WELCOME TO OLSA INTERNATIONAL
More than a Spanish school,
it's a Colombian experience!
Learn Spanish in Medellin!
LSA International Spanish / English language school – Learn Spanish in Medellin with the best – according to Google Reviews (see for yourself)!
OLSA International sets itself apart from other academies with its dedicated focus on helping you put the Spanish language into practice. Our program is designed to have you speaking Spanish, whether for a future employment, or for continued travel in Spanish-speaking countries.
In addition, we are the only academy in Medellin with a foundation dedicated to improving the lives of the financially-challenged population through scholarships to our conversational English classes taught by native English speakers from North America. Check out our foundation at the OLSA FOUNDATION tab above. We invite you to participate in this important work!
Join us to improve your Spanish fluency with our Conversational and Private Spanish Classes, qualify for a student visa with our Certified Spanish Courses, engage in our language exchanges on Wednesday and Friday nights, experience Medellin through our many excursions, grab a bite to eat at our on-campus restaurant and participate in our foundation; whether as a donor or a volunteer!
7 POINTS OF DIFFERENCE
At OLSA International, we pay our teachers an hourly wage that exceeds the Colombian minimum wage. Our teachers and staff also attend weekly continuing-education classes (every Wednesday) to improve their skill sets and offer a higher quality experience for our clients. Sometimes our classes may be slightly more expensive than competitors’, but because of our fair salaries and constant learning strategies, we hold a high retention rate amongst our teachers and staff resulting in unmatched quality – as reflected in the number of 5-star reviews we receive in Google and the personal testimonial videos, below.
OLSA International is certified by the Secretary of Education of Medellin. Our curriculum is based in the Vistas / Facetas system, which is used by 100+ accredited universities across the USA. We have adapted this curriculum to the Common European Framework and have fortified it to meet our rigid standards. Our certified courses qualify for the Colombian student visa and are heavily focused on actually speaking Spanish, not just learning the Spanish grammar.
OLSA International is the only certified Spanish school in Medellin whose certified Spanish courses qualify for US university course credit. OLSA is allied with Westminster University in Utah to provide students with the option to not only qualify for a Colombian student visa, but also receive transferable university course credit in the United States for their Spanish courses.
Schools and students understand the expression “Learn Spanish” differently.
To most schools, “Learn Spanish” means to learn Spanish grammar/theory.
To most students, “Learn Spanish” means they want to orally communicate with natives during their trip to Colombia.
At OLSA International, though we also teach Spanish grammar, our focus is actually hearing, processing and speaking in Spanish in real time with native Spanish speakers. We practice for oral Spanish fluency.
There are two basic types of learning: Passive Learning and Active Learning. Both have their strengths and weaknesses.
Passive Learning – is primarily focused on memorizing specific goals which may include standards, rules, vocabulary, etc. This is what 90%+ of schools provide – standards-based learning. Passive learning tends towards theory. The benefit of passive learning is the gain of theoretical knowledge on a topic. The drawback is the lack of real-world application. In language, this means that you can pass a grammar test, but actually conversing in the language with natives is difficult, or nearly impossible.
Active Learning – is focused on the real-time application of the material being learned. This is more like an apprenticeship; learning through practice. The benefit of active learning is that real-life experience allows us to think through ideas instead of through rules. The drawback is that the process is difficult to test for standards. In language, this means you are able to converse with natives, but the content may not qualify for an official certificate.
No other school in Medellin offers the quality, or quantity, of programs that we offer. Here’s a quick look at what you can experience at OLSA:
- Certified Spanish University courses which qualify for a Colombian student visa
- University course credits for our US citizens taking our Certified Spanish courses
- Conversational Spanish classes designed for improved Spanish fluency
- Private Spanish classes designed to improve personal Spanish understanding and fluency
- Spanish Immersion packets with the top 10 excursions in Medellin
- Stay & Study packets with 9 allied hostels/hotels
- Language exchange events – Wednesdays and Fridays – 7 hours per week!
