Every year, thousands of people decide to travel to Spain in order to learn the language and enjoy the country. As a result, there are hundreds – if not thousands – of Spanish language schools in Spain, each offering its own take on how best to teach the Spanish language.
So how do you choose the right Spanish school for you when faced with such an embarrassment of riches? Here are a few factors that should influence your decision…
Place of Study
Picking the right place in which to study is a major factor. When it comes to studying, environment counts for a lot, and so the benefits of selecting a place you like double: not only do you enjoy yourself, but you also end up learning more.
Most of the Spanish schools in Spain are located in the major cities, such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville. For city-slicking students, the opportunity to rent a
Valencia apartment (for example) and live like a local while going to school provides the perfect scenario in which to learn the language.
Course
There’s a seemingly infinite variety of courses to choose from in Spain, which should mean that finding a course tailor-made for your purposes is perfectly possible (albeit a touch time-consuming). Factors to consider include whether you want to learn in a class or on a one-to-one basis, whether you want to go to school every day or less frequently, and whether you want to learn general language skills or specialize in a certain area (such as grammar, business language, or cultural knowledge).
Different schools offer different types of course, so finding the right school for you may in fact be a matter of first finding the course you most want to do.
Resources (books, tapes, video, library to study in etc)
In general, the Spanish schools in Spain are well equipped, but it’s still worth researching exactly what they offer. For example, see if the school has a library of text books and literature, as both obviously provide a handy resource when it comes to learning Spanish. Some schools also offer facilities such as interactive computer activities, which are great for visual or audio learners.
Extras
Going to a Spanish school in Spain is not just about turning up for a class and then leaving at the end. Rather, it’s a package: students want to meet people, to go out and have fun. Consequently, look to see whether a school offers arranged evening/weekend trips, as these prove a great way to get to know your fellow students and teachers.
Also, it may prove beneficial to attend a school that arranges accommodation. Studying in Seville, for example, is much more fun if you’re living with others on the same course. It’s also often easier and cheaper if the school can arrange an
apartment in Seville for you, as opposed to having to find somewhere yourself.
