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Vamos Spanish Academy is a language and cultural school based in Buenos Aires. It is an absolute hidden gem, the staff are fantastic and very helpful. We took a Yerba Mate workshop, a cultural workshop and they organised a tango class for us. They arranged bike tours too but the weather did not permit - something for next time.
www.vamospanish.com
Coronel Díaz 1736, Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 53520001
Google map: bit.ly/o8idJu
It's a job that anyone with a degree can do. It's well paid and easy. It'll give you an insight into one of the most enigmatic countries in the world and will change your whole perspective on the consumer society.
Because Japan has just started teaching English in Elementary schools, they are crying out for native speakers.
Studying Spanish at academia has been one of the highlights of my trip through Argentina and Chile. After four weeks I ran out of time, so I had to move on, but the place was so cool! The staff made you feel at home and I met many other travellers in gap-year situations similar to mine. I am still in contact with my two teachers who have been excellent professionals and very helpful in planning my trip.
www.academiabuenosaires.com
Calle Hipólito Yrigoyen 571, piso 4, CP 1086, +54 11 4345 5954
Google map: bit.ly/r1FJ3P
A really fun way to learn Spanish quickly in Buenos Aires. Sessions are two hours and the lessons are really interactive. For anyone who wants to learn the basics of Spanish quickly I would recommend this course.
www.expanish.com
+54 11 5252 3040
Tte Gral Peron 700, Microcentro
Google map: bit.ly/moY0T4
A beautiful and not too strenuous hill walk leading to the Iron age fort of Tre'r Ceiri with the option of visiting the National Welsh Language centre.
The site of Tre'r Ceiri a name that probably means Town of the Forts, is a sprawling hill top settlement with significant stone ramparts. It has been described as the most 'dramatic and impressive Iron age hill fort in Britain'.
The site is indeed impressive, due to the fact that remnants of around 150 Iron age huts can be explored. The huts are extremely well preserved with some huts standing at over one metre high.
The drama is provided by the setting; Yr Eifl is the name of the highest peak of the mountains that form the backbone of the beautiful Llyn Peninsula.
This site is ideal for those that enjoy combining a walk with an interesting goal. A not too strenuous hill walk at 574 metres along fairly easy terrain through hills covered with heather and gorse will be rewarded with a fascinating historical site and stunning views.
The summit offers views of the Snowdonia mountain range to the north, to the west the Irish sea and at your feet a birds eye view of the beautiful Llyn Peninsula. On a clear day Ireland itself can be spotted.
For refreshments and further interest this exploration can be combined with a visit to the Welsh National Language centre in "Nant Gwtheyrn' a village that closely hugs the coast beneath Yr Eifl. The village housed the families that quarried the Port Y Nant stone quarry that produced granite suare cobbles or sets.
After the decline of the quarry the last residents left in 1959. The village was deserted throughout the 60's and 70's except for a period when inhabited by hippies. In 1978 work started on improving the steeply inclined road that leads to the village and the houses, the chapel and community hall were modernised. The modern facilities now house accommodation for up to 58 educational residents and the chapel is now also used as a local community centre. There is a cafe bar and restaurant in the village and a pub called the 'Tafarn Y Fic' in Llithfaen.
Take the A499 north of Pwllheli. At Llanaelhaearn, take B4417 towards Nefyn. Less than a mile from the junction for the B4417, there is a footpath on your right,
alternatively carry along the B4417 until arriving at the village of Llithfaen here you will see a sign to Nant Gwrtheyrn National Welsh learning centre here you will find Upper Porth Y Nant car park, it is possible to take a different path to the summit and ideal if you want to visit the centre.
Tre'r Ceiri hill fort
NPRN: 95292; Map Reference: SH34SE; Grid Reference: SH3734044670
www.nantgwrtheyrn.org
Nant Gwrtheyrn, Llithfaen, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 6PA
+44(0)1758 750334
Google map: bit.ly/i0h67u
Hola amigos:
I have now completed a three-month internship at the "Escuela Montalbán” language school in Granada and I loved it.
