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All Spanish schools in Quito
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Don Quijote / Academia ColumbusQuito, Ecuador

Spanish courses at this language school can not be booked on our site. The information is provided in order to orient our visitors about the complete range of language course options available in Quito.

Location: Don Quijote / Academia Columbus Quito is a medium-sized school that boasts some incredible views of the whole of Quito. Located in the quiet, modern and upscale neighbourhood of El Batàn, the school is very well connected to local transport and is a 5-minute walk from Quito's Parque Metropolitano.

Course structure: Don Quijote / Academia Columbus Quito has a wide variety of courses suitable for all students and levels of study. If you are looking for a General Spanish course in group, semi-private or private classes, which can also be taken in conjunction with Salsa dancing or cooking, they will be sure to have the course for you. The school also offers preparation courses for both the DELE and SIELE exams and has a Volunteer programme for students looking to combine their Spanish studies with volunteering. Refresher courses for Teachers and Spanish for 50+ students are also available at certain times of the year.

Accommodation: The school has some excellent choices for accommodation in both Student Residence and Homestay.

Leisure activities: In terms of activities, Don Quijote Quito is happy to offer a number of activities including Salsa and merengue dance lessons, Ecuadorian cooking lessons and Spanish Language film screenings to name a few. They also offer optional excursions such as trips to Volcano Cotopaxi, Quilotoa Lagoon, the Tropical rainforest in Mindo and the middle of the world Equator line.

School chain: With over 30 years of experience, Don Quijote is an internationally recognized leader in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. They have multiple campuses in many countries throughout the world and continue to provide quality and innovative services to their students whilst constantly working to better themselves.
  • The school is also known under the name Academia Columbus.
  • The language school Don Quijote / Academia Columbus was founded in Quito, Ecuador in 2000.
  • Legal name / parent company: Enforex for English Executives SL
  • Tax registration ID: B80274269

Spanish Courses

General Language
Private
Work & Study
Business
Exam Preparation
Language Plus Activity
Specialty Courses

Information for all courses offered by Don Quijote / Academia Columbus

Lesson duration
55 minutes
Course material
Generally course material is distributed free to students but has to be returned to the school at end of course.
Days without class
In 2024 (including national and regional bank holidays):
01 Jan 2024, 12 Feb 2024, 13 Feb 2024, 29 Mar 2024, 03 May 2024, 24 May 2024, 09 Aug 2024, 11 Oct 2024, 01 Nov 2024, 04 Nov 2024, 25 Dec 2024.
School policy regarding bank holidays:Private classes are recuperated or refunded. Same as for nearly all language schools, group classes falling on bank holiday are not refunded and not recuperated.
Please note that this school reserves the right to reduce the number of lessons if the minimum number of students is not reached.

Lessons needed per Spanish language level

Level (CEFR) LESSONS needed per level WEEKS needed
(20 lessons per week)
A1 Beginner A1 to A2 80 4
A2 Elementary A2 to B1 160 8
B1 Intermediate B1 to B2 180 9
B2 Higher Intermediate B2 to C1 200 10
C1 Advanced C1 to C2 220 11
C2 Proficiency
Data above gives some guidance. For more details consult our page How long does it take to learn a language or reach a specific level.

Our price includes

  • INCLUDED Organized activities
  • INCLUDED Wireless LAN zone at school
  • INCLUDED Free certificate of course attendance
  • INCLUDED Language level placement test at first day of classes
  • INCLUDED Language level placement test before arrival
  • INCLUDED For adult courses: a minimum of one free organized leisure activity per week

Videos & Photos

  • Don Quijote / Academia Columbus - General School Video1/1
  • Main area
    Main area1/5
  • lesson
    lesson2/5
  • Teacher and students
    Teacher and students3/5
  • students
    students4/5
  • Exterior
    Exterior5/5

Don Quijote / Academia Columbus

Accreditations and Quality seals
ALTONAFSAPreferential Terms in Case of Visa RefusalAECEE, IEG, AATSP
Spanish teacher qualifications
70% hold a university degree
50% hold a recognised language teaching qualification
Languages spoken by school staff (cannot be guaranteed by school)
Offer for returning students
You will be refunded/waived the school's administration fee If you already attended previously a course at Don Quijote / Academia Columbus and you book here.
Payment methods accepted for payments made directly to the school
Visa - logoMastercard - logoBank Transfer - logo

