Learn Spanish in Spain

Learn Spanish in Spain
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Learn Spanish in Spain, where the pace of life is a bit slower and the days are a bit longer. From a short holiday in Malaga to a semester improving your resume in Barcelona, we have Spanish courses in Spain for every goal and budget. Whichever program you choose, there's no better place to study Spanish than in Spain. Get in touch so we can discuss your options.

Learn Spanish in Spain

Learn Spanish in Spain

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EF Languages Abroad

EF Languages Abroad

10-14 years
2-24 weeks
Learn a language abroad in an all-inclusive group led by an EF Leader or on an individual, flexible-length course.
Destination: Spain
City: BarcelonaMalaga
EF Languages Abroad

EF Languages Abroad

14-25 years
2-24 weeks
Learn a language faster at an accredited EF school. Choose from 10 languages in 50 destinations. Start any Monday.
Destination: Spain
City: BarcelonaMalaga
EF Languages Abroad

EF Languages Abroad

25 + years
1-24 weeks
Boost your global career with personalised language courses in one of the world´s greatest cities. Designed for Adults and Professionals.
Destination: Spain
City: BarcelonaMalaga
EF Language Year Abroad

EF Language Year Abroad

16 + years
6, 9 or 11 months
Combine language and academic studies at a school abroad. Prepare for an official language exam and gain work experience.
Destination: Spain
City: BarcelonaMalaga
EF Languages Abroad

EF Languages Abroad

50 + years
2-24 weeks
Take time for yourself with our language courses abroad designed for adults aged 50+. Enjoy varied lessons, and activities specially catered to your interests.
Destination: Spain
City: Malaga

What are Spanish courses like in Spain?

Spanish language courses in Spain usually take place in a dedicated language school with between 10 and 15 students per class. Your teacher will be a native Spanish speaker, usually from Spain but sometimes from Latin America, with an SFL teaching qualification. Class time is split between instruction time and practice time. You can expect to study grammar, vocabulary, expressions, and Spanish culture. Students who come all the way to Spain to study Spanish are usually quite motivated and they participate actively in class. They come from all over Europe and the rest of the world. The classroom atmosphere is relaxed and focused on the objective of improving everyone’s Spanish skills.

How intensive are Spanish courses in Spain?

Spanish courses in Spain tend to be at least 10 hours of lessons a week. They are aimed at either student visitors who want to learn Spanish quickly or recent immigrants who need to learn Spanish urgently. Our Spanish courses begin with the basic course (summer only) with 13 hours of class per week and a focus on oral communication skills such as introducing yourself, handling common daily situations, and interacting with people in the street. Our more popular course options include 18 or 21 hours of instruction per week with in-depth instruction and practice on all Spanish skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).

Where will I stay during my Spanish language course?

You have four accommodation options during a Spanish course abroad: a host family, a student residence, an on-campus residence, or arranging your own accommodation. Staying with a host family boosts your exposure to the Spanish language and Spanish culture, which is why we include host family accommodation in the price of all our Spanish courses in Spain. There are lots of reasons why you might prefer not to stay with a host family, however, so you can stay with classmates in one of our student residences near the school, or in Malaga you can stay on-campus within our school itself. If none of those accommodation options meet your requirements, you can also always arrange your own accommodation with a friend, in a hotel, or in a rental apartment for the duration of your Spanish course.

Who will I be studying Spanish with?

The students who come to Spain to learn Spanish are from all parts of the world. About half come from Europe because it’s close, and the other half are from Africa, Asia, the US, and Canada. This nationality mix is one of the best things about learning Spanish in Spain as opposed to Latin America. In Spain, you won’t be surrounded by other English speakers. The majority of Spanish language learners in Spain are between age 16 and 25. If you’re an older student, you may prefer to look specifically for a Spanish course targeted to professionals.

How will my Spanish language level be tested?

You’ll take a Spanish test online before you arrive in Spain to get a provisional placement level and then, when you arrive at school, you’ll do a short interview to confirm your level. It’s important that you be in the correct level of Spanish class for you to make efficient use of your time in Spain. Of course, every student has a unique language profile, with some students much stronger in writing or grammar and others much stronger in speaking. Our Spanish teachers have decades of experience testing and placing students. They’ll make sure you are in a Spanish course that’s the right fit for your level and goals.

What’s a typical day like on a Spanish course in Spain?

