Easy Languages

Program

Destination

Valencia is Spain’s third largest city and has experienced a cultural renaissance in recent years. Located on the Mediterranean coast, it has everything from pristine beaches to fascinating architecture, a world-class soccer team and a nightlife that lasts until dawn. It is a wonderful place to learn Spanish because although it’s a big city, it still has a small town feel that makes foreigners feel at home.

Valencia is also the home of traditional Spanish paella and boasts a mouth-watering cuisine of seafood and other delicacies. Even more important is Las Fallas, the most riotous festival in Spain, and just one of Valencia’s year-round fiestas that travelers the world over come to experience. During Fallas, every neighbourhood ("barrio") constructs a satirical paper-maché caricature, each of which is judged and awarded prizes. The madness culminates in the burning of all the caricatures under fireworks, a truly amazing sight.

School

Our school in Valencia is located in one of the city’s best neighbourhoods, on Paseo de Facultades in a beautiful, modern building with the latest facilities. The school is situated right across the street from the main University in Valencia and offers foreign language courses for Spaniards. We also arrange free conversational exchanges with these students, providing the perfect opportunity to make Spanish friends and improve your language skills outside of the classroom. The building features 24 spacious classrooms, well-lit by natural light, a small cafeteria, a big yard in front of the school, computer lab with free Internet access, a library and video room, spacious common areas, and air conditioning and central heating.

Activities and Excursions

The school regularly organises social and cultural activities. Some examples:

• Afternoon and Evening
  Visits to the City of Arts and Science, guided tours of Valencia, Museum of Fallas, Spanish film screenings
  
  
• Weekend
  Ibiza, Madrid, Barcelona, Buñol and the "Tomatina", visits to cities along the sea coast of Comunidad Valenciana

Courses

Class sizes are small, generally with an average of 8 partcipants. We accept students of every ability level, from absolute beginners to advanced speakers. Courses begin every Monday. Our programmes combine different teaching techniques, centreed on a communicative approach in order to reach every kind of learner.

Participants take a diagnostic test when they arrive to establish their level of Spanish ability.

We offer three basic programmes in our catalog:

• Semi-intensive, Intensive or Extra-intensive Spanish courses
  Semi-intensive courses consist of 20 Spanish lessons (of 55 minutes each).
  Intensive courses are composed of one Semi-intensive course plus 5 Spanish culture and civilization workshops (see below).
  Extra-intensive courses consist of 25 Spanish lessons plus 5 Spanish culture and civilization workshops (see below).
  
• DELE Exam Preparation
  The DELE (Diploma for Spanish as a Foreign Language) is the only official certificate for foreign students recognized by the Instituto Cervantes. This certificate is an invaluable asset for students who wish to study at a Spanish university or would like to work in a Spanish-speaking country.
  This course is designed to prepare you to pass the DELE exam at any of its 3 levels.
  
• One-to-one Spanish
  This option, which we offer only in conjunction with our other courses, is designed to allow students to work privately with a teacher on their own specific weakness and strengths. This is without a doubt the fastest way to learn Spanish.
  
  

Each lesson is 55 minutes in length.

Cultural Workshops

We believe that learning Spanish involves more than grammar or conversation lessons and that a strong understanding of Spanish culture is essential to communication in the language. Our afternoon cultural workshops are not only intended to serve as opportunities for students to practice their Spanish, but also as ways to learn the basics of Spanish history, art, and mass communication. The four workshops we offer are:

• Spanish Radio: In this workshop, students produce their own radio programme based on national and international newscasts. The class requires students to listen to, collect and summarize information from Spanish broadcast media.
• Press Workshop: In this workshop, students produce their own newspaper/magazine based on news, cultural events, popular traditions. The class requires students to conduct research in Spanish print media, as well as interview locals.
• Drama Workshop: Here, students learn and perform extracts from well-known Spanish plays. In addition to the obvious cultural education that this workshop provides, it also aids students in learning to express themselves quickly in idiomatic terms
• History, Literature, and Art: In this workshop, students learn to analyze some of Spain’s most famous writers and artists reflecting Spanish history. Students will also discover Spanish customs, gastronomy and popular events.

Accommodation

We offer accommodation in:

• Host Family:
  Probably one of the most effective ways to practice your language skills outside of class is to stay with a host family. Host families also offer an opportunity to experience Spanish culture firsthand and really get to know the country. Our host families provide bed linens, blankets, laundry once a week and either half or full-board (2 or 3 meals a day) depending on student’s request.
  
  

• Student Residence:
  Student residences offer dormitory-style living for students who wish to have a more independent lifestyle. Private rooms or rooms shared with up to 2 people are available and half or full-board (2 or 3 meals a day) is provided depending on the student’s request.
  
  

• Shared Apartment:
  Apartments are made up of 3 to 6 rooms and include all comforts to ensure a pleasant stay: well-equipped kitchen, TV, washing machine, bathroom etc. Linen is provided and amenities (water, heat, electricity) are included. It is possible to request a private bathroom at an elevated price. A deposit of 100 € will be required (cash or credit card) to obtain the keys. Apartments are located in close proximity to shops and restaurants.
  
  

Accommodation is available the Sunday before the start of classes until after the end of class the following Saturday. Prices and availability vary by location.

Prices & Dates

Dates 2012

Courses begin on Sundays and end Saturdays, year-round.

The DELE exam preparation courses begin:

• 4 weeks from 30/04, 30/07, 15/10.
• DELE exams: 25/05, 24/08, 9/11.

Holidays: 01/01, 06/01, 28/02, 06/04, 21/04, 1/05, 02/05, 30/05, 23/06, 15/08, 12/10, 1/11, 6/12, 8/12, 25/12, 26/12

These dates can be subject to modification. Please contact us for more information.

Course prices can be found in the table above. Our prices include accommodation and are detailed for each type of accommodation (host family, residence, apartment).
Prices include:

• The chosen course programme
  
• The chosen accommodation with or without meals as chosen
  
• All administrative and enrolment fees
  
  

Prices do not include:

• Transportation to the destination
• Academic materials (to be purchased on site)
• Exam fees (120-200€)
• Public transport

Practical Info

Transport

• Arrival airport: Valencia (VLC)
  

An (optional) transfer is available between airport and accommodation - see price table.

If you prefer, we can book your flights for you. This must be made clear at the moment of enrolment.

If you intend to book your own flight, try to arrive the Sunday before the start of your course and leave the Saturday following its end.

Visa Information

EU residents do not normally need a Visa to enter Spain.

Citizens of other countries, such as the USA, Brazil, Japan, Korea, etc, can stay in Spain without a Visa for up to 3 months.

If you intend to stay for longer than 3 months, you will need to apply for a Student Visa (type D) before arriving.

Students coming from such countries must acquaint themselves with the visa application procedures involved at their local Spanish Embassy or Consulate.