The word on the street
Deirdre and Nigel want to combine their love of Spain with learning the language
- but don't want their holiday to be all about homework and verb conjugations.
Dear Travel Clinic
My husband and I are thinking of buying a holiday home in Spain as we love spending
as much time there as possible. We have one big problem - neither of us can
speak much Spanish. We'd love to learn, and thought it would be a great idea
to take a language course while on holiday in the country. We’d like a
week-long course that would suit absolute beginners. We are both in our late
thirties and love being active - is there any way to combine our language course
with another activity?
Deirdre and Nigel Keith
Dear Deirdre and Nigel
Learning in-country is a great way to start communicating in a new language
as quickly as possible. All our tour operators pointed out the immediate benefits
of communicating with the locals, as well as the obvious advantages of the Spanish
climate over the UK.
Spain has a number of well-respected language schools, as well as tour operators
that can offer an entire package of flights, accommodation, language courses
and other activities.
The first option we would recommend is a holiday with Cactus Language, one of
the world's leading providers of language travel abroad. Cactus offers Spanish
courses all over Spain to suit all budgets, tastes, levels and ages. The company's
Sarah Gooding says the most popular course format is 20 language lessons per
week, taken by native speakers and fully qualified teachers, leaving the rest
of the week free for you to relax and explore.
For those interested in trying new activities, there are a variety of options,
from flamenco lessons in Madrid to tennis or golf. Prices start from £339
for a week. Finally, you have the option of choosing one of the excellent language
schools Spain has to offer. The Malaca Instituto in Malaga is one of the most
prestigious in the area and offers a masterclass programme aimed at more mature
learners. Bob Burger of the Instituto says the course has been running successfully
for over ten years. The emphasis is on learning useful, everyday phrases rather
than the technicalities, and there is a programme of activities too, including
cookery lessons, visits to art galleries and museums, walking in the hills,
excursions, cultural talks and parties.
Accommodation will vary from course to course, but you can usually expect a
choice. Most programmes will give the option of staying with a host family,
so you can immerse yourself in Spanish life even more fully. Cactus offers this
option on a half-hoard basis from £1160 per week. It can also provide
shared apartments or individual residences. Cactus Language, Tel: 0845 130 4775,
www.cactuslanguage.com