Language schools in Spain.
Next year my parents have gave me the all clear to spend 6 weeks in Spain during the summer holidays at a language school. The idea of this is to help improve my speaking and give me a feel of spanish culture. I wouldn't say I'm a complete beginner and can speak simple spanish to natives, asking for directions etc. obviously I have been searching online for language schools but the ones that are always coming up are Enforex and this other one beginning with Don ... But I can't remember the last bit. I've been looking at reviews and a lot of people state these schools are a waste of money, teaching quality is crap, accomodation is shabby and quite frankly I don't know what I'm looking for. It's obvious Enforex is powered simply by big money and a big advertising campaign but I have to hand it to them, I was so convinced I was within a few days of booking until I read some horrific reviews. So the questions are; what can I expect from a language school in Spain? Should I choose a big chain of language schools or more independent ones? Has anyone here studied in Spain at a language school, if so tell me about your experience. All help will be appreciated guys/girls - thanks
Also what's the night life like in Spain? Are spaniards outgoing people?
8 Answers
Why I asked about your motives is if you needed to get your level up for a University interview or an A level you would want to concentrate on the language - when I went to Salamanca I met someone who worked for the UN in Kabul and already spoke English, Russian and French but needed to get high level Spanish. She had entirely one to one lessons.Spanish people I have met work hard and play hard. They love chatting. When I suggested talking to Spanish people before you go, I mean an intercambio - going to an area where you already know someone is more interesting. I loved Sevilla [but it will be very very hot in August]You could consider Barcelona,Valencia or SanSebastian. Smaller city is Malaga or Cádiz. Most schools will offer trips at the weekends [extra charge] I remember going to Toledo.
Check companies for offers - but they may be hard to come by for summer - although early booking may attract a discount.
As to what I paid, I cannot remember - I went in 2002 I chose homestay half board. I had holiday to take in November when none of my friends were available - homestay + lessons worked out as cheap as a hotel but obviously at your age you could be considering a hostel which would be cheaper. I went again in Spain but subsequently I chose to go to Mexico . Some schools havepartner schools soyou could easily organise a two centre stay.
I have been to language schools, but have used them as a way to have a holiday. I have gone for 4 hours of lessons and joined in 'fun' classes such as cooking,singing watching films or culture..I did look at those mentioned in travel articles and also cactus and apple brochures.
You need to work out why you want to go - you are clearly a student - are you focused on improving your Spanish for an exam or a workplacement? Do you hope after another year of study, you want to improve your speaking abilities? Or is it a first time away from your parents where you want the security of a school but want to dive into enjoying all Spain has to offer?
The first school I went to was Don Quijote in Salamanca.I went in November which meant it was just like the UK in November! It was not busy. I became friendly with a girl from Iceland and one from Norway. We all had 4hours of lessons -one of our class had booked additional lessons one to one, but for me eating tapas,going to the cinema, concerts and museums plus homework, 4hours was enough. There were two Dutch guys in the class who were spending 3 months in Spain and were often too tired for the morning classes! After a placement test the school decided whether you did morning or afternoon classes.
If you are going in August the schools are likely to be busy. One problem is avoiding speaking too much English because even if the majority of students aren't from the UK or USA I met lots of Northern Europeans who were fluent English speakers.
I stayed with a family,but many schools offer apartments.
Any school you choose should have good University educated staff. However, youmay want to work out where you want to study.The first time I choseSalamanca as it is a University city in an area of Spain where they only speak castellano. Depending onyour aims you could spend 4 weeks in a city andperhaps 2 weeks in a smaller area eg 4weeks Sevilla 2 weeks Vejer de la Frontera The south of Spain can be fiercely hot in August. If you are not good with heat you could try San Sebastian or somewhere in Galicia,but those are areas where the locals will also speak another language.Spain has a good train and coach service so if you choose 2 centres travel isn't a problem. I don't know where the easiest places are for you to travelto.
You will enjoy Spain. Even on a weekday in wet November we went to see a film starting at 10.30. In the summer there will be loads happening in the evenings and night.
Why not post again when you have worked out your priorities. You have time to chat to someone in Spain. Maybe your teacher can give some advice. Spanish people generally are very outgoing!!
