Advice on learning Spanish in Spain
I'm wanting to take a career break and live in Spain for approx. 6 weeks to learn Spanish. Does anyone have any advice as to the best schools, universities or even which cities are best for learning the language. There is a lot of information on the net and I'm finding it all quite confusing. I'm 35 also so not sure about wanting to live in student digs, so maybe an apartment or a house share would be a good idea?
5 Answers
First of all, I'm very envious of you! That sounds like a great adventure. What is your level of Spanish? I'm not sure that 6 weeks would do much at all if you are a beginner. If you are advanced though, I would imagine that 6 weeks constant learning in a native environment might really take you forward.
Good luck!
Thanks billygoat... I would consider myself an absolute beginner...I took some evening classes a few years ago, but haven't retained much of it. I take it you think I would need longer to really benefit from learning the language?
Hello Shakka, I would recommend/suggesr that you consider the capital Madrid as there is plenty to see and do in this vibrant (lively) city during the day which could help you learn and improve your Spanish, and which has I am told, an exciting night life, and there willl almost certainly be many language schools in this large city. The Spanish you learn here will be very good Spanish!
I can recommend a particular language school where I made inquiries about Skype lessons. It is a good starting place;The people are very friendly and helpful. It is called
La Aventura Española. They can arrange accomodation with a Spanish family during your stay...although I am not sure whether this includes 6 week visits, but you can always ask! )
Here is the link. enter link description here If you decide not to use their services then I would suggest you ask could them for a list of other schools in Madrid.
You do need to understand your leaning style: how you learn best? In a small class where you can receive more individual attention or a bigger class where you will have more people with whom you can practice your new language?
I hope this helps 
P.S. I agree with Billy that 6 weeks is not very long for a beginner but it would certainly give you a taster of (an introduction to...) the Spanish language, the people and their culture!
Have a great time, Shakka, whernever and wherever you decide to go!
I moved to Spain about 10 weeks ago, with no Spanish, and now can speak it enough to get around and have a reasonable, if stuttering conversation. I'd advise cramming in as much as possible before you go - Duolingo is good to get the basics down.
While you won't get as much from the trip as an intermediate level learner, you'll definitely learn A LOT.
As to where to go - I'd advise anywhere apart from the south of Spain (The accent is very difficult to understand) or Barcelona (Catalan).
Also, if possible, live with Spanish people. You'll pick up bad habits living with foreigners unless they speak the language very well.
Good luck!
Here is a link to an answer I and others gave about language schools in Spain:
You don't say why you want to learn Spanish - work, social or an anticipated move. 6 weeks is not long. I don't know where you are based but it would be worth to start learning now - check for earlier answers but the BBC has a good site and Notes in Spanish have good lessons - both have free material and use Spanish based on Spain ie you will hear an accent you will hear in Spain. Could you have a few lessons from a native speaker before you go? It would help if you learn the correct pronunciation from the start particularly as pronunciation in Spanish is fixed and logical. Try and fit your break before the end of June when many parts of Spain are baking hot and full of foreign students I will add more later
