Language school in Bilbao

Our language school in Bilbao was founded in 1998. The school is located downtown in a historical building with a wonderful view of the river and 20 minutes away from the beach by metro. No matter of your previous background in Spanish, we will help you to assimilate it quickly and easily, and our experienced teachers will assist you with all your questions.

We offer a wide variety of courses. Whether it be linguistic, academic, or professional, our programme is tailored to fit your needs. We also offer a range of excursions and activities to complement your learning of the language and experience of the culture. All our teaching staff have a University Degree in Spanish Philology with many years of experience in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. They are dynamic, open-minded, friendly, and teach the students all aspects of our country (language, culture & lifestyle).

Bilbao - The capital of joy and satisfaction

Bilbao is one of the largest, most vibrant cities in Spain. It is surrounded by mountains and beautiful beaches. Its climate, with an average year-round temperature of 20ºC, is ideal. The quality of life here is one of Bilbao's best hallmarks. Bilbao is also famous for its University student life, the "tapas" bars, its cultural attractions, its gardens, its great shopping and for its beautiful buildings. Here, you will find a vibrant street-life, which is why it is sometimes referred to as "The capital of joy and satisfaction".

Being located on the coast, it enables you to practice wide range of water sports, as well as tennis, swimming, horse back-riding and walking, all of which are compatible with our courses. You can also spend your spare time visiting the excellent bars and restaurants, specialised in regional cooking, as well as enjoying our traditional dances or visiting the beautiful natural surroundings.

Learning Spanish should not be limited to the classroom and we therefore offer a series of cultural and leisure activities during your stay. If you participate in this program you will be able to make friends as well as to get to know better other students from the school and, at the same time, practice your Spanish. The cultural and outdoor activities, such as sports, are intended both to amuse and to teach our students, so that they learn different elements of Spanish history and culture.

The program of the activities in bilbao includes:

• Orientation meeting so that the students can better grasp where the school is located
• Guided tours through the historical center of the city (Casco Viejo, Abando, Plaza Nueva, Begoña)
• Attending cultural events: theater, concerts, cinema, week-long festivals, carnival, latino and Salsa music, etc)
• Watching movies in Spanish
• Visiting monuments (Guggenheim museum, Casco Viejo District, churches...)
• Participating in celebrations and other activities in order to find out about the Spanish traditions and way of life such as "tapas", gatherings, excursions to Vitoria, San Sebastian and Santander, going to the pool and/or the beach, dinner in restaurants, visiting nearby towns and so on in order to discover the Spanish traditions and way of life.

These events are an opportunity to put theory into practice and create an enjoyable and cheerful atmosphere. Beaches are twenty-minutes away from the school; you can enjoy outdoor activities such as windsurfing and sailing (possible at the sailing school). A minimum number of students is required to organize weekend excursions. It is possible to use the Internet during the opening hours of our school for free.

Spanish courses in Bilbao

Teaching methods

Our Spanish courses in Bilbao are specially designed to guarantee you fast language learning. Our classes are based on a direct methodology taught by highly professional, native teachers, in small groups and with up-to-date material. Classes are focused on the essentials of language acquisition: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Lessons are lively and interactive, with discussions, projects, role-playing, and specific tasks. Your progress is carefully monitored and your weaker points in the language are corrected immediately.

Levels

At the beginning of the course a written and oral evaluation is made. On the basis of this each student is placed in the group which suits his or her level. All levels are offered from Beginners to Advanced. Our 6 levels follow the European Framework of Reference for Languages and the guidelines of Instituto Cervantes. At the end of your stay you will receive a school diploma stating the duration of the course you have completed as well as the language level you have reached.

Guarantee of Quality

Our Spanish school in Bilbao is part of the Network of Cervantes Institute Associated Centres. An accredited centre is a teaching institution which the Cervantes Institute has expressly recognized as a centre which offers a high level of quality in all the services it provides, in accordance with the requirements and conditions established by the Cervantes Institute.

Intensive courses

>> Course 20
Daily: 4 lessons
An intensive course of 4 lessons per day from Monday to Friday. Each lesson is 50 minutes long. The first session focuses on the study of grammar and practicing reading and writing skills. The second part of the morning concentrates on speaking and listening skills. This course is appropriate as preparation for DELE. D.E.L.E. stands for Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera ("Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language"). It is the only certificate officially recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science. This internationally accepted diploma is very useful for those who want to officially demonstrate their level of Spanish. The exams are held in May and November at Spanish Universities.

>> Bussines Spanish
Daily: 4 lessons
The course indludes: 8 hours of business Spanish, 4 hours of grammar and vocabulary, 4 hours of conversation and 4 hours of reading and writing. Theory is combined with onsite visits to relevant companies and institutions. Courses starting every Monday throughout the year. Minimum 1 week stay.

Taylor made courses

>> One-to-one / private tuition
You decide on the subjects and the contents, when, how long and the frequency of lessons. Before starting, you may wish to send us details of your intentions so that we can plan your programme to suit your requirements.

>> Course 20+5
Daily: 5 lessons
The course consists of 4 lessons in a group and 1 individual tuition a day.

Accommodations in Bilbao

Arrival: Sunday // Depature: Saturday

Accommodation in shared flat
Shared apartments are located in downtown (10 to 20 minutes from the school). You will have a single room. No meals are offered, but all the apartments have a fully equipped kitchen, washing machine, iron, TV and radio.

Family accommodation
Our school guaranteed and carefully selected nice host families for all students. We will enable you to have a closer look at our culture and customs while living everyday life with our families. Students will have a single room and full board (all meals included) or half board (breakfast and dinner).

Student residence
The residence is located in downtown Bilbao, at 5 minutes from the school walking distance. All rooms have equipped kitchen, full individual bathroom, central heating, telephone and computer connexion.

Hotel / Apartments
If you prefer, you may also book accommodation in a hotel, guesthouse or separate holiday apartment.