All the qualified teachers and the staff are very friendly and helpful. I have learned a lot of Spanish and other useful things during my internship time. In this school you have the possibility to learn Spanish very fast and well in a fantastic atmosphere. The school is in the typical Andalusian style and has a lovely courtyard. Every week, they also offer to all students a great cultural program, which contains a lot of different and interesting activities and courses for the participants.
On the various streets monuments, buildings etc. you can still see the former Muslim history of Andalusia and also the artistic churches and cathedrals, which are very impressive.
Don't miss the opportunity to visit the gorgeous palace Alhambra, Sierra Nevada which is the highest mountain of Spain and where you can ride horses and the incredible view of Sacromonte with its caves. Granada has many faces!
In Granada, there is something for everyone: culture, history, art, music, food, nightlife etc.
I had a great time here and this was an unforgettable experience for me. I can just recommend you to visit Granada and discover it for yourself.
Muchos saludos.
C/ Conde Cifuentes, nº 11 - 18005 Granada, Spain
+ 34 958 25 68 75
www.escuela-montalban.com
Google map: bit.ly/e6YATh
Utatlan is a small Spanish school that I came across, and subsequently studied at, in Quetzaltenango, a great alternative place to study Spanish instead of more touristy Antigua Guatemala. I want to give the tip to others that they consider studying at this school if they want to improve their language skills at the same time as experiencing life in Guatemala. There are several Spanish schools here, and I'm sure some others are good too but the reason the school is so good is that the co-ordinators and teachers are all young and very friendly as well as highly professional. Not only did I learn a great deal of Spanish but they also helped me plan my travel plans after study and introduced me to life, culture and nightlife of this amazing small city. I stayed with a host family during my weeks of study (organized by the school), and they were lovely too. This option is certainly the cheapest in terms of accommodation and the best for practising Spanish and learning about Guatemalan life.
12 avenida, 4-31, Pasaje Enriquez, Zona 1,Quetzaltanango, Guatemala.
www.spanishxela.com
Google map: bit.ly/L8nElV
The school is based inside this beautiful colonial 'passageway' that is on one side of the central park.
Learning to read Korean can be accomplished in an astonishingly short time. It might look impenetrable but the written language is made up of jamo, the building blocks of the written language. There are 51 in total, 24 of these are the equivalent to letters of the Latin alphabet. 14 of these are consonants and 10 are vowels. The others are clusters of these. Sounds complicated but it really isn't. Once you get a handle on the basic sounds you can start to sound out words and you will be astonished to find out just how much English is disguised in Korean. Couple that with some simple vocabulary and your trip can be made a whole lot easier. It is said that a diligent student can learn to read Korean in 24 hours.
Google it and choose the best site for you but for some basic background on the written language check Wikipedia.
Modern Turkish is a beautiful language, full of long words which are 'glued' together. Turkish people are very polite and will appreciate your attempts at speaking Turkish, however simple (though probably not at the airport!) MERHABA is hello and TESEKKURLER pronounced teshekorlair is thanks. There are some useful Turkish words and phrases on the web page below, under the section 'Turkish talk...quick and simple'
I was in Valencia last year in Valencia, and I fell in love with the place. It's very beautiful, and not so big like Madrid or Barcelona. I was doing a Spanish course in a school called Taronja. Very good classes, teachers, facilities. It's all decorated by Valencian artists that's why the school looks very different. I encourage you to visit Valencia and, if it is possible the school. It was a very nice stay. I really enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere.
I want to thank Marie-José, Adela (they were both great as teachers) and Fernando (for twice cooking delicious paella.)
Taronja school
calle Convento Santa Clara, 10, 1ª
46002
+34 96 325 85 45
www.spanish-in-spain.es
I also did a course at this school in March 2009. I really can recommend it, especially the options Spanish and Flamenco and Spanish and Tango but then I love dancing. I had Spanish classes in the morning and flamenco and tango lessons in the afternoon. And all this in Granada, one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited.
