Spanish Language and Culture Program

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We at AIL Madrid are committed to delivering the most inspiring and motivating Spanish language and culture immersion programs for university groups. Our study trips combine intensive Spanish studies with interactive afternoon activities and weekend excursions allowing students to rapidly improve their Spanish skills and confidence, explore Madrid’s most spectacular sights and gain a deeper insight into the Spanish way of life.

We have successfully organised study trips for hundreds of groups from most European coun- tries, as well as from the US, Canada, China, Azerbaijan and Nigeria for 8 years. Thanks to the unrivalled quality, professional service and flexibility in our organisation, a great number of schools come back year after year to relive their experience at AIL Madrid, recommending us to their colleagues and friends.

Our US based partners:

CONTENT

1. SPANISH LANGUAGE & CULTURE SAMPLE PROGRAM 3

2. INTENSIVE SPANISH COURSE 5

3. ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS 7

4. HOUSING – MADRID HOMESTAYS 12

5. PRE-DEPARTURE SERVICES 14

6. ON-SITE SERVICES 15

7. AIL MADRID ACADEMIC FACILITIES 16

8. MADRID 17

9. CONTACT DETAILS AND BOOKING CONDITIONS 18

1. SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE SAMPLE PRO- GRAM

Below you can find a sample program of a 4-week stay in Madrid. This program is however flexible and can be tailored to the preferences of the group.

WEEK 1 Wednes- Satur- Sun- Sunday Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday day day day

Break- Break- Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast fast fast Arrival to 9am Madrid Orientation Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish – Barajas day course course course course 12:50pm Airport, transfer Excur- to AIL Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Free sion to Madrid break break break break break and time El Esco- meeting rial Treasure Guided visit 4pm with host Spanish Orientation hunt in of the Visit of the – families cooking day Madrid´s Prado Madrid Zoo class 6pm city center Museum

8:30/ Welcome Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner 9pm party

WEEK 2

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Break- Break- Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast fast fast

9am Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish – course course course course course 12:50pm

Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Excursion Free time to Toledo Language Linguistic Guided visit Bike tour 4pm exchange Guided visit activities in of the Reina along the – with Spanish of the King’s the Retiro Sofia Mu- Manzanares students over Palace 6pm Park seum River tapas

8:30/ 9pm Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner

WEEK 3

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Break- Break- Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast fast fast 9am – Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish 12:50pm course course course course course

Excursion Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break to Aran- Free time juez Guided visit Afternoon 4pm of the Thys- Cinema night with hot Flamenco Spanish songs – sen Borne- with Spanish chocolate and dance classes workshop misza Mu- movies 6pm “churros“ seum 8:30/ 9pm Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner

WEEK 4

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast

9am – Spanish course Spanish course Spanish course Spanish course Spanish course 12:50pm

Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break Transfer to airport and Guided tour of departure 4pm Visit of a wine- Spanish fa- the Real Madr- Art, drawing or – ry and wine shion work- id Soccer Sta- pottery class tasting shop 6pm dium Farewell-Party

8:30/ 9pm Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner

2. INTENSIVE SPANISH COURSE

Our intensive Spanish program aims at improving students’ knowledge of the Spanish language and their abilities to communicate correctly and effectively outside the classroom.

SYLLABUS In order to facilitate credit transfer, the syllabus, course objectives, course evaluation frame- work and assessment criteria may be provided by faculty members of the groups.

CREDITS The program can include as many hours as needed to match the university credits requirements.

GROUPS The Spanish language classes take place in one or more small learning groups, ac- cording to the number of participants and the Spanish levels of the students.

TEACHING MATERIAL Carefully selected modern and interactive materials with intention of maximizing the students’ participation, interaction and engage- ment in class are used. We offer a combination of academic text books and exercises, com- plemented by ludic and topical handouts and learning based games and activities.

COURSE CERTIFICATE On the last day of their course all students will receive a certificate accredited by the Cervantes Institute that confirms their participation in the course, their level and their attendance rate.

SPANISH TEACHERS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE Their personality and classes… Our Spanish teachers love what they do and are pas- sionate about sharing their language, culture and heritage with foreign students - nothing gives them greater pleasure and pride than seeing you improve your Spanish skills and communicate with greater fluency.

