WELCOME TO OLSA INTERNATIONAL

THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS - SPANISH PROGRAMS

If you are looking to use the Spanish language as a way to improve your marketability to universities, or to your future employers,
We are the place for you.

CERTIFIED SPANISH PROGRAMS FOR LONG/SHORT-TERM STAYS

SPANISH PROGRAMS

ocated in the heart of Medellín, near the Estadio Atanasio Girardot, OLSA International is a premier language academy dedicated to authentic fluency. Their academic philosophy centers on active learning, prioritizing real-time oral communication over passive textbook drills to ensure students can confidently interact with locals.

The school offers a diverse range of programs, including:

Conversational Spanish: Highly interactive classes designed for oral fluency.
Certified Spanish Courses: Programs that qualify for Colombian student visas and meet international standards (A1–B2).
Westminster University Alliance: OLSA is the only academy in Medellín where Certified Spanish courses can qualify for transferrable U.S. university credit through an alliance with Westminster University in Utah.
Private Spanish & Immersion Programs: Tailored one-on-one lessons and comprehensive Immersion Packets that include lodging, excursions, and meals.
Study Abroad Program: Extended stays designed for full cultural and linguistic immersion.
Exploring Medellín Excursions: Students get out of the classroom to discover the city’s vibrant history and hidden gems through guided cultural excursions.
Social & Dining: Students enjoy the on-campus The Garage Bar & Restaurant and free language exchanges every Wednesday and Friday night.
Social Impact: Enrollment fees fund English scholarships for local Colombians via the OLSA Foundation, leveraging high-quality language instruction as a powerful tool for upward mobility. By joining the LEAF program, you are more than a student—you are a Patron of Opportunity.

Whether through private tutoring or themed excursions, OLSA provides a “living” language environment for students of all backgrounds.

SPANISH GRAMMAR CURRICULUM

At OLSA International, academic excellence is built on a foundation of the most successful language systems in the world. We utilize Vistas (5th Edition) and Facetas (4th Edition) as the core of our curriculum, ensuring our students transition seamlessly from novice to intermediate fluency.

Vistas serves as the introductory powerhouse, using a multifaceted approach that moves from contextual vocabulary and short films to cultural lessons and grammar. For more advanced learners, Facetas provides an intermediate, magazine-style experience that strengthens communicative skills and cultural competency through interactive themes.

However, OLSA takes these industry-leading materials a step further. We have specifically modified and enhanced this curriculum to match the high intensity of our immersion and certified programs. By streamlining the structure and prioritizing active oral communication, we ensure that the academic rigor of these university-level texts translates into real-world speaking confidence. This unique adaptation allows students to cover complex material faster and more effectively than in a traditional classroom setting.

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH CURRICULUM

Forget boring textbooks and jump into real conversation at OLSA International! Here, the path to fluency isn’t about memorizing rules—it’s about living the language. Our Conversational Spanish programs break the mold with an active learning format that gets you speaking from minute one. Instead of passive grammar drills, you’re practicing in a real, vibrant environment!

The best part? You’ll be surrounded by native Spanish speakers. This is your chance to master authentic accents, learn the slang people actually use in Medellín, and catch those cultural nuances you just won’t find in a manual. With OLSA, you don’t just learn Spanish; you gain the total confidence to shine at work, on your travels, or at any social event.

Whether it’s through dynamic group classes or our famous activity nights, at OLSA, Spanish becomes your ultimate tool to take on the world!

A portion of every Spanish class tuition goes to The OLSA Foundation to help impoverished Colombians learn conversational English skills; to help them better compete in the job market.

WESTMINSTER ALLIANCE

The alliance between OLSA International and Westminster University in Salt Lake City, Utah, marks a revolutionary step in language education. As the only academy in Medellín to offer this opportunity, OLSA provides a unique bridge for students seeking to combine international immersion with official U.S. academic recognition.

Through this partnership, students enrolled in OLSA’s Certified Spanish programs can earn transferable U.S. university credits. This is a major benefit for college students who want to satisfy their degree requirements while living abroad, as it ensures the high-quality curriculum meets rigorous American academic standards.

Beyond credits, the alliance enhances the Study Abroad experience. Participants benefit from a structured, professional pathway that merges OLSA’s active learning philosophy with Westminster’s prestigious academic oversight. It’s the perfect synergy for students, professionals, and lifelong learners who want their immersion experience to carry weight on a global transcript.

