Useful information about our Spanish school for foreigners.
Spanish classes
- Intensive.
- Semi-intensive.
- Extensive.
- Language immersion.
- Spanish and selectivity.
- Conversation classes.
- Spanish for business.
- Spanish on Skype.
- DELE Preparation
Learning objectives
The objectives of Spanish students vary depending on their level. Therefore, the teachers at the School work to help their students improve their language skills in the four basic language abilities :
- Oral expression.
- Written expression.
- Oral comprehension.
- Written comprehension.
Course content
The content, organized into different areas, is flexibly linked so that the program can be adapted to the specific needs of each group of students. The center offers its students the opportunity to progress in their Spanish learning, starting from the first level of language acquisition and reaching fluency.
In accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, programming has been carried out based on the common reference levels.
Methodological orientation of the courses
The school favors a communicative methodology . However, the specific characteristics of each level mean that the methodology varies from one group to another.
At the A (beginner) level of the language, strategies are used in which the teacher can control the students' speech. These strategies include question decks and role-playing.
At level B (intermediate), students have a level of Spanish proficiency that allows them to function in most communicative situations. Some of the strategies used include brainstorming, expert groups, and other activities also employed at the previous level.
At level C (advanced), the speaker is able to function in any common communicative situation and should refine their skills in more specific communicative situations. In addition to the strategies proposed for the previous levels, a mock trial is suggested, in which students can assume different roles.
Teaching materials used by the School
The Spanish School for Foreigners provides students with the appropriate learning materials to ensure they get the most out of their courses, as well as original activities created by the school's teachers. For students who enroll in at least one month of group classes or 10 one-to-one classes , the materials are free. The textbooks for all levels have been created by our teaching team and are aligned with the CEFR and the Instituto Cervantes Curriculum Plan.
Furthermore, during the course of classes, teachers regularly use multimedia content to support the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language.
Age of the center in ELE training
The Luis Vives Study Center began its teaching activities in September 1999.
These activities cover various areas of non-regulated education and, among others, Spanish for Foreigners courses are developed.
During the period from September 1999 to June 2003, these Spanish courses for foreigners were developed under the name Linguamater. From this last date and until July 2008, the Center abandons the teaching of Spanish to dedicate its efforts to other activities (basically preparation for access to university and higher-level training cycles).
Starting in July 2008, the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language resumed. The courses offered until February 2012 were conducted as the Luis Vives Study Center.
From February 2012 to the present, Spanish teaching at our center has been carried out under the name of Luis Vives – Escuela de Español.
Calendar of school days
Number of annual students and their origin
Among the different courses at our Spanish school for foreigners, between 50 and 100 students pass through our Spanish school for foreigners each year, distributed evenly throughout the year.
The most common origin of our students is as follows:
- European Union countries.
- United States of America.
- South Korea.
- Russia.
- Morocco.
- Brazil.
In classes, students are mixed, which improves group dynamics and student integration.
Duration of classes
The standard class duration is 50 minutes each. Occasionally, and by agreement between the Center and the students, this duration may be modified.
Level test and student classification method
Before the start of each course, students take a placement test to determine their appropriate level. This test is completely free and without obligation, and it does not count towards class hours.
Composition of classes in terms of nationality or age
Class composition is based solely on the level demonstrated in the placement test. In other words, no classification or discrimination is made based on nationality, age, sex, religious or political beliefs, or any other factor.
An exception to the above is the case of group classes contracted as such (for example classes for companies or for groups of students on a temporary visit to Madrid) in which case the classes are organized according to the needs of each group.
Evaluation tests
Each course will include at least one assessment test at the end.
In addition to this, each teacher will establish the evaluation tests that he deems necessary and convenient for the fulfillment of the objectives of each course.
Certificates of attendance and achievement issued by the center
Certificates issued by the Luis Vives Study Center are free of charge, are not official, and have indefinite validity unless expressly stated therein as a limitation to said validity.
Information regarding obtaining study visas
The registration certificates issued by Luis Vives Spanish School are free of charge and valid for students to obtain a student visa . The visa application process will be handled by the student at the Spanish Consulate in their country of residence or other relevant official authorities. In the exceptional case that the visa is denied for any reason, the student must send verifiable proof of this to Luis Vives Spanish School. In such cases, the student may avail themselves of the cancellation and refund conditions outlined in the enrollment contract.
Extracurricular activities
All courses at the Spanish school for foreigners include, at no additional cost to students, the following extracurricular activities related to the Center's academic project:
- Visit to places of cultural interest (held on business Fridays, with a minimum of two visits per month).
- Language exchange with students of the Center whose mother tongue is Spanish (take place on days determined for each case, with a minimum of one exchange each calendar quarter).
- Conferences about Spanish culture: history, art and geography. Conferences will be held with a minimum of one per quarter.
In addition to those mentioned in the previous section, the Center organizes other activities for its Spanish students. Some of these can be viewed at this link.
The cost and program of these activities are informed to students before registering for them and are the official programs and costs of each of the activities. The Center does not directly or indirectly receive any commission for these activities, neither from their organizers nor from the students.
The extracurricular activities organized or suggested by the Center do not have any general limitations of a medical, physiological or cultural nature.
Each student must know their own restrictions and take them into account under their responsibility in the specific activity in which they participate. Thus, for example, if a student for medical or religious reasons cannot eat products derived from pork, if they carry out the activity called “Tapas por Madrid” in which products of this type are offered, they must be careful not to consume such products.
Quality surveys
At the end of the course, each student will be offered the voluntary completion of an anonymous survey in which they can reflect their level of satisfaction with the services offered by the Center. These surveys are systematically analyzed by the Center with the purpose of improving the courses it offers to its students.