Where not to go...

[richardksa]

I have looked at the "intensive" idea, but wondered if I would retain all that I had been taught. The old grey cells don't communicate as they used to. I saw one school advertise an "over fifties" course, but it seemed to rotate around trips to wineries, rather than class work.

[gary]

Originally Posted by richardksa

I get lots of vacations, almost as many as teachers(!) and have wondered about attending a school. But could an advanced beginner (he said hopefully) like me benefit from a three or four week course?

I'll let you know!! I am going for three weeks to Barcelona this summer... I'm really quite excited about it - I want to consolidate my grammar and extend my vocab - but just being in Barça for almost a month will do!!

[Acosta]

Nice start on a Blog Rod.

I do find for myself I am not on the quick side of language acquisition and any and all sources, experiences etc are great encouragement.

Thanks

[rod]

Originally Posted by richardksa

I have looked at the "intensive" idea, but wondered if I would retain all that I had been taught. The old grey cells don't communicate as they used to. I saw one school advertise an "over fifties" course, but it seemed to rotate around trips to wineries, rather than class work.

I found the mornings-only courses quite enough to deal with most of the time, particularly in the first week or two. You need to have time to do other things: homework, meetings with intercambios, etc. But I met a couple of people who were doing the superintensive courses for 5-8 weeks or so and seemed to be getting quite a lot out of it.

I met quite a few 'over 50s' on my courses - none of them I don't think would have wanted to be on one of those courses, nor felt they needed to be on one.

Originally Posted by Acosta

Nice start on a Blog Rod.

Thanks. Keep checking back!

[Damian Corrigan]

Originally Posted by rod

Interesting - when were you there?


I agree that staff turnover is an issue with many schools, but to be fair to Clic, I think its better than most on staff retention. Certainly I got the impression that both my main teachers had been there for some time.

I studied there in July/August/September 2002

I agree their staff retention is good. I went back to visit in the summer and my teacher Alberto was still there.

Damian

[Jan]

I´ve just completed the first week of a 4 hour a day 1:1 intermediate
course in Cusco Peru.
I´m sure I am older than you Richard but I am finding that a lot is
going into this old and tired brain.
It may help that my teacher bears a striking resemblance to Johnny
Depp
Jan

[Acosta]

Originally Posted by richardksa

I saw one school advertise an "over fifties" course, but it seemed to rotate around trips to wineries, rather than class work.

Wineries, that's my spead. Where do I sign up

[Dougal1]

There doesnt seem to be much negative feeling on many schools and from my experience the way most schools are run is quite commendable. I also know friends of all ages who have mainly had similar positive experiences. Seems the Spaniards know what theyre doing

As Ive mentioned before, Ive used a service called Estudia-Espana to book courses. They have always been impartial and extremely helpful with more than just advising on schools and courses (for example they helped me with a train plan!). And the best thing is that they are actually cheaper than the schools they represent... For my part I can recommend Escuela Mediterraneo in Malaga and definitely Espanole in Valencia.

Keep the info coming by the way! This is an interesting thread...

[Damian Corrigan]

Originally Posted by Dougal1

There doesnt seem to be much negative feeling on many schools

I'll burst that bubble then!

I've not studied here in Salamanca, but I've heard quite a few bad things. It seems that schools spring up all the time here to capitalise on Salamanca's history of being (a) a centre of academic excellence and (b) home to the purest Spanish in the country*. Schools therefore struggle to survive and have been described to me as 'money grabbing'.

My girlfriend studies in a class where 50% is Brazilian and 50% is Asian (Chinese or Japanese). Not the most logical of class arrangements in my opinion, considering Portuguese speakers can understand Spanish almost from day one and Asian students struggle with Latin based languages in general. Most people I've spoken to have grumbled about some element of their schools.


*Can I just dispell these two myths:
(a) Salamanca's university is one of the oldest in Europe, but it has fallen from grace. It is now an above average university in Spain, but by no means the best.
(b) The Spanish spoken here has fallen a long way from its pure origins. The 'Madriz, ciudaz" way of speaking is extremely strong here, stronger even than in Madrid (and the locals arrogantly claim this is the only way anyone in the country speaks these days). Some of them even lisp the 'c' when it is impossible, such as in the word 'correcto', which oddly comes out as 'correzto'. I've heard two different people say this - when I questioned the second on it, she said it was the way everyone speaks in Salamanca.


Damian

[Nicole]

I studied here last year and had a great experience not only in the language school - Escuela Delengua but also in the city as a whole. It is an absolutely beautiful and unique place to study Spanish. The language school is only very small and i would definitely recommend it. Being small and independent they are commited to each and every student and classes are given in a friendly and informal way.
I chose to come to Granada for four weeks when my University term finished last year as my Spanish wasn't really improving at all - I only had 2 hours of Spanish a week.
During my time at the school I learnt so much probably more than i had learnt during my time in University! My confidence also improved and I wasn't worried or embarrased when talking to Spanish people. I made so many friends there from all around the world and we still keep in touch now - in Spanish of course!
If anybody is looking to study Spanish I would recommend you have a look at Delengua (www.delengua.es) as you will no doubt learn so much here and you can visit the wide range of places of interest in Granada. The school also organises free daily activities so you will get a chance to explore this amazing and historical city.