debtomkb

I would like to spend 4-5 weeks in Spain this summer with my 11-year old daughter. I have been interested in the Spanish language since childhood, and my daughter has just transferred to a school that requires Spanish. So, it would be wonderful if we could incorporate some Spanish language instruction into our vacation. However, I think that an "intensive" learning situation might be a bit "too much" for my 11-year old. I'm searching for a somewhat relaxed approach, in which we could take classes in the mornings, with afternoons free for fun & exploration. I do not want for my child to spend nights away from me, so the typical "camp" situations are out. Oddly, I found many Latin American-based schools that cater to families (by simple internet searches), but I haven't been able to find anything quite like that in Spain. There seem to be many programs specifically for adults, many programs for teens, as well as "camps" for children. But I can't find a group that will specifically accommodate an adult/child team. (We would need to take classes AT THE SAME TIME, so that we could leave together afterward). Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thank you. -Deb

MonicaRichards

Just be aware if you are in the US the Spanish they speak and learn in Spain is different then what you get here. We use Mexican Spanish which has different pronunciation and words.

ribeirasacra

A friend on mine found a teacher in Madrid via Gumtree. maybe you could do the same?

cruiseluv

I'm a native Spanish speaker and also teach Spanish. I wouldnt be too concerned about what Monica states. All Spanish speaking countries have different accents and some regionalisms where words for certain things may be different, but thats about it. I have traveled all over South America, Mexico and Spain and can perfectly communicate (although usually they can tell from my accent where I'm from).

Regarding school recommendations , in the past few years I have researched summer schools in Spain quite a bit to send my kids (they never want to practice with me). In the process of doing that I never came across what you're looking for. One thing that occurs to me is that the "camps" for kids have usually an option where its only a day camp. I've seen this with Enforex camps. One of their locations is in Salamanca, where there are also many programs for adults. Would you consider having your daughter go to the program in the morning while you're taking classes with adults and then having the rest of the day for sightseeing, etc.? I realize this is not what you're asking for but thought I would throw another suggestion for you to consider.

Good luck!

debtomkb

Thanks to everyone for your responses!

Yes, I am aware of international as well as regional differences in Spanish, but I am not that concerned about it. I have had teachers from Spain as well as from various Latin American countries. Overall, I feel that the similarities are more important than the differences, and I think that it is enjoyable to learn about some of the differences. (Although I do admit that it has been a while since I've attempted to use the "vosotros" form!)

I did notice the Enforex camp in Salamanca, and I am considering enrolling my daughter in their "language lessons only" option. Unfortunately, this company starts classes for adults at 9:00 a.m., but the classes for children do not start until 9:30 a.m. Obviously, they were not considering parents in my situation when they devised that schedule. Their language instruction for children runs 5 hours per day, from 9:30-2:30, which is already a bit "long" for her age/attention span. So I'm a bit hesitant to ask if I can tack on an additional 30 minutes by dropping her off early. Enforex also has camps in Madrid, but in this case, the children's camp is actually in a completely different section of town than is the adult classes... Argh..

I am currently corresponding with other companies in Salamanca to see if anyone will work with me on this. Another company that receives good reviews (Tia Tula) also starts its classes at 9:00 a.m., which seems to be the "time that all language classes for adults start in Salamanca," lol. This company does not specifically mention an age limit, but most of their students are older. So, I'm torn between enrolling my daughter in the Enforex camp & perhaps finding a private tutor for myself, or just enrolling both of us in a school that doesn't prohibit children (but doesn't specialize in them either). Or, perhaps I could just find a private tutor willing to work with both of us. The downside to that would of course be that we would lose the opportunity to get to know a larger circle of people, and that my daughter would not have any interaction with children her age. Ugh. No easy answers at this point!

If any business- minded folks from Spain is reading this... Language instruction that caters to families may well be a huge, untapped marked for you!

At any rate, thank you all for your help. If anyone thinks of additional possibilities, please suggest!

