Alicante old town and promenade

Spanish course in Alicante (Old Town)

Enjoy a Spanish course in Alicante and you will soon be enjoying the wonderful Mediterranean climate and relaxed way of life.

5 classrooms
Library with multi-media resources
Student common area
Vending machines
Air-conditioning and heating
Course materials included
Wi-Fi throughout the building
Accredited by the Cervantes Institute
Member of the FEDELE organisation
Authorised for Bildungsurlaub and Erasmus+ programmes

Our school in Alicante (Old Town)

Attend a Spanish course in Alicante and experience the sights and sounds of this beautiful coastal resort for yourself. Our language school is in the heart of the city’s Old Town, meaning you’re never far away from something interesting or exciting. One of the most emblematic symbols of the city, Santa Bárbara Castle, is just a 20-minute walk away. Sitting around 160 metres above the city on the brow of Mount Benacantil, the castle can be seen from almost anywhere in Alicante. Another well-known landmark is Casa Carbonell, an impressive, bright white building towering over the Explanada de España. The Explanada is perhaps Alicante’s most prized feature: stretching almost a kilometre along the seafront, this promenade is decorated with over 6.5 million coloured tiles! To experience Alicante the local way, take an evening paseo down the Explanada; at the end, you’ll find the iconic Playa del Postiguet, the city’s longest beach. Also within a short walk of the school is the Museu de Fogueres, which focuses on the annual traditions of the Bonfires of Saint John, for which the city is famous.

Our Old Town language school opened its doors to international students in 2000 and is part of a group of schools that was founded in 1956. The Alicante facility has 5 air-conditioned classrooms, each with modern audio-visual equipment. Classes have a maximum of just 9 students - this, combined with the school’s small size, means that the staff are able to provide highly personalised care and attention to each pupil. The school has a library with a selection of learning resources that will supplement your classroom tuition, and a student lounge with vending machines serving drinks and snacks. This lounge is the ideal place to relax, study, or socialise between lessons. Wi-Fi is available throughout the building free of charge.

With full accreditation from the Cervantes Institute and the National Federation of Schools of Spanish for Foreigners (FEDELE) - as well as over 60 years of teaching experience - the standard of tuition at this school is very high. The nearest café is just around the corner, so you won’t need to go far for a coffee, while the nearest bus stop is just a block away. Its proximity to the city’s key attractions and to its beaches make this school a sought-after location for Spanish language courses!

Photos

The beach, Alicante, just 5 minute' walk from our school
School internet café
Inside our school
Spanish class at our school

Alicante

Sun, sea, and - history? Take a Spanish course in Alicante and discover all that this famous coastal resort has to offer. Nestled on Spain’s eastern Costa Blanca - the ‘White Coast’, so named for the bright sand of its beaches - Alicante has a unique atmosphere that blends traditional Spanish elements with the distinctive Catalan culture. Studying here will give you a fully rounded understanding of the varying facets of modern Spain. With mild winters, hot summers tempered by the sea breeze, and very little rain, you’re not limited to coming here for summer. Alicante is an ideal location at any time of year!

Though best-known as a sun-holiday destination, Alicante has been inhabited for over 7,000 years so it’s actually bursting with history! A great way to learn more about its heritage is to visit the Archaeological Museum, which has 8 galleries covering the civil record of the area. History buffs should also visit the Ancient Roman site of Lucentum, just outside the city centre, which offers an excellent insight into what was once a major city of Roman Spain. Another key historical site is the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, which towers over the city from atop Mount Benacantil. Evidence of construction here dates back to the Bronze Age, though the castle itself was built in the 9th century. You can look around for free or pay a small fee for a guided tour. Perhaps the best thing the castle offers, however, is the amazing view over the city and the bay.

Though a significant Spanish city for much of its long history, Alicante really came into its own during the tourism boom of the 1960s. In fact, it was one of the country’s fastest growing cities for a large proportion of the 20th century. The influx of holidaymakers from the rest of Europe and beyond has encouraged extensive development in Alicante, especially along the seafront. Cafés, bars, and restaurants abound, and the city’s nightlife is vibrant and exciting. Shopaholics will be pleased to know that Alicante is the perfect place for some retail therapy - with boutiques, independent curiosity shops, and well-known brands, you’ll have plenty to do after your lessons!

