Best places to learn Spanish in South America

What are the best ways and the cheapest ways to learn Spanish in South America? The main 2 countries I am thinking of going to are Chile and Argentina although I'll consider other countries if it means helping my Spanish.

Cheers

You need to find some place where there´s no gringos, so you will need to be away from a touristic place. Rent a shared house for example with local people and you will learn fast.

I learn´t a lot of spanish staying in an unofficial hostel in San Martin de Los Andes, Argentina. I was there during the ski season and most people in the hostel were argentines working in the ski resort.

Hi crazylegs,
My favorite topic, language in South America. I don't recommend Chile to learn Spanish. The accent and country-specific words and phrases there are daunting, at best. Try for a country with a cleaner Spanish. The alternative? I studied Spanish in college, if I were to do a graduate program, I'd fly straight to Bolivia. I know it's not on your list, but it has the "cleanest" Spanish, great to get a language base. From personal experience with the people, climate and size, I'd recommend Sucre or Cochabamba. If you can't make it to Bolivia, I'd stick with Ecuador or Peru before studying in Argentina, unless you want an accent that rivals Madrilenos from Spain.

In Sucre, Bolivia, I met some travelers who signed up for a course and an apartment within a week, and were settling in for a long-term stay. That's just one example, but I think it's indicative of the overall opportunities to not book in advance and test a city out before committing to it. Also, you'll have far more bargaining power and options if you make arrangements in person.

Hope this helps, let me know if there are any specifics I might be able to add to help you make a decision. No matter what you do, it'll be an excellent adventure.

p.s. I'm from Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A. We have an annual race here called Crazylegs. Thought you'd find that amusing.

PERU and EQUADOR... I wish I could make it next year in that continent.

I was born in Asia's latin city. Mi lenguaje umpoco espanol pero, bien otro gayot compara na verdarero latino.

Although we didn't learn Spanish in South America (I taught myself before we left) we spoke to a lot of travellers who did a course in Cuzco, Peru and they said it was excellent to learn there as it's such a laid back city. It was a very small class (around 4 people) and they spoke very good Spanish when they had completed.

There is an article started a while ago in our travelguide, have a look here.

Now that you brought it up, Michael, that article can do with some extensions.

Can everybody who has suggestions re spanish courses please also put them in the Travel Guide?

thanks!

Don't go to Argentina as they don't speak Spanish it's a sort of Italianish, and I wouldn't pick Chile either, too expensive and their Spanish is a bit odd too. Peru is nice and the Spanish spoken there is good, my first choice would be Colombia though. They speak a very good Spanish, not many foreigners go there which means Colombians will be very friendly with you and you'll have 100 friends in no time... Chances are you can meet a nice guy (or girl) that will be happy to teach you in exchange for your friendship and maybe lunch or drinks every once in a while...

In Argentina, schools are meant to be quite good. In the Garden House Hostel they recommended me the Ibero School and it was very nice: not many students and nice place. I could only stay for a week, I wish I could stay more. Don't remember the web site, but check on the internet.

Regards

Alem Spanish School in BA!!! so much fun! easy going but intense classes RECOMMEND
http://www.alemspanishschool.com.ar