This area has a relaxed atmosphere and is much cheaper than the more popular cities here.

Each teacher was very supportive and they provided me with a wonderful educational experience.

My two friends studied at the Institute of Modern Spanish in January, they had an excellent time with teachers and host family.

The teachers were excellant. I'm concerned about the change in pricing for homestay after arrival. That lowers my rating of the program. The school's new location and facilities are nice but it is more difficult to reach by bus which means you have to add taxi fares to the overall cost. I took the on-line test but never saw the results and I don't know that it was used to place me so don't bother to take it. I did learn a great deal while there.

I had a wonderful time learning at the Institute of Modern Spanish--all my classmates where very happy with the school, too. The owners invited us into their home for a real cooking class. Everyone was very friendly both teachers and staff--professional yet flexible. Nice facility and host family's home was close to school and very clean and comfortable. I just can't imagine any complaints. I recommend the Institute of Modern Spanish wholeheartedly!

I brought a group of 16 students from New Zealand for a two week stay with Miguel and the gang at the Institute of Modern Spanish. Miguel gave up much of his free time to organize excellent weekend tours and showed off the local cultural offerings with great pride. The families were fantastic and made the students feel very welcomed. The classes at the institute were of good value and, although some details were lost in translation, the students enjoyed the afternoon cultural sessions. All in all, a brillant two weeks that has motivated a bunch of kiwis to further their studies in Spanish and has kick started their desire to see the world.

Professional yet cordial. The staff had a universal quality; the ability to maintain a balance between the familiar and the formal…and just the right mixture of serious learning and good humor. I would return…..for sure! My teachers all scored better than 8 to 10 on a scale of one to ten…….with a couple of 11s. The city of Merida, the home stay and extra activities were all rewarding. The Director of the Institute demonstrated an awareness of his responsibilities to both students and staff. A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE!!

Hello, I came down to Merida last June for 2 weeks. First of all, your instructors were great. However, there was one disappointment. I had signed up for a conversation class, and when I arrived in the class, the instructor lectured (which means there was no conversation) about Mayan culture. While this is very interesting, it's not what I signed up for. When I mentioned it to administration, things changed in the class, but it was obvious that the teacher had an attitude because I had said something. I just think a conversation class should be just that, we come down to practice speaking, not listening. Also, more organized events would help. I would overhear some students talking about going on trips, and it seemed as though only they knew about it and othere students felt excluded. But overall, the experience at your school was good, and everyone was very friendly which I appreciate. thank you.

I have taken students from my Spanish classes to different hispanic countries, including Costa Rica, Spain, Guatemala and Mexico. I find School of Modern Spanish to be one of the best Spanish schools I ever worked with. The teachers, the families and the Ceron Family were wonderful with us. I highly recommend this school to anybody who wants to learn Spanish and also the culture of Yucatan, Mexico. Roberto Mazariegos Spanish professor College of the Siskiyous Weed, California 96094

This is a wonderful way to learn spanish and to visit the land of the ancient Maya. The Yucatan Peninsula is an amazing place with so many things to absorbe and learn. The Insitute of Modern Spanish was a like a second home to me. They set me up with the BEST host family I could have ever asked for, and always had an open door. I have taken many spanish classes in my life, but Willy Lopez, a teacher at the school, is the best spanish teacher I have ever had. I highly recommend this school to anyone. The Yucatan is a very special place to visit, and the Insitute of Modern Spanish allows you the flexibility to communicate while you´re there. Thank you Miquel and Janese for the great memories. I am now an adopted Yucatecan. :)

The institute was great. The teachers cared about the Spanish language and were eager to make sure we got a good education. I was there for 4 weeks. I am not fluent, however, my Spanish speaking skills have increased 3 fold. I feel more comfortable when I attempt to speak Spanish and I have learned many new verbs. That has always been my main challenge. The school is small enough that the other students become your family. The class size was kept to no more than 4 people while I was there and the school planned interested side trips including Mayan ruins and beach areas. My family was great and I am in weekly contact with them. My three friends that attended with me each had a very enjoyable time with their families and enjoyed their stay. There was never a dull moment and Merida is a fantastic city. The city is rich with culture and is easy driving distance to the wealth of historic sites that blanket the Yucatan. Just be aware that it is humid in Merida and you will more than likely have to utilize the bus transportation. It is a good value.

I visited the Institute in March 2011. My instructor was knowledgable and friendly. I learned a lot. In addition, the Institute arranged for us to take a side trip to Celestun, a bird and wildlife reserve on the Gulf coast just west of Merida. We also visited a working henequen haacienda (Sotuta de Peon) and learned about processing the plant into rope. We refreshed ourselves swimming in a (well-supervised) underground cave called a "cenote." I recommend visiting the Institute of Modern Spanish.

