Language Schools!!!!

[janderson]

Im planning on attending a language school this summer in Barcelona! I was curious if anyone has attended a language school and what their thoughts on it were. I've also been trying to find a website with some kind of ratings or reviews for different schools, if anyone has any insight on this it would be greatly appreciated!!!

James

[AKguacamole]

I've been to a Spanish language school, it was a small one in Costa Rica, and it was pretty laid back. I wasn't a beginner, which was what the school was designed for, so I really wanted to get out of there. But it was nice, good teachers and lots of conversation as the main learning mode; but I think I could have done better in choosing!

[joe7f]

I went to Enforex/Don Quijote in Marbella and Salamanca. I had a mostly good experience.

--Joey

[janderson]

Originally Posted by joe7f

I went to Enforex/Don Quijote in Marbella and Salamanca. I had a mostly good experience.

--Joey

What were some of the issues that you ran into? Which of the two schools did you prefer?

[joe7f]

Enforex owns Don Quijote (If I understand correctly)

Here were my "problems" (ymmv)

1.) Student Accomodation was often spotty* and over priced. I had 8 people in my apartment with one functioning toliet. For just a hair more I got a 4/2 apartment one block away on my own. (I used locuo.es) You can also get a Spanish roommate which helps you learn as well.

2.) The schools tend to never give you back any of your money if you want to change/go home early/whatever. For this reason, always keep your money and go week to week with the school. When I had a bathroom with mold in the student accommodation, I was able to use the fact that I was not prepaid (in fact I had only paid half of the money I owed them) to tell them to fix it or I am not paying. Everyone else could only get mad.

3.) I did a family stay in Salamanca (in addition to a student dorm) and the woman was constantly on my case about leaving the light on, how often/long my showers were (once a day and about 10 minutes for the record).

On the other hand I had some really great experiences too.

When you get to Barcelona you'll have a instant network of people to hang with.

If you are just going to bakeries, bars and strolling around las Ramblas you will get good at getting bread to go, ordering a beer and telling people to watch out for pickpockets. Having a school diversifies your range of conversations.

I did a homestay in Marbella and had a great time and loved the family. I still keep in touch with them

Over all it is an experience I highly recommend just don't pay everything up front or make long term commitments without scoping out the situation.

Also remember that Barcelona is in Catalonia meaning they are bilingual in Catalan and Spanish. Your vocabulary may develop a few oddities. For example exit is Sortida (like a mix of Salida and Sortie), Avenidas are Avengudas etc.

--Joe

*Fwiw, I did meet an older American couple that said their Barcelona residence was incredibly nice and near the coast.