Take care, Deb

kimhe

Escuela de Idiomas in relatively small Nerja (pop 22 000) on the coast just East of Málaga city is "for all ages and interests" and "completes its core activities with an attractive programme of cultural and leisure activities related to the educational process." Been around for more than thirty years, 20 hours lessons pr. week and plenty of time for fun and exploration.http://www.idnerja.es/school.aspx
School profile: http://www.idnerja.es/profile-idnerja.pdf

Nerja has got all the amenities that makes it popular with tourists, but it has retained much of its Andalusian feel and charm. Especially in the Old town where the school is located. Google street view from outside the school (move the yellow man to the "A" position): http://maps.google.no/maps?hl=en&q=C...ed=0CCoQ8gEwAA

Two excellent and genuine tapas bars/restaurants 50 meters up the street from the school, traditional El Niño and new Taberna del Pescador. Delicious free tapas to choose with every drink of whatever in the bar area.
Family run El Niño with private photos of the legendary flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla on the walls: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaur...Andalucia.html
Taberna del Pescador, specializing in the freshest seafood: http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres...-del-pescador/

My wife and I have stayed in this apartment, and we were perfectly happy, but of course lots of other options. I recommend to stay in or around central and bustling Calle Castilla Perez (this apartment is at the bottom of this street) or in the Old town : http://www.rentinnerja.com/apartments-nerja/RIN11

Nine small and large beaches among the cliffs. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/...de6a8146_o.jpg

The spectacular Nerja caves are just outside town, inhabited from about 25000 BC up until the Bronze Age: http://www.cuevadenerja.es/index.php?lenguaje=en

Big cities such as wonderful Málaga and Granada (with the world famous Alhambra) are 1 - 1,5 hours away with buses that leave all the time.
Granada: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/granada.htm
Málaga: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/home.htm

Always updated info about Nerja: http://www.nerjatoday.com/

dwhale1

We are going to spain next mo. and found a quick tutorial that was low cost. So I took a chance with it and found that it did what it said. It only takes a half hour a day. after the first half hour I spoke some but understood more.(I am 68)
The Name is Pimsleur Quick & simple Spanish 2nd revised edition. pimsleurapproach.com/ customer Hope it helps dwhale

LSky

I've grown up in So. Calif speaking Spanish and I didn't have problems with speaking in Spain.

I like "Speak ____ with Michel Thomas" I've only used him for German and French but I see that he has Spanish CDs also.

You could get the program and take a nice drive with your daughter.

Pegontheroad

I've been studying Spanish for many years but am not very good at it because I'm very lazy about doing homework. My teachers have all been American, Mexican, or South American.

However,I didn't have any trouble communicating in Spain, although understanding Spaniards who are speaking at a normal rate is always difficult. One on one conversations are much easier.

I wouldn't worry about differences between Mexican Spanish and that of Spain.

NerjaWeather

I think I would be inclined to find an individual Spanish teacher somewhere who will give you lessons together. One thing you can guarantee though, your 11 year old will learn a lot faster than you will

chapla

http://www.sampere.es/
This is then school where I had the best of the best experience! To keep up with my teacher certificate I would attend classes in Spain during the sumer.I received a scholarship to attend a 2 week class at their Madrid location.After class I would walk over to the park Retiro and relax!Small classes w/students from all over so we had to speak Spanish w/enthusiastic teachers.There was a mother who had her 2 children enrolled at the same time but in another class and they loved it so much they staed on after I had to leave!Sampere also had loads of activities planned ranging from museum visits,movies, day trips to flamenco classes.
I have attended quite a few classes and to be honest my experience at Enforex was dreadful.Lots of young students just stood outside smoking at all hours or sat around playing on the computers,the teachers were just plain boring.I wonder what their parents would have thought?I eventually stopped going to the grammar class because it consisted of just correcting homework!
I can go on and on about other schools but just be careful