Very dedicated teachers. Excellent homestay. Excursions/cultural experiences are excellent. Air conditioned rooms and wi-fi access are a real plus. Small classes allow for a lot of interaction and individual attention. Highly recommended.

This school program has very good teachers who speak both English and Spanish. The host family I lived with was very caring and never left me hungry. The school itself is a laid back and stress free environment with a pool and a snack wagon. Studying in Merida through the Institute of Modern Spanish for 6 weeks was the best experience on my life and I can't wait to return.

I studied Spanish for 2 weeks in Merida. It was a great experience! I enjoyed learning Spanish and learning about Mexican culture. I also enjoyed all of the trips and excursions that were available through the school. My host family was wonderful as well. I would definitely go back again if I had the chance!

This school by far exceeded any expectations that I had before arriving. The family was welcoming, patient, caring, kind, fun to talk to, and an overall wonderful people to live with. The director Miguel was just as welcoming, helped my father and I with anything that we were concerned about, as well as sating our curiosity of the native culture by telling us legends, and facts about the local Maya and Aztec. Miguel was willing to bend over backwards for us, and from what I witnessed, the other students as well. He is a great man to do business with, but more importantly, is someone who you would not mind sitting down and having a conversation with. Overall, a wonderful experience, and one that I hope to be able to repeat.

I was allowed to purchase 5 weeks for the price of four and then was allowed to take an extra hour of schooling per day for four of those weeks free of charge. The classrooms were airconditioned and the clean. Occasionally the water would quit in the bathrooms but they were always able to fix the problem in a matter of minutes. One just had to watch out for the very friendly golden retriever who had a habit of taking a swim in the pool before greeting students. The homestay was very impressive and though not airconditioned fans were supplied to keep cool with. The family always served three hearty meals and constantly offered us more food. However, they had little concern as to where you went or with whom. That's coming from a minor traveling alone though. The directors were always ready to adjust my program as I desired and made sure that I felt comfortable in my classes. Every one of the teachers was always peppy and tolerant. The majority of them were completely fluent in English. The only draw back is when in a group class the teachers tend to correct you less and skim over detailed explanations so as to keep the group moving at a steady pace. The most fun I had down there was not in excursions I took but in with the locals I met down there and could hang out with. They are more than willing to show a person fun places like the zoo or salsa competitions that the school wasn't aware of or hadn't thought to mention.

I thought the teachers I had were excellent and classes were small (3-5 students). Classes were basically grammar and conversation. I loved my homestay family, but Merida's climate is very hot and humid in the summer and A/C would have been nice in my room. I think that all students should be encouraged to use the city buses to get around because they are modern, safe, clean, and air-conditioned, and that helps students really use their Spanish and participate in the culture.

A great value for your money. Miguel and Janese are wonderful people operating a business from their hearts with grace and quality.

Just got back today from three weeks at the school and in a culture/daytrip program and highly recommend it. June - Oakville Canada

The classes were small and therefore able to give me individual attention. I also feel that the school directors were very dedicated to making sure that my learning needs were met. The only drawback was that the location of the school was far from the center of town, and that the morning pick up times were not consistent.

I had a great time at this school. I met the most amazing people in Merida. I can't wait to go back!!!

Excellent program--flexible, professional yet relaxed atmosphere for learning. Group sizes where small--the teachers were not only kind and patient but very knowledgable and prepared. The directors were always available for personal help to students. I'd give the Institute of Modern Spanish 10 STARS!!

The Institute of Modern Spanish is very student friendly providing exceptional service to students from the first day until the last. Teaching quality was very high. Good excursions. Merida is a fun city to study in. My wife and I attended together and have been to many other schools.

I found the school very disappointing. Disorganized, badly in need of a dedicated office, with little or no response to questions asked prior to arrival and general confusion the first day. The facilities are small and uncomfortable and a 20 minute bus ride from the city center. I took 1:1 advanced intermediate level conversation classes, but my instructor didnt seem to know what to do with me and never came up with a plan. On the upside, my homestay was wonderful in every way; Neyda and Enrique are charming and their home is comfortable and inviting. Neyda serves delicious Yucateca cuisine.

