The Best Language Courses In Spain

Posted on Thursday, 28 April 2011 by David Singhiser

Note: This a review, click here if you want to visit the don Quijote Spanish Language School.

My favorite language school in Spain, and now Mexico and South America, is don Quijote Spanish Language School. I’ve watched their progress for the last few years as they continue to develop and innovate their programs and schools in the Spanish-speaking world. I became aware of them about ten years ago, but they’ve been around since 1986. They started out as a language travel agency representing Spanish language schools and began their first school in Salamanca. Not only do they now have schools in Spain, Mexico and South America, they have online courses in Spanish with an online community of Spanish students from around the world.

Besides The Cervantes Institute accrediting the don Quijote schools, they have also received the CEELE, a certificate awarded by the Spanish department of the University of Alcalá de Henares and the association of Spanish Economic Resources. This official certificate guarantees high standards and academic excellence in teaching Spanish as a second language. Ten other Spanish and European organizations have also granted them accreditation or membership. In addition, the Swedish and German governments have approved their programs, and it’s possible to earn American college credit for one of their Spanish programs.

They have a variety of Spanish language courses ranging from part-time classes to intensive language courses focusing on business, tourism, medicine, or teacher training for Spanish language teachers. Their cultural classes are too numerous to list, and they also teach the very important DELE Exam Preparation Courses. For a list of all the programs, check out my don Quijote Page.

Besides deciding which language courses to take, another important decision when studying abroad is choosing your accommodations. The schools set up home stays with local families, student flats and residences with other students, or premium private accommodations at apartments or hotels. Though I’m at the age that I’d probably go for private apartments or hotels, if were younger or going for the first time, I’d stay with a local family. I can’t tell you how much you’ll learn trying to communicate with your host family. I had a great time at my home stay in Madrid and Guanajuato. It was in the home where I really had to force myself to speak, but I also got to learn the culture in a way that is not possible as a student in a class or tourist in a hotel.

On a side note, if you’re thinking about going abroad or want to change your lifestyle, but don’t know how, then take an in-country language course. You’ll not only learn the language and culture, but you’ll also make important contacts and have the time to learn about business and employment opportunities. The contacts and friendships you’ll make will make the transition to life abroad much easier.

For a free brochure, click HERE.


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Why Study For The DELE In Spain?

Posted on Wednesday, 27 April 2011 by David Singhiser

The Importance of the DELE

The Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) or “Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language” is the only certificate for non-native Spanish speakers officially recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. The certificate is of great international value for those going to study at a Spanish University or want to work in a Spanish-speaking country. If you’re going to take a Long Duration course, I encourage you to take the DELE examination.

The three levels of the DELE examination:

  • Diploma de Español Nivel B1 (Inicial / Beginner level): This qualification attests to sufficient linguistic ability for basic understanding, responding appropriately in normal day-to-day situations, and for expressing desires and needs in a basic way.
  • Diploma de Español Nivel B2 (Intermedio / Intermediate level): This qualification validates sufficient linguistic ability to get by in average day-to-day situations in normal communication circumstances, which do not require specialized use of the language.
  • Diploma de Español Nivel C2 (Superior / Proficiency level): This qualification accredits the necessary linguistic competence to integrate in situations requiring advanced use of the language and knowledge of the cultural customs embedded within it.

In many cases, if you do need college credit, this is a great way to get it while still attending a private language school.

Don’t get me wrong. I have learned a great deal from some of my university courses. One class, or the teacher who taught Latin American Civilization at the University of Texas at Austin, showed what a truly educated person could be. She could talk about history, anthropology, theology, music, literature and science. Everything fascinated her and she was just as fascinating to listen to. It was also the worst grade I ever got, but I learned more in her class than any other class I ever took. The translation course at St. Louis University, Madrid Campus was surprisingly fascinating and fun. But none of the college courses really helped in learning how to speak as much as the language school I attended in Guanajauto. For this reason, if you want to learn how to speak Spanish, then I recommend a private language school, such as don Quijote, with teachers trained in teaching their native language as a second language. And for credit, take the DELE.

Take the Spanish Quiz.

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Want To Learn Spanish? Then Study In Spain!

Posted on Monday, 25 April 2011 by David Singhiser

Ok, this is just a short post. I’ve studied Spanish in Texas, México, and Spain. I’ve studied Spanish on my own using books, tapes, computer software, in high school, in colleges, in a private language school, and online. By far, the best experience was at a private language school. There are many reasons I prefer a private language course in Spain or any other Spanish speaking country:

  • NO GRADES – This is important, because you’re there to learn the language. It’s a lot easier to learn without the pressure of grades. Yes, I had homework, but I already knew how to read and write Spanish, but I needed to speak! So I did minimal “homework” and after classes and dinner went to the main plaza, met local friends for coffee, beer, or wine and talked all evening. You can’t really do that in college, even in a university or college in Spain (BTW, drinking really does help your fluency). You’ve got to turn in the work to get the grade.
  • Smaller Classes – The smaller the class the better. College classes at there smallest are usually the size of the largest private language classes. Although I was in the more advanced classes, none of my classes came anywhere near the average size of my college courses. There is much more chance to practice in class, and it ‘s impossible to hide in the back row. Teachers at private language courses do not lecture. They are trained in teaching their native language to foreign students.
  • Trained Foreign Language Teachers – This is important. I’ve taught academic English in college, high school and college Spanish, and English as a Foreign Language (EFL or ESL). Teaching one’s own language to foreign students is not easy! It takes training. Good language courses have trained teachers. Make sure you check that out. Being a native speakers is not enough. I recently talked to my old high school Spanish teacher who was once given an ESL class to teach, because she spoke Spanish. We both agreed that teaching English as a second language was our most difficult class to teach. She had no training and didn’t know where to begin. I at least had a certificate. Most college professors are not trained in teaching students how to speak. After two years of college Spanish, when I first went to México, I quickly realized that all though I could talk about art, literature, and politics in Spanish, I didn’t know how to rent a hotel room.
  • Immersion – This forces you to use the language. It also helps you to remember new vocabulary. The fact is that you can look at a word in your text book 10 times, repeat it in class, but when you see it in the store window or hear it on TV or the radio, it suddenly becomes real.

These are just a few of the advantages of taking a language course in Spain. There is so much more. My studies in México and Spain were life changing. If you can go, GO! You’ll meet life time friends. It’s an adventure (especially if you’re a coward. The schools usually take care of everything). I continue being a student of Spanish and plan to take more courses in Spain, probably in Salamanca, at the don Quijote language school. Go for it, it’s worth it.

For a free brochure about the don Quijote language schools, click HERE.

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