English: I'm spaniard. I'm from a small city next to Madrid, there are some spanish schools here, and I sometimes do language exchanges with spanish students. If you are interested in learning spanish and practice it there are a lot of spaniards (like me) who would be willing to exchange languages with an english native speaker. Also in this kind of schools they prepare different activities, and trips. In general we're outgoing people, quite talkative, who like know new people. I think you'll like the experience, at least the students I know liked it.
Español: Soy española. Soy de una pequeña ciudad cerca de Madrid, hay algunas academias de español aquí, y a veces hago intercambios de idiomas con los estudiantes de español. Si estás interesado en aprender español y practicarlo hay bastantes españoles (como yo) que estarían dispuestos a intercambiar idiomas con un nativo de Inglés. También en este tipo de escuelas suelen preparar diferentes actividades o excursiones. En general somos gente extrovertida, bastante habladora, y que nos gusta conocer gente nueva. Creo que te gustará la experiencia, al menos los estudiantes que yo conozco me dicen que les gustó.
Should I choose a big chain of language schools or more independent ones?
Well, it really depends on what you are looking for in a Spanish language school....what are your priorities? Smaller classes and /courses tailored specifically to your individual needs, discounts on courses, having accommodation arranged for you etc...???
I have put together some ideas which might get you thinking, but please don't quote me on any of them they are not assurances (promises) only the schools can offer you such assurances based on their own policies!:
There are pros + and cons - with respect to these 2 different kinds of schools:
Large schools: Pros (advantages):
1.Large schools usually have bigger budgets and can potentially attract better qualified and more experienced teachers from different parts of Spain.
2.They can offer better discounts for various reasons because financially they are in a better position to afford to do so.
3 They are likely to have a more extensive network of contacts with families and other services in their surrounding area. so they can arrange accomodation for students!
4They may have been established for longer and have more influence in their respective communities.
5These large schools may have tutors who have better understanding of the courses leading to officially recognised exams that are available and may even offer their own accreditation ie nationally/Internationally recognised exams in Spanish and other European languages.
Con:
1They can be more expensive
2They may have larger classes depending on the demand for such courses
3The demand for their Spanish courses may mean you have to book well in advance.
Independent schools: Pros
1May have smaller intake of students so courses could be better tailored to suit students needs.
2 Perhaps being smaller may be more like a family and seem less daunting to a less confident student than a large school with hundres of pupils.
Cons:
1They may have smaller classes so fewer opportunities to practise with other students during class hours.
2.Smaller budgets so perhaps cannot afford to offer discounts on their courses.
These ideas are not intended as an exhaustive guide to searching for a language school.lol.
I hope this helps you
Anyone may feel free to challenge my ideas in thei post in a respectful manner provided that they can offer good reasons for doing so and preferably, better alternatives 
I would suggest doing multiple google searches;
Study Spanish in Spain. Spanish Language Schools in Spain. Etc.
Also, if you know where you want to go in Spain, say Barcelona. Then do searches focused on Barcelona. I am sure the city and most other larger cities have websites with possible links to language schools.
I would go for a smaller school with smaller classes, no more than 3 students. That way you get lots of 1-on-1 time.
I have come across one that I think would be good called: La Aventura Española.
They are based in the capital of Spain: Madrid. Here is the link to their website.
I hope this helps
Please let me know how you get on...
If you put "language school in Spain" in the search bar, you can find some results.
Here is one
Just like to say a massive thanks to everyone who has made an input in this thread, it has really helped me out. After looking at your advice I think I would suit a larger chain of language school as I have no confidence issues when meeting new people. I'm an outgoing person so I want to get a feel of the social life in Spain. The main idea is I want to immerse myself in the culture and progress as I go. I enjoy socializing so an area where there is lots to do and see would favor me. Going back to the whole ' using it as a holiday thing ' yes you're right! I am using it as a way to meet new people and enjoy myself, but at the same time enroll in class's so I can converse better whilst i'm there. What's better - staying in shared apartments, or staying with a host family? Also after looking at a 4 lesson a day programme with Enforex including a host family it comes to around 2000 euros or about £1600. If my maths is right haha! is this expensive? how much did it cost you Mardle? if you don't mind me asking. But at the end of the day, I'm sure regardless what happens it will be the best summer of my life! It's just the whole planning progress where you think off everything that can go wrong, that holds you back! but as Romeo Santos in his song ' Propuesta Indecente ' would say - ' Una aventura es más divertida si huele a peligro'
