SPAIN

In Spain, we offer five different types of programs:

All our language courses are given by specialized teachers truly dedicated to the students they have in charge and enjoying a wide experience in teaching to foreigners. The course contents are most active and imply a permanent participation of each student.

For students choosing a homestay or a school and homestay program, our team of teachers throughout the country is in permanent contact with them as well as the school and host family during the stay.

Pocket money:
It will be necessary only for personal expenses and eventually for public transportation. However, temptations are expected and we do advise around 50 Euros per week for short stays.

 

PROGRAMS DURING THE SUMMER

Homestays

Host families in Northern Spain are volunteer and don’t get any compensation for hosting while in the rest of Spain they are paid. Therefore, the screening process of the applicants is even more important, and the deadline for applications is April/May. By that time, we should have all the dossiers in hand to find the host families for both sessions (July & August programs). In this area, we are obliged to accept students on request.

In Central Spain, we also offer Independent Homestays for students that can take place anytime during the year and for any length, sometimes with the possibility of attending school depending on the dates.

Age: from 13 to 18 years old

Level of Language: minimum two years of High School Spanish

 

Program description:

Homestay in Northern Spain:

Reference: SHB3-1 – 3 weeks
Reference: SHB3-2 – 3 weeks

Discover the Spanish culture and language in Northern Spain. Beautiful areas full of contrasts. It is famous for its never ending "fiestas" and wonderful landscapes that enchant everybody. Once you visit it and know its warm and welcome people you will really want to come back. Some of the possible provinces where the students will be placed are: Cantabria, La Rioja, Burgos, Bizkaia, Araba, Gipuzkoa and Nafarroa, among others. Whether taking part in your host family’s daily routine or enjoying new friendships, you will experience firsthand, the depth and multifaceted culture of a country known for its fiestas, famous cuisine, and a relaxed, welcoming nature.

 

Homestay in Central Spain:

Reference: SHM3-1 – 3 weeks
Reference: SHM3-2 – 3 weeks

Our program takes place in Madrid, the capital city of Spain. It is a city full of contrasts where the old city mixes its ancient character with modern architecture. Madrid is an important financial and political centre where relevant events take place every day. It is one of the European cities with the greenest areas.

 

Homestay in Southern Spain:

Reference: SHE4-1 – 4 weeks
Reference: SHE4-2 – 4 weeks
Reference: SHP3-1 – 3 weeks
Reference: SHP3-2 – 3 weeks

Our programs take place in two different cities, Estepona and El Puerto de Santa Maria (Andalusia).

Situated at 15 km South of Marbella and 40 km of Gibraltar, Estepona is one of the most beautiful villages of La Costa del Sol that kept entirely its historical patrimony. Glorious summers and mild winters make it the perfect holiday destination. Estepona has the best weather in Spain.

El Puerto de Santa Maria, historical city and seaside resort, is located on the western Costa del Sol, 10 km of Cadiz (the bay can be crossed by boat). El Puerto is situated at 10 km of Jerez de la Frontera and 100 km of Sevilla. El Puerto is famous for its fishing activities, its caves of sherry of the Osborne Company and for its fortified castle (Christopher Columbus lived several years in this castle).

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Homestays and Spanish language courses

Bilbao:

Reference: SHLB3 – 3 weeks

Age: from 16 to 18 years old

Level of Language: minimum two years of High school Spanish

Program description:
The first program is offered in one language school located in the centre of Bilbao, a very hospitable city, with a wide cultural offer, rich in tradition and history, and worldwide known by its excellent cuisine. It is surrounded by wonderful beaches and mountains, and offers a very friendly atmosphere and a vibrant street-life. There is an excellent transport network, with metro, trains and buses, and communications with major Spanish and European cities.

Students live with host families (single room, half board) within a short distance from the school, in general approximately 30 minutes by public transport. These families receive some compensation for accommodation and meals. Participants should bring some money for their everyday transportation to go and come back from school, approximately 12 Euros to 15 Euros ($20.00 CAD to $25.00 CAD) per week, depending on the type of transport needed. Accommodation is booked from the Sunday before the course begins until the last Saturday of the course.

We offer a Standard course of 20 lessons per week starting every Monday (groups from 6 to 10 students). The language program combines morning classes (4 lessons everyday from Monday to Friday 09.00 – 13.00 hrs.), with some activities and visits; it consists of:

 

Estepona:

Reference: SHLE4-1 – 4 weeks
Reference: SHLE4-2 – 4 weeks

Age: from 13 to 18 years old

Level of Language: minimum two years of High school Spanish

Program description:
Situated at 15 km South of Marbella and 40 km of Gibraltar, Estepona is one of the most beautiful villages of La Costa del Sol that kept entirely its historical patrimony. Glorious summers and mild winters make it the perfect holiday destination. Estepona has the best weather in Spain. It has a mild microclimate for ten months of the year (Spring 21º C, Summer 25º C, Autumn 16º C, Winter 14º C). Estepona has more than 30 kilometres of carefully maintained sandy beaches: some wild and dramatic, others tranquil with their waterside restaurants (Chiringuitos). The heart of Estepona beats with a timeless rhythm. The heritage of centuries runs through its streets. Its warm and friendly people preserve their traditions with pride.

Spanish courses:

One teacher per 2 to 4 students during the two last weeks of July for the July Homestay and the two first weeks of August for the August Homestay); two hours of Spanish, Monday to Friday starting at 10:00 am; afternoon and evening spent with the host family.

