Why learn a language abroad?

Whether you want to learn Spanish, study on a French course, learn the Italian lingo or try your hand at German or Russian or any other language you will have no doubt asked yourself this question: Why learn a language abroad? Whilst it is not impossible to learn another language without actually learning the language in the Country it is spoken, the benefits of doing so are far greater than not.

Beneficial to your language learning:  It will enable you to have a better understanding of the language whilst also developing a more natural accent by learning from native speakers. It is all too easy for people to fall into the trap whereby they revert back to speaking English because most people abroad can speak English. If you find yourself doing this... STOP!! It is all too easy to fall into the 'English bubble' as I call it. To learn a language you need to be highly motivated and push yourself to progress. You learn so much from having conversations with the locals, even if it's only about the weather or the price of milk. You may think you are annoying them or taking up their time listening to you struggle through your conversation, but trust me they will appreciate the effort you are trying to make to speak their language. 
Once you break through the confidence barrier of talking in another language you will really start to get the hang of it and get a real buzz from it.

Learn the language quicker: People that learn the language in the country it is spoken tend to learn the language at a faster rate than people not living in the country. This is because they are surrounded by the language and culture. It is also fantastic to be to go about your daily routine and put your newly acquired language skills into practice.

Experience a new culture: You will not only gain the skill of being able to learn a new language, you will also be able to understand a new culture and its customs. Fully immersing yourself in the culture of another language also helps you to be more understanding and accepting of other peoples customs and beliefs... a life skill which in my opinion is invaluable. 

Make new friends:  When you arrive at your chosen language school abroad you will be greeted by students from all over the world. These students are all in the same boat as yourself. They have all left their home countries to learn the language abroad. You will be amazed at how quickly you make friends as you experience studying in a foreign country and some of you will even form lifelong friendships. After all who does need a friend like Carmen in Mexico or Ivan in Switzerland to visit when the travel bug catches up with you :).


Gain greater independence: The experience of living abroad in a foreign country and away from your home comforts will develop to broaden your horizons whilst developing a sense of independence. Gap year students on gap year language courses abroad especially have found that they gain more self-confidence and mature quicker as a result of learning a language on language courses abroad.




Gemma Rescorla, Director Live Languages Abroad

French & Surf, A-level revision & Leaving Certificate courses in Biarritz, France

French Summer School in Biarritz

The French Summer School in Biarritz is based in an exceptional location which boasts breathtaking views over the town. The French Summer School in Biarritz is just a 30 minute drive from both Hossegor Landes, France and San Sebastian, Spain. The Basque coastline offers some of the best beach breaks in the world and is renowned for its sun, sea, sand and surf.

Our French & Surf courses in Biarritz stand out from other courses as we offer: Intensive French revision and French classes with the best French teachers for Teenager aged 14-17 yrs old on our Standard French courses and aged 15-18 yrs old on our French A-level and  Leaving Certificate courses. Our students receive over 150 minutes of French language tuition per day and 1 day trip -Accommodation, surfing, activities and day trips are all included in our price – there are no hidden extras !The duration of each class is 3 hours/day.

Surfing

Plums Surf School is part of the history of surfing in France. André Plumcoq was one of the original “Tontons Surfeurs” the guys that first surfed the waves at the Côte des Basques in the beginning of the Sixties. Several years passed and when surfing began to develop in France, André opened one of the first surfshops in Biarritz on the Place Clemenceau.
His two sons, Marc et Christian, grew up sharing his love of the ocean and both went on to win several French and European Surfing Championships.
Today, Marc Plumcoq, European Longboard Champion in ’91, runs the Plums Surf School and will accompany you through the week of your surfing course in the waves on the Côte Basque.

Surf Lesson timetable: vares with the tides

Instructors : Marc Plumcocq, European Longboard Champion in 91 and his team of qualified French surf instructors take care of you during the course, which is open to all ages and all levels of experience. They will teach you the basics and get you up on a wave, or help you acquire more experience, technique and confidence, in safety. They also speak French, English and Spanish.

Equipment : Surfboards & wetsuits included. We have different types of boards from beginner boards to more advanced shapes, so that you can progress quickly and safely on the right equipment for you.

Insurance :Civil liability insurance during the lessons is included.

French & Surf Summer Course in Biarritz (14-17 yrs):

No of lessons: 10, 15 or 20 lessons per wk   Duration: 2 weeks

Students receive 2, 3or 4 French lessons per day at the French Summer School in Biarritz depending on the intensity of the French course they chose. 6 surf lessons will take place over the 2 weeks with 2 excursions to San Sebastian (Spain) and Hossegor Landes (France). There are normally 8 to 10 students per class and classes are taught by native speaking French teachers.

