Celas Maya, the First IALC School in Guatemala

We are excited to welcome Celas Maya to the IALC network, strengthening our presence in Central America with the addition of Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala – a beautiful city in the western highlands, surrounded by volcanoes and mountains.

Off the traditional tourist trail, this authentic and welcoming city provides Celas Maya students with the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the cultural, historical, and social fabric of Guatemala. From vibrant markets and indigenous customs to a community where Mayan languages are still spoken, students don’t just study Spanish here — they live it.

‘”Spanish is not just a language — it’s a way to connect with people, history, and identity.’”

Celas Maya sets itself apart through their strong commitment to innovation in personalized teaching and genuine human connection. They want their students to experience real progress and a natural integration of the language.

We spoke with School Director, Federico Velasquez to ask him about Celas Maya, Xela and joining IALC!

How does your school stand out from others?

At Celas Maya, we believe that learning Spanish should be a transformative, enjoyable, and visible experience. We’ve developed a teaching model based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), with a 75%-25% communicative approach that encourages students to speak from day one. Classes are one-on-one or in small groups, and each student is matched with passionate, patient, and highly experienced teachers. But what truly sets us apart is the full experience: homestays with local families, volunteering opportunities, and guided activities.

What are the most popular courses at your school?

Our most popular course is the One-on-One Intensive Spanish Program, which includes 25 lessons per week and combines personalized instruction with full cultural immersion. Most students choose to live with a local host family, allowing them to practice Spanish daily in real-life situations and experience Guatemalan life from within. Other highly requested programs include Medical Spanish, designed for healthcare professionals, and our Online Spanish Program, ideal for those who wish to start or continue learning from home. Our DELE and SIELE exam preparation courses are also quite popular.

“One-on-one: more human, more effective.”

Why did you decide to join IALC and how do you feel about it?

For us, staying at the forefront of any human endeavor is vital. In our field, that means ongoing self-development, but also learning from the experience and knowledge of other colleagues. Pursuing accreditations means accepting challenges, stepping out of our comfort zone, and being willing to share what we’ve learned along the way.

“Joining IALC was a thoughtful and strategic decision. We see it as a network of schools that shares our core values: academic quality, cultural immersion, and human connection. IALC represents all of that — and above all, it builds trust with our students and partners.”

We feel excited and honored to be part of IALC. It feels like we’ve found the right place to continue growing, share what we do well, and learn from others who are just as passionate about language education.

“At Celas Maya, we also use artificial intelligence — but we know that acquiring a new language is a matter of human warmth.”

What do your students love most about your school?

What our students value most is the camaraderie and human warmth that make speaking Spanish at Celas Maya feel natural and effortless. This doesn’t come at the expense of professionalism — our team has a deep understanding of grammar, methodology, and the mental process of learning a language that’s not your mother tongue. From the very first day, students feel welcomed — not only by our team, but also by their host families, the local community, and fellow students. Many of them tell us they didn’t expect to feel “at home” so quickly, especially in such a different environment. One of the things that makes a big difference is that every member of our academic and administrative team feels personally responsible for each student. While our policies clearly state that we provide effective Spanish instruction and homestay accommodation, we also take care of our students’ safety, comfort, and peace of mind — with kindness, responsibility, and joy. And of course, they fall in love with Xela: its culture, its colors, its food, its landscapes… and the way it opens their eyes and their hearts.

New programmes:

At Celas Maya, we’re always working on new ways to make learning Spanish more accessible, meaningful, and relevant.

• Our newest courses are part of the Bildungsurlaub program, specially designed for professionals from Germany who want to study Spanish in an intensive and recognized format.
• For university students from the United States, we will soon offer Spanish courses with academic credit, which combine language learning with cultural immersion and optional elective content in fields like history, politics, and Mayan studies.
• In addition, we continue to expand our Online Spanish Program with new modules and flexible schedules, and we regularly provide seasonal discounts for long-term learners and student groups.