The teachers work as a team, share knowledge and benefit from the huge bank of internally developed learning materials and up-to-date publications. This ensures they select the most appropriate approach for each student or group, explaining even the most difficult grammar and language issues in a simple and memorable way.

Students will find our teachers to be fun and innova- tive, creating a friendly and relaxed atmosphere whilst exceeding course objectives, giving them the necessary confidence to interact and practice Spanish at all times.

Their qualifications and experience… Our native Spanish speaking teaching team has been handpicked based on their academic qua- lification including Masters in teaching Spanish as a foreign language, post graduate teaching certificates, ongoing training and professional development courses and seminars.

All our Spanish teachers have several years of experience in teaching Spanish as a foreign language to young US students with diverse Spanish levels and learning objectives. We also have official Business Spanish teachers who have a broad commercial awareness and insight. They focus on giving training to our corporate clients, in business schools and embassies adapting the class style to the students’ needs and interests.

You have the option to select the final teachers based on your reviews of the résumés and profiles of our experienced general and/or Business Spanish teachers.

3. AFTERNOON EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND WEEKEND EXCURSIONS

We offer a wide range of task-oriented activities. These will allow the students to explore Spain’s culture and considerably help improve their Spanish skills. The activities always take place with AIL Madrid´s native teachers. Please see below the descriptions of some of our “star” activities:

TREASURE HUNT IN MADRID´S CENTER This activity allows the students to familiarize themselves with Madrid´s most spectacular sites whilst having a fun, interactive time completing a series of questions and tasks on Madrid and

Spain.

GUIDED VISIT OF THE PRADO MUSEUM Prado Museum is one of the most important and richest museums in the world. The museum's collection includes over 7,000 paintings from the XVI to the XX century. Since it is not possible to see the entire collection in just a few hours, the group will explore the important works of Velázquez, Goya and El Greco.

VISIT OF THE MADRID ZOO AQUARIUM A visit of the 20-hectare Madrid Zoo Aquarium, located inside the enormous city park Casa de Campo, is an unforgettable experience. Opened in 1770, it is one of the largest zoos in Spain and one of the few zoos in the world that houses Giant Pandas. As all the explanations are written in Spanish, therefore this activity offers the possibility to learn some new Spanish vocabulary whilst exploring what nature has to offer.

SPANISH COOKING CLASS Students discover the secrets of Spanish cuisine preparing 2 simple and delicious traditional Spanish dishes – gazpacho and ensaladilla rusa. This activity includes going to a local market to buy the products, recipe explanation, cooking and tasting.

LINGUISTIC ACTIVITIES IN THE RE- TIRO PARK The Retiro Park is a 350 acres monu- mental-art city park, a perfect outdoor fresh air venue to host language based activities. These will include a series of questions and task aimed at giving the students the opportunity to learn more about the Retiro Park, it´s history and Spanish culture. Furthermore, it also involves tasks like interviewing in Span- ish and interacting with the local madri- leños.

REINA SOFIA MUSEUM The Reina Sofía Museum is a contemporary art gallery containing works from the late XIXth century to the present day. The museum includes paintings by Spanish artists such as Picasso, Dalí and Miró.

BIKE TOUR ALONG THE MANZANARES RIVER The area surrounding the Manzanares River has recently been reformed. There is now a park along the banks of the River where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and a fun bike ride. Visiting the Manzanares River is the best way to get to know the new face of the city.

LANGUAGE EXCHANGE WITH SPANISH STUDENTS This activity offers an excellent opportunity to get to know some local young people while practicing Spanish over delicious Spanish tapas.

ROYAL PALACE The Royal Palace of Madrid is a must-see, as it is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, and the official residence of the King of Spain. The palace has over 3400 impressive rooms, although only some of them are open to the public. In the Palace the group can admire a unique collection of historic and artistic works.

AFTERNOON WITH HOT CHOCOLATE AND “CHURROS“ One thing you can’t miss when visiting Spain is trying chocolate con churros (hot chocolate and churros). You will taste this delicious snack in the famous Chocolatería of San Ginés, which has served this speciality since 1894 and is consid- ered the best chocolatería in Spain.

FLAMENCO DANCE CLASSES Students learn basic flamenco steps with a professional dance instructor and explore this important

and historical part of Spanish heritage.

