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Study Abroad: More Foreign Language Programs in Mexico for Parents and Kids

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The Centro Bilingüe de San Miguel

The Centro Bilingüe de San Miguel sits among colonial mansions and lavish churches.

For Parents: The catalogue ranges from hourlong basic vocabulary to weeklong "Spanish Survival" courses.

For Kids: Separate days camps for grade-schoolers and teams-both groups go on field trips to historic sites and markets, and take cooking classes.

Getting ThereLeón/Guanajuato airport (110 miles away) or Mexico City international airport (170 miles away) 46 Correo, Centro, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato; 52-415/152-5400; geocities.com/centrobilingue; adult prgorams from $70 per week, children's and teen camps from $200 per week, private lessons, $20 per hour

Amigos del Sol

Amigos del Sol is in Oaxaca City, known for lovely zocalo where you can buy giant sparklers, and its historic sites-don't miss Monte Albán, one of the earliest cities in Mesoamerica.

For Parents: The one- to five-hour classes have a max of five students per session, and you can start any day of the week.

For Kids:Groups are divided by ability rather than age, so if you're all at the same level, you can study as a family.

Getting There Oaxaca international airport (10 miles away) 109 Libres, Oaxaca; 52-951/514-3484; oaxacanews.com; from $90 per week (three hours of class time per day), private lessons, $12 per hour

Spanish Abroad

Spanish Abroad organizes programs at two schools in Puerto Vallarta.

For Parents: Weeklong programs only-but you can opt for a package that includes classes, rooms with a host family, meals, laundry service, airport pickup, cultural activities, and books-for the whole brood.

For Kids: The under-16 set has their own one-week sessions, and can sign up for private- or semi-private tutors.

Getting There: Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (5 miles north of town).

Spanish Abroad; 888/722-7623; spanishabroad.com; weeklong program with host family accommodations, $350 for adults in group class, $410 for children (with semi-private instruction)

Spanish Abroad also has two posts in Playa del Carmen, on the Yucatán peninsula-so you can study and swim.

For Parents: As at its Puerto Vallarta locations, all-inclusive packages are available here (you can add on scuba diving and snorkeling), and parents' programs are separate from children's.

For Kids:You can schedule their courses to take place during adult class times.

Getting There: A driver from the school will pick your gang up at Cancun Airport International (40 miles away).

Spanish Abroad; 888/722-7623; spanishabroad.com; weeklong program with host family accommodations, $390 adults, $375 children; airport pickup $40 for the first person, $35 for each additional passenger.

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