Spanish teenager courses in Tarragona (13-17 yrs)

Spanish teenager school in Tarragona

Tarragona is a pleasant coastal resort approximately 100 km south of Barcelona. It is situated on the Costa Dorada and is an ideal location for a teenager programme of this kind. The town is lively, but not too big; it has its own sandy beaches within walking distance of the school; it is very close to Port Aventura - one of Europe's largest theme parks and it is only an hour from Barcelona by bus or train.

The school building is on a broad tree-lined avenue (the Rambla) in the very centre of the city. The school is located in a typical town house and there are 8 spacious classrooms as well as a study area with internet use for students.

In the school there are three computers with Internet access which adult students are free to use. Younger students may also use the PCs during supervised class activities as the Internet provides a source of current authentic material to help develop their language skills.

There is also a large selection of books, videos and DVDs available for self-study and many of the original version films have explanatory notes.

The school offers English classes to students from the local population throughout the year and Spanish courses in the summer.

Standard course

The standard course focuses on grammar work and the development of oral and written skills through entertaining and motivational learning activities. Our dynamic teaching approach based on an active learning process stimulates young students, encourages their interest in language and improves their knowledge of Spanish culture

Host Family

Students stay in a host family, in shared rooms with full board.

All of our host families live in flats, as there are practically no individual houses in Tarragona. Apartment buildings (both old and modern) are rarely more than 8 floors high. A typical flat will have 3 or 4 bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, a dining room and a living room. Some flats have terraces; almost all of them have
balconies.
It is difficult to describe a typical family as there is such a variety; some are young couples, some have children still living at home, others, perhaps the majority, have grown-up children who no longer live at home (but often appear for lunch on Sundays!). Lunch is usually eaten quite late (around 14.30) and the evening meal is usually about 20.00.
Almost all of our