Escuela Montalbán
C/ Conde Cifuentes, 11
18005 Granada, Spain
www.escuela-montalban.com
Studying at the Escuela Montalban in Granada, Spain has for me been a great experience from both a cultural and linguistic point of view. The Spanish classes, always organised in small numbers, are interesting and dynamic, and the teachers always make sure to create a fun and relaxed atmosphere so that it becomes a pleasure to learn Spanish! You also study in a truly international atmosphere with students representing cultures from all over the world, which you discover in addition to the Spanish lifestyle. What I enjoyed most about this Spanish school was the staff and the students’ friendliness and openness, which definitely helps to make you feel at home in a foreign country. I would definitely recommend this school to anyone who is looking to improve their Spanish in a friendly environment and keep great memories of Andalusia!
Escuela Montalbán
C/ Conde Cifuentes, 11
18005 Granada, Spain
www.escuela-montalban.com
The island of Ikaria feels off the beaten track in Greece. It is a mountainous island, near Samos in the eastern Aegean with some beautiful beaches. You need your own transport as buses are almost non-existent and when you are away from the main roads you often find yourself driving on dirt roads. Ikaria is a bit of a voyage of discovery. For me, a special place is to be found near the small village of Arethusa, half way up a mountain side, with a wonderful view of the sea – here you find the Ikarian Centre, where you can stay, and if you wish, join a Greek language course. I stayed there for 2 weeks in 2008 and it felt like I was part of a small community for a couple of weeks; a world away from busy urban life and busy tourism. We learnt some Greek, and we learnt about the island, and Greece; we went hiking, had a cooking lesson, learnt some Greek dances and had plenty of time left over to swim and explore the local tavernas.
We've been studying Spanish at the Cooperative School in San Pedro for three weeks now and it's fantastic! It's cheaper than anywhere else we have found, and all profits get channeled back into poor families in the community.
Fantastic, fantastic school! I have travelled through Central and South America for the last nine months and I have tried three other language schools and this one is the best by far. Great location, my teacher is excellent (although quite strict) and my host family were really, really nice. I have completed two weeks here and I am signing up for one week more, even though I should be moving on. Highly recommended.
Central Buenos Aires, Viamonte 927
www.expanish.com
As a tourist, I got a lot of hassle in India from rickshaw drivers, shopkeepers, hotel owners and general touts. The best thing I ever did was to learn to say 'I don't want it', 'Go away' and 'That's too expensive' in Hindi. It makes people stop hassling you faster than anything you could say in English, possibly because it shows that you're not a brand-new arrival to India. Also good is to learn 'my name is...' which gets a great response from local people rather than just replying in English.
Get a phrase book or (better) get someone to teach you when you arrive.
This is a great place to learn Mandarin, they only hire full-time teachers, they are very serious about teaching Mandarin!
An international group of locals and expats who meet twice a week to socialise, practice their Spanish or English and exchange tips on Barcelona.
Don't watch TV in your hotel, meet the locals (Barcelonians and expats). Socialise and get all the insiders' info you could never get from a guide book. Every person is a walking, talking, up-to-date guide book. Ask and we shall answer!
The group meets at least twice a week. For all the details check out their website: www.englishoasiscafe.com
This is a very professional and friendly Spanish school. I enrolled when I first got to Barcelona and it was great! The teachers and staff are nice and experienced and my classmates were from all over the world, so I met lots of interesting people as well as learning a new language! I definitely recommend it to everyone.
You can find them here:
Calle Rocafort, 104
08015 Barcelona
0034 93 426 98 22
info@barcelonaspanish.com
www.barcelonaspanish.com
Viva Spanish School is a gay-owned Spanish language school in the capital of Nicaragua. The school was muy buena and the owner has all of the scoop on gay activities in Nicaragua.
www.vivaspanishschool.com
505-270-2339
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