SPANISH SONGS WORKSHOP In this interactive workshop students will get to know some famous Spanish songs, singing some of them and learning new vocabulary and expressions.

GUIDED VISIT OF THE THYSSEN-BORNEMISZA MUSEUM The Thyssen-Bornemisza is definitely worth a visit, as this is one of the most important art museums in Madrid, hosting a collection of more than 800 works of art (from the XVIII to the XX Century). It is also very visitor friendly for the non art experts.

CINEMA NIGHT WITH SPANISH MOVIES Cinema is always a big part of a culture. In this activity, students learn about the most important Spanish filmmakers like Pedro Almodóvar or Alejandro Amenábar, and watch one of their greatest movies.

GUIDED TOUR OF THE REAL MADRID SOCCER STADIUM

A visit of the Real Madrid stadium is not only something special for soccer fans! The home of one of the biggest clubs in the world and the included museum are truly impressive and allow visitors to feel like being part of the team.

ART, DRAWING OR POTTERY CLASS

Immersion into a culture is not only about talking the language but also includes more hands- on activities like drawing or pottery work. In this workshop the students can for example learn how to draw a masterpiece like Picasso or create their own Sangría jar.

VISIT OF A WINERY This activity includes the visit of a winery and its installations together with a professional wine-grower, explanations about the growing and quality of Spanish wines and finally – of course – a wine tasting. The students will learn how to describe the wine, its color, smell and taste.

EXCURSIONS

Many of Spain’s most charming towns and natural spaces are located within a stone's throw of Madrid. Below you will find the description of the half day and day trips this program can include:

TOLEDO Enjoy a whole day in this incredible city declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. The old capital of Spain is nowa- days the capital of the “La Mancha” prov- ince. Numerous writers have referred to it as the “melting pot of cultures” due to its Christian, Jewish and Muslim heritage. We will start the day with a breath-taking panoramic viewpoint of the city and then go on to visit the most important monuments such as the “Alcázar” (military headquarters of the old regime), the synagogue of Santa María la Blanca and the famous cathedral. A true contrast of culture that you can´t afford to miss!

MONASTERY OF “EL ESCORIAL” AND “EL VALLE DE LOS CAÍDOS”

The famous Monastery of El Escorial was renowned for years by many as the eighth wonder of the world and is probably the most symbolic grandeur of the Spanish Empire. Enjoy the peculiar basilica of the Valley of the Fallen excavated in the interior of a mountain lying only 9km of El Escorial: a living relic hidden away in the mountains of Madrid.

ARANJUEZ Aranjuez is located 46 km south of Madrid, in a fertile valley on the banks of the River Tagus. We are going to visit the highlight of this town, the Royal Palace of Aranjuez. This is a residence of the King of Spain and counts with numerous gar- dens. Its cultural landscape was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.

4. HOUSING – MADRID HOMESTAYS

Staying with a homestay gives your students an excellent opportunity to fully immerse themselves into the Spanish way of life by practicing Spanish around-the-clock, enjoying the delights of traditional, home cooked Spanish dishes and experiencing first-hand Spanish traditions and customs. It also is the best way to guarantee complete safety and security during their stay in Madrid.

Students will be accommodated with carefully selected native Spanish families, who only speak Spanish or very little English, to guarantee maximal language learning.

Homestays have the benefits of: • living in safe neighborhoods in the center of Madrid, only 10-30 minutes away from AIL Madrid • Well balanced and healthy full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) meal plan included • Diet adapted to students’ individual needs (e.g. vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, meta- bolism issues, etc.) • Comfortable single/or double bedrooms with study desk and Wi-Fi • Laundry and cleaning services included

Before arrival of the group, we will ask for information about allergies, health problems, and special dietary requirements. After placing students with their respective homestay we will send you a detailed homestay information sheet (their contact details, names, ages, what they do, their hobbies, etc.).

TYPICAL HOMESTAY There is not one, all homestays are differ- ent – our families are couples with or without children, retired people as well as people who live alone, but all of them are welcoming, talkative and friendly.

CONTINUAL EVALUATION AND SAFETY We make regular background checks and continual evaluation of our families to guarantee a safe and friendly home environment. This includes periodic spot checks by an AIL Madrid representative as well as comprehensive evaluations by our students, taking very serious any of their issues, discussing it with the host family and even changing the host family if necessary.

