Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Andalusia, the city of Granada is a hugely popular destination for studying Spanish abroad.
(Photo: Academia Contacto)
Granada is one of the most attractive Spanish cities for those seeking to learn the native language – in part because only speak Castellano is spoken here, rather than the Basque or Catalan dialects spoken in much of the north. It is also home to the largest university in Spain, ensuring the city enjoys a youthful energy, enhanced by a large community of European exchange students. To help you plan your overseas studying adventure, we’ve selected three of the best Spanish language schools in Granada.
Academia Contacto
Opened in 2001, Academia Contaco offer courses in a number of cities across Spain. All of their schools are accredited by the Cervantes Institute Network and students can choose from a wide range of courses for all levels, from absolute beginner to proficiency. Classes take place in small groups, and are designed to be dynamic and interactive. Teachers are native speakers specialised in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. The Granada school is located in the heart of the city – within 100 metres of the famous cathedral and historic centre – and features six spacious, modern classrooms, each fitted with projectors and air conditioning. Other amenities include coffee and tea facilities, a library, computers, and a lounge area with sofas. The school also offers accommodation services and regular activities and excursions, including guided city walks, museum and theatre trips, wine and tapas nights, film screenings, Spanish literature workshops and talks and readings on social, political or historical topics.
IMSOL
(Photo: IMSOL)
Since 1992 Instituto Mediterráneo Sol (iNMSOL) have offered Spanish courses at their Instituto Cervantes-accredited school in Granada. They offer a wide range of courses catering to all needs, whether for University students, teenagers or retired people. On-site services and facilities include a welcome folder for all students, a study room, a library, and computers. To enhance the learning experience and your time in Granada, they also run daily activities (included in the course price) that let you experience the cultural reality of Spain and Andalusia and create different contexts in which you can practise your Spanish. Among these are city guided tours, workshops on topics such as writing, phonetics and music, debated on current events, and Spanish history and cultural lessons. Additional excursions are also available for an added price, such as museum visits, tapas tours, and cooking lessons.
University of Granada Modern Languages Centre
(Photo: Universidad de Granada)
Part of the University of Granada, the Modern Languages Centre is accredited by the Cervantes Institute Network and is widely considered one of the leading institutions in Spain for language learning. Open to both university students and outsiders, the centre boasts a wide range of services, a wealth of learning resources, and a wide programme of extracurricular activities designed to reinforce students’ cultural and linguistic immersion. General Spanish language courses for foreign students and academic Spanish courses are all offered here. Native Spanish students and international students can also interact via a language exchange service, allowing you to practice the language you’re learning outside of class time. On-site facilities include a library stocked with teaching and learning materials, and several refectories and coffee shops. The centre also has its own Accommodation Service, catering to a wide range of options including hotels and hostels, living with a local family, student residences, apartment and flat-shares.