Now that you have made the decision to learn Spanish, you might feel a little overwhelmed by the number of options available to you with Estudia-España. From intensive courses with 20, 25 or 30 hours per week to combined courses with cooking, flamenco or even surfing, there is a course for everybody!
Our guide will help you to answer some of the first questions you need to answer before deciding on a course.
First things first, you need to decide which city to visit. Do you want to learn in a big, bustling city with lots of culture and nightlife, such as Barcelona or Madrid? Or perhaps you are looking for a quieter town by the beach, like Cadiz? Or is the Alhambra on your bucket list, and this the perfect opportunity to learn Spanish in the beautiful city of Granada?
Granada and the Alhambra are a beautiful place to learn Spanish.
No matter where you choose, we guarantee that you won’t be disappointed! Every city has its own charm and something special to offer.
Spain generally has a temperate climate, with hot summers and mild winters. However, the climate varies vastly depending on the city, and particularly when comparing the coast and inland destinations. Check the weather at the time of year you plan to travel: Granada or Valencia can be very hot in August, while the further inland you are, the colder the winters can be.
Also think about what you want to do outside of your lessons. Do you need museums and art galleries in a big city, somewhere surrounded by nature for hiking and walking, or perhaps you just want a beautiful sandy beach to relax on?
Learning Spanish in Barcelona means getting in touch with the city's incredible museums and architecture.
A standard course normally has 20 lessons per week, so 4 per day. Most courses of this length finish by around 1 pm (although at peak times most schools also have courses in the afternoons), which gives you plenty of time to explore your surroundings, visit museums, eat tapas and, most importantly, make use of those new phrases you learnt in the morning! There might also be a little bit of homework, but this should not take longer than an hour.
If you choose a longer course, additional private lessons, or a specialty course such as Spanish cooking or surfing, these lessons usually take place in the afternoon, so might cut into any potential beach time!
One thing we recommend: don’t overdo it, especially if you are a beginner. 20 hours should be more than enough. If, after the first week, you feel that it is not enough, you can always add more lessons for subsequent weeks.
This all depends on your time and budget constraints, and of course your goals! One week might be enough for a refresher course, but we feel that two weeks should be the absolute minimum if you want to see long-lasting results. This all depends on your ability level as well.
A beginner might only start to feel comfortable with the language during the second week, but then see much quicker progress in the third and fourth weeks.
Most schools offer multiple accommodation options: a homestay, shared or private apartment, or a hotel. If you want complete immersion in the language, a homestay is probably your best bet. You will be welcomed into a family for the duration of your course, eating meals with them and speaking plenty of Spanish outside of your course. If you prefer more freedom and personal space, a shared or private apartment is your best option. A fully-equipped kitchen means that, in the very rare event of you wanting a break from the delicious tapas, you can cook your own meals as and when you please. Find out more information about the pros and cons of each accommodation type.
Of course you don’t have to book accommodation through the school: you are free to find a hotel or apartment yourself. Don’t forget that the accommodation offered by the school is only available from the Sunday before your course starts until the Saturday after the final lessons. If you want to extend your trip, you will have to find your own accommodation.
So what are you waiting for? It’s time to find your unforgettable Spanish course! Are we missing any important questions? Please let us know, we will be happy to help! Estudia-España offers discounts at over 40 schools in Spain and Latin America and on hundreds of courses.
