OUR SPANISH COURSES

Our schools are small and friendly, and we offer Spanish courses throughout the year. Our team consists of young and motivated Spanish teachers with university qualifications and extensive experience in teaching Spanish language and culture to foreign students

In O Grove , Canet, Conil we also organize foreign language courses (English, German, French and Italian in O Grove and English in Canet and Coni.) for Spanish students, creating good opportunities to exchange languages and make friends.

The courses can be booked either for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 weeks or - if you want to really immerse yourself in the Spanish language and culture - for a longer period of time. During your stay we will help you to discover not only the Spanish language but also the culture of our regions.

All our Spanish courses are designed either for very small groups or private tuition. The classes are always focussed on conversation and practical communication.
Grammar is taught in a communicative context and adapted to the specific needs of each student. Our lessons are personalised, offering a balance between grammar, writing, comprehension and oral expression.

Each group has a minimum of three and a maximum of eight students, so everyone can participate actively, while at the same time receiving individual attention. Students are welcome to make suggestions and contribute to the course structure. If there are less than three students to a class, duration is reduced by one third.

No classes are held on National Bank Holidays, and in the event of a local Bank Holiday classes or complementary activities are offered.

On completion of the course each student will receive the corresponding certificate of attendence.

Barcelona, paseando por "Las Ramblas"

TYPES OF COURSE

You can choose between the following types of course:

Standard Course
The most popular with our students, it lasts a minimum of two weeks. Twenty classes a week are given to small groups from Monday to Friday. Although quite intensive it still allows you to enjoy your free-time in Spain. (1 class = 45 minutes).
Duration: from 2 to 36 weeks
Levels: all

Intensive Course
Like the standard course, but with thirty classes a week in small groups from Monday to Friday.
Duration: from 2 to 36 weeks
Levels: all

Standard Plus or Intensive Plus Courses
The standard course of 20 lessons in a small group, plus an extra 5 or 10 private classes a week.
These courses aimed at students with time restrictions or who want to deepen their knowledge in a particular area.
Duration: from 2 to 8 weeks
Levels: all

Individual Classes
You choose the subjects, duration, level and intensity of your course. Minimum duration is one week and intensity between 2 and 6 classes a day. Please send us details of your needs and we will organize something suitable for you.
Duration: from 1 to 36 weeks with 10, 20 or 30 lessons a week
Levels: all

Preparation of the D.E.L.E
"El Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera" (D.E.L.E.) is the only official examination of Spanish for foreign students. There are three levels ; Initial, Basic and Superior, and the examinations can be taken at "Instituto Cervantes" centres worldwide, or in Spain in May and November.
Courses begin 3 months before the exam and duration is between 4 to 12 weeks with 20 classes per week, finishing a few days before the actual examination.
Exam registration is not included in the price of the course.
Levels: intermediate and advanced

THE LEVELS

The school offers classes at various levels, which may of course be split into sub-divisions if necessary. A brief test on the first Monday enables us to ensure that each student is studying in a class which correctly corresponds to his or her knowledge of the language.

LEVEL A
This course is intended for absolute beginners, offering an introduction to basic elements of the Spanish language. Communicative exercises involving role play and informal expressions are also taught to enable you to quickly use Spanish in everyday situations.

LEVEL B
This level is for beginners with some previous knowledge. In these classes we study or revise elementary grammar and introduce the past tenses (imperfecto and indefinido). Emphasis is placed on the practice of language in everyday situations such as shopping, eating out and asking for directions. Authentic material such as easy newspaper articles, comics, songs and simple literature is used. Conversational practice will increase your confidence to take part in simple discussions.

LEVELS C & D
The learning of a language is closely associated with the culture, history, society and politics of the country concerned. For this reason we examine more complex texts, themes and teaching material in order to create an authentic picture of modern Spain (and to some extent Latin America).
Humour, songs, lifestyles, culture, history, literature, film, sayings and idiomatic expressions aswell as students own suggestions form part of the program.
The development of conversational skills is of particular importance.You will learn to speak more confidently in a variety of situations. Level "C" is for more advanced students who can already hold a simple conversation.
At this level we finish the study of basic grammar (structures already covered including future and perfect tenses) and we begin studying more difficult aspects such as the subjunctive tenses. At level "D" we revise and perfect use of previously studied tenses, study the subjunctive in more depth and work on conditional clauses.

LEVEL E & F
These levels are designed for students who already dominate the fundamental structures of Spanish grammar but who nevertheless wish to improve their ability to communicate at a conversational level. Students can discuss the themes they would like to tackle. Typical grammatical problems common to non-native speakers as well as the "perífrasis verbales" are studied.
You therefore learn to express your ideas in a more precise, colloquial and fluent manner.

TEACHING MATERIAL

In addition to our own teaching materials, Avance or Prisma are used for students at Beginner, Elementary and Intermediate levels. These texts are available for purchase or hire from the school office.
For Upper Intermediate and Advanced students literature, newspaper articles, magazines, texts and grammar exercises devised by the school are used. A specific textbook for higher levels is not necessary.