FAQs

Answers to FAQs about SOLSS program

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Last modification: Sunday, 20 September 2009 at 07:30 GMT, by SiteAdmin

More questions? Contact SOLSS

 

What are the benefits of SOLSS registration?
As a registered SOLSS Student you can use our lodging, transportation and excursion services (as well as our language program), with no additional registration fee required for a full 12 months. You can visit our school administration office for travel information and assistance such as money changing and medical referrals, and you can call us for help in emergency situations.

Note: guaranteed lodging and school programs require advanced reservation and payment and may not always be available to non-students in the busier times (June-August & Jan-Feb); some restrictions may apply to non-students for participation in particular Spanish-language only activities and excursions.

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How does the SOLSS immersion program work?
The weekly SOLSS immersion program with homestay run from Sunday to Saturday with classes Monday through Friday from 8AM-12PM. However, you can start your program any day of the week by reserving extra tutoring by the day/hour and extra homestay days to fill in before your first Sunday or after your last Saturday. Your program starts at school with an individual assessment of your Spanish speaking level and subject interests. The instructional process is an ongoing dialogue between teacher and student with the student being challenged and supported in using and expanding their Spanish communication skills. Class size is limited to 2 students of the same level, or 3 for members of a group which allows for individualized attention, but many times students will have their own teacher if the school is not too full. Additional individual tutoring is also available in the afternoons for more intensive learning. Outside activities are sometimes integrated into your morning class and optional afternoon activities facilitated by SOLSS teachers, such as cultural classes or visits to local social, political, artisan and cultural organizations, allow students to interact, listen and learn in the context of social and professional settings. Weekend guided excursions to sites of interest expose students to Nicaragua's natural and cultural experiences. Room and board with a supportive Nicaraguan family allows you to integrate easily into the community and use your Spanish everyday in varied real-life situations.

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What kind of a teaching method do SOLSS school use?
SOLSS school use an interactive, conversationally-based, all-Spanish method of direct learning, called the Functional Method, which customizes instruction to the interests and abilities of each individual student. The SOLSS Functional Method facilitates a natural and continuous conversational exchange between student and teacher (both orally and with reading/writing) on topics of personal interest determined by the preferences of each student. Teachers monitor and guide the dialogue process and encourage and support the student in expanding their communication skills to the level they are willing to reach withing the given time frame, which are explored at the appropriate to their reading, writing, speaking, and oral comprension abilities, at their level of competency. The actual curriculum is flexible because each class is planned according to the competency level, learning aptitude, and personal interests of each individual student, but is still guided and motivated by the experience of a well-trained teacher who uses ongoing evaluation of the student's progress to intervene with grammatical lessons and skill building drills as necessary. The varied curriculum includes elements of reading and listening comprehension, speaking, pronunciation and accent, grammar and vocabulary, and writing style. Classes consist of conversation, demonstration, explanation and interaction with teacher and students using visual, auditory and kinesthetic materials, as well as activities which may include visiting Nicaraguans. Students who want a truly "intensive" program can also receive extra one-on-one tutoring in the afternoons in addition to the standard morning classes. SOLSS learning materials are created by school staff under the direction of SOLSS's Executive Coordinator drawing upon Nicaraguan materials as well as texts from the US and Spain such as "Curso de Español para Extranjeros ELE".

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Are SOLSS Spanish teachers trained and experienced?
SOLSS teachers are native Nicaraguans chosen for their suitable educational background, knowledge of Spanish grammar, knowledge of Nicaraguan history and culture, teaching and organizational ability, human relations skills, and positive attitude. They are continually trained in SOLSS's proven second language "Funcional" teaching method and participate in the creation of school teaching materials and ongoing training year-round. The SOLSS teachers have among two to five years teaching experience. Each teacher's abilities are evaluated regularly via our student feedback process.

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*What kind of volunteer work is available through SOLSS?
Nicaragua has few large institutions for social service work. Most volunteer work is done through small local community programs, so it is more personal. SOLSS school has connections with a variety of local organizations, public, private, and non-governmental non-profit (see school descriptions for details). Once you arrive at your school, either your class, afternoon activities or your school director can introduce you to organizations that might be of interest to you for volunteer work. If you want to stay on working after your SOLSS program is over, you can extend your homestay with your family (space permitting).

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Is there a way to get a tuition reduction besides being in a group?
Those traveling through Latin America "roughing it" on a strict budget can enjoy the SOLSS program at a lower total price per week by registering for the Intensive program without homestay/cultural immersion or in case of grups with more than 10 members they can apply for an extra Special Discount, if this is your case please contact us.

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Do I need a visa to enter Nicaragua?
Visitors with a valid passport from the USA, Canada and most of Europe (Denmark, Finland, Holland, Ireland, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, etc.), Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Korea get a tourist card upon entry to Nicaragua (costs $5). Those from other countries should contact the Nicaraguan Consulate nearest them or call Nicaraguan Migración at +505-244-3989 for current entry requirements. Tourist cards are issued for 30 to 90 days and visas for 30 days. Both can be extended another 30 days at a time up to 90 days by visiting the Migración office in Managua and paying a $20 fee (per 30 days extension) or by leaving the country (to Costa Rica or Honduras) for a few days and then returning.