French & Activities Summer Course in Biarritz (14-17 yrs):

No of lessons: 10, 15 or 20 lessons per wk    Duration: 2 weeks

Students receive 2, 3or 4 French lessons per day at the French Summer School in Biarritz depending on the intensity of the French course they chose. 2 surf lessons and 4 activities will take place over the 2 weeks with 2 excursions to San Sebastian (Spain) and Hossegor Landes (France). There are normally 8 to 10 students per class and classes are taught by native speaking French teachers.

French A-level & Surf Course in Biarritz (15-18yrs):

No of lessons: 20 lessons per wk    Duration: 2 weeks

Our French A-level & Surf course at the French Summer School in Biarritz will expose students to exceptionally passionate and experienced French teachers who will assist students in their quest to succeed in their French A-level Exams. Our course is also tailored to improving each student’s level of oral French for the the oral exam. As a result students would be expected to speak as much French as possible in class time in order to maximise exposure to the language. Students receive 4 lessons of French per day and attend 6 surf lessons over the 2 weeks plus 2 excursions.

French A-level & Activities Course in Biarritz (15-18yrs):

No of lessons: 20 lessons per wk   Duration: 2 weeks

Our French A-level & Activities course at the French Summer School in Biarritz will expose students to exceptionally passionate and experienced French teachers who will assist students in their quest to succeed in their French A-level Exams. Our course is also tailored to improving each student’s level of oral French for the oral exam. As a result students would be expected to speak as much French as possible in class time in order to maximise exposure to the language. Students receive 4 lessons of French per day and attend 2 surf lessons and 4 activities over the 2 weeks plus 2 excursions.

French Leaving Certificate & Surf Course in Biarritz (15-18yrs):

No of lessons: 20 lessons per wk    Duration: 2 weeks

Our French Leaving Certificate & Surf course at the French Summer School in Biarritz will expose students to exceptionally passionate and experienced French teachers who will assist students in their quest to succeed in their Leaving Certificate Exams. Our course is also tailored to improving each student’s level of oral French as the oral exam accounts for 25% of the marks at Higher Level. As a result students would be expected to speak as much French as possible in class time in order to maximize exposure to the language. Students receive 4 lessons of French per day and attend 6 surf lessons over the 2 weeks plus 2 excursions.

French Leaving Certificate & Activities Course in Biarritz (15-18yrs):

No of lessons: 20 lessons per wk   Duration: 2 weeks

Our French Leaving Certificate & Activities course at the French Summer School in Biarritz will expose students to exceptionally passionate and experienced French teachers who will assist students in their quest to succeed in their Leaving Certificate Exams. Our course is also tailored to improving each student’s level of oral French as the oral exam accounts for 25% of the marks at Higher Level. As a result students would be expected to speak as much French as possible in class time in order to maximize exposure to the language. Students receive 4 lessons of French per day and attend 2 surf lessons and 4 activities over the 2 weeks plus 2 excursions.

French Host Family

Students aged 14-16 MUST stay in French Host family accommodation.

Staying with a host family is a unique inter-cultural experience. Depending on the expectations and objectives you have for your French programme, you can choose from several types of family accommodation. If you would like to share unique moments of daily life with your family, using your French in real situations, then a shared room (some single rooms available on request) with full-board option is for you. The room (+ 18) with breakfast only option would suit those who are looking for more independence, but still enjoy the warm environment of a family home.You are fully autonomous, but our families are happy to give advice and ensure you benefit from their experience of the region, making your stay that much more authentic and unique!
All our host families are carefully selected by the French Summer school in Biarritz. They are all welcoming and hospitable, regardless of age or circumstances. Our families all live  5 to 35 minutes from the school. Each family hosts one or more students with a different mother tongue.

French Youth Hostel

Not available to student 16yrs and under.

With an ideal location, next to all means of communication, the hostel opens on the Basque country. This youth hostel is also located in a protected zone “Natura 2000”, bordering a lake and just a step away from the Cité de l’Océan et du Surf (Ocean and Surfing World), the biggest European museum dedicated to surfing and marine environment. Modern, welcoming and convivial, you will enjoy a large choice of activities, involving either sport or culture. Hiking is also part of the programme: right in front of the Pyrenees and just at the Spanish border. Numerous pilgrims stop at the hostel before starting the coastal track or “El Camino Frances” that leads to St. James’ Way (El Camino de Santiago in Spanish). Whether you are a group or a single traveller, we welcome you all year round. Hostelling International quality and Green Key label. Students stay in shared rooms (some single rooms available on request) on a full board basis.