I attended the school with my 14 year old son for 2 weeks and we both had a great experience. I was a beginner and he had 2 years of middle school spanish. The school was able to meet both of our needs with teachers that were great. Miguel, the director, was very interested in making our time a positive experience, both in and out of the classroom. There were many opportunities to travel and have cultural experiences. The pool at the school was a nice way to relax between or after class. Our housing was a home stay with Neyda and Enrique. They were amazing!! Neyda's cooking was incredible Mexican/Yucatecan. She always made sure we were full. They were both very accomodating and friendly and let us work on our spanish every day. Enrique went out of his way to make sure we could negotiate the buses and even gave us rides sometimes. We also very much enjoyed the rest of the family that chipped in to help at times and their grandson Alejandro that was happy to kick the soccer ball whenever we wanted. We would highly recommend the school and this homestay to anyone.

I spent 7 beautiful weeks at the Institute of Modern Spanish. I always felt Miguel and Janese were looking out for the students. When I needed to make changes they were supportive and accomodating. I received the classes I needed from excellent teachers who were educated in the subject and enjoyable to be around. I miss them very much. My homestay was wonderful and Merida is a great place to spend time. The school is located somewhat out of the way but Miguel offers transportation and the buses are easy to learn, this also is a good expierence. Excursions were enjoyable. I recommend this school. I hope I'll be back sometime.

Teachers average to above w/ weakness in diagnostics. School location is for the convenience of owner not students. Relationship of owner w/ host families is mediocre. Of seven immersion schools I´ve attended I would rank this one as the 5th or 6th in ranking. Merida is a great local for outside activies (ruins, beaches, museums, fiestas, caves etc). People of Merida friendly, city is very secure.

I don't find comments that sugar coal everything helpful. So here's an honest rating of my experience. I had a great trip (5 weeks total), but I would do a few things differently. First, the city of Merida: its a beautiful city - the downtown plaza, cathedral, the big market on sundays, the anthropology museum - all amazing. But... if you're like me and prefer smaller cities and towns, Merida isn't for you. It's a very big place, my host family lived a ways from downtown Merida (where the school is), so getting to and from school was sort of time consuming (30 minutes in a van where everyone is staring at you like you have horns coming out of your head - they are not used to seeing white people in their neighborhoods). Also, if you want to take weekend excursions, Merida is sort of isolated from the rest of the peninsula. The beaches on that side of the peninsula aren't that great and most of the interesting stuff is to the east side (chichen itza, the beaches around cancun and isla mujeres are gorgeous, tulum, uxmual, etc.). The bus ride to that side of the peninsula is about 6 hours. Second, the school itself...the good part: biggest class had 4 people the staff is friendly...the not-so-good part: teachers were okay (I'd give them a C+/B- on teaching skills), materials included a few worksheets once in a while, & there were only about 10-12 students in the whole school at any given time and all of them were american (I was hoping to meet a lot of new people from around the world). If I could do it all over, I'd go to a school in Playa Del Carmen - smaller town, right on the perfect, white sand beaches, close to all the interesting sights, and I hear the Europeans prefer the east side (or that could just be Cancun?). Good luck with your search! You're going to love the Yucatan - its such an adventure!

I enjoyed my stay and learned a lot. Teachers were helpful and provided the assistance I needed in learning conjugations. I lucked out, having signed up for some private and some group conversation classes: apparently no other students were at my level, so all classes were private. My host family was delightful; helpful in my attempts to speak Spanish with them; the home was clean; and within a 10 minute walk, per my request. The Director was very helpful and desirous of making the experience there a good one.

This Institute lived up to all expectations. The teachers were professional, the extra trips were informative, and the family that I stayed with was outstanding. I recommend this school highly.

I really felt I got all the language practice I wanted. If only I got to stay longer. I really appreiciate Miguel for taking us to all the placees of our cultural experiance.

Miguel, Thank you so much for the great experience with the Institute of Modern Spanish. Our students had such a great time and learned so much.  I want to thank you especially for the applied learning experiences you and your staff provided.  Taking the students to the market in Merida on the last day of classes to test their newly gained language skills was an experience they will never forget! I also want to comment on the learning environment your school provided.  The young and energetic teachers, the patio and pool, relaxed breaks between classes, and opportunities to interact with other students from around the world made an exceptional learning experience for our students.  Having ready access to you and the school van made it so convenient to go on trips and excursions.  It is difficult to say which trip students thought the best, they were all so interesting, educational and enjoyable although the visit to Tixcocob Hammock excursion was close to the top.  And for our students, the salsa lessons and excursion to Mambocafe were in their words, "sooo cool!" They are still talking about it! Thank you especially for arranging excellent meals on the excursions and for opportunities to swim in the cenotes, at the beach or in a pool. The pairing of students with host families worked out well.  All students were enthusiastic about their host families. Your readiness to share your family and so much of your time to ensure that we all had a great experience was what I thank you for the most.  Your efforts were above and beyond our expectations.  Taking time to explain Yucatecan history and current Mayan issues helped our understanding of the local culture.  You certainly are a well versed, calm, patient and muy sympatico guy.  Miguel, for all the above reasons I conclude, "Tu eres el hombre!" I hope we will have the opportunity to return to the Institute of Modern Spanish soon. Dan Petit Etna, California

For the serious Spanish student absolutely the best school of 5 that I have attended. No-nonsense. Professional teachers. Quiet. Out of the city but good transportation.