Furthermore, most host families have prior experiences working for other language acade- mies, universities or accommodation providers.

STUDENT RESIDENCE:

Some groups that prefer to stay together under one roof choose our student residence that offers the perfect environment for live together.

The residence is located in the centre of Madrid, close to Plaza de España and the Royal Palace, between the metro stations Ventura Rodríguez and Argüelles with easy access to public transport (metro and bus). There is a direct metro line number 4 that connects the residence (Argüelles) with AIL Madrid (Velázquez), separated by 6 metro stations.

ACCOMMODATION: The residence has 23 brightly lit rooms which are each fully equipped with a bed, wardrobe, desk, chair and lamp. Some of the rooms have bath- roooms, other don´t in which case student use comunal bathrooms.

Services and facilities provided:  Towels and sheets.

 WIFI Internet connection.  Landline for the call reception.  Ventilator in each bedroom.

MEALS: Our residence offers either half board or full board, which includes balanced, healthy and well propor- tioned meals.

Lunch can be provided in the form of lunch packs for the comfort of the group or served at the residence around 2:00pm and 3:30pm. Dinner is served around 8:30/9:00pm.

This accommodation option in only available from mid June to mid September and for group with a maximum of 35 students.

5. PRE-DEPARTURE SERVICES

Our experience tells us that careful and detailed pre-departure planning is the best way to ensure that a study abroad trip is enjoyed by all and meets its cultural integration and language learning objectives. We want students to be aware of what the study abroad experience will mean for them, allowing them to take full advantage of the opportunity.

We provide the following pre-departure service:

 AIL Madrid welcome letter including school overview, teacher profile, detailed program syllabus with course content, description and evaluation

 Two interactive Skype videoconference questions and answer sessions hosted by the AIL Madrid Program Coordinator. All Program participants are invited to join and the events are normally scheduled two months and then two weeks prior to departure.

 Tailored program itinerary The itinerary serves as a means of communication between the faculty members and AIL Madrid. We send you the final itinerary at least 2 weeks prior to your departure date. It will include your day-by-day schedule of classes and activities, important notes as well as contact and emergency phone numbers.

 Safety and Security Guidance The AIL Madrid’s Safety and Security Guidance includes dos and don’ts in Spain, advice for parents, important contacts and information about insurance.

 AIL Madrid’s American Student in Madrid Handbook This handbook is intended to act as an aid to students to prepare for their upcoming faculty-led program in Spain. It includes facts about Madrid, local laws and customs, drugstores, gyms and sports centers, shopping, restaurants and bars, museum / thea- ters / cinemas, what to bring and much more.

6. ON-SITE SERVICES

AIL Madrid ensures its students a comfortable and enjoyable stay in Madrid. Our service pack- age includes:

 The orientation program This orientation acquaints students with the school and their host city, providing pertinent health and safety advice. Students are shown the locations of their home country’s embas- sy, locations of the nearest hospitals and clinics, police station locations and emergency services information, and laws about which the student may be unaware. Students are also given information about the social climate, including foreign perceptions of US citizens, and the coordinator addresses preconceptions the students may have developed about the locals. The orientation program also includes a tour of the school, its neighborhood and Madrid’s historic center. Furthermore, students will be given a workshop on Spanish customs, information about cultural adjustment and “culture shock” as well as a presentation on the regions of Spain. The orientation program concludes with a welcome party, where the students can taste paella, a typical Spanish dish from Valencia region.

 On-site coordinator We provide a local bi-lingual coordinator who ensures that your faculty and students are taken care of 24/7 throughout every step of the program. The coordinator will organize the airport pick-up, transportation, translation/language & cultural barriers, distribute city maps and pre-order tickets. The coordinator will also provide a 24-hour emergency assis- tance. This dedicated coordinator has a vast experience in dealing with issues such as homesickness, psychological issues, mental health problems, eating disorder, cultural shock, etc. and will be available for the group at all times.

 Free Spanish Smartphone rental At AIL Madrid we want the students to be comfortable in their new environment while at the same time staying in touch with loved ones from home. This is why we offer them the option of a free Spanish Smartphone rental with a pay-as-you-go SIM card.

