Bienvenido a Espana!
Learn Spanish through full immersion with Greenheart Travel’s language school program in Madrid, Spain. World famous museums such as the Prado and the Reina Sofia Art Center make this city a favorite among art lovers. Madrid has always captivated creative people: Hemingway, Francis Bacon, Ava Gardner and Miles Davis have all fallen in love with the Spanish capital and you will too!
Spend 20 hours per week studying Spanish and the rest of your time exploring Madrid with your new friends from around the world! The first Monday you arrive for classes, you will take a placement test. This will ensure that you are learning with other students with similar levels. Class sizes are small and teachers are native speakers.
The Madrid language school is our largest school, with more than 1,900 foreign students attending courses here each year. You will study in the prestigious Salamanca district, just one block from Retiro Park and a short walk from the Prado Museum and other magnificent buildings.
There are also weekly organized school activities and culture classes. Joining those activities outside of regular class hours are the great way to practice your Spanish, see Madrid and experience Spanish culture first-hand. It is also a great opportunity to get to know other students and make life-long friends!
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Be in good mental and physical health
- Have a genuine interest in learning Spanish and immersing yourself in the culture
- 2 weeks: $1,920
- 3 weeks: $2,470
- 4 weeks: $2,950
- 6 weeks: $4,020
What’s Included:
- Accommodation in a local home*
- Study materials and textbook for each level of your course, available for purchase at the end of your course.
- Level test and an end-of-course certificate.
- Welcome Packet
- Enrollment in 20 intensive Spanish lessons per week
- Enrollment in 4 culture classes per week
- Towels and bed linens
- Breakfast and dinner provided
- Internet area and wireless connection with unlimited Internet access and email
- Language exchange with native speakers.
- Medical and accident insurance
- 24-hour emergency assistance
- Airport pick-up service
*Your host may be comprised of a family or a single parent.
Greenheart Travel also donates a portion of your fee to offset the carbon footprint of your travels.
Language School participants live with local host families. Host families are carefully screened through background checks, reference checks, interviews, and home visits. Participants will have their own private room, but may share a bathroom and living areas with the host family. Host families also provide breakfast and dinner daily except when dining out to restaurants.
Host families represent all walks of life, just like families from your home country. Your family may be a couple with or without children, a single parent, or a single person interested in other cultures.
Within each family you will experience a different dynamic, but they are all motivated by the idea of making cross-cultural friendships. They will be eager to learn about you and your culture and are excited to teach you about their own. Your host family placement will include half board (breakfast and dinner).
Although there will be a period of adjustment with the new culture and family, relax, have patience with yourself, and remember — Have Fun!!
Upon request, other accommodation options (Studios, Hotels, Hostels) are also available.
GENERAL
What is Spain like?
As one of the largest countries in Europe, Spain shares the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal. With beautiful lush greenery in the north, and a southern coastline along the Mediterranean Sea, Spain is an incredibly scenic country with a great natural diversity that is meant to be enjoyed!
The Spanish sociability is legendary! As the phrase goes “viven en la calle” all Spaniards spend their free time out and about in the city, either at open air markets, shopping, family visits, at soccer games, or out socializing.
Is Spain safe?
Spain is indeed a safe country. However, with any place you travel to, it is always a good idea to take some precautions. Prevention involves many “common sense” precautions such as staying on well-lit main roads, traveling in groups, not carrying very much money, and knowing where you’re going (or at least looking like you do – rather than looking lost).
What is the climate like?
The climate in Spain varies across the country but overall it has a Mediterranean climate. Summers (May to September) are dry and sunny and winters are mild and rainy.
Click here to get current weather information.
Will I need a visa?
Citizens of the United States and Canada do not need a visa if staying for less than 90 days.
Will Greenheart Travel provide the travel arrangements?
We will inform you of your travel and visa requirements. All travel and visa arrangements are your responsibility, but need to be booked according to our instructions.
