Summer course for young students in Madrid
(5-18 years old)As you would expect of any capital city, Madrid is a melting pot of culture, entertainment, gastronomy and shopping! What might surprise you is the fact that Madrid boasts 620,000 acres of green space, providing a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The university campus that is home to our Spanish programme for young students is one of these such green places. Located just 15 minutes from the centre of Madrid, the facility offers sweeping outdoor areas and sports amenities aplenty. Would you like to play tennis? Paddle tennis? Take a dip in the pool? Go horse riding? Our Spanish course for teenagers in Madrid offers it all and more. After a busy day of learning and activities, students can relax in their air-conditioned bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, before joining the evening entertainment. Those staying with a carefully selected host family will return to their accommodation for extra conversation practise over the dinner table.
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Summer course for young students in Madrid
This fully-supervised programme combines 20 Spanish lessons per week with daily activities, regular excursions, and full-board accommodation in a fantastic on-site residence. As most participants and student supervisors stay in the residence, there is always something to do and someone to help if anyone needs any support. What’s more, 60% of the students attending this programme will be Spanish children and teenagers learning English, a set-up that provides endless opportunities for real-life language exchanges and the chance to develop long-lasting friendships.
The all-inclusive language programme in Madrid is available to youngsters of all levels aged 5-18 years. The course is designed as a two-week programme, although it is possible to stay for four weeks, or one week, by special request. Students are placed into classes according to their language level, and further divided into groups of kids (5-10 years), juniors (11-14 years) and seniors (15-18 years). There will be some crossover of age groups during certain activities, and transport will be shared between all camp members during excursions, but everyone will usually stay within their cohort even if all at the same place at the same time.
Total immersion Spanish lessons are held Monday to Friday, usually between 09:00 and 12:30. Ideally, students will have taken their level test prior to traveling to Madrid, allowing them to be placed in their class Monday morning. If it hasn’t been possible to take the test before departure there will be time to take it in person on arrival. Lessons are taught by experienced, native Spanish-speaking teachers adept at making language learning interesting and fun for all ages. Having been divided into groups of no more than 15 (average 8) according to level, learners will work on their language skills through innovative practises, focussing on competencies such as dialogue, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking and creativity. Progress is constantly monitored by the dedicated teaching staff, meaning pupils not only improve their Spanish knowledge, but also develop valuable life skills as well! Through fun tasks and lessons, everyone will finish the programme feeling confident in their abilities and more comfortable speaking spontaneously and naturally in the target language. All students will take part in a ceremony at the end of the course, during which they will receive a certificate of attendance.
After lessons there will be a three-hour break, giving everyone time to relax either side of lunch, before the activity programme begins around 15:30.
All students join the included activities which offer excellent entertainment and enrichment. For those with a passion for football, tennis, paddle tennis or horse riding, there is also the possibility to add sports focus packages. These active programmes include 12 lessons every two weeks (16 lessons every two weeks for football), with each lesson lasting 45 minutes. Places are limited so sports focus lessons must be booked in advance. Please be advised that students who book tennis or paddle tennis lessons should take their own racquets.
If accommodation isn’t required it is possible to book this programme on a day camp or lessons only basis. An ideal option for students who will be travelling with family or who will already be staying in the area. Please contact us for further information and prices.
Our summer language course in Madrid
Our Spanish language course for children and teenagers in Madrid takes place on the grounds of the prestigious Francisco de Vitoria University, offering peace and tranquillity just 15 minutes from the centre of Spain’s capital city.
Madrid is an unusual capital as it doesn’t possess the features that typically give a city primary status. It doesn’t lie on a major river as most capitals do, there are no natural mineral deposits or other natural wealth, nor was it ever a destination of pilgrimages. In fact, Madrid was chosen as the seat of parliament thanks to its obscurity and neutrality! King Phillip II chose Madrid not because of any strategic, geographic, or economic considerations, but because it lacked ties with an established nonroyal power. Since it became the capital in 1561, Madrid has grown into one of Europe’s largest cities, with the metropolitan area having a population of around 7 million people.
