Academic Year in Spain

Academic Year

Academic year students are special. Fun as short term Spanish holidays are, staying for 9 months or so is an experience of a different dimension. First, and most obviously, you learn so much Spanish. Most academic year students start from an A1 or A2 level, achieving a B2, C1 or C2 level by the end. 

Here is a graph explaining these levels and their duration:

A1 (beginner): 5 weeks   
A2 (low intermediate): 5 weeks
B1 (intermediate): 6 weeks        
B2 (upper intermediate): 8 weeks
C1 (advanced): 8 weeks
C2 (superior): 8 weeks

To calculate how far you’ll get, decide which level you are starting off with and add 36 weeks. Most students end up with a B2 or C1 level which means very good Spanish. A few decide to top up their academic year with a few extra weeks to reach the definitive fluency of the C2 level.

Secondly, you’ll engage with and become a part of Spanish life. After the first few fun and flighty weeks of running with an international set, the academic year student has a real chance of taking a side-step into the local community. These Spanish friendships make a big difference as you are weaved into the fabric of Spanish life, which is rich, fascinating and enormous fun. The student goes away with new experiences and insights which are hugely enriching to them, whatever their age.

Lastly, friendships. There is something about the common commitment to an extended Spanish stay that makes the academic year crew a close-knit bunch. They form close bonds and it is not uncommon for students from faraway countries not planning to go home for Christmas to be invited to stay with European friends over the holidays. And when the year is over and the goodbyes have been said, contact is kept up, often resulting in visits and get-togethers.

 

 

 

Some practical information for Academic Year-ers:

Term Dates:
It is possible to come for an Academic Year period (36 weeks) at any time of year. Typically students opt for a September or January starting date so their course ends neatly around the DELE exam sittings in May and November respectively. (There is also sitting in August).

Holidays:
There is a 3 week holiday when ISLA is closed at Christmas. Students can take optional and additional weeks at Easter and in the summer and these should be factored into your dates when calculating your length of stay.

Entry Level:

The highest level that students can have to enter the Academic Year course is a high A2 level. Any higher than that and you could complete our syllabus before your time is up.

Accommodation:

It is possible for Academic Year students to choose their accommodation themselves.  This can be done in advance of your stay over email with photos and description or by coming to visit us. Another option is for students to start off in an ISLA accommodation and then look into other options on arrival. These might involve alternative ISLA flats or non ISLA accommodation.

Visas:

Non European Academic Year students need a study visa to participate in this course. These are obtained with the ISLA confirmation papers at the Spanish embassy or consulate in your home country. They are issued initially for 24 weeks and extensible here in Spain with further ISLA documentation. While it is possible to be in Spain on a tourist permit this is NOT extendible while in Spain and expires after 12 weeks making it an unsuitable way to enter the country.

Financing:

An Academic Year is a big investment and so to ease things with ISLA you can bay for it in bite-size pieces. This means the course can be split into 3 payments and accommodation payment can be monthly. Please contact our office so we can devise a specific plan for you. 

 

 

 

 

 

Lessons per day	4
Minutes/Day	200
Max per group	9 students
Average per group	5 students
Entry Level	All (including beginners)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quality Guarantee:

If you don’t pass your DELE exam after successful attendance of your academic year course we will give you a 4 weeks preparation course before the following sitting for free.

Academic Year offer:

We realize that this course means a significant investment in your Spanish - in time and money. The Academic Year has a duration of 9 months but you only pay for an 8 month course (3499 euros). This 9th month is worth 344 euros if you pick the Intensive course and 587 euros if you go for the DELE Preparation course. Bargain! And on top of it all, we’ve bundled in a free event or cultural day trip and a tapas-tour.

Final Note

Whether this is your first time for an extended stay away from home or you are a seasoned wanderer of the world, having a nice supportive community around you makes the whole experience less intimidating and more enjoyable.  ISLA will be this safe place for you. A place for friendships, internet and which can offer a competent hand in the face of a problem and a sympathetic shoulder in the case of a wobble.  And while we hope to talk lots of Spanish with you as you get better, we speak languages!