- Restaurant / Event Center complete with big screen televisions, licensed bar and a focus on conversation
- Conversational English classes with our native English speakers from the USA and Canada
- Certified and registered foundation – The OLSA Foundation – which scholarships estrato 1 & 2 students for conversational English with our native English speakers from the USA and Canada
- US Tax Credits for our US citizens who wish to make a donation to The OLSA Foundation, or wish to purchase their classes, courses or excursions through The OLSA Foundation
- Medellin VIP Card – OLSA students receive the Medellin VIP Card for special priviledges at participating businesses around town.
Would you like to have a great breakfast before class? How about an excellent lunch after class while you socialize with other students? Come by The Garage Bar & Restaurant located in the OLSA International campus! We are the only Spanish/English school in Medellin to have a fully licensed restaurant/bar as part of our school. We do this for our students to have a convenient and inexpensive place to gather and for the local public to have a taste of authentic American / Colombian / Mexican cuisine. Nothing at The Garage is ever deep-fried. And as a licensed bar, we are legally able to serve cocktails!
OLSA International is the only Spanish / English school in Medellin with it’s own licensed foundation – The OLSA Foundation.
Through The OLSA foundation we help low-income Colombians (children, teens and adults) improve their English fluency in order to provide them the skills to obtain a higher-paying jobs.
If you are interested in participating in The OLSA Foundation, whether as a donor or a volunteer, please contact us!
US donors may receive a tax deduction with their donations through our 501(c)(3) in the USA.
To make a donation, please visit The OLSA Foundation page and follow the instructi0ons there. Be sure to consult your accountant for your individual tax parameters.
A portion of every Spanish / English class tuition goes to The OLSA Foundation
More than 750 5-star reviews!
John Barbera
My relationship with the wonderful team at OLSA began in March of 2021. When I first met Shane, the owner, I was immediately impressed by and grateful for his honesty, transparency, and sincerity. While taking classes (at their Laureles location) and learning a lot, I also began to feel like part of the OLSA family.
Every single person who worked there was incredibly kind and generous. They helped me in ways that extended well beyond the classroom and I will always be grateful for them. Many times, I would spend time at the school, even when I didn’t have a class, to be around Spanish speakers and the wonderful family-like environment.
Some of the team members have become very dear friends and each of them holds a special place in my heart. On April 20, 2022, I visited their new location in Manila to participate in a language exchange and was amazed by the features of the building (e.g., classrooms, meeting rooms, dance studio, restaurant, lounge area).
It’s a beautiful space. I know Shane and the team put their heart and soul into it and it shows. They are also genuinely interested in the development and well-being of their students so I highly recommend OLSA to anyone who is interested in learning Spanish in a nurturing environment while in Medellin.
Brianna Richardson
I cannot say enough about my experience here! This school is owned by an American who has a passion for Spanish language and culture.
I was doing some research on which school to attend because I was going to be spending a month in Colombia and I need to learn Spanish to communicate with my family. I contacted the school, and I received an immediate response with the protocol for COVID, (which is very safe in Colombia) as well as a very detailed summary of what classes he offers along with the pricing. He went out of his way to create a bundle for us, where we had private conversational classes, private dance classes, and excursions included on the weekends.
Shane cares about your experience and making sure you get what you are looking for! He will build you a package according to what your needs are. My teachers, Mitchell and Francisco were amazing! They are native Spanish speakers, who have degrees in teaching language to foreigners. You cant beat that. Again, this school exceeded my expectations. I came home seeing the beautiful country of Colombia as well as learning as much as possible for an amazing price!
Max Hoare
I spent nearly three months learning Spanish with OLSA and it was a really great experience. Shane and the team are very friendly and helpful and will go out of their way to help you if you need anything. The lessons were fun and interesting and most importantly effective! My Spanish has improved so much and I can now confidently have conversations with locals in Spanish which is a real help as I travel around Colombia.
The teacher Francisco has a great energy and you can tell he has a passion for languages. He would always make the lessons interesting and they were at just the right level of difficulty. He was also happy to let conversations flow organically and we covered subjects ranging from practical things about living in Medellin to Greek myths and philosophy which was challenging but fun! It was definitely the highlight of my stay in Medellín!