The city also has a colourful social calendar, including the Bonfires of Saint John celebration in June, known locally as Fogueres. This event is a big deal in Alicante, with the festivities lasting a whole week. Local artists spend months building huge, intricate ninots - these are also seen in the vibrant Falles festival in Alicante’s sister city, Valencia. The ninots are paraded through the streets before being burned in a ceremonial bonfire called La Cremà, which is said to ward off evil spirits. Residents party long into the night almost every day during the week of Fogueres, and every evening there’s food and fireworks across the city. To learn what life in Alicante is really about, book your language course in June and experience Fogueres for yourself! Our Spanish school is located less than 5 minutes’ walk from a museum dedicated to this colourful celebration, so you can find out more there.

Courses in Alicante (Old Town)

Available courses

    The core Intensive course consists of 20 group lessons per week, held either on a morning or an afternoon schedule. Morning classes run from 09:00 to 12:15 every weekday, while afternoon classes run from 14:30 to 17:45 every weekday. Your lesson schedule varies based on your starting ability level and the number of other students of each particular level; your timetable can therefore only be confirmed on your first day. You’ll be placed in a group according to your Spanish ability, and there’s a maximum of just 9 students per class, meaning you’re guaranteed to receive highly personalised attention from your tutor. To supplement your tuition, the school offers 4 free cultural sessions per week; take a look at the Activities section for more information!

    You can start your Intensive course on any Monday, regardless of your starting ability level. Please note that specialised courses have specific start dates and may not be available for beginners. Contact us for more information.

    For a more rigorous programme, you can select a Super-intensive course and receive a further 5 or 10 group lessons per week. Your additional lessons will follow-on from the structure and topics of your core classes and will therefore give you extra language practice. The more lessons you take, the more you will progress, so this course is a great option if you’re looking to make rapid improvements during your time in Alicante.

    If you would like extra support with your studies, or if you want to cover certain topics, we recommend that you book private tuition. You’ll receive 20 one-to-one lessons per week on the standard package, though you can book more if you wish. The key benefit of private tuition is that your lessons can be fully customised to your specific requirements. What’s more, you’re the only student in class so you’ll get considerable language practice and will therefore progress rapidly, even on a short course! Private lessons can also be used to prepare for the DELE examination.

    Whilst private tuition is extremely beneficial in terms of language progression, it does not offer the same kind of social experience as group lessons. Fortunately, you can combine the best parts of both courses with an Intensive + Private package! You can add 5 or 10 one-to-one classes per week to your core Intensive programme; this allows you to make significant progress whilst still being able to get to know your fellow students. Your one-to-one classes can be used to prepare for the DELE examination if you wish.

    If you’d like to gain a Spanish-language qualification that’s recognised around the world, you should book this school’s SIELE exam preparation course. Tuition is available for 2 or 4 weeks throughout the year and includes the core Intensive course plus 10 extra mini-group classes focusing on SIELE-specific vocabulary and examination techniques. This programme will give you the best possible chance of passing your examination with flying colours. Our colleagues at the school will also be happy to help you schedule your test after your course has finished. Please note that the exam fee is not included in the course.

    A great way to get hands-on language experience and quickly and significantly improve your Spanish skills is to intern for a local company. Our school offers an excellent work experience programme that allows you to put your language skills into practice whilst expanding your resume and preparing for working life. Applicants must be over 18 and have at least B1 Spanish proficiency in order to be eligible. To ensure that you have the right language level, you’ll need to attend at least 4 weeks of tuition (intensive, combined, or private) prior to starting the internship. You can then work for 6 or 12 weeks in an Alacantí business (various industries available). Our tutors can guide you on how to create your CV, find a placement for you in a company in your desired industry, and give you tips and techniques for your placement interview. The work experience offered is an unpaid internship and may be subject to availability.

    If you’re training to be a language teacher, or if you’re already an established Spanish tutor who wants to develop their classroom techniques, you should select our Teachers’ course! This programme consists of 30 lessons per week for 2 weeks on specific dates throughout the year. Tuition provides a general refresher of grammar and vocabulary plus specialised analysis of teaching methodology via practice tasks and evaluation of various academic papers.

