Study Spainish in El Puerto de Santa Maria
EL Puerto de Santa Maria is famous in Spain for its beaches, its gastronomy, its history and culture. This area is also famous for its Flamenco and Sevillana dancing which is taken from the rhythms of gypsy music. The school is a 10 minutes walk from the old historical centre of the city, a place full of tapas bars, dance clubs and Spanish people from every corner of Spain , especially during the summer months. Our famous nightlife doesn't get started until close to midnight in the old centre and usually ends after sunrise, which is best seen from the bars on the Palm tree lined beaches.
El Puerto de Santa Maria enjoys a very pleasant microclimate. The average Summer temperature is around 25-28 degrees celsius with almost constant sunshine from May till October. Spring and Autumn are mild and warm, and even in Winter the daytime temperature rarely falls below 15 C. Enjoy the beaches during nearly 6 months of the year and then enjoy the mountain white villages during the other 6 months. Don't miss, the Carnival in February the Easter Processions unique in the world, the Spring Fair, the Grand Prix Motorbike race at the beginning of May.
Our School
The school is located in the commercial heart of the city, 2 minutes from the famous bullring. El Puerto de Santa María is a picturesque and lively Spanish city situated on the Costa de la Luz, 20 minutes across the bay from Cádiz. It is located around the mouth of the river Guadalete. There are 22 km. of Atlantic coastline around the city, with 15 Km of beaches of fine golden sand. This coastline is known as Costa de la Luz because of the unusually clear and intense quality of the light, 3100 hours per year. The city is an important fishing port with a number of historic buildings including the Castle where Christopher Columbus stayed while planning his famous voyage to discover the New World, a palm lined park, a maze of narrow bustling streets, a lively central market and a busy shopping and commercial area.
Course Description
Classes start every Monday of the year for students with a basic knowledge of the Spanish language, for absolute beginners, you need to consult the next starting date. The last week of December and the first of January, the school is closed. On the first day, all students will take a test to help us determine the appropriate group and level of each student.
General Course
General Spanish Course is a program with 20 classes per week. Classes begin at 9:30am and continue until a break at 11:00am . The second session begins at 11.20am and class finishes at 12.50pm . During the lessons you will learn the five different aspects of Spanish: listening, reading, writing, grammar and most importantly speaking .
Intensive Course
Intensive Spanish Course is a program with 25 classes per week. Classes begin at 9:30am and continue until a break at 11:00am . The second session begins at 11.20am and class finishes at 12.50pm . The basic outline of this program follows the description above for the General Spanish Course, but with an additional class from 13.00pm till 13.45pm used to focus on the points of the language most needed by the individual student.
Teaching Method
Our teaching method combines the usual study of grammar with debates, talks, role-playing situations, practical classes, etc. The classes, with a maximum of seven students each, are conducted entirely in Spanish from the very first day and guarantee not only an increased command of the Spanish language but also happiness and cordiality. We believe that a friendly atmosphere and teaching with a smile have as big a part to play in the classroom as the exercise books the students use.
To help us to attain our objectives, we employ a group of young teachers who have, nonetheless many years teaching experience in our school and who use our very own teaching methods which are constantly being revised. This is to ensure that our pupils are always taught in accordance with the most recent developments concerning the Spanish language and the practical aspects related to it.
Activities
Flamenco (sevillanas) and "salsa" dancing courses, concerts and Spanish cinema, cultural documentaries and Spanish music are just some of the cultural activities we organise on a regular basis. In addition, barbecues, parties and plays held in the patio enable our pupils to get to know each other and to enjoy themselves out of hours.
We believe it is essential that our pupils get to know the city they are studying in and for this reason we organise regular guided tours to the historic city centre, museums, churches and other places of interest.
Depending on the time of the year there is the option of enjoying the 15Kms of beaches that are in the city of El Puerto de Santa Maria . There are also the opportunities for a trip to a local bull farm, a flamenco show and a typical Andalucian meal. There are also activites like, paintballing, karts , obstacle races and visits to the local bodegas - sherry cellars- to see how the famous sheries and brandies are made. There is also the option to visit Cádiz, with a population of 150000, which is a city with a very active and appealing cultural life - flamenco dancing and singing, theatre festivals, cinema, folklore and opera and theatre seasons.
Accommodations
Students can choose between different forms of accommodation:
Our school offers the possibility to find accommodation with Spanish families, since the school has a series of selected families who rent out rooms to our pupils either half-board (includes breakfast and evening meal) full-board (includes breakfast, lunch and evening meal). Students who choose this option will be treated like any other member of the family.
We also help our pupils to find single and double rooms to rent in shared flats with Spanish people(limited number of places) or with other students in our school. The flats have a lounge , a bathroom, kitchen and washing machine and are situated in the historic city centre or near the beaches.
Course and Accommodation Fees
Course Fees
General Course
20 hours per Week
1- 3 Weeks 130 euros
4- 7 Weeks 115 euros
8- 11 Weeks 109 euros
12+ Weeks 107 euros
Intensive Course
25 hours per Week
1- 3 Weeks 160 euros
4- 7 Weeks 145 euros
8- 11 Weeks 140 euros
12+ Weeks 138 euros
Accommodation Fees
Homestay with a Spanish Host
Individual Room + Half board (breakfast & dinner) 160 euros/week
During the months of June, July and August 170 euros/week
Independant Housing
2/3 bedroom apartments available upon request 80 euros/week
During the months of June, July and August 97 euros/week