 Airport transfer AIL Madrid provides airport greeting and pick-up on the program arrival date, facilitating the arrival process for students. Return transportation is also provided to the airport on the last date of the program.

 Travel and medical insurance On demand, all student and faculty members can get a travel and medical insurance for the duration of the program that includes medical evacuation and repatriation coverage.

 Public transportation ticket Students can be provided with a ticket that covers all public transportation costs in Madrid throughout the stay. So they will have no problem traveling around the city and its surroundings.

7. AIL MADRID ACADEMIC FACILITIES

AIL Madrid is located right in the heart of Madrid. Its beautiful historical building is fully equipped with up-to-date materials and resources in comfortable surroundings conducive to studying Spanish.

The facilities include:

 10 fully-equipped, comfortable classrooms  Multimedia area with modern computers  Spacious reception area  Free Wi-Fi access  Air-conditioning and central heating  Chill-out area with vending machine and comfortable sofas  Comprehensive learning ressourses and materials  Audiovisual presentation equipment  Electronic interactive whiteboards

LOCATION AIL Madrid is conveniently located in the centre of Madrid, in the Salamanca district, known for being the Spanish capital's most exclusive and safe area. In the immediate vicinity of the school you will find the Paseo del Prado boasting Madrid's three world-class art museums: Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Within walking distance there is the vibrant Gran Vía with many theatres, cinemas and restaurants and the famous Retiro Park with its boating lake, the fashionable Calle Goya, and the glamorous thoroughfares of Serrano and Velázquez. Moreover, next to the school there are numerous cafeterias, restaurants, bars, shops and su- permarkets. Last but not least we are very easy to reach, with many buses and metro stations close by and with the Puerta del Sol just 2 metro stops away from the school. AIL Madrid is an excellent base from which to explore the city!

8. MADRID

Madrid, a historic city with a fresh cosmopolitan spirit is the number one destination for a Spanish study tour at any time of the year. Located in the very centre of the Iberian Peninsula, at the bottom of the Sierra de Guadarrama Mountains and Manzanares River,Spain´s fascinating capital is the only place where people and traditions from all Spanish regions meet and mix.

Whatever it is that you are looking for, Madrid has it all; breathtaking historical architecture, world-class museums, modern art galleries and extensive picturesque parks. Here you will enjoy a multitude of cultural events and leisure activities, vibrant nightlife with endless clubs and pubs as well as the delights of Spanish cuisine in the country's finest restaurants and tapas bars.

Madrid's most renowned sites are must-sees; the vibrant Puerta del Sol with its "El Oso y el Madroño" (the Bear & the Strawberry Tree) statue – the symbol of Madrid - the splendid Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace (home to the Spanish Royal Family), the Plaza de España with the statue of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, as well as the Temple of Debod, an ancient Egyptian temple.

Definitely worth seeing is the Plaza de Cibeles, boasting the impressive Cibeles Palace and Cibeles Foun- tain. And don’t miss the Plaza de Toros Las Ventas (Spain´s largest bullring) and Gran Vía (a commercial street bubbling with atmosphere, hustle and bustle, theatres, cinemas and shops). Art lovers will enjoy visiting Spain's three most famous art galleries, all located a short distance one from another: the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

And the final, and maybe the most important, reason to choose Madrid as a study destination is the fact that the Spanish spoken here is a pure, accent free "Castil- ian", making it easy to understand and communicate.

9. CONTACT DETAILS AND BOOKING CONDITIONS

BOOKING CONDITIONS: 1. Advance payment of 30% at the time of booking. 2. The remaining payment must be settled at least 2 weeks before arrival.

CONTACT DETAILS: Pablo Fernández [email protected] (+34) 912 191 653

AIL Madrid Spanish Language School Calle de Núñez de Balboa, 17, 2D 28001 Madrid C.I.F. B84717180

BANK DETAILS: Spanish bank account: Academia Internacional de Lenguas Madrid, S.L IBAN: ES79 0081 5077 7000 0142 2545 SWIFT / BIC: BSAB ESBB Bank: Banco de Sabadell S.A. Address: Núñez de Balboa 20, 28001 Madrid, España

Costs associated with payment by bank transfer must be borne by the group.