ACUPARI
ACUPARI (Asociación Cultural Peruana Alemana Region Inca) in Cusco-Peru, directed by Maria Jürgens de Hermoza, was founded October 10, 1990, as a non-profit cultural association whose objective is to promote and strengthen an intercultural dialogue between the plethora of cultures that gather together in the city of Cusco. ACUPARI offers prospective clients language courses in German, Spanish, and Quechua. Its Tandem conversation practice allows people to discuss with native speakers and immerse in a foreign language an culture. ACUPARI also organizes cultural events with Peruvian and German artists and authors, as well as those from other cultures, in collaboration with other cultural institutions in the area.
Tandem conversation practice
As a complement to their language course, students can participate in Tandem Conversation practice in which the foreigner is paired with a native Peruvian Spanish speaker so that each can practice the other's language—English, German, or French (depending on the foreigner’s native language). Via the Tandem both partners are immersed in the language and culture of the other. As part of ACUPARI’s cross-cultural interchange, students participate in a variety of social and cultural activities and have the opportunity to contribute their time and efforts to several social and volunteer projects.
Language programs
ACUPARI offers language courses in:
- German as a foreign language in close cooperation with the Goethe-Institut Lima
- Spanish language courses for beginners to advanced
- Quechua courses
ACUPARI’s uses an inter-cultural and interactive teaching methodology to immerse students in the language and culture they are studying. All of ACUPARI’s teachers are qualified and certified with solid pedagogical instruction. Our Spanish teachers are trained and certified by AADE, the Asociacion Argentina de Docentes de Espanol. The Goethe-Institut Lima professionally trains, supervises, and qualifies all German teaching staff.
D.E.L.E. Preparation: Preparation only is offered for all three levels of the DELE (Diplomas of Spanish as a Foreign Language) exams and diploma. The DELE is recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Spain. Additional, the DELE diploma is an official certificate with an international reputation. For more information about the DELE exams and diplomas, please see Instituto Cervantes.website at http://diplomas.cervantes.es/index.jsp
Social projects
ACUPARI is involved in social projects and community efforts, throughout Cusco and its outlying areas. It provides support and volunteers to local hospitals, rehabilitation centers, orphanages, schools, and street projects. ACUPARI hosts several literacy projects that support local authors.
Books for 70 Schools
Since 2006, ACUPARI has been supporting and promoting a project that contributes to the distribution of free children’s books to small rural schools in Andean communities in the Cusco region. These schools in particular fall quite short on written materials, especially illustrated. The project also includes workshops for the children to motivate their written, narrative, and artistic skills and talents. Writing and drawing materials are also donated.
First Regional Children’s Book Writing Contest
In 2007, ACUPARI sponsored and hosted its first Regional Children’s Book Writing Contest. The winner was local Cusqueñan artist, Braddy Romero, with his bilingual – Spanish and Quechua -- story “Catalina y la Unkuña Mágica.” With help from financial donations, it was possible to print 2000 high quality copies that were then distributed for free to children and teachers in rural schools. This project was born due to the initiative of German illustrator Florian Mast.
Volunteering
ACUPARI students can participate in one of a range of volunteer opportunities benefiting one of several Peruvian institutions, such as children’s clinics, rehabilitation center for children with special needs and disabled youth, orphanages and children’s homes, street projects, schools, hospitals, women’s homes, and travel agencies.
Library
ACUPARI has a library of books, magazines, and dictionaries in both German and Spanish. Additionally, there are materials with information about Peru and Germany. The library is not only for ACUPARI students but is also open to the public.