9 days in Madrid, Language schools in Madrid
 

I am planning to take one week of intensive Spanish language classes and stay with host family in Madrid the last week in July 2013. I have researched two schools: Don Quiote, (5 minute walk to Plaza de Espagna y Gran Via) and AIL Madrid located in barrio Salamanca, 3 metro stops from Puerta del Sol.
Any feedback about the schools or locations of the schools in proximity to other sites is welcomed.

I am also considering 3 days in Barcelona, including travel. Is it worth the time to visit Bacelona this time or just to wait for another travel opportunity another year?

Total time of trip is July 26-August 6
gracias,
JAxelrod

There is so much to see in and around madrid, I, personally, would save Barcelona and surroundings for another time.

I know D.Q. schools but have never heard of the other one, although that means nothing, really.Find out how near/far the host families are.. and if possible through reviews, the reviews about THEM.

I don't know your schools and I like Barcelona, but if you are only in Madrid 9 days and that includes school, I don't think you have the time to be traveling elsewhere. However, if you have a full week in Madrid and then can arrange for your flight out of Barcelona, not Madrid -- I might be tempted to do that, actually, to see some other place for a couple days, if it were a convenient flight and price going home.

I'd choose the school I liked best probably, and it depends where you are staying as to which would be more convenient. I'd probbably rather go to school in Salamanca, I don't really like the area right around plaza Espana.

I agree w/ Christina,I don't like the Plaza de Espana area ?... -it's also at the bottom of a hill-too hot to go up/down in July to visit more interesting areas.
Never heard of the other school!
Out of many awful experiences w/language schools in Madrid ,my only good one was SAMPERE,across from the Retiro park.I remember sitting at a round table with students from all over the world and the professional and delightful teachers-not one word of English was spoken!Sampere has been around for many years and had a great reputation!

My first question would be about the family accommodation, Madrid in summer is hot and hell and many apts do NOT have AC - or at least real AC.

That's where I would start - living i upper 90s and humid with no AC is not something I would even consider.

definitely exactly what nytraveler says. the family's comfort level is very important. Most classes are FINE.

I disagree w/you lincasanova-most classes are NOT Fine!
The worst classes were at Enforex and believe me the Madrid University,Complutense!Terrible teachers!
Thank goodness, I had scholarships to attend those classes-what a waste of money!

what a shame, chapla.

lincasanova-I took all these classes during the summer to keep up w/ credits for my teaching certificate.As I mentioned before, thank goodness for the scholarships! I got to the point that after the first couple of days, I had figured out if the classes were worth attending-as did other teachers! We would take turns signing each other in and then go exploring!In order to get credit, all we wanted was the certificate to say we had attended!I do believe I learned more Spanish by skipping the classes and took many fabulous trips around and out of Madrid!

that is really disheartening. Perhaps they just don't cut it at the higher levels..

I have sent several people to different lower levels of classes here and other cities and they seemed to have liked the classes. It was the host family situation that really made the time fabulous or just OK.

Hi Axel,

In August is vacation time for practically all Spaniards & Italians and most Europeans have vacation in July/August. Barcelona will become very crowded then - especially the highlights like the Gaudi sites and museums. I would suggest to go there better in September or April-June outside the high-season.

I don't know both schools. The Salamanca district is a good area in Madrid where the wealthier locals live. It's close to Parque Retiro (which is a great place to relax when whether is fine) and the arts museums like Reina Sofía and Thyssen Bornemisza. Don Quijote is more central. From Plaza Espana you can walk easily to Puerta del Sol and all central places. I took lessons at Ailola Madrid - see http://www.ailolamadrid.com - which is in the area where Don Quijote is - only that it is much smaller and not like a factory. Via metro you can reach the center in a couple of stops.

@chapla: I heard similar things. The class sizes at University are very big. That makes it difficult to speak and practice Spanish much. On the other hand it's slightly cheaper than private institutes with smaller classes. Good that you had a scholarship though!

Evelyn

Evelyn, the post was from two years ago. Either the OP is fluent in Spanish or is on to Urdu.

Just some clown pushing Ailola Madrid.

<I do believe I learned more Spanish by skipping the classes> :-)