If you have never done a Spanish language course abroad before, you are probably asking yourselves what you might expect. One thing we guarantee it will be: unforgettable! Here we will provide you with a little bit of information so that you can better plan your trip.
While the majority of schools offer a shuttle service from the airport, Spanish public transport is safe, clean, reliable and, crucially, cheap. It’s also a great way to begin immersing yourself in the language. Although it might seem a bit daunting at first, once you’ve successfully bought your own ticket for the bus, you’ll feel great!
For less than €4, you can usually reach the centre of the city from the airport of most major cities. If you have to travel further, Spain also has a great network for trains as well as long distance buses which can get you to your final destination cheaply. Feel free to contact us if you are unsure, we would be happy to help.
If you have organised accommodation alongside your Spanish course you will be contacted by the school 1-2 weeks before to let you know what the procedure is. If you are staying with a host family, you will get directions straight to their house. If you are staying in an apartment provided by the school, you will usually have to pick up the keys at the school first.
Don’t forget, accommodation is usually only provided from the Sunday before your course until the Saturday after. It is sometimes possible to book an extra night or two before the official start of the accommodation at an extra cost. Make sure this is an available option before you go ahead and book flights.
You’ll be informed beforehand what time you need to turn up at school on the first day of your Spanish course. When you do arrive, the first thing you’ll notice is how friendly everyone is - our language schools will make you feel immediately at home.
If you are starting as a complete beginner and have no knowledge of Spanish, you will be put in a class of people in the same situation. If you do have previous knowledge, you will take a short “test” to see what level you are and ensure you get placed in a class with a similar level to yours.
Whatever your level, you should get there early on the first day as there will be a few forms to fill out, and you might also have to purchase a course book, depending on which language school you attend.. You will then be shown to your classroom for the week, where you will meet your teacher and fellow students. Your classmates will come from all over the world so from this point on you will have to get by in Spanish! The teachers generally don’t speak to you in any other language for the duration of the course. Don’t worry! Within a few days you’ll already be used to it.
Depending on the number of lessons booked, your day is split into multiple parts. A 20 lesson course is 4 lessons a day, usually split into 2 parts, with a short break in between. At most schools you will be finished by around 1 pm (unless you have booked additional classes). However, schedules can change and some courses may have classes in the afternoon. Courses with more hours (or additional 1-to-1 lessons) are likely to have an afternoon session. Due to the complicated nature of scheduling and differing numbers of students attending the school, no specific times can be guaranteed.
After that, the rest of the day is yours, to do with it what you desire! There might be some homework to be done, but this shouldn’t take you more than an hour to complete. Self-study is an important part of the language learning process. You will still have plenty of time to explore the local museums and galleries, enjoy the great food, or simply relax on the beach!
You will no doubt make friends with other students in your course, and you’ll definitely meet people who are also looking to explore the nightlife. Bar-hopping, tapas, strolls around town, or even some evening shopping (shops are open till 9 or 10pm). Don’t be surprised to see Spaniards beginning their nights out after 10pm. You’ll get used to it too!
In addition to this, the schools also offer lots of extra-curricular activities, some free, some for a small fee. Whether it is an afternoon trip to a nearby tourist destination, or a tapas tour of the neighbourhood, this is a great opportunity to make friends, and also to practise that Spanish that you learned in the morning!
Depending on what type of accommodation you booked, you will need to prepare differently. If you are staying in a homestay, most things are already taken care of. If you are staying in an apartment, your meals are your own responsibility, so it’s worth finding a supermarket (or a nice café) nearby, so that you are sorted for breakfast on the first day.
Absolutely. No matter what level you start at, within a few days you will notice that the immersion in the language is already helping you to feel more comfortable when speaking Spanish. You will obviously see more improvement with longer courses, but even after one week your improvements will be noticeable.
Do you have any other questions about what to expect? Estudia-España offers discounts on hundreds of Spanish courses in Spain in 13 different cities!