Transfer

The French Summer School in Biarritz can arrange a transfer service from Biarritz airport to your accommodation in Biarritz is available. Please contact the office for details.

Click here for more details on our French Summer Courses in Biarritz, France

Will Catalan affect my Spanish studies in Barcelona?

As most people now know, there are two official languages in Cataluña: Spanish (or Castilian) and Catalan. Catalan isn’t a dialect of Spanish; it is a separate language which in many respects is as close to French as it is to Spanish.

The Catalan government has spent a lot of money trying to increase the number of people who speak Catalan. Not surprisingly, some students have written to us asking whether Catalan could interfere with their Spanish studies. The answer is “no”.

At the school in Barcelona, they teach Spanish (not Catalan) to their foreign students, and their host families will also speak Spanish (not Catalan) to them.

Students may overhear some conversations in Catalan, but they are equally likely to overhear conversations in English, French or Italian – Barcelona is a very cosmopolitan city!

According to a recent survey, over 67% of the people in Barcelona consider Spanish to be their first language. In small towns and villages Catalan is more widely spoken, but in Barcelona, because of a long history of immigration from other parts of Spain, the dominant language is very definitely Spanish. Most of the television channels currently available broadcast in Spanish, and all the leading newspapers – including those published in Barcelona – are also written in Spanish.

What’s more, everyone in Barcelona automatically uses Spanish to speak to foreign students as they don’t expect them to know any Catalan, so there is very little danger of students being asked to understand anything other than Spanish while they are in Barcelona.

It is also worth noting that the school always asks its students for feedback on every aspect of their course, and in all the years have been teaching Spanish in Barcelona, not one student has ever complained about Catalan interfering with their studies. In other words, the perceived problem simply doesn’t exist.

Finally, it is also worth bearing in mind that all Catalans are totally bilingual and that they speak Spanish without any noticeable accent. So what Spanish students will hear in Barcelona is in fact much closer to “correct” Castilian Spanish than the Spanish they would hear in some other regions of Spain where Spanish is often spoken with a very strong regional accent.

Spanish Courses in Barcelona

Top Gap Year destinations in Spain

We have put together a list of the Top Gap Year destinations in Spain...

Madrid

Madrid is a young, modern, vibrant city which can be summed up in one word…‘Cosmopolitan’. Where else, in only a small area of space, can you discover the acclaimed artists of Spain and beyond in three of the most famous art galleries in the world, learn the history and tradition of the bull fight in the largest bullring in the country, get away from it all in the huge parks Madrid has to offer, and then take a rest in one of the typical Spanish bars with tapas and a caña?!

Located at the heart of the Iberian Peninsula at an altitude of over 600m above sea level, Madrid is the highest capital city in Europe.

The Spanish capital plays host to international music festivals and is visited by the world’s leading pop stars. Madrid boasts three international acclaimed museums namely the Thyssen-Bornemisza (range from primitive Flemish collections to contemporary paintings, sculptures, tapestries and carvings), the Prado (displays masterpieces from Velázquez, El Greco, Goya, and Rembrandt) and the Reina Sofía (Spanish contemporary art).

Whatever nightlife you are looking for, you can find it in Madrid. If you stroll around, you can see that it’s a cosmopolitan city, where each area has its own special atmosphere and characteristics.If you like alternative music, it’s a good idea to go out in Malasaña or in Lavapiés. Around Sol and the city centre, you can find clubs with all sorts of music. The area around Moncloa is especially known for being favoured by students.

Spanish Gap Year Courses in Madrid

Barcelona

Barceloneta Beach

Barcelona is one of the most beautiful and exciting cities in the world. It has a huge number of attractions including a city centre which retains its medieval street plan; some stunning modernist architecture including several buildings by Gaudi, Spain’s most famous architect; and dozens of museums including one dedicated to Picasso, another to Miro and yet another to Barcelona’s world-famous football club!

La Sagrada Familia

Barcelona is almost as lively at night as it is during the day and it has a unique, exciting atmosphere, which provides visitors with a truly unforgettable experience.There are two major arts festivals during the year, one in summer and one in autumn, and there are concerts and shows of different kinds happening all the time.The city enjoys an almost perfect climate, making it an ideal place to be at any time of the year. It even has its own sandy beaches, which are less than 15 minutes away from the school. The city’s geographical position also makes it the easiest (and cheapest) Spanish city to reach from the rest of Europe, and there are direct flights from most cities in the world to its prize-winning international airport.

