While studying Spanish in Oaxaca Mexico you will find it has one of the richest and most diverse cultures in all of Mexico. The state of Oaxaca has a population of 3,500,000 people, among these people there are sixteen formally registered indigenous communities which consists of over 1 million of the population. Believe it or not nearly half of these indigenous people are non-Spanish monolingual speakers. As you can imagine the wide range of ethnicities provides one of the most diverse cultures in Mexico. With such a strong surrounding cultural atmosphere it is easy to enjoy a complete Spanish immersion experience. Among the many things Oaxaca has to offer are unique indigenous crafts, touring the archeological sites, temples and monasteries, and enjoying the local food and festivities.
From the large variety of backgrounds stems an equally impressive range of art which is prevalent during Spanish immersion courses. One of the most unique things about Oaxacan craftsmanship is that it is not mass produced. As a result most items are crafted by hand which enhances the quality of the goods, another benefit from this is there are no two things alike. One of the more interesting crafts is called Alebrijes which are made from tree branches brought down daily from the mountains, a necessary process since the
branches must still be green while crafting the piece. At this point the artist is free to continue as he sees fit, creating a variety of different animals or imaginary characters. The process can take many hours or even days at times depending on the complexity of the project. Some other crafts Oaxaca is known for are pottery, black pottery, stone cutting, ceramics, basket making as well as many others. Spanish schools in Oaxaca not only provide Spanish courses but also cultural courses which are great to take advantage of.
Oaxaca has an incredible amount of archeological sites. To date 4,000 different sites have been discovered. Although there are many impressive things to see it would be difficult to explore them all, some of the more famous areas to tour are Monte Alban, Mitla, Yagul, Lambiteco, and Dainzu. Spanish courses in Oaxaca give students the opportunity to explore these archeological sites and receive a real sense of history in the process. The magnificent architecture of the temples and convents is something else that should not be missed. Constructed by the aboriginals who were skilled craftsmen in stone and wood engraving but guided by skilled architects, believed to be monks, the results form a very unique style of architecture which combined two different cultures. Oaxaca’s mix of cultures that through time have been able thrive off of each other while still maintaining their own identities makes it a very unique place to learn Spanish.
One thing that cannot be missed while studying Spanish in Oaxaca is the vast range of food the area offers. The variety of cuisine eaten stems from the immensely diverse cultures. Many fruits and vegetables are grown in the central valley while in the north you find tropical fruits and in the south it is predominately fish and shellfish. Some of the more unusual dishes that can be found are a unique breakfast dish which consists of poached eggs in chili-tomato soup, or you can try chapulines (barbequed grasshopper) if you are feeling a little adventurous. Taking Spanish courses in Oaxaca not only allows one to enhance their Spanish speaking ability but also expands their knowledge of the variety of cultures there are in the world.











