About us

The CLS was founded in 1960 by Dr. Ivan Illich+ as the "Centro Intercultural de Documentación", better known as CIDOC. The School is one of Mexico's oldest and most respected language institutes. Our teaching methods facilitate rapid improvement in Spanish language skills regardless of the student’s current ability. Our approach is through total immersion.

Every member of the instructional staff at the CLS is a native Spanish speaker who has received rigorous training in the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language from certified professionals. A number of staff members have been associated with the school since its inception. They have taught thousands of students.

This is the school for students considering Spanish as a tool for studies, professional activities, and travel. We welcome students from all walks of life. Anyone with a desire to develop fluency in Spanish can do so in a surprisingly short period of time.

Our intimate campus is located northeast of Cuernavaca's downtown in one of the finest neighborhoods, just 10 minutes away by taxi from the heart of the city.

The CLS is affiliated to the Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) -Public Education Ministry-- under the corporation key 17PET0120X. This official registry certifies the quality of the Spanish courses offered in the CLS to foreign people.

The CLS belongs to AIPEC (Asociación de Institutos para la Enseñanza del Español en Cuernavaca), and to México Sí (Asociación Mexicana de Institutos de Español). These local and national associations establish quality standards in the teaching of Spanish to foreigners and all activities related to it.