Salamanca

Program Outline

We have 17 different types of courses. In Salamanca, this includes Spanish + Latin Dance and the Summer Course for Young People. Teaching is based on communicative methods. Each class lasts 55 minutes. Maximum of 10 students per class. Most courses are largely based around the following two programs.

The Principal Course has 20 lessons per week centered on the practical aspects of Spanish used in daily life. Students develop the ability to listen, speak, read and write for study, work, travel or social life. This course is especially ideal for those students who wish to learn Spanish through a structured “step-by-step” approach, while having time to be able to enjoy the many opportunities to experience the local way of life. The Principal Course’s four levels of learning cover all aspects of Spanish grammar. New language skills are introduced and reinforced in a logical and progressive manner, ensuring a steady learning curve.

The Intensive Course is targeted for committed students wanting to achieve maximum linguistic progress and a broad perspective of Hispanic culture in a short time. In this course of 30 lessons per week, besides the classes included in the Principal Course: grammar, reading/writing and conversation; students will have the extra benefit of various weekly cultural seminars. Ranging from literature, art, movies, travel, to history, the seminars are intended to give a general perspective of the Hispanic world.

Location

Our language center is the ideal study environment in Spain’s safest city. Everything in Salamanca is within walking distance, and students can freely walk around at any hour of the day or night without worry. The campus is located in the heart of Salamanca, five minutes walk from the Plaza Mayor. It has a reception area, a student lounge, 8 classrooms with air conditioning and heating, a reference library that has computers with Internet access, a language laboratory, a teachers’ resource room and a conference room.

Accommodation

We believe that suitable accommodations are as important as first class teaching and facilities. We arrange families, student apartments, hotels and hostels for our students. They can choose one or combine more than one option during their stay.

Almost all our students choose to live with a host family during the first weeks of the program. These families are chosen carefully and monitored through regular inspections and feedback from students. Living with a family is a guaranteed way to practice the language and to learn other aspects of Spanish culture. All accommodations are walking distance from classes.

Cultural

Organized outings are always accompanied by a teacher. A typical monthly program of activities and excursions could be composed of:

• Welcoming and departure parties.
• Tour of the City: the Plaza Mayor, the Post Office, The Tourist Information Office, monuments and museums.
• Videos and documentary films.
• Theater and concerts.
• Sports activities and games, such as learning Spanish card games.
• Dinners and informal outings.
• Excursions to Portugal, Segovia, Toledo, León, Madrid, Sierra de Francia, Burgos.

Start Dates

Courses start every Monday for students with some knowledge of Spanish, but we recommend that beginners start at the beginning of a 4 week cycle. You may enroll for a period of 2 to 32 weeks.

Climate

The weather varies a lot in Spain. Even though it is true that the sun shines often, temperatures vary quite a bit from season to season. In Salamanca, summers are fairly hot, but the heat is dry and usually comfortable in the shade. Winters are cold, with some snow possible. In spring and fall one might experience either extreme, but it is usually very pleasant.

Local Color

Salamanca is without question the academic capital of Spain, with a cosmopolitan student atmosphere. It has a very active nightlife and is known for great tapas and its theme bars and discos. A city steeped in history, Salamanca has marvelous buildings, monuments and numerous convents, churches and palaces. The harmony created by these historic buildings is the reason why Salamanca is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.

Points of Interest

Students can visit the University, the Plaza Mayor, the Roman Bridge, The House of Shells, the Convent of San Esteban, the Torre del Clavero, the old and the new Cathedrals. The swimming pools and the river are the favorite spots in the summertime. The Theatre, cinemas, restaurants and discos are open all the year round and are the main places for meeting friends and enjoying Salamanca.

Hot Tip

The popular zone these days for inexpensive “pinchos” is on Calle de Van Dyck, which is an easy walk just north of the historic center of Salamanca where the tourists tend to stay.