FAQs LSI Alicante LSI Alicante 2015 CITY DETAILS If you've always imagined Spain as a warm, Mediterranean paradise, you should try studying in Alicante. With some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, Alicante lies between the mountains and the sea and enjoys mild temperatures year-round. Alicante is at once a tranquil and lively city that captivates the imagination with its rich history. Wheter you want to relax in style and have a drink on the palm-lined esplanades or partake in the vibrant nightlife and university atmosphere, Alicante has something to offer for all tastes SCHOOL DETAILS What is the building/area like? School LSI Alicante Address Paseo de la Explanada de España, 15 Email [email protected] Website http://www.lsi.edu/en/spanish/spain/alicante/school LSI on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/LSI.Worldwide A spacious, Mediterranean style-building with abundant natural light filling every one of the modern, comfortable rooms Conveniently located, spacious and modern, our language school in Alicante meets all the strict criteria we have outlined for each and every one of our academies around the country. Deliberately designed to serve the needs of all our students, our venue in Alicante is equipped with the latest technology, such that the comfortable lifestyle of a coastal settlement is enhanced and perfectly blended with the services and the infrastructure that have come to be expected and almost mandatory in any large urban areas. © Language Studies International 2015 Page 1 of 11 FAQs LSI Alicante OUR TEACHERS How many teachers do you have? 4 teachers currently active, but this figure changes depending on the needs What are your teacher qualifications? All of our teachers are specially trained in teaching Spanish as a foreign language and many hold a Master's or Doctorate degree in their area of specialization. They are seasoned experts in a variety of specific courses and topics such as Spanish Linguistics, History, Marketing and Tourism. In addition to their many years of experience, our faculty is dinamic, open-minded, friendly and incredible motivated OUR STUDENTS Where do your students come from? We have students from more than 72 countries join our programs every year How many students do you have during high and low seasons? Low season: 100 and high season: 150/200 What is the minimum and average age of your students? The minimum age is 14 years old. The majority of our students range from 17 to 22/23 y.o. OUR COURSES When are the start dates? Courses start every Monday of the year, even for absolute beginners Courses we offer Course © Language Studies International 2015 Page 2 of 11 FAQs LSI Alicante General Courses Intensive 20 Intensive 20 + 5 Super Intensive 25 + 5 Part time 10 Academic semester/year One to One (1 lesson per week) One to One (10 lessons per week) One to One (20 lessons per week) One to One (30 lessons per week) One to One (5 lessons per week) • General Intensive Spanish —short duration (10, 20, 20+5, 20+5+5 lessons per week) • General Intensive Spanish —long duration (12+ weeks) (20+5 lessons per week) • Semester or Academic Year (20+ weeks) • One on one private lessons & Spanish for professionals Do you offer work experience? We offer a Paid Work Course:Tourism is one of the most important industries in Spain, so we have specially designed this Spanish Paid Work course to help you improve your Spanish then use your language skills in a paid position at a Spanish hotel. What is the length of each lesson? Every lesson lasts 55 minutes and two teachers are assigned to each class, rotating every two lessons. What is a typical class time table like? Classes are held Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 2:30pm or 2:30pm to 6:30pm. Cultural workshops take place at 1:30pm and are available to both morning and afternoon students. The majority of the time, students will be placed in the morning shift. Afternoon sessions are normally reserved for our super intensive courses What is the maximum/average class size? Our classes contain a maximum of 10 students; the average class size is 5 © Language Studies International 2015 Page 3 of 11 FAQs LSI Alicante What levels are offered and how fast does a student progress from level to level? There are 6 levels: Basic, Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced, Superior and Proficiency. Each level, wiith the exception of Proficiency, is divided into 3 sublevels varying from lesser to greater linguistic capability. Are textbooks included in the fees? Study materials are not included in the course price. You can buy your books at the school on the first day, once you know your level (35€). This amount includes one textbook and one exercise book. If you change