable prices. Comedores, found on many street corners and markets, offer cheap Dominican fair, while international restaurants, found in the cities and tourist areas cater to your culinary senses. The national beverageproduct is rum, and is found in wide variety and flavors. The common brands are Brugal, Bermúdezes and Barceló. The natives enjoy the dark brown beverage with ice only. More compatible is white Rums, that happily mix with fruits to make Caribbean cocktails, like Piña Colada, Cuba libre or Daiquiris. Specialties include Dominican coffee, that is served as espresso or cappuccino with coco. The soda beverages are usually over sweetened, so if not to your taste, another alternative: the milk of the coconuts is sold on street-stands

Sport – The national sport and passion of Dominican Republic is baseball or “Beisbol” as the Dominicans call it. No matter where you go on the island you will find a baseball stadium/park, even in the poorest of towns. Today, men of poor origins like Sammy Sosa (one of the best home runner in the world), Pedro Martinez, Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez and many others, proudly carry the Dominican Flag in the international arena. Like most Antilles islands, the Dominican republic also offers ideal prerequisites for water sports. But not only in the water, also the country. The sporty vacationer can let off steam with golf, hiking,  riding and polo. In almost all Tourist areas, there are numerous possibilities. Special attraction for divers is beautiful aquatic animal and plant life as well as a number of wrecks dating back as far as five centuries. Because the Spanish ships on the way back to Europe were frequently loaded with gold and silver, pirates and violent storms have contributed to the variety of treasures that lure divers from all over the world. Some wrecks, that have smashed on the reefs, can even be admired when snorkeling. The underwater  world is rich with many different fish and colorful reefs. Surfers and wind surfers come to all beaches of the island looking for excitement. Cabarete, on the north-coast has established itself as an international windsurf paradise because of the high wind force and the waves. Beginners can choose between a dozen surf schools. Para-sailing is common in Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata. Sailboats and catamarans can be rented in many areas also. The golf has become very popular on the island, with numerous golf courses located in virtually every tourist area. The “Pebble Beach” of the Caribbean at 18th hole Playa Grande, Robert Trent Jones at Playa Dorada, and the 18 hole course (Teeth of the Dog) in the luxurious Casa de Campo resort and restaurant, in La Romana (southeast), ranked one of the best links in the world.