Llama Education - Spanish Language Courses in Arequipa, Peru

Llama Education

Llama Education has offered customized immersion Spanish language packages in Peru since 1998. Maria’s past experience taught her that fear of speaking a new language is the main problem students have when learning. Realising that using the language covered in theory lessons is the best way to learn quickly, Maria changed the policy of Llama Education in 2003 and began developing her own special program.

She started to offer study packages at her own home in a unique system that helps the student pick up vocabulary in a very quick and easy way. By inviting the student to join her family and communicate in simple Spanish with her 2 small children- as well as with adults - she reduced the fear of speaking to an absolute minimum. Students can also practise outside the home as the school is located next to an attractive small park in a safe middle-class neighbourhood (the community is gated and has a guard on duty 24 hours a day) where everyone knows each other. Most of the time children are playing in the park and as soon they see another face in the area they are curious and come over to chat. The neighbourhood offers other activities nearby - like going to a public gym or joining sessions at another school which gives dance classes to local people.

In this way she has achieved her mission to create a secure environment in which students can learn Spanish while experiencing as much interaction as possible with Peruvian customs and culture. Maria takes a personal interest in the studies of each student and coordinates his or her individualized classes with teachers on a daily basis.  For example, when a student comes to the end of his or her studies, Maria arranges for personalized activities for the student to practice Spanish outside of class.  For example, she recently arranged for an student who is a lawyer to speak with a Peruvian lawyer about the Peruvian legal system.  

The Language School's Founder

Maria del Carmen Huaman Enriquez is the founder of the Llama Education language school. Maria was born in Ilo, which is in southern Peru and is close to the border shared by Chile and Peru. She has a Bachelor's degree in Economics.

Maria has very successfully created a secure environment in which students can learn Spanish while experiencing as much interaction as possible with Peruvian customs and culture.

She recognizes each student's unique personality and creates a level of comfort that enables them to progress rapidly in their coursework. Outgoing and welcoming, Maria gives students confidence in their progress and helps them to enjoy both their classes and free time.

She lives in Arequipa with her two daughters, Diana (10) and Sonja (8).

Please let us know if you will have any additional requirements during your time in Peru.  We are committed to doing everything possible to assure that you enjoy a positive, fruitful and successful experience at our school.

MARIA’S BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

Maria also enjoys and appreciates the professional business world and has had extensive experience as a professional business woman.  At the age of 20, she opened, owned and operated for five years an imported-clothing boutique.  After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, she worked for three years in Cusco, Peru, for El Bank Central de Reserves (one year)  and for El Wonder Touristic where she learned a great deal about operating a travel agency, hotel and about Peruvian restaurants. She is very valuable knowledgeable about the varied and excellent cuisine in Peru. Later, she successfully opened her own travel agency, which offers services throughout Peru (APU TOUR).  Concurrently, she founded and directs a language school which is now her most successful business enterprise.  Her school was the first language school in Arequipa, Peru.  Additionally, she is currently the director of a tour agency in Peru which offers spiritual/mystical tours (APU Tour Mystical Travel Peru).  Maria highly values the importance of the spiritual influences in her life and recognizes their role in her success.