First, I’ll tell you how everything went, and at the end about the online booking process. On September 1st, like all normal schoolchildren, Lena flew to Madrid for 2 weeks. We hadn’t been apart for so long in a while. I’ll be telling you how it was based on her words.
Check-in
A week before the start, the school sent a welcome letter detailing how to get from the airport to the host family, how to get to the language school, all necessary phone numbers and addresses.
Upon arrival, Lena messaged the hosts on WhatsApp that she was on her way. They welcomed her well. The host showed her to her room. Sunday was spent settling in.
Learning process
We ordered the maximum «intensive Spanish 20+10» for 2 weeks at the Academia Contacto Madrid language school. The course included 4 lessons a day in a group of 8 people, and after a break, 2 one-on-one sessions with a teacher. Each lesson lasted about an hour.
Courses for beginners start every 2 weeks. If you know the language even a little, you can start any Monday. Groups are formed based on Spanish proficiency level.
It takes about 20 minutes by metro to get to the language school. Before classes, they held an organizational session. Then 4 Spanish lessons, half an hour for lunch, and 2 individual lessons.
The group was international – French, Italians, older Germans, and one from the Netherlands. The Italian boy, about 16 years old, is a true polyglot, knowing several languages. In the second week, the group composition changed.
The teacher speaks only Spanish, sometimes helping in English and French. Overall, everything was understandable, but the first day was difficult. Lena enjoyed the individual lessons more.
Living with a family
We chose an upgraded option of living with a family with 3 meals a day. Lena stayed with a nice elderly couple. She was given a private room and a shared bathroom, which she shared with another student from the neighboring room.
The view from the room wasn’t great, the windows faced an inner courtyard. Because of this, it was as dark as a basement. The hosts later provided a desk lamp for studying. WiFi worked poorly. The apartment itself was in satisfactory condition.
There are house rules in the room. For example, you can’t spread clothes around the room; everything must be kept in a closed wardrobe. Cooking in the kitchen is not allowed. Well, no big deal, Lena had 3 meals a day included.
Food in the family
Food in the family was the most controversial issue. We paid for 3 meals a day, but in reality, it was 2 meals. In the morning, tea with cookies and long-life muffins. It turns out another student from Asia was living in the house. Lena only crossed paths with her after breakfast.
Lena skipped lunch, but I think the hosts didn’t bother with it and never offered it to her.
Dinner was very simple, often prepared from ready-made meals and canned foods. For example, tortilla (egg and potato pie), salad, fabada (beans with smoked meats), paella, rice with pork, gazpacho, lasagna. For dessert — flan or chocolate mousse.
The food was honestly poor. We’re not used to eating pre-made meals. Next time we would book accommodation without meals, but with a kitchen.
However, every evening you practice your Spanish with the apartment owners.
Cultural activities from the school
Every evening the school organized different events: dancing, karaoke, flamenco, bar meetups, cooking classes, and on weekends — excursions. Some events were paid. You won’t be bored! Lena didn’t have enough time to do homework, but she managed to attend several events. I’ll tell you about them.
A Flamenco ticket costs €15. The start time and place are indicated in the program. A full hall of young and ambitious people, energetic dances and songs. It all ended with joint dancing on stage with the performers. It was fun.
The school also encourages communication and immersion in the language environment. For example, several times a week, language exchange meetings are held in different bars. You order a beer or wine at the bar. You sit down at a table with a stranger and start a conversation. For instance, you talk only in Spanish for 15 minutes, and then only in English, Russian, or take a break for 15 minutes. Often you communicate with a native speaker. For example, a Spaniard came to practice English with an Englishman, and the Englishman came to practice Spanish.
It’s difficult the first time, you need to overcome yourself and start speaking, but then these skills will come in very handy. Interesting topic, right? And the main thing is, you don’t have to book language courses, look for such meetings in your city.
By the way, you can find similar Language Exchange events near you using the service and phone app Meetup. I found similar meetings in Spanish and English in Tenerife.
How did we book courses online?
I’ve long wanted to test the language school search engine linguatrip.com. They search for English, Spanish, German and French language courses worldwide. They sell without markup, and most often with a discount. The most important thing is that you get a personal Russian-speaking manager in support who will guide you from the moment of ordering to submitting documents for a visa and starting your studies.
We go to their website. Fill out the search form:
We get a list of language schools in Spain. I selected only schools in Madrid.
I chose the cheapest school. Of course, I looked at the rating and reviews. Overall, everything was fine.
I selected the following package of courses and accommodation:
Then I paid by card. Note that the amount is charged in dollars.
Here’s the receipt for the card charge, so you don’t think someone paid for advertising for me. I bought everything with my own money.
After payment, you need to fill in your details in your personal account.
I filled in passport details, flight number, sent a photo of the residence permit card. If you don’t have a visa, the school will prepare all necessary supporting documents for your visa free of charge. It’s not a problem. Get yourself a proper student visa.
After 5 days, I received confirmation from the school that they had accepted Lena. A week before the trip, I was sent the details of the host family.
What’s the result?
In the end, Lena significantly improved her Spanish in 2 weeks. She gained a foundation for further self-study, and most importantly, she lost her fear of speaking Spanish. After all, you’re in a Spanish-speaking environment 24 hours a day.
Maybe I’ll soon decide to go study English in the USA for a month, but I’m still afraid and don’t have time (good excuse, right?). So I sent Lena for the trials.
How much does it cost?
Prices from linguatrip.com, they give a discount when ordering from them. The cheapest course «Spanish 10» — 2 lessons a day, a weekly course costs €85.
We ordered the maximum — «intensive Spanish 20+10» for 2 weeks with individual lessons for €760.
Accommodation is optional. The cheapest option is a single student apartment for 1 week for €140. Staying with a family with meals for 2 weeks cost Lena €470.
That’s €36 per day. I think for this money with meals, even such modest ones, it’s a very good option for immersion in the language environment.
In total, the entire 2-week course with accommodation came to €1350 — €40 discount = €1310.
- €1310 study and accommodation
- €33 transport
- €85 food and snacks
- €10 flamenco ticket
In total, Lena spent €1438.