General school facilities

  • Kitchen for student use

  • Microwave for student use

  • Fridge for student use

  • Lounge

  • Garden

  • Rooftop terrace

  • Balcony / terrace

  • Free coffee

  • Free water dispenser

  • Free WIFI

  • Facilities for islamic students

    • Homestay option that can prepare halal food

    • Homestay with no men in the household not guaranteed. However, arrangements can be made to suit the client's wishes.
  • Classroom equipment

    • TV in some classrooms

    • Ample natural light in all classrooms

    Number of classrooms: 9
    Number of public PC workstations: 2

Student Age / Nationality

Average number of students
In summer: 30
Throughout the year: 24
Minimum age of students
16 years
Average number of levels
Adult courses In summer: 6
Adult courses Throughout the year: 3
Average age of students
In summer: 30 years
Throughout the year: 32 years

Top student nationalities

Airport transfer

Mariscal Sucre International Airport:
59 US$ one way
118 US$ return (both ways)
Best arrival airport is Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO).
More information about airports around Quito and how to get from the airport to Quito on your own here on our Quito page.

Visa Documents

Nationals from USA do not require a visa for travelling to Ecuador and attending a language course.
Check visa requirements for nationals from other countries.
Nationals from countries that require a visa will receive documents from the school, related to booking confirmation, which is required for the visa application.
Full payment of all fees required before school dispatches documents required for visa application
Yes
Express shipment fee (via courier)
Europe: 55 US$
,
North America: 55 US$
,
South America: 115 US$
,
Africa: 115 US$
,
Oceania: 115 US$
,
Asia: 115 US$
Preferential cancellation terms in case of visa refusal
School agreed that students booking online on this site will benefit from preferential cancellation fees in case of visa refusal, and in this case will never exceed EUR 180.

Leisure activities

activity possibledistance from school
Basketball-1 km
Cooking-
Dancing-
Football (soccer)-1 km
Horse riding-10 km
Volleyball-1 km

Examples of leisure activities organized by the school

Adults - Free activities

City Tour
Dancing lessons
Cookery classes
Cultural Lectures
Fiestas
Drama Classes
* Movie Nights

Adults - Paid activities

Otavalo (indigenous market): USD 40-50
Mitad del Mundo (Equator and Inca sites): USD 20-30
Papallacta (thermal hot springs in the Andes): USD 40-50
Saquisilí (indigenous market): USD 30-40
Cotopaxi (national park): USD 40-50
Pichincha (volcano): USD 70-75
Mindo (tiny village in the cloud forest with 7 waterfalls): USD 65-70
Cuyabeno ( jungle reserve): 3 days/2 nights: 190-200 USD - 4 days/ 3 nights: USD 230-240
* Quito by night (1 evening): USD 15-20
Prices are subject to change.

Student opinions about Don Quijote / Academia Columbus, Quito

Liked
Great atmosphere, friendly teachers and great School director
Insider tips about what future students should not miss Go to Mindo on the weekend
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Value for money
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

City/place
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Facilities (library, classrooms)
4.0

Rating: 4/5.0

Quality of teaching / language progress
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

School organization
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Social activities
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Course: Super Intensive 30 - 2 weeks
8. Apr. 2019
Liked
Teachers were professionals.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Value for money
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

City/place
4.0

Rating: 4/5.0

Facilities (library, classrooms)
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Quality of teaching / language progress
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

School organization
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Social activities
4.0

Rating: 4/5.0

Shared apartment
4.0

Rating: 4/5.0

Other comments Excellent
Course: Intensive - 2 weeks
21. Mar. 2016

Map  

Calle Arízaga Luque N 34-240 y Federico Páez n/a - 170135 Quito
Loading map content

FAQ about Don Quijote / Academia Columbus,

  • Yes. The school offers pickup from Mariscal Sucre International Airport (59 US$)
  • 70% of teachers at Academia Columbus hold a university degree. 50% hold a recognized language teaching certificate.
  • The highest Nationality percentage at Don Quijote / Academia Columbus comes from Germany with a 33% representation, followed by students from USA (24%) and Switzerland (16%).
  • Don Quijote / Academia Columbus offers courses from 16 years to 99. Average age is 30 during the summer and 32 for the rest of the year.

Not sure which course at Don Quijote / Academia Columbus is best for you?

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Quito
Quito city attractiveness rated by our students:
4.0 

Rating: 4.0/5.0

More information about Quito including climate data and events on our Quito page with a list of all 8 Spanish schools in Quito.
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