Activities:

La Feria and La Fiesta Mayor take place during the two first weeks of July.
Beach, meeting with Spanish teenagers, welcoming and farewell parties

Optional activities:

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Spanish language courses and sports activities in El Puerto de Santa Maria

This program takes place at the prestigious British School in Puerto de Santa María, 15 minutes drive from the city of Cádiz. Excellent facilities for the practice of a wide variety of sports, in a beautiful area, surrounded by pines and very close to the beach.

Age: from 13 to 18 years old

Level of Language: minimum two years of High school Spanish

Program description:
Students are host by a family (paid families) and take part in the camp activities. Students have breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner on the premises. There are several activities that take place after dinner: barbecues, songs, bonfire, stories, parties... that are common for all the programs. There are also 2 weekly excursions generally during the weekends to the following places (depending on the dates of their stay in Spain): Gibraltar, Seville & Theme Park, and weekend in the mountains, Puerto de Santa María & Water Park. Students will learn about the places visited during the weekends in the Spanish classes during the week.

Students will attend 4 language classes per day Monday to Friday in the morning, a total of 20 hours per week in group of maximum 10 students. After lunch they will practise different kinds of sports and activities depending on the program. They will have the opportunity to choose among the following programs:

Multiactivities:

Reference: SHLM3 – 3 weeks

Masses of activities: tennis, sailing, horseback riding, football, basketball, volleyball, handball, badminton, hiking, crafts, music, computers, theatre... you will wonder how you can fit them all in! Take part in a different sport or activity each day.

Sailing:

Reference: SHLS3 – 3 weeks

Our sailing program will give you the opportunity, with expert water sports instruction, to learn a lot and still have a great time. Even if you are a novice sailor, it is amazing what you can accomplish in a week dedicated to sailing. However, if you already have a prior experience, you will be able to improve your knowledge and enjoy taking part in different competitions. They will spend 3.5 hours daily from Monday to Friday and the rest of the day they will join the multi-activity program.

Tennis:

Reference: SHLT3 – 3 weeks

In this Tennis club Paco Pastor, students will have the opportunity to learn to play this wonderful sport, practice or improve their knowledge. They will spend 2 hours daily from Monday to Friday and the rest of the day they will join the multi-activity program.

Horseback riding:

Reference: SHLH3 – 3 weeks

The riding holidays have always been very popular with students of all ages and abilities who share a real love of horses. The variety of riding activities, quality of instruction, top class equipment and excellent selection of mounts all add up to a super holiday with a challenge for everyone from novice to experienced rider. They will spend 3 hours daily from Monday to Friday and the rest of the day they will join the multi-activity program.

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SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAMS

Programs for school groups and teachers

Reference: SHSA2 – 2 weeks

Age: from 13 to 18 years old

Level of Language: minimum two years of High school Spanish

Program description:
Our program takes place in Alicante, a wonderful province of the Communidad Valenciana located in the Mediterranean coast, Costa Blanca, which offers one of the best and most extensive ranges of tourist amenities in the world through the quality of its services, its excellent climate (the annual average being 18° C) and its cultural richness. The beaches and mountains of the province are a delight to everyone who visits us and make this area a pleasant place to stay.

This program is designed for teachers that would like to come with their students. We have several high schools willing to invite groups of foreign students. They would live with local host families, that in general have children studying in the same school (although not always).

International students will be able to have a more exact idea of the Spanish Educational System, as they will attend some classes at the school (depending on the dates of their stay), and will also have the opportunity to know the daily life of a host family.

Excursions and activities can be organised upon request. Stays vary from 6 to 15 days, (longer stays are more difficult to arrange in this program) and should take place between September and June. May and June are difficult months for some students, because they have their final exams and are too nervous and busy to take part in the hosting experience.

Host families in Mediterranean Spain are volunteer and don’t get any compensation for hosting.

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Homestay and one year, half year or semester school

Reference: SHSC12 – 3 months
Reference: SHSC24 – 6 months
Reference: SHSC40 – 10 months

Age: from 15 to 18 years old

Level of Language: minimum two years of High school Spanish

Our school year programs take place near one of the chief seaports of southern Spain, Cadiz.

Cadiz, a 3000 year old city rich in history, is quintessentially Spanish with its narrow streets and whitewashed, houses. Participants will enjoy the warm climate, fiestas, siestas, and the warm and friendly disposition of the Andalusians while they experience Spanish life at its fullest with their host family.

Cadiz is a wonderful province where the good weather guarantees the practice of many outdoor activities. The friendly and cheerful character of its people will make you feel at home, and the beautiful coast and white sandy beaches will make you love the country.

These programs are offered in one of the best Private Schools of Andalusia, located in El Puerto de Santa Maria. They are designed for very good students, motivated and mature students who are willing to learn a new way of life and a new culture living with the host family and get to know a different school system.

The success of this program requires that the student is an open-minded, understanding, responsible and easy going person, who looks forward to interacting with the host family in their everyday activities and learning new ways of doing things, new customs, different traditions and a different culture, while they improve the language and make all necessary efforts to follow the daily classes. Therefore, it is very important that the student has an open & positive and hardworking character, which will enable him/her to take advantage of this new experience. Students will need around 200 Euros to buy school books and supplies at the beginning of the academic year. They might also need some money to pay for the transportation host family-high school-host family (approximately 30 Euros per month).

Sometimes students could be placed in more than one family, due to their availability and willingness to take part in the hosting experience. Geographical nearness cannot be guaranteed, although we would always try to please each applicant.