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Do I need special immunizations to visit Nicaragua?
The Nicaragua government does not recommend nor require any special immunization to enter Nicaragua. Unless you are planning to go out to the campo and deep jungle, you don't need any special shots or immunization to be able to enjoy yourself safely in Nicaragua, but make sure your normal innoculations are current. Practicing good personal hygene and being careful about what and where you eat outside of your homestay is your best defense against catching a tropical illness. If you do get sick, there are plenty of experienced doctors who can treat you at affordable prices.

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What are the Nicaraguan Holidays and are there classes on those days?
SOLSS school observe the more important Nicaraguan holidays; there are no classes on those days, but activities and homestay are not affected, and the missed class hours are made up the following Saturday. The Holidays are: January 1st, Catholic Holy Thursday or Good Friday in March/April, May 1st, July 19th, August 1st, August 10th, September 14th or 15th, and December 25th.

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What's the best way to plan and register for my SOLSS program?
You can e-mail SOLSS to ask about availability of your planned program at the school and dates of your choice. The standard/tutoring program weeks run Sunday to Saturday with classes Monday through Friday. We suggest that you plan your SOLSS program and flight to Nicaragua together and make your reservation for your flight as soon as you are sure about your program dates. Then select a enrolmen method, visit our Registration section to learn more.
You can also register in advance and then look for a convenient flight before the deadline (if you use our airport pick-up service you must give us your flight arrival info no later than one week before your pick-up date). Saturday afternoon or night and Sunday morning/noon are the most convenient times to arrive, but don't worry if you can't find a flight arriving on a Saturday or Sunday daytime; you can reserve additional tutoring and homestay days to start any day of the week or you can start a day late and make up the missed class hours on Saturday.

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What are the deadlines for registration and payment?
Registration forms and reservation payment must be received at least 2 weeks before your program start date. You can also register and pay anytime (space permitting) directly at SOLSS school. Direct registration in Nicaragua requires full payment in US cash in good physical condition only.

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Can I change my program reservation after I have registered?
In most cases, you can change your program with no penalty up to one week before the start date of your original program. Changes made after this deadline are treated as cancelling and re-registering for a new program.

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Can I extend my program after I am in Nicaragua?
You can always extend your program for more weeks by registering and paying at the SOLSS office in Granada (in US cash in good physical condition only). You can get the extended volume price by paying before the beginning of the last standard week of your original program.

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How does SOLSS's airport pick-up and transportation service work?
We recommend our airport pick-up service (see photo) for everyone, but especially first time visitors to Nicaragua. After a long flight, it's nice to be received and taken care of. You can relax and enjoy the scenery during your comfortable ride with a friendly SOLSS chofer, and you don't have to worry about cost, inconvenience, and insecurity of taxis, crowds, and bus stations. Even if your flight arrives late, SOLSS will be there at the airport to pick you up and bring you to our school.


Note: You will be picked up at the airport by an SOLSS associate (the associate will be holding a sign containing your name and logo of SOLSS). You must accept to pay the USD $35 dollars in cash at the time of being picked up at the airport in Managua for the ride Managua-Granada.
The SOLSS associate must give you a payment receipt right at the moment. Always ask for a receipt as a proof of your payment. // **Pick-up service is one-way only. You reserve and pay your return taxi services directly at SOLSS school.

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How can I communicate with my family when I'm in Nicaragua?
Your family and friends can get in contact with you through your school' addresses and phone numbers provided by SOLSS or through your family homestay. You can make long-distance calls from the local CLARO office (Before TELCOR) in the city. Economical e-mail and webphone service is also available near where SOLSS school are located. When you are settled in your homestay, you can contact your family and give them your homestay phone number and e-mail contact address. Also the school provide you a personal cell phone during your stay in the program, so your parents or loved ones can call you directly to your phone number in Nicaragua.

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How should I take my money and how much will I need?
We suggest you take your money in US dollars in the form of small cash bills and American Express traveler's checks and also bring a credit card. You can change American Express traveler's checks into dollars or córdobas at some banks near where school are located. US dollars in small denominations are accepted as readily as córdobas for many transactions. You will usually get your change in córdobas. You can get US cash from "Credomatic" in Granada with your credit card and córdobas from ATM´s available in in the city. All banks change US dollars into córdobas. As of this update (Sep 2009), US$1 = C$20.48 (You can get current exchange rate at www.xe.net/currency).

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What kind of local development does SOLSS support in Nicaragua?
SOLSS school are a successful model for locally-run self-sustaining productive industry that trains and employs local professionals/families/service providers whose much needed incomes then circulate through the popular economy. In addition, SOLSS school directly supports non-profit activities and development programs based in Nicaragua through our SOL VOLUNTEERS PROGRAM.

 

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More questions? Contact SOLSS

 

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