Learn Spanish in Alcala de Henares
Alcalá de Henares, located within the Community of Madrid, offers the advantage of being very near the capital city of Madrid while still enjoying the slower pace of a small town. It is located 25 kilometers (15 miles) northeast of Madrid, and is conveniently connected by way of frequent commuter trains and buses which brings all that the capital has to offer into easy reach. Madrid's nightlife, its theatre, flamenco shows, restaurants and discos, as well as its museums, monuments and shopping centers, are only 30 minutes away. Alcalá’s central location and connections by train and bus lines are also perfect for students who wish to explore other regions of Spain. Toledo, Segovia, Ávila, Aranjuez or El Escorial are interesting places to visit for a day or weekend and are just a short trip away from Alcalá de Henares. Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of Cervantes, has been designated as a “Cultural Heritage City” by UNESCO due to its historical university, cultural and literary tradition. The people and cultures who mark the history of this place are evident in the many fine examples of architecture and cultural events which take place in the city throughout the year. Besides the many theatrical and musical presentations available year round in theaters, during April you can enjoy a book fair and the annual presentation of the Cervantes Award for Literature by the King of Spain, the "Feria de Santos Niños" and the local festival of San Bartolomé in August, and a medieval marketplace during the Semana Cervantina in October (with street theater, music, typical foods and crafts), a film festival in November, and the annual outdoor theater presentation of “Don Juan Tenorio” on November 1 and 2. With a population of 170,000 people, Alcalá is very comfortable, safe, and easy to get around on foot. Living in Alcalá’s pleasant surroundings with the school just a short walk from your accommodations allows for a relaxing daily schedule. students enjoy meeting with friends after class in the popular Plaza de Cervantes. Surrounded by historical buildings and landscaped gardens, this plaza is the true social center of the city. With numerous shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants in the area, Calle Mayor is the perfect place to take an afternoon stroll or meet friends at an outdoor café on a warm sunny day. The friendly and peaceful atmosphere of the city, its beautiful Spanish Renaissance architecture and the hospitality of the local Alcalaínos create the perfect environment for immersing yourself in the Spanish language and culture. Don’t miss the population of storks who make their home among the steeples, towers and rooftops of the city center. Spanish courses at Escuela InternacionalSince 1988, Escuela Internacional has become a leading organization in the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language. Today we are proud of the fact that the majority of students come to Escuela Internacional as a result of recommendations from former students. Escuela Internacional has received the CEELE seal of approval through the University of Alcala and is also an Instituto Cervantes' accredited school.
The Escuela Internacional Spanish school is located near the heart of the charming and
historic university city of Alcalá de Henares. The E.I. Spanish language school is
located in the heart of Alcala de Henares on Calle Talamanca, very close to the Plaza de
Cervantes and the historic center of the city. It is housed on the second floor of a
modern building fully equipped for comfortable study in high quality surroundings. The
Spanish Language School has 8 classrooms with air conditioning and heating, a reception area and a
reference library that has computers with Internet access. One of the larger sized
classrooms is a multipurpose room used for activities, movie projection and the end of
course graduation ceremony. The classrooms' glass doors open up to a terrace where
students sometimes gather during the morning break time in pleasant weather. There is a
cafeteria in the same building on street level and a small student residence on an upper
floor. There is a maximum of 10 students in each class. Student
enrollment during winter averages 25-40 students per week, during the summer it averages
75-100 students at a time. (N.B.: Escuela Internacional was last inspected by Lingua Service Worldwide in February 2007). Spanish Language Courses in Alcala de Henares 2008 and 2009:(All programs: Please add USD 100.00 Lingua Service Worldwide Application fee. See Application Procedures.) All prices include: number of lessons as specified, level assessment test, teaching material, arrival orientation and guided tour of the city, welcome party, E.I. student ID card, multimedia room use (free internet access), and certificate of completion. Intensive Spanish Course- Group 10: Maximum of 10 students per class. 20 Spanish lessons per week, + 2 hours of cultural lessons weekly. Each lesson is 50 minutes long. Prices: 1 week: USD 320, 2 weeks: USD 535, 3 wks: USD 737, 4 wks: USD 932, 6 wks: USD 1,258, 12 wks: USD 2,242. Super Intensive Spanish Course - Group 10: Maximum of 10 students per class. 30 Spanish lessons per week. Each lesson is 50 minutes long. Prices: 1 week: USD 389, 2 weeks: USD 667, 3 wks: USD 952, 4 wks: USD 1,231, 6 wks: USD 1,767, Extra wks: USD 279.
Starting Dates 2008: Starting dates for all levels. Recommended dates for beginners and low-elementary levels are listed in BOLD, but all students may start on any of the following dates:
*22 December - NEW Special Christmas Course: Intensive Spanish Course PLUS Activities- Group 10: Maximum of 10 students per class. 20 Spanish lessons per week + 2 social activities and one excursion per week. Each lesson is 50 minutes long. Prices: 1 week: USD 436, 2 weeks: USD 768. Holidays 2008 in Alcala: 1 & 6 January, 20 & 21 March, 1 & 2 May, 6 & 15 August, 9 & 12 October, 1 November, 6 & 8 and 25 December. Classes lost due to Holidays are NOT made up. Starting Dates 2009: Starting dates for all levels. Recommended dates for beginners and low-elementary levels are listed in BOLD, but all students may start on any of the following dates:
Holidays 2009 in Alcala: 1 & 6 January, 9 & 10 April, 1 & 2 May, 6 & 15 August, 9 & 12 October, 2 November, 6 & 8 and 25 December. Classes lost due to Holidays are NOT made up.
Accommodation Prices 2008 and 2009:Accommodations are available in selected host families, shared apartments with other students and hotels. Host Family-- Single Room, Half Board: USD 238 per week. Full Board: USD 259 per week. Host Family-- Double Room, Half Board: USD 220 per week. Full Board: USD 236 per week Apartment Share, single room, no meals (use of kitchen): 2 weeks: USD 298, 4 weeks: USD 595. Studio Apartment, full apartment for individual use: 4 weeks: USD 1,530.
Hotels: Hotel accommodations are available upon request. Airport Transfer: Available upon request: USD 115 one way. Activities Social and cultural activities are provided weekly. All E.I. students are invited and encouraged to participate in activities and excursions planned by the Center throughout the year. Learn about Spanish culture and travel Spain while you learn to speak Spanish. The activities include visits to local historic and cultural sights, informal dinners, sports activities, and more. It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to get to know one another better, as well as gain a better understanding of the culture and lifestyle of the country. Every Monday there is an afternoon orientation which includes a tour of the city.
Following the orientation, that same afternoon, all E.I. students may visit selected local
historical and cultural sights of Alcalá de Henares, such as:
Excursions: Take full advantage of your spare time on the
weekends and travel to nearby cities with E.I. You can learn about Hispanic culture, as
well as use your new Spanish language skills. An E.I. instructor or a guide accompanies
the group and provides information about the places that you visit on the trip. The
excursions provide that extra element to make your stay memorable and complete. Excursions
are optional and offered at additional cost, consult the weekly schedule at the school
upon arrival for a list of destinations and prices. New for 2009: the complete optional activity and excursion package can be
booked at the following rates: 2 weeks: USD 115, 3 weeks: USD 200, 4
weeks: USD 275. IMPORTANT NOTE: Prices are subject to change due to fluctuating foreign currency rates. |
