How to learn Spanish in Madrid? – Learning Spanish is an excellent way to broaden your cultural background and also your resume. In fact, Spanish is one the most critical languages in the world, with more than 500 million native speakers and 20 countries adopting it as the official language.
Nowadays, many people take advantage of their trips to Spain or Latin America to learn or improve their Spanish skills. Studying Spanish while being abroad in a Spanish-speaking community is quite a practical and fun way to learn since you can immediately put learning into practice by interacting with locals.
Fortunately, there are many Spanish language school Madrid and other capital cities of Latin American countries, such as Argentina or México.
Expanish school is among the most reputable Spanish schools in Madrid. They offer a wide range of courses for ex-pats and residents willing to work on their Spanish skills.
Keep reading this article if you want to learn more about the benefits of learning Spanish while visiting Madrid.
Table of Contents
Learning Spanish abroad
One of the most significant benefits of learning Spanish and any other language abroad is that you can access an authentic immersion experience. This means that you get to listen to natives speaking Spanish 24/7 and understand the language from its real context of use. Also, it means that you will somehow be forced to communicate through Spanish, which is a great way to improve your fluency.
Being in a context where Spanish is spoken natively will also allow you to learn about many topics that can never be wholly included in a course book. Talking to locals, going to the supermarket, interacting with your host, catching the subway, and many other everyday activities will bring a wide range of topics far beyond what can be read in a Spanish learning book.
Another exciting advantage of learning Spanish abroad is that you will get natural access to the accent and slang of the place you are staying. In most cases, Spanish courses are based on one pronunciation of Spanish and include just the basic slang expressions, which are sometimes not even updated. But staying in a Spanish or Latin American city for some time will allow you access to the natural accent and slang expressions used to communicate in real life.
Last but not least, learning Spanish abroad is fun. Because amazing things will happen while improving your Spanish, you will probably enjoy a life-changing experience by living in another culture, making new friends, tasting delightful dishes, and enjoying the nightlife and many attractions Madrid or any other city has to offer visitors.
Spanish courses available in Madrid
Most Spanish schools in Madrid offer a wide range of courses that can be tailored to meet each student’s expectations and needs.
There are intensive Spanish courses, online Spanish courses, and exam preparation courses.
Intensive courses are the most popular option since they allow students to make the most of their trip to learn Spanish.
Most Spanish schools offer intensive courses consisting of group lessons of 20 or 30 hours a week. Classes combine conversation with reading and written communication. Classes are scheduled during the mornings to allow students free time during the afternoons to enjoy the city.
In some cases, Spanish schools offer private lessons that focus on each student’s needs. Personal classes usually allow more flexible scheduling and are the best option for a student who wants a personalized approach.
Group lessons and personal lessons can be combined. This is the most recommended option since it allows students to interact with other students and has an entire class in which they can address their learning needs.
Long-term intensive courses are also available and are the best option for students planning to stay in Madrid for 3, 6, 9, or 12 months. Long-term intensive courses are the best way to reach proficiency level.
Suppose you want to access a Spanish-speaking university or are willing to get a job at a Spanish company. In that case, you will probably be asked to take the DELE (Diploma de Español Lengua Extranjera, or Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language) exam. Exam preparation courses are also available.
Most Spanish schools in Madrid offer special courses for DELE exam, which are focused on developing the competencies required to pass the test.
More than just courses
One of the benefits of starting a Spanish course in Madrid is that most schools offer a wide range of activities that will allow you to connect with other students and visit unique places.
Schools often organize activities during the afternoon for their students, such as going to a restaurant to taste some traditional dishes or visiting a park, a museum, a zoo, or any other attraction. During these activities, you get to practice your Spanish while having fun. City tours by locals are also available. In most cases, tours by locals are a great way to go beyond the -most known city highlights, discovering different neighborhoods and places that, in most cases, remain unvisited by tourists.
Finding accommodation
Looking for accommodation can be hard when being far away from the city where you are willing to stay. Fortunately, most Spanish schools in Madrid help their students to find suitable accommodation in the city.
Many options are available, from the homestay, which allows students to live with locals, to a student-shared apartment or a private one. Each option has its pros and cons. Homestay is cheaper and provides an inside look into the local culture;. At the same time, a student-shared apartment is an excellent opportunity to make long-lasting friendships and have fun sharing with other students worldwide. Last, a private apartment is the most expensive option but the best one if you want to have an exclusive place for yourself.