Would you like to spend the afternoon lazing under a parasol with a good book? Or sample some delicious tapas with a cool drink? Oh wait. Weren’t you supposed to be studying Spanish?
Sun, Beaches and Language Immersion
Studying Spanish in Spain isn’t all about irregular verbs. Let’s face it, when you’re enrolled on a tough language course, you’ll need to balance it out with some beach time and fun. After all, you’re spending all that money to learn a new language. Why not go back home with a suntan too?
For our Top 5 cheapest (and favourite) seaside language learning destinations, plus top tips for saving money in Spain, read on…
#5 – Ibiza
Surprised? Many people dismiss Ibiza as a terribly expensive 24-hour party island. But Ibiza has some of the world’s best beaches… and lying on a beach towel and taking a refreshing swim in the clear blue sea is still absolutely free.
There is an excellent and very reasonably priced language school in Ibiza town, the island’s capital, called Instituto de Idiomas de Ibiza. The school has a solid international reputation and modern facilities including free WiFi access. The school also teaches languages to local Spanish students, so you’ll have easy access to language exchange. For 377 € (£324 or $ 494) you can get 4 hours of high quality language tuition every weekday, for the duration of a fortnight. Consider sharing a room with another student for 300€ (£258 or $394) for two weeks.
TOP TIP: Take the local bus to the beach for 1.50 €. And Ibiza buses run all day and night in the summer, so why not head to town in the evening and get discounted, or sometimes even free drinks, by having a little flirt with the local bars’ public relations staff.
#4 – Marbella
Surprised again? Yes, Marbella has a reputation for being the glitzy fashionista resort where everything costs double. But if you steer clear of the expensive Puerto Banus port and designer boutiques and stick to bars, restaurants and supermarkets recommended by local people, you’ll find Marbella very affordable.
The Enforex chain of Spanish language schools has a branch right in Marbella’s centre, a short walk from the beach. Enforex Marbella holds some of its classes outdoors, just for fun, and only accepts ten people per classroom, ensuring focused learning. For a two-week course including 20 Spanish lessons per week you’ll pay 276€ (£234 or $363). Share a room with full board with a host family, for two weeks: 370€ (£318 or $485).
Want to stay in touch with your friends and family during your stay? If you book a 2013 course longer than 36 weeks, Enforex will give you a FREE iPhone 5 worth 650€. Terms & Conditions here.
TOP TIP: Marbella is well-placed near Malaga airport, which is accessed by numerous budget airlines. Check out our detailed guides to Cheap Flights from UK and Ireland to Spain and from the rest of Europe.
#3 – Tenerife
Even though the Canary Islands are a major tourist destination, Tenerife’s Santa Cruz is one of Spain’s most affordable places to live. You’ll find that the city’s public transport system, including taxis, as well as its restaurants, grocery stores, fast food places and entertainment, can really make a difference to your budget.
Canarias Cultural is a school ideally located in Santa Cruz, totally away from tourism and providing complete Spanish cultural and language immersion. All the teachers have a Spanish language teaching degree and the school offers a multimedia room and free internet access amongst other mod cons. 20 Spanish lessons per week, for two weeks, cost only 280€ (£237 or $368). Share a room in a student flat for an incredibly cheap 190€ (£163 or $249) for a fortnight.
TOP TIP:Santa Cruz’s beaches are noticeably less packed than the island’s tourist-heavy southern coast. “Las Teresitas” city beach is both beautiful and popular with its fine yellow sands. Take bus number 910 for 1.50€ from the city centre.
#2 – Cadiz
Often called the country’s “best kept secret”, Spain’s southeastern Atlantic coast is often forgotten by foreign travellers. If you’re looking for beaches, it doesn’t get much better than this. Arguably, Cadiz has the finest golden beaches this side of the Atlantic.
For a really comprehensive two-week Spanish course, starting at 302€ (£259 or $391), book a course with Clic Cadiz language school. Both its teachers and its tuition method are well respected in the industry and you’ll find their facilities up to date with modern technology and free WiFi. Flat share in a double room will cost around 210€ (£181or $276) for the two weeks.
TOP TIP: For an amazing experience, visit the Cadiz Camara Oscura. Using a huge optical periscope, you’ll get a unique 360º “city tour” by way of a live mirror image of Cadiz’s historic centre reflected onto a large round canvas beneath you. Entry is only 4 € for students.
#1 – Malaga
Malaga is officially the cheapest destination city in the world, according to the UK Post Office Survey released earlier this year. The city also offers history and modern life side by side. Here you’ll find quality culture in the form of the PicassoMuseum, Roman ruins, a Moorish castle, trendy boutiques and nightclubs, as well as superb Mediterranean beaches, all at a very low price.
Malaga University offers super intensive Spanish language courses, as well as the cheapest long-term courses in Spain, as well as the credibility and prestige that go with a public university course. This will be a great addition to your CV, as well as a life experience. MalagaUniversity’s intensive courses start at 4 weeks for 397€ (£336 or $508). Accommodation for the same length of time costs 292€ (£251 or $383) in a shared room.
TOP TIP: Check out tapas bar “Tapy” on Calle Madre de Dios. A beer and a tapa? Only 1.20 €!
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UniSpain specialises in Spanish courses in Spain, at more than 40 different language schools and well over 10 years of experience. UniSpain has an online business model and a unique price system that passes language school commission discounts onto students. This guarantees foreign students the lowest prices at Spain’s top language schools. Find out more here.