Spanish Gap Year Courses in Barcelona

Sevilla

Seville, the capital of Andalusia, is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities for travel and tours in Spain and the one which best keeps alive the spirit of its traditions.

An explosion of colour and contrast, as well as the successful mix of the modern and traditional, means that Seville offers a wide range of cultural variety to cater for all tastes throughout the year: Flamenco, bullfighting, Semana Santa (Holy Week), The April Fair and the lively atmosphere in the streets due to the open and friendly nature of its people.

So what is there to see in Seville? The river Guadalquivir, Maria Luisa Park, the Cathedral, The Golden Tower and the Plaza de España are all places of enchantment where visitors can feel the spirit of a city which is eternally romantic.

Seville enjoys an intense cultural life, with the celebration of numerous festivals and cultural events throughout the year such as the Festival de Música Antigua (Ancient Music Festival), celebrated in March, which includes the most varied musical styles; the Jazz Festival, at the Teatro de la Maestranza; the Festival de Ópera al Aire Libre (Open Air Opera Festival), in September; the season of classical music, and the season of opera at the Teatro de la Maestranza; and the emblematic Flamenco Biennial, that features the most acclaimed artists in this genre.

To have an entertaining evening, it is strongly recommended to go to one of the numerous tablaos flamencos of Seville, the stages for flamenco dancing. Some of the best known are Los Gallos, located in the touristic district of Santa Cruz; Patio Sevillano (Sevillian Courtyard), that hosts performances that combine flamenco, classical Spanish dance, Spanish song, and regional dances; and El Arenal, with flamenco performances of great artistic and professional value.

Spanish Gap Year Courses in Seville

Valencia

Valencia is a modern and exciting city which nevertheless keeps its historical touch. The city is an architectural melting pot, which testifies to the cultural mix of the Valencian people, and gives the city an atmosphere that is open to both new cultures and old customs. This makes it the best place to learn Spanish in Spain.

Five reasons to go to Valencia:

1 – Being the third largest city in Spain, Valencia was ranked among the best top 10 cities to visit in the world in 2011 by Lonely Planet. Within Europe Valencia ranks number one.

2- On the Mediterranean coast you can enjoy the beach more than 8 months of the year. Besides, Valencia’s traditional link with the sea has been strengthened by the water sports event par excellence: the Americas Cup in 2007 and 2010.

3- A city with more than 2,000 years of history which can be seen in its historic centre, one of the biggest historic districts in Europe.

4- With one of the best climates all over Spain (an average annual daytime temperature higher than 71º F – 22º C), you can swim in the sea during at least 8 months of the year.

5- The fact that Valencia has two major universities and almost hundred thousand students is clearly reflected in its social life and its distinct night life. The city is a popular destination for students from all over the world to spend their semester or year abroad.

Spanish Gap Year Courses in Valencia

Granada

Granada is the capital of the Southern Spanish province of the same name, situated in the eastern part of the region of Andalusia. Geographical and scenic diversity characterises this land. There is the coastal area with its warm climate; the extensive, fertile Genil plain; and the mountainous regions with a colder climate, where the 3,481m Mulhacén, the biggest peak on the Spanish peninsula, is found. The city of Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where the Darro and Genil rivers meet. Its unique history has bestowed it with an artistic grandeur as the last Moorish capital on the Iberian Peninsula, embracing its Moorish palaces and Christian Renaissance treasures that hold great symbolic value.

The city of Granada has been shaped by hills brimming with narrow and steep streets, beautiful crannies and nooks, and marvellous landscapes – hills where the old districts of the Albaicín and the Alhambra Palace were founded. The new part of the city is situated on the plain, criss-crossed by the large streets of Gran Vía de Colón and Calle de los Reyes Católicos, and where one can find the busy streets surrounding the Granada Cathedral.

The Moors crossed the Strait of Gibraltar in 711 and settled in what was then a small Visigoth town perched atop the Alhambra hill. They erected walls and laid the foundation for the prosperous civilisation that would follow. It was in the 9th century when Granada rose to importance after the fall of the Caliphate of Córdoba. Granada reached its splendour in 1238, when Mohammed Ben Nasr founded the Nasrid dynasty, and the kingdom of Granada stretched from Gibraltar to Murcia. This dynasty bore twenty kings; for three centuries, a magnificent and rich Islamic culture flourished, leaving Granada with architectural marvels of the calibre of the Alhambra. It all came to an end when King Boabdil was forced to surrender Granada in 1492 to the Catholic monarchs, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Today, Granada has been declared a World Heritage Site, along with  the Albaicín.

