First of all, Ecuador is a great place to learn Spanish. It is an interesting and very useful language, not just in South America or Spain, but also in Europe, the 
United States of America and the whole world. After Chinese and English, Spanish is the third most spoken languages on earth. So, of course, there are a lot of students, workers and all kind of persons who are thinking about travel abroad to learn this language. I also learned Spanish in Ecuador and by now I can communicate pretty well with every Spanish speaking person.
A lot of people ask me, why did you go to Ecuador and not to Spain, to Mexico or to Peru to learn Spanish? My answer always is – because it is a great and beautiful country, the people are nice and helpful and the Spanish is good to understand which is very important if you start with Spanish. Every country has its own words and dialects, so does Ecuador. But if you compare it to other South American countries or even to Spain, Ecuadorians have a pretty clear pronunciation and the highest level of correct grammar in South America. Another reason, why Ecuador is a good place to learn the language, is that only a few people really speak English. That is clearly because of the culture and because of the educational system. So you just have to speak and learn Spanish if you want to stay there longer and to get to know people around you.
The best and fastest way to begin, is of course a language school to learn some basics before you go out there on your own. Gulliver’s Expeditions offer special programs for foreigners that combine Spanish classes and tours in Ecuador. The prices for the classes are really cheap compared to classes in other countries. Nevertheless, the teachers and the classes have a high standard. Normally their packages include Spanish classes, home staying or other accomodation, Salsa classes and also day trips or longer trips to get to know the country and more people. But you can also create your personal package if you want to. Gulliver offers private classes, classes for 2 people or also for 10 to 15 students. So don’t worry, you will find your perfect way.
Most of the “extranjeros” I got to know in Ecuador not just took classes in schools but they also did an internship in a local company, they worked as volunteers or they wanted to travel around South America and needed some basics for their big adventure. Ecuador has a great location to start of to Colombia, Peru or other countries. But Ecuador itself is already a great destination with a big diversity. There is the Amazonian Rainforest, the Andes, the Coast and of course the Galapagos Island. The best thing is, that every touristic destination within Ecuador is easily and fast to reach by buses.
I think the greatest thing about speaking Spanish fluently is, that you can talk to all the locals. People start to respect you more in the foreign countries and you usually get better prices on the markets. Besides that, you can travel alone without worring to get lost. Probably the most important thing is, that you get to know the culture and the people in a very different andmore intensive way than without speaking the local language!!
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