Exceeded our expectations in every respect. Highly motivated faculty, excellent outing at reasonable prices, host family that contributed greatly to our experience. We definitely will return.

The teachers at this school are a pleasure to know. I feel that my life is richer having meet them. I spent a month studying, and am so glad to have done so. Even though it does rain everyday in June!

This school was a mixed bag for me. There is a lack of communication and organization on the owners part that negatively impacts students time and experience at the school. But given those circumstances, my teachers were AMAZING!! i learned a lot of spanish, loved my host family, and enjoyed merida, and nearby visits to ruins and cenotes. i would definitely return to merida, but would look for a more organized school.

The owner and his family treated us like we were part of their family. The cultural field trips were great- we really got a flavor of the culture of the people. My children and I both had experiences that will last a lifetime.

Excellent teachers, especially Willy (someone with whom I would have enjoyed speaking in any language), Rosario and Bessie. I took 8 hours of private lessons daily for 2 weeks and would gladly have kept going. Ample facilities, friendly driver, lovely and safe-feeling city with reasonable public transportation (good, since school and home stays are out in the suburbs) and tours available to nearby sites. TWO BITS OF ADVICE: First, my experience started badly, because my first family could have cared less about me. If this happens, don’t wait as long as I did to ask to change. Once I did school owner Miguel acted quickly, graciously, and then all was good. In fact, why not ask for Enrique and Neyda to start with! They are the grandparents everyone in the world wants: caring, helpful with Spanish and with activities, always cooking special treats (family motto is a full belly, a happy heart), and sharing a warm and friendly extended family in their lovely house and garden. Second, late August is very hot and there was only one other student there when I was and no social interaction, not even a welcome or farewell, with management. I got what I wanted from the school (and my fellow student got private lessons without having to pay the extra costs), but if you are looking for company in addition to lessons you may want to check with management to see if August is the best time.

Love it. Nice school! Great teachers! Best accomodation at Don Enrique.

This beautiful modern school in a quiet, safe neighbourhood of Merida, Yucatan is a great place to learn Espanol. I had the 'total immersion' experience of a host family plus the encouragement of the Institute's teaching staff to get me started with what for me was a completely new language. The school organises trips to local sites so there are always things to do and see. I plan to go back for more classes soon. Highly recommended!!!

When i came here with with a class of 19 other students in April, we were all glad that our teachers chose this school for us to learn spanish in. The teachers were really nice and during the breaks, there was the pool ready to cool us off. I suggest that if you want to learn spanish and if you want to have an awesome time doing so, you should go to this school.

Miguel (the owner) and his teachers were wonderful. The classes were presented in a rotating manner so the drier topics like grammar didn't overwhelm the day. The school made sure that each individual in our family was working with the appropriate level of instruction. In other words, Miguel made sure our high school level daughters, who know Spanish, were not dragged down by their very much less able parents! The facilities, while a bit out of the city, are easy to get to, the pool is beautiful and the homestay they arranged for my family of five was wonderful. Miguel went out of his way to make sure we saw the sites of the surrounding area. He was also very knowledgeable about Mexican/Yucatan history and was able to add a lot of information that made or out of school hours fun and educational. We would recommend this school highly!

I've learned quite a bit from these instructors. Excellent instruction in grammar, and excellent opportunities for practicing what you've learned in the conversation classes. I keep coming back for more, which in and of itself is testimony to what I think of its value.

I loved this school! I spent six weeks there and learned so much! The teachers are so dedicated to making sure that you learn. They are accommodating, supportive, fun, and incredible teachers. I cannot recommend this school enough!

The school was recommended to me, even so the school, atmosphere with more excided my expectations. I was planning to use 5 weeks at the school and then travel. However the program was so good that i decided to prolong my stay in Merida. I really feel that a lot of thought and care is put into making shure that the individual students gets a program that suites him or her and that their objectives are met. During my stay my spanish improved significantly! so happy with the results. the facilities are good and there is a nice swimming pool :) very friendly and informal atmosphere

Excellent five stars from the get-go!! Airport pickup by friendly family, transportation to and from host family included interesting, morning and afternoon conversations with director-Miguel-a very friendly and knowledgeable young man (I say he's young, as I am retired)...Never thought I'd be analyzing Mexican politics IN SPANISH! but I did! (at least I think I did) Again, five stars through and through!!