Spanish Gap Year Courses in Granada

Districts of Madrid, Spain

Madrid is divided into 21 zones and each zone is split into different neighbourhoods. The starting point is Puerta del Sol. There you can find the famous point zero mark, the point where all streets in Spain part. It is also an important meeting point for the people of Madrid. The most popular neighbourhoods in Madrid are located around Puerta del Sol: Sol, Huertas, La Latina, Chueca, Malasaña, a bit to the south is the colourful Lavapiés and to the north is the student neighbourhood Moncloa/Argüelles.

Sol is the area just around the Puerta del Sol and Huertas stretches out to the south of Sol. The vibrant area that is Sol is full of life and situated in the heart of Madrid. Around here you will find many typical Spanish bars and many tourist attractions.

Metro: Sol

La Latina is south-west of Sol and the main characteristics of this quarter are its tiny streets and beautiful old buildings and “plazas”. On Sundays, “El Rastro” is open in La Latina. This is a big flea market where you can buy almost anything.

Metro: La Latina

Lavapiés is quite possibly the most multicultural “barrio” of Madrid heavily influenced by African, Arabic and gypsy cultures. The plaza of Lavapiés marks the centre of this “barrio”. If you walk to the south you will find many bars and restaurants. The bars here tend to have something of an artistic ambience. All tastes in food are catered for here including Arabic and Indian cuisine.

Tip: Lavapiés isn´t the safest area in Madrid so keep an eye on your belongings.

Metro: Lavapiés

This “barrio” has the major thoroughfare of Velázquez and Serrano running from North to South and Goya from East to West. It is primarily a wealthy residential area for “madrileños” with many of the expensive designer stores flanking the wide streets.

Metro: Goya / Serrano / Velázquez

Calle Fuencarral which leads from Gran Via to the area of Malasaña has somewhat of a London-like appearance. Hip clothes and a variety of funky shops can be found in this somewhat alternative quarter of Madrid. The range of bars, restaurants and places you find here are very diverse.

Metro: Malasaña / Tribunal

Chueca is probably best known for being Madrid’s gay and lesbian district. During the day lots of the many good bars and restaurants are open. The centre of the “barrio” is the Plaza de Chueca. At night the quarter converts into a lively area frequented by all types of people partying and dancing in the streets.

Metro: Chueca

Just next to the “Ciudad Universitaria” is the district of Moncloa and Argüelles which hosts a lot of students at night, but also offers things for everybody. Argüelles is especially known for the “Bajos de Argüelles” (the Basements of Argüelles) which are the many discos, bars and clubs located in the basements of local buildings.

Metro: Argüelles / Moncloa

The name “Madrid de los Austrias” refers to the period when the Habsburgers were in Spain and many of the buildings with their beautiful architecture reflect this period of history. It’s a very stylish district which houses many of the city’s top sights.

Metro: Opera

Madrid´s most important avenue runs from the South to the North of the city and starts in Atocha (Madrid’s famous railway station). At Paseo del Prado it converts to Paseo de Recoletos and later again to Paseo de la Castellana at Plaza Cibeles where it leads far into the North of the city, ending just after Plaza de Castilla.

Heading North from Atocha on Paseo del Prado you will first pass the famous Reina Sofia and the Jardín Botánico. Next to that is the Museo del Prado which is in front of Retiro Park and just before Plaza Cibeles is the Thyssen Borneszima. Between Plaza Cibeles and Plaza Colón, the avenue is called Paseo de Recoletos and at Plaza Colón it becomes Paseo de la Castellana which goes through “Nuevos Ministerios”. Further north along the avenue you will get to Real Madrid’s stadium the “Santiago Bernabeu”.

Calle Alcalá

Starting in Moncloa in La Calle Princesa leads you through Argüelles to the Plaza de Espana, where it turns into “Gran Via”. After going through “Callao”, “Gran Via” leads towards the Cibeles fountain and the very elegant central correos (Post Office). There the street turns into Calle Alcalá and passes through the Puerta de Alcalá and one of the main entrances into the Retiro Parque. If you follow, the street up you will reach Goya.

If you fancy learning Spanish in Madrid check out our Spanish courses in Madrid.