You might wake up at 7:30, have breakfast while reading El Pais, then hop on a bike or a bus to head to school (unless you’re staying close enough to walk there). Spanish classes usually start at 9:00. Your first class might review the uses of the subjunctive in Spanish. Your second class could be a discussion in Spanish about climate change. You’ll have a short break after the first two hours of lessons at 11:00. The third class of the morning might be in the computer lab, working on the conventions for writing professional e-mails. The fourth class could be a culture and vocabulary lesson about the upcoming Fiesta Nacional de España. 

After your morning of lessons, you and your friends go to a café near the school and do some window shopping afterwards. You speak Spanish the entire time, because it’s the only language you all share. Afterwards, you go on a guided tour of Casa Mila organized by your Spanish school and take a quick dip at the beach. At 7pm, you head back to your host family for a meal together, after which you do your homework for Spanish class the next day, watch a couple of episodes of Las Chicas del Cable, and go to bed.

Can I study Spanish in Spain as a beginner?

The short answer is yes. Signing up for a Spanish course in Spain as a true beginner is an exhilarating experience. During the time you’re in Spain, you’ll go from understanding absolutely nothing to speaking Spanish. However, it’s best, as a beginner, to stay in Spain for a while. If you only take a 2-week course, you’re likely to leave Spain frustrated. You’ll have just started to crack the code of Spanish when your course ends. Beginner Spanish courses are much more satisfying if you can stay in Spain at least 2 months. Four to six months will be even more gratifying because you will return home confident in your Spanish and able to speak quite fluently about a wide range of topics.

Can I get an official diploma or certificate to prove my Spanish level?

Any Spanish school in Spain will offer to give you a school certificate attesting to participation in their course. If you successfully complete an entire course cycle (often 6 to 8 weeks), Spanish schools will also provide proof of that. Our Spanish courses include this type of standard certification as well. But there is a more effective way to prove your Spanish level, and that is with an official international diploma. Our schools offer specialized Spanish courses for those preparing for the Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE), the Diploma Superior de Español de Los Negocios (DSEN) and the Diploma Intermedio de Español de Los Negocios (DIEN). Depending on your objectives, passing one of these exams and receiving the Spanish diploma to prove it may be your best choice.

Can I work in Spain during my Spanish course to help pay for expenses?

Only European citizens can work in Spain without a visa, but finding a part-time job that fits with a Spanish course schedule can be tricky. Some European students work in the evenings to help pay for their Spanish courses in Spain. American citizens don’t have the right to work in Spain, and it would be impossible to find a job if staying only a few weeks anyway. American students staying in Spain for 6 months or more can sometimes find babysitting or English tutoring jobs for children that are undeclared to help them earn pocket money. Unfortunately, we can’t help you find that kind of job (it would be illegal). The best option to fund your Spanish course in Spain is to save up money at home so you’re sure to have enough to cover your expenses while you study abroad.

Why learn Spanish?

Spanish is the second most widely-spoken language in the world and by far the second most widely-spoken in the US after English. Speaking Spanish will obviously help you in your daily life when interacting with folks who are native Spanish speakers, but Spanish is also a great asset in the business world. Speaking someone else’s language is key to building trust because the effort required to learn the language is a strong sign of respect. Whether you’re planning an international career or you’d just like to interact more easily with Spanish speakers in the US, taking an intensive Spanish course abroad is the fastest way to learn Spanish. Spain is an excellent choice for a Spanish immersion course, not only because it’s the home of the Spanish language, but also because it’s safe, packed with interesting stuff to see, and guarantees a good mix of nationalities in the classroom.

How long does it take to learn Spanish?

Spanish is not a difficult language for English speakers to learn. For a beginner studying full-time in a full-immersion environment, you can expect to be speaking Spanish well within 6 months, and within a year, you’ll have good enough Spanish for the workplace, otherwise known as fluent Spanish. Of course, if you are studying alone or from home, it can take much longer to learn Spanish.

What’s the best city to learn Spanish in Spain?

We have Spanish schools in three very different cities: Barcelona, Madrid, and Malaga. Each has its own flavor and culture that makes it completely unique. One of Spain's largest cities, Barcelona, is home to breathtaking modernist architecture, the vibrant Catalan cultural scene, and gorgeous beaches for sunning and swimming. Madrid, Spain's capital, is cosmopolitan and diverse, with the finest museums in the country and a large, active student population. Finally, consider quiet Malaga, with warm winters, lovely beaches, and easy access to the beautiful Andalusian countryside. Our schools are centrally-located in all three cities, so whichever you choose, you'll have an amazing time learning Spanish in Spain.

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