    On the first day of lessons, you should arrive at the school at 09:00. You will have already completed a level test prior to the start of your course; upon arrival, your results will be verified with a short oral assessment. You’ll then be placed in a group that’s most suitable for your skill level. This methodology provides students with the best possible opportunity to improve their Spanish knowledge, regardless of their starting level. Upon completion of your language course, you’ll receive a certificate of achievement. This shows the Spanish ability level the school judges you to have reached during your time in Alicante.

    Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact us today to see if we can arrange a bespoke package for you!

    Accommodation

    Available accommodation

      To maximise the benefits of your immersive programme, stay with one of our local homestay hosts! Hosts are all native Spaniards, so you’ll be able to practice your language skills with them and carry on learning even outside the classroom. Hosts offer a private single or double* bedroom and 2 or 3 meals per day as part of your accommodation package. Special diets (including vegetarian, vegan, lactose-/gluten-free, halal, etc.) can be provided for an additional fee. Bed linens, towels, and one laundry load per week are included as standard. You will have your own keys to come and go as you please, but you must respect house rules and schedules.

      If you prefer to stay with other students, the school has several shared apartments available. These offer cost-effective and social lodgings that are ideal for young pupils travelling on a budget. Apartments can accommodate between 2 and 4 students; all have private single or double* bedrooms and shared communal areas including a fully equipped kitchen, shared bathroom(s), and a lounge with a television. Rooms are offered on a self-catering basis, giving you the freedom to cook for yourself during your stay. Bed linens are included but towels are not, so you should bring your own. Many apartments or apartments blocks have a washing machine; some may not, however, so you may need to use a local laundrette. Residents are collectively responsible for keeping the apartments clean and tidy. Please note that this type of accommodation is not suitable for students over the age of 30.


      Private apartments may also be available on a by-request basis. Available apartments vary in size and cost; please contact us if you are interested in exploring this option.

      The school tries to ensure that all lodging is within walking distance of the school, though this may not always be possible. You may need to travel up to 20 minutes by public transport to school each day. All accommodation is available between the Sunday before your course starts until the Saturday after your course finishes. Check-in and check-out times are usually very flexible. We may be able to arrange extra nights in your accommodation for you if needed - please contact us about this prior to making your booking.

      *Twin rooms are only available to students travelling together. If you select a twin room but are travelling alone, you will be swapped to a single room.

      Activities

      To supplement your tuition and help you to experience the city, the school also offers a range of afternoon, evening, and weekend activities. These activities are designed to be both educational and entertaining, and they’ll also help you to get to know your fellow students. Sessions are held in Spanish, so you’ll benefit from extra language practice in real-life situations.

      Each week the school provides 4 free cultural activities, which may include:
      - Guided walking tours of the city
      - Conversation workshops
      - Spanish film screenings
      - Topical discussions on Spanish culture and current affairs
      - Trips to the beach
      - Visits to local attractions such as Santa Bárbara Castle or the Basilica de Santa Maria

      Other payable activities are also available. The exact schedule changes throughout the year but may include:
      - Visits to museums and/or art galleries
      - Tapas caminas in the city centre
      - Wine-tasting workshops
      - Excursions to nearby locations such as Tabarca Island, Altea, and Fuentes del Algar
      - Plus seasonal activities available in the local area

      How to get there

      Alicante-Elche Airport is the located around 20 minutes from the city by car and is easily accessible from many European locations.

      From here, you can either take public transport to your accommodation or we can arrange an airport transfer service for you for an additional charge. If you book this service, a driver will be waiting for you when you land and will take you directly to your accommodation. If you select this service on departure as well, you will be collected from your lodging on your last day and taken back to your chosen airport in time for your departing flight. Arrivals/departures between 22:00 and 08:00 incur an additional supplement.

      It is also possible to arrange a transfer service at Valencia Airport; please let us know if you would like to explore this option.

      You should arrange to arrive in Alicante on the Sunday before your course starts and depart on the Saturday after your programme finishes. We may be able to arrange extra nights on arrival and/or departure for you if needed.