I have taken groups of my students to the Institute of Modern Spanish twice and plan to return in the future. My high school students say that it is the best week of their lives. Not only are the classes informative, the excursions available are "fenomenales" and priced right. Host families and their homes are exceptional. The director is accommodating to our group's needs.

If I knew that I would spend five hours a day by myself doing grammar sheet after grammar sheet, I wouldn't have come. I learned, but I was quite disappointed with the school.

SPANISH IS GOOD

i need the holidays in spanish

I attended the Institute of Modern Spanish for two months in spring 2012 and have been in touch with them ever since! The experience was simply outstanding. The Owner/Director, Miguel Ceron, and his team developed a program of learning tailored specifically for me which considered both my ability (Spanish language level) and desire for cultural experiences. My program involved just the right amount of classroom learning, in depth immersion, and field trips. Much of my "formal" language and cultural learning at IMS occurred one-on-one with instructors and others both in the classroom and out in the community. The school, the people, and the overall experience were tremendous!

The school was located in the suburbs in the backyard of the school's owners. It's not convenient for persons staying in the centro. The facilities were pretty basic and the school was small without good public spaces for hanging out and meeting people. My conversation teacher did not seem to understand the concept of the class and she talked the entire time. I was horribly bored and blamed the school for letting someone teach a conversation class like that.

I spend a little over two months here between January and March taking Spanish lessons at the school while also volunteering as an English teacher (at placements provided by Miguel) and I can easily say that it has been one of the best and most rewarding experiences I’ve had. Miguel was so helpful during the whole process and was always just a phone call away (I don’t know where he finds the time!). From coming to pick me up on my first day out after getting lost to helping me find a doctor (and playing translator to make sure everything was in order) when I got news from home that I needed a few tests, I can’t thank him enough. During my stay, I also had the opportunity to partake in a home stay with the most lovely family (Neyda and Enrique, my host abuelos), which offered me a unique chance to really feel as though I was a part of a local family as well as to better experience the culture and practice the language in an authentic environment. If you get placed with them as well, count yourself lucky! The Spanish lessons themselves were also some of my favorite parts of the experience. Although I went in with only a basic knowledge of the language (it’s a shame how little five years of high school Spanish actually helps in the real world!), I quickly began feeling more competent in the language with each lesson. They are very tailored to your personal needs and are willing to work with you to find a schedule that makes sense for you. More than anything else, however, the instructors were absolutely wonderful both as teachers and as individuals. Abraham and Elissa (my conversation instructors) are some of the sweetest people ever in addition to being extremely knowledgeable and engaging. Willy, my grammar instructor, is probably one of the most interesting people you could hope to meet and I could have (and often did) talked to him for hours about just about anything. I already miss them all dearly! All in all, I highly recommend experiencing Mexico and the Yucatan through IMS!

The friendly, patient and helpful staff, intensive class sessions, supplemental material, and excellent accommodations and location within Merida make this an exceptional value for your money. Highly recommended.

(San Diego Group-June 2014) I have traveled and studied Spanish in Mexico for many years now. The Spanish Institute of Spanish of Merida has been by far the worst place I have ever attended. I worked directly with the director (Eva) who initially seemed like a genuinely caring person but after I signed our agreement turned out to be a greedy individual. Not only did she lie about having an actual site for the school but changed the details of our agreement on several occasions. Our trips were horribly orchestrated with little to none information given to prepare for them. When we brought up our concerns she was quick to place the blame on our group and showed no respect. She plays the victim and takes no responsibility for her arrangements. There were countless times where she cheated us out of our money with no reason to spend it. To make matters worse she harassed her employees and her host families daily. The amount of stress this woman caused was unbelievable. The facilities are far away from the center of the city or anything worthwhile and buses hardly pass through the area. The rooms are tiny and the building is always hot. The director will leave you in the hands of her employees for all trips with no check-ins as to how things are going. If you have the chance to visit Merida please, DO NOT study here. Read other reviews carefully, this is not the first of it's kind. It may have been a great school initially but those days are long gone.

I spent a month in Merida, taking classes every morning and enjoying the Yucatan in the afternoons. I had such a great time, both in the classroom and out. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone considering traveling to Merida for language and cultural exploration.