IPSL PROGRAMMING

Earning an IPSL scholarship requires significant academic dedication and a commitment to community service, resulting in a prestigious opportunity to engage in meaningful social change. Selected students will engage in a transformative Medellín experience supported by OLSA International, which includes the intensive Estadio Stay & Study Program. This program provides comprehensive benefits, including specialized Spanish immersion classes, comfortable private lodging, weekly excursions, and community-focused volunteer opportunities.

VETERANS PROGRAMMING

At OLSA International in Medellín, U.S. military veterans can utilize federal educational benefits for language acquisition. The academy facilitates the use of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) and Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E/Chapter 31) to cover costs associated with their Spanish Immersion and Certified Spanish programs.

A primary feature of the program is the partnership with Westminster University in Utah. This alliance allows veterans to earn transferable U.S. university credits upon completion of certified courses, providing an official academic record for their studies in Colombia.

THE LEAF PROGRAM

The LEAF Program (Language Education and Ambassador Fellowship) at OLSA International is an elite initiative designed for those seeking a blend of professional development and deep linguistic immersion. Unlike standard courses, the fellowship prioritizes real classroom experience, allowing participants to gain practical skills in an educational environment while accelerating their own conversational Spanish acquisition through daily, high-intensity interaction.

A cornerstone of the program is its commitment to professional growth. Fellows engage in structured language workshops and leadership roles that build the confidence and cultural competency required in today’s global workforce. This hands-on approach ensures that participants don’t just study Spanish—they apply it in professional and social contexts.

Furthermore, the program is driven by the social impact of the OLSA Foundation. By participating in the LEAF fellowship, individuals directly support the foundation’s mission to provide English scholarships for local Colombians. This creates a powerful cycle of progress: as you master Spanish and gain professional experience, you are simultaneously opening doors for local youth to achieve their own linguistic goals.

BILDUNGSURLAUB

OLSA International in Medellín bietet deutschen Arbeitnehmern eine spezialisierte Möglichkeit, ihre Bildungsurlaub-Ansprüche geltend zu machen. Dieses Programm ermöglicht es Angestellten, bis zu zwei Wochen bezahlten Sonderurlaub für die berufliche Weiterbildung in Anspruch zu nehmen, ohne ihre regulären Urlaubstage zu nutzen – vorausgesetzt, der Kurs erfüllt die strengen Intensitätsvorgaben der jeweiligen Bundesländer.

Um den Standards der meisten deutschen Bundesländer zu entsprechen, bietet OLSA ein personalisiertes und intensives Spanischprogramm an. Die Teilnehmer absolvieren einen straffen Zeitplan von mindestens 30 Unterrichtsstunden pro Woche, der eine Kombination aus Konversationsspanisch und zertifizierten Spanischkursen umfasst. Diese Struktur stellt sicher, dass die Teilnehmer nicht nur theoretisches Wissen erwerben, sondern auch eine echte mündliche Sprachfertigkeit entwickeln, was ein zentrales Ziel der beruflichen Sprachfortbildung ist.

OUR CERTIFICATIONS

At OLSA, quality and trust come first. We are officially inspected, monitored, and certified by the Secretary of Education of Medellín, guaranteeing that every course we offer meets the highest educational standards in Colombia.

Our certification is more than a seal of approval — it’s your assurance that you’re studying at a legally recognized, high-quality institution committed to excellence in language education. With these certificates, OLSA International is licensed to sponsor student visas for foreign students.

Join us and learn with confidence, knowing your education is officially accredited and internationally respected.

SPANISH PROGRAMS

WELCOME TO OLSA INTERNATIONAL

THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS - SPANISH PROGRAMS

If you are looking to use the Spanish language as a way to improve your marketability to universities, or to your future employers, We are the place for you.

CERTIFIED SPANISH PROGRAMS FOR LONG/SHORT-TERM STAYS

SPANISH PROGRAMS

SPANISH GRAMMAR CURRICULUM

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH CURRICULUM

WESTMINSTER ALLIANCE

IPSL PROGRAMMING

VETERANS PROGRAMMING

THE LEAF PROGRAM

BILDUNGSURLAUB

OUR CERTIFICATIONS

· Free to attend · Lunch provided · Limited to 40 veterans

If you are looking to use the Spanish language as a way to improve your marketability to universities, or to your future employers,
We are the place for you.

· Free to attend
· Lunch provided
· Limited to 40 veterans