Let´s discover STEPS…
LANGUAGES TEACHING CENTRE

STEPS, which was originally conceived as an English Institute, quickly built up a reputation for effective teaching through the use of games and subsequently incorporated the Spanish Department.

Due to the success of STEPS methodology and the need to provide foreigners with a professional language training, we are offering today courses for foreigners.

Sharing the premises with the English and Portuguese Department constitutes and extra advantage for the foreign students, who are able to interact with native speakers over a cup of coffee at our coffee bar.

We take pride on our compromise: our students learn and have fun at the same time in a friendly atmosphere.

Our aims:

• Promote cross-cultural understanding
• Encourage students to discover their own learning style.
• Create a participative and cooperative environment, which help people work on their self-esteem.
• Foster creativity through communication
• Give the students the tools to master the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
• Respect students' rhythms.
• Encourage students to have a positive attitude towards the language combining appealing classes with participatory and funny activities and interesting material.

Methodology

Steps has its own methodology based on the use of games to teach languages.

Why games? Because games…

…are a unique tool to motivate students,
…are fun,
…create a relaxed atmosphere,
…help practise the four language skills,
…invite cooperation among students and teachers,
…cater for the three learning styles (visual-auditory and kinesthetic),
…promote friendly competition,
…help use the language with a different purpose than just practise, …promote cross cultural understanding,
… support the development of positive self-esteem,
… support communicate learning: the language is studied not only grammatically but also functionally.

Location: a few blocks from the picturesque commercial center of Bariloche.

Facilities:

• Full equipped comfortable classrooms (audio, TV, video, DVD computer, boards)
• Library.
• Coffee Bar
• Reception
• Toilets
• Bikes Parking
• Garden
• Backyard
• Kitchen
• Teacher's room

Our Team

• Highly trained professionals
• Updated in the latest methodological trends
• Deeply involved in the objectives of the institution
• Friendly and hospitable

Courses we offer:

• General English from Beginners to Advanced.
• Private lessons
• Semi-private lessons
• Tailor-made courses
• Spanish lessons + Adventure
• Spanish lessons + Kayak lessons
• Group lessons
• Spanish + Golf
• Training programme for teachers of Spanish
• Spanish + Ski
• Spanish + Horse Riding
• Spanish + Glacier Trekking and Basic Ice Climbing Course

Private lessons
Students attending private lessons have the possibility to become familiar with both the Spanish language and Argentine culture very quickly. We offer various timetables and we take students´specific needs into account.

Semi-private lessons
It is very similar to the private lessons but in this case, two students share the class. Students are previously evaluated to check that they have the same level.

Spanish and Kayak lessons
This is a special course that combines both Spanish and Kayaking lessons. This is a one-week course. The kayaking course takes place in Limay and Manso rivers.

Spanish lessons + Adventure
This is a seven-day course. Not only do students take Spanish lessons but they also enjoy eco-tourism: they go walking in the forest or trekking in the mountains, they either go indoor wall climbing or mountaing climbing, among many other outdoor activities. Experience this amazing adventure of learning Spanish and enjoying the Patagonian scenery.

Group lessons
Steps organizes 20-hour modular group courses. Students interact with other students, making classes more lively and fun.

Our students say:

“In educational settings of previous times and other places, there has been a clear divide between work and play. Recess took place on the playground and learning took place in the classroom. In a revolutionary new approach, however, Steps breaks down this long old barrier. It´s unique motto, “aprendé jugando” represents its philosophy that a fun educational experience will always be more effective , interesting and beneficial. As a student of several weeks, I can testify that this is a highly useful method and can proudly state that “ ¡cuando trabajar y jugar van juntos, aprender es mejor!” Jackson “

We started to plan for our two-month visit to Bariloche many months before we arrived. An Argentine friend recommended Steps to us. We contacted Celeste (and Lorena) and began a long e-mail correspondence to arrange for Spanish lessons for my 2 teenage sons and myself. When we arrived everything was totally organized and everyone was warm, friendly and welcoming (Argentine style). During July and August we have had 3 to 4 hours classes almost everyday. Another son and my niece also started classes. Throughout it all, Celeste and Lorena accomodated the changes with a smile and the teachers were always prepared. At the end of 2 months, we know a lot of Spanish and don´t want to go home. Unfortunately we must leave so the children can begin school in the United States, but we will back to STEPS, to Bariloche, to Argentina!” Beth

“The Spanish lessons are very fun, and I like the games we play. I like the method as learning here with playing and learning it the same time. There is too much to say except for that I love the way Spanish is taught and it has helped me a lot!” Malcolm