Madrid has developed into a cluster of neighbourhoods, with each Barrio boasting charming and unique characteristics. The area around the Plaza de la Puerta del Sol, simply referred to as ‘Sol’ is where you will find some of the city’s most famous sites. Puerta del Sol itself is home to many landmarks, such as the popular Bear and Strawberry Tree sculpture that represents the Madrid coat of arms. You will also find the equestrian statue of King Charles III here, and the Casa de Correos (post office), which is the focal point of Madrid’s New Year celebrations. 1000s of Madrileños gather here to see in the New Year annually, eating a grape with each chime of the famous clock that sits atop the post office. Just down the road is the Plaza Mayor, and in the other direction is Gran Via, Madrid’s premier shopping street. For a change of pace, a short metro journey will take students to the area of Retiro, home to the sprawling 118-hectare green oasis that is Parque del Buen Retiro. Once reserved for royalty, the gardens, fountains, statues and boating lake can now be enjoyed by all. The area of Retiro is also where visitors will find the Paseo del Prado, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed avenue that is home to some of the world’s most famous art museums, including the Museo del Prado.
The school campus itself is located in Pozuelo de Alarcón, an affluent municipality located in the suburbs. The area is surrounded by large Mediterranean pine-tree forests, the Casa de Campo, and the peaks of the Monte del Pardo and the Monte del Pilar - this, and its proximity to the city, makes Pozuelo de Alarcón very appealing to some of Madrid’s football stars!
The modern campus boasts bright and spacious classrooms, on-site accommodation, top-of-the-range sports facilities (football pitch, basketball court, paddle and tennis courts, volleyball court to name a few), swimming pool, TV room, computer room, lots of green and open areas, and an on-site cafeteria.
Accommodation
Attendees of the camp in Madrid will be able to enjoy the comfortable facilities of the Francisco de Vitoria University. Accommodation is arranged on-site in single and twin bedrooms, each with air-conditioning and the convenience of a private bathroom. Camp counsellors also live in the student residence to ensure constant supervision and support. The on-site cafeteria team provide full board meals that represent a well-balanced Mediterranean diet. There is a camp ‘bank’ where it is recommended that students store their pocket money (90-100 Euros is recommended for ice creams, souvenirs, and to pay for any extra optional activities). There are also laundry facilities available to students.
Students aged 14 years and over can opt to stay with a carefully-selected host family, a choice that provides extra linguistic immersion as well the chance to live in a typical Madrilenian household. Students who select this option will have breakfast and dinner at the host family home and lunch at the school cafeteria. Host families come in all forms, and can be single people or couples with or without children. Regardless of make-up, they will all be friendly, welcoming and happy to help the youngsters staying with them improve their Spanish language skills. Please note students who stay with host families in Madrid have to purchase the daily camp transfer service, which picks up from various stops around the city and takes students to the camp and back again each week day. Transport isn’t available at the weekend so host family students will have to make their own way to the campus should they wish to join weekend activities and excursions.
Activities
There is no chance of boredom for anyone taking part in this educational programme for children and teenagers! Activities are scheduled every afternoon and include welcome games; workshops in crafts, cooking, science, magic, and responsibility and leadership (for the older students); visits to Madrid city centre; water games and competitions in the swimming pool; team games and challenges; and sports tournaments. Residence students will also be able to join the evening activity programme, which includes games, parties, film showings, theme nights and challenges, and talent shows.
Each two-week session there will be at least one full-day and two half-day excursions, with carefully considered destinations introducing students to Spanish culture, food, geography, and history. Half-day excursions take in cities and attractions like Madrid city centre, Toledo, waterpark, and theme park; and full-day excursions are arranged to places like Segovia, Salamanca and Faunia zoo and botanical garden.
Supervision
This programme offers a high level of supervision, with limited free time. Students who are 15, or who will turn 15 during the year of attending the programme, will be allowed to go out unsupervised on pre-agreed afternoons/evenings if they have been granted parental permission. The camp director will decide when students will be permitted to leave the camp. Please note that unsupervised free time will only be included a few times over the two-week course period. There will also be short free-time sessions scheduled during visits and excursions to give juniors and teenagers time to explore or do a little bit of shopping.
How to get there
Madrid-Barajas Airport is the second largest airport in Europe, meaning there is no shortage of international flights available. Our school can arrange a private transfer service (at extra cost), meaning someone will be at the airport to meet the student according to the details of their flight. Once collected, they’ll be taken straight to the camp for check-in. Transfers on departure can also be arranged. If preferred, independent arrival is also possible, or parents/guardians can travel with their child and drop them off at the camp.
Location of our school in Madrid
Prices for Madrid
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