      Location: city centre, Alicante
      Nearest convenience store: 260 m
      Nearest café: 35 m
      Nearest metro stop: 1 km (Porta del Mar)
      Distance from train station: 950 m
      Nearest bus stop: 120 m (Plaza Ruperto Chapí)
      Distance from airport: 11.3 km (Alicante-Elche Airport)


      Location of our school in Alicante (Old Town)

      Course

      4.6 / 5
      Accommodation

      3.9 / 5
      School Staff

      4.7 / 5
      Average score for our school in Alicante (Old Town) based on 33 previous client reviews.

      Student reviews & feedback

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      School staff were very professional . I asked to move level and this was accommodated no problem . My 2 teachers Alba and Cristina were very well prepared and taught with great enthusiasm.

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      I and my daughter Anna enjoyed it very much, my daughter wants to go again!

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      I have just enjoyed 2 weeks in the very friendly school in Alicante in it's new location. The new accommodation is very light and airy with a terrace. The school did very well to form groups by level. I never felt out of my depth but at the same time I did feel challenged. The teachers were very good at maintaining a friendly atmosphere but at the same time pursuing improvement for all the students.

      I wish the school well. They are definitely doing everything they can to ensure success for themselves and all the students who attend.

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      Good classes, in excellent conditions at school. School staff very friendly.

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      Fantastic course, really enjoyed. Excellent revision and great oral work. Highly recommended.

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      Taught by experience and friendly staff. I enjoyed my time on the course.

      Accommodation was basic but more than adequate. On the 5th floor without a lift, could be challenging or somebody who is not quite fit.

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      I really liked the course! I really like the teachers as well. Would really recommend the school to others.

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      Ivan was my teacher! He is such a Nice guy and very friendly and kind! I enjoyed every class and lezende a lot from him!

      I am very happy with the progress I made! I am thinking of coming back next summer to learn more!

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      The course was a brilliant way to learn Spanish in a fun and interesting way.

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      School Staff

      It was a great experience. I have enjoyed every lesson. I would like to mention especially Cristina y Juanma. They helped me to speak in Spanish. They gave everyone the attention that was needed.

      The owner of the house is very nice that made my stay very cozy. My room was a little dark but the time you stay there is short. The environment, close to the school and the kindness of the woman were much more important. When I would take classes again in Alicante, I would definitely stay with her.

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      Club 50+ Course
      The teachers we had were very good especially Carmen and she was happy with our level in her class. The hotel Mendez Nunez which was recommended was excellent and ideally positioned for the school, beach and restaurants. The cultural visits were excellent and the timetable of classes in the morning with visits in the evening worked very well as it gave time for relaxation in the afternoons.

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      The course that I attended was highly informative and I learned a lot in just 1 week. In all I enjoyed the week with the friendly staff and students.

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      Excellent in every way. They chose exactly the right level for me, only 3 in my class and we did quite a few activities around the city which made it more fun.

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      The course was tailored to my needs, it was exactly what I needed.

      Accommodation
      The accommodation was great, a typical Spanish flat.

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      Extremely competent teachers and excellent variations of the lessons

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      I loved my course. The staff at the school were amazing!!! It was such a relaxed atmosphere that it was really easy to learn. They methods they used to teach meant that it was a fun and intereting way to learn the language. I'll miss it very much.

      Teachers very pleasant and had a programme for us to follow. Pleased I was put in a group that felt at the right level as i felt I was stretched but not out of my depth. Good to learn with different nationalities.

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      I have had a great time with competent teachers who enjoy teaching. Their lessons were well prepared and they still gave the priority to communication. I will recommend the school to anyone who asks me for information.

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      The teachers were very good as was the course's content.

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      The course was very good and enjoyable and I will definitely want to go on another one in the near future.

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      The course in Alicante was brilliant.

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      I had the most enjoyable course, I will definitely come back for more!

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      I really enjoyed my two weeks in Alicante, I have learnt a lot. The staff at the school where really friendly and made the course even more enjoyable. I look forward to doing another similar course in the near future.

      School statistics



      Average ages (June - Aug)

      * Statistics considered correct at the time of publishing

      Student stories on our blog

      Prices for Alicante (Old Town)

      Choose your course below to view our prices in pounds sterling (GBP), US dollars (USD) or euros (EUR).

      (b) = start dates suitable for complete beginners and all other levels
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