Since 1988 the School has been located in the city of Valladolid, the geographical and political centre of the Autonomous Region of Castilla-León.

Steeped in history, Valladolid is a city of great cultural and monumental importance. Amongst other historical events, it was here that the marriage of the Catholic Monarchs took place. The famous navigator Christopher Columbus lived and died here. Kings Philip II and Philip IV were born in Valladolid, which in the early 17th century was the capital of Spain. Cervantes, the creator of the immortal Don Quixote, lived here, as did, centuries later, José Zorrilla, author of the mythical Don Juan Tenorio.

Above all, however, Valladolid can boast a linguistic heritage that few figures in the world of the arts would question: IT IS THE CITY IN SPAIN WHERE ONE CAN HEAR, LEARN AND SPEAK THE BEST SPANISH IN THE WORLD. Indeed, this was the main reason behind our decision to set up the School of Spanish in this, our very own city, Valladolid.

Visitors to Valladolid are attracted not only by its history, art, culture and language, but also by the fact that it is a young, dynamic and modern city which, although in a process of constant development, still retains the peaceful atmosphere of a provincial town. The local youth, including a large community of university students, make the nightlife and traditional festivities or fiestas of Valladolid an exciting, carefree experience.

The team of professionals at the School is a group of teachers and administrative workers, all of whom were born in Valladolid and hold university degrees covering a variety of fields of knowledge, such as Spanish Language, Literature, History and Art. Since our beginnings in 1975, we have gained great experience in what is our exclusive devotion, the teaching of Spanish to people from all over the world, both students and working people, regardless of their sex, race or religion.

Courses


1.- INTENSIVE COURSES:
• Course I: Beginner's or false beginner's level. Programme: essential grammar, basic vocabulary, elementary conversation, language practice.
Course II: Intermediate or upper intermediate level. Programme: Deeper knowledge of Spanish grammar, more complex structures, fluent conversation, written compositions, specific vocabulary, language practice.
• Course III: Advanced level. Programme: advanced grammar, with emphasis on the use of the subjunctive; advanced-level structures, conversation featuring idiomatic expressions, commentary of reading texts; vocabulary specific to literature, history, art, the economy, politics, etc.; language practice.

2.- SPANISH IMMERSION COURSE:
Intermediate-advanced level. A course of two weeks' duration including six hours' individual tuition daily from Monday to Friday.
Programme: "One to one" in-depth study of the structures of levels I and II.

3.- "A LA CARTE" COURSE:
Course programme, dates and timetable selected by student.
Method: Since the maximum number of students per class and level is 5, our method guarantees personal attention. Students are in constant, direct contact with the teacher and the programme is taught with the interactive participation of teacher and students.
Our method is based on listening comprehension and oral and written expression. Owing to the experience we have gathered since 1975, we can ensure the best possible results in the shortest possible time.
An essentially practical method that does away with the complications of a rule-based grammar and focuses on real, practical, everyday language.
Our students hear, write, read and speak Spanish from the very first day they arrive at the School.


Out-of-class programme



1.- AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES:
Every bit as important as the grammar classes, in our opinion, are the complementary activities that we carry out with our students, week in week out, in order to give them an insight into the history, art and the life of our city.
At the beginning of each month, a cultural activity programme is put together. Activities are always carried out in the company of a qualified teacher.

We visit:
National Polychrome Wood Sculpture Museum.
Cathedral Diocesan Museum.
San Joaquín and Santa Ana Convent Museum.
Archaeological Museum.
House of Cervantes Museum.
House of Columbus Museum.
House of Zorrilla Museum.
Santa Isabel Convent.
Oriental Museum.
Famous wineries of the region; wine-tasting included.

Other activities:
Projection of cultural videos and Spanish films.
Discussions and debates on current affairs.
Board games and popular songs.
Typical Spanish cooking.

2.- EXCURSIONS:
Using our own means of transport, we organize day trips - on Saturdays or Sundays - on which, accompanied by a qualified teacher, the students get to know the major towns and cities and the routes of historical and cultural interest in the area surrounding Valladolid.

We visit:
Ávila.
Burgos. · León.
Madrid.
Salamanca.
Santander (in summer).
Segovia.
San Juan de Baños-Palencia.
Toro-Zamora.
Queen Isabella the Catholic route.
John of Austria route.
Prince Juan Manuel route.
Picnic (in summer).
A number of alternative trips.


COURSE
CHARACTERISTIC
INTENSIVE COURSES-6 LEVELS-
- 4 hours of class daily, Monday to Friday.
- Maximum 5 students.
SPANISH IMMERSION COURSE:.INTERMEDIATE-ADVANCED LEVEL
- 6 hours of class daily, Monday to Friday.- 2 weeks duration.- In company of a teacher lunch.
"A LA CARTE" COURSE
- Nº of hours and dates according to programme chosen by student.


COURSE PRICE INCLUDES
20 classes per week, except immersion and "a la carte" courses. (Each class lasts 50 minutes).

Single room accommodation living with a family in Valladolid. Participation in the family's everyday life. All families have been carefully selected and have been working with us for several years. If the student prefers to stay at a hotel, boarding-house or rented flat, we shall provide detailed information on the alternatives available and help him/her to find the desired type of accommodation. In this case, any difference in cost will be met by the student.

Breakfast and main meal at the School dining hall every day of the course, except Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. We serve Castilian and international dishes.

Museum entrance fees and transport on the excursions accompanied by a teacher. A one-month course shall include a minimum of 6 out-of-class activities (in the afternoons/evenings) and 2 day trips (on Saturdays or Sundays).

The exercise books used during the course.

Collection of each student on arrival in Valladolid (train, coach, plane or private car) by a member of the School team and subsequent transfer to the residence of the family with whom the student will live during his/her stay with us (or to the relevant hotel, boarding-house or rented flat). The student will in any case be sent full information regarding the timetables and prices of the different means of transport that he/she can use to reach Valladolid.

Public liability insurance policy.

Practical cookery classes.

Board game sessions and teaching of popular songs.

Use of the School library. The student can take home any books he/she needs to consult or wishes to read.

Information on sports facilities and arrangement of sports activities in the city. Facilities include swimming pools (summer and winter), gymnasiums, tennis courts, golf courses, squash courts, etc. The School offers its students special prices at local Flamenco dancing schools.

Issuing of study diploma and course certificate by the School, member of the Castilla-León Association of Spanish Language Schools.

We cater for the possibility that the student may wish to undertake a course without one or other of the services included in the same:
CLASSES ONLY
CLASSES AND ACCOMMODATION (WITHOUT MEALS)
CLASSES AND MEALS (WITHOUT ACCOMMODATION)
CLASSES WITHOUT COMPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES
ETC.

PRICES ON REQUEST



TOURIST INFORMATION LINK



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WHERE TO STUDY:
VALLADOLID / School Code: Va- 001