Language Programs in Caribbean

Diversity rules the Caribbean, from the Greater Antilles to the Lesser Antilles. There are several different places to immerse yourself in the language of your choosing while also getting a taste of local linguistics (think creole and patois). Here are a few of the top places for language programs in the Caribbean:

Havana, Cuba. Picture yourself havana good time chowin’ down on ropa vieja in Cuba’s charming capital city. Stroll along the malecón, travel through time in Old Havana, and take a tour in one of those picturesque, classy cars in between Spanish language classes. If you crave Cuban rhythms, add in a little salsa dancing or percussion drumming. Intertwine a survivalist history with intensive language courses in a place that attracts famous and not-so-famous people alike (just take a look at the signed walls of La Bodeguita del Medio).

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. As the oldest European city in the Americas, Santo Domingo prides itself on its heritage, history, and fascinatingly-distinct neighborhoods. Check out Parque Colón and the New World’s oldest paved street, Calle Las Damas, in the zona colonial (UNESCO-approved). Get your cultural fix at one of four museums in Plaza de la Cultura, sample Dominican dishes like mofongo, sancocho, and of course, some plátano, and gaze at Victorian houses in the well-to-do Gazcue neighborhood. Practice your Spanish skills in and out of the classroom, and when you get tired of verbal communication, learn some merengue and bachata steps! Suavemente, no?

Martinique and Guadeloupe. Fusing French and Creole influences in the French West Indies, Martinique and Guadeloupe (I'ile Papillon or Butterfly Island) are fabulous extensions of France. Picture France as a paradise island: c'est parfait! Add in a hint of adventure in these off-the-beaten path destinations when you’re not conversing with locals in French. Both Caribbean departments of France are incredibly unique: mountains, rain forest, beaches, and coral reefs galore. Whether immersing yourself in colorful Sainte-Anne, Guadeloupe or Le Robert, Martinique, French fluency is achievable in one-on-one homestay programs that combine private tutoring with all things French culture.