Casa Xelajú (shay-la-Hoo') is a socially-responsible educational institute in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala promoting cross-cultural understanding through its Spanish, Quiche languages and cultural programs. Social projects, internship program, volunteer work and travel services are also offered.

• To create justly-paid employment opportunities for Guatemalan professionals.
Our teachers are one of the best-paid Spanish teachers in the country. In addition, they receive another two extra full paychecks during the year, Christmas bonus, vacations, a pension, medical insurance and Irtra's recreational membership.

• To carry out development projects for people in need in Guatemala and to help groups that are struggling to improve the country.
For many years, we have supported La Pedrera Community Project with educational projects for children, teens and adults. We currently have more than 100 children in this program.

1990 ~ First Spanish program to require university graduated teachers

1995 ~ First Spanish program in Guatemala to sign an academic agreement with a major university in the U.S. (University of Mississippi at Hattisburg.).

1997 ~ The University of Mississippi at Hattisburg adopted our academic evaluation sheet as the standard one they use with their other university programs in Mexico, Central America and South America.

1998 ~ The completion of our four-floor building with over 1.435 square meters (4.708 square feet).

2000 ~ Introduction of Whole Language as the main methodology in our Spanish classes.

2002 ~The introduction of specialized Spanish test preparation courses like OPI, FSI, BCLAD, Praxis II, SAT II, TOPT, etc.

2004 ~ Casa Xelajú has been able to modify and successfully incorporate the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) standards into our curriculum (these standards are currently used by thousands of universities and school districts worldwide).

Casa Xelajú Spanish program is fully accredited by the Guatemala Secretary of Education