levels, you will need to buy a new set for that level Do you receive a free certificate once the course has ended? Yes, when you complete a Spanish course, you will receive an official diploma that states the type of course, total hours completed and achieved level of proficiency. You will also receive a Certificate Report Card that includes a detailed account of your progress in each specific linguistic skill. Can I switch my course type/length once I have started it, or decide to add an additional course? You can combine or change programs throughout 12 destinations in Spain at no extra chrage, since all of our schools use the same teaching method and syllabus, you`re guaranteed a continuous program. When are the school holidays? Schools open all year round, even during Christmas and Easter. Course break: 1 free week off for every 12 weeks of the course (4-weeks advance notice required) How do we teach? We select highly qualified Spanish teachers dedicated to implementing the most up-to-date methodologies and effective, proven pedagogical techniques. This, combined with carefully designed academic materials, structured language levels and plenty of extras, ensures a successful experience for every student that passes through our doors. We combine different pedagogical techniques, centered on a communicative approach, in order to reach every kind of learner. Our goal is to equip you with the skills and concepts necessary to feel comfortable understanding others and making yourself understood in any Spanish-speaking environment. In order to achieve this goal, the teacher combines both theory and practice, addressing all of the linguistic and functional pragmatic aspects of the spoken language, along with key socio-cultural information essential for gaining proficiency . Grammar, reading, writing, listening, speaking and vocabulary are always integrated in order to approximate the student to an authentic communicative environment. © Language Studies International 2015 Page 4 of 11 FAQs LSI Alicante What is a typical class time table like? Hours Standard 20 Afternoon 10 Morning Shift 1st SESSION 2nd SESSION CULTURE (+5) 9:30 - 10:25 AM 11:35 AM – 12:30 PM 1:35 – 2:30 PM 10:30 – 11:25 AM 12:35 – 1:30 PM Afternoon Shift CULTURE (+5) 1st SESSION 2nd SESSION 1:35 – 2:30 PM 2:35 – 3:30 PM 4:35 - 5:30 PM 3:35 - 4:30 PM 5:35 - 6:30 PM ORIENTATION What time should I arrive on my first day and what should I bring? On your first day of class, you should go to the school at 8:30AM. You will receive overall orientation information (about the school, the city, etc.). Every student except for very beginners will take an oral and written placement test, in order to be placed in the most suitable class. AIRPORT TRANSFER Who meets me at the airport and where? Students, upon arrival, will first take their luggage and then pass through customs. After clearing customs, students will find the driver waiting, with his/her name on an Enforex sign. Together with the confirmation of your transfer you will also receive an emergency phone number, +34 636 450 998 What alternative transport is there from the airport to the City or my host family accommodation? Students who wish to make their own way from the airport to the school could take: • Bus: Several bus lines connect the airport with the centre of Alicante, the towns of Torrellano, Elche, Benidorm, Calpe, Santa Pola, Guardamar and Torrevieja, and the city of Murcia. Estimated travel time: 30 minutes to the port (Puerta del Mar). ▪ Tren-Tram: Alicante-Elche Airport is connected by the C-6 bus route to the different Train-tram and tram routes of Alicante's TRAM Metropolitano, linking the city centre with towns on the Costa © Language Studies International 2015 Page 5 of 11 FAQs LSI Alicante Blanca, including El Campello, La Vila Joiosa, Benidorm, L'Alfàs del Pi, Altea, Calp, Benissa, Gata, Teulada and Denia. Are airport transfers available? Alicante/ Valencia airport to accommodation in Alicante PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM Bus System The first day we provide our students a Student Manual with a lot of useful information including the public transport system. A lot of people in Spain use the public transport system; being in most cases the most convenient, fast and cheap way to travel. Other Travel Options If you would like to travel by train and need information about the timetable and destinations you can call for information at 902 240 202 or also find it on the web: www.renfe.es PAYMENTS/ CANCELLATIONS/ REFUNDS Can I receive an invoice? Yes, you will receive a proforma invoice whenever you need it What are your payment terms and conditions? First, as already stated, you must send a 250€/350$ deposit fee* along with the completed registration form.