Can I apply with my friend/spouse/significant other?
Absolutely! We are happy to accept friends and couples.
What vaccinations will I need?
When traveling to any destination, make sure your routine vaccines are up to date. Try to schedule an appointment with your doctor 4-6 weeks before your trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot. Also be sure to check the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) for more recommendations.
Can I travel on weekends?
Absolutely! Outside of classes, you are free to explore Spain on your own or with your new friends from school. You may also opt to participate in cultural activities and excursions provided by the school.
Are there fundraising opportunities offered by Greenheart?
All funds will have to be provided by you; however we do highly recommend fundraising! Here’s a detailed guide on how to raise money for your trip.
SPANISH COURSES
How am I placed in the right course for my level of Spanish?
On your first day, you will do a placement test. Based on your results, you will be placed in the corresponding level.
How many course levels are there?
There are 3 different levels based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): Basic (A), Intermediate (B), and Advanced (C). The levels, at the same time, are sub divided up into two sublevels depending on your linguistic skills.
What is the class schedule?
There are two time tables: In the morning from 9.00 AM until 1.00 PM and in the afternoon from 2.00 PM until 6.00 PM. The schedule is organized depending on the number of students. Afternoon courses are generally reserved for students who take extra lessons or special courses. Even though classes are generally during the morning, you may have classes in the afternoon as well.
Will I get a certificate after completing my course?
Yes! The certificate will specify the level achieved and the number of hours studied. Also, you will receive a progress report specifying the topics covered and the skills you have achieved throughout the course.
ACCOMMODATIONS
What is like to live with a host family?
Living with a host family means that you live with a family as a member of their household. You eat meals with them, relax with them, watch TV together and do any other activities as a part of their family. Living with a host family is the most interesting and effective way to become fully immersed in a county’s language and culture.
Should I take a gift for my host family?
If you’re staying with a host family while in Spain it is always nice to bring an extra little gift as a way to say thank you for opening up their home to you. It should not be an expensive or extravagant gift. Some participants like to bring a gift that represents something from home or a favorite hobby.
What are meals like?
Your host family will provide you two meals per day (breakfast and dinner). Breakfast usually consists of coffee and a pastry or toast. Lunch is around 1PM and dinner is around 9 or 10 PM and consists of seafood, rice, bread, eggs, meat, potatoes and salads.
What if I have an allergy/specific dietary requirement?
We can cater to vegetarian needs quite easily. Any other specific diets should be discussed with us to see if we can arrange to have your needs met. In some cases you may need to provide your own food.
What happens if I get sick while abroad?
You will be covered by mandatory health insurance. You will receive a policy brochure and insurance card via email 2 weeks prior to your departure.
Will I have internet access?
You will have access to a computer lab and Wifi at the language school as well as several cyber cafes located throughout the city. Most families also have internet access but it is not guaranteed.
Can I receive mail or packages?
Yes, you can receive mail at the school office. However, if you are staying for less than 4 weeks the mail will take too long to reach you.
Spain is known for hosting many festivals, the most popular being the Running of Bulls. Another famous festival is called La tomatina and is known as “The World’s Biggest Food Fight.” Other popular entertainment includes bullfighting and dancing, particularly the flamenco. These two things are not only considered entertainment, but art forms.
Spanish cuisine is heavily influenced by a Mediterranean diet, which includes a lot of fish, and tapas (appetizers) are very popular. Serving and eating tapas is said to promote conversation, as people are not so focused on eating an entire meal. Spaniards obviously speak Spanish, but is also referred to as Castilian. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world!
5 Fun Facts about Spain
- Spanish is a romance language but Arabic influences can be observed in the language.
- Instead of a tooth fairy, there is a little mouse called Ratoncito Pérez.
- Spain is home to the oldest cave painting found.
- Spanish women tend to keep their maiden name after marriage.
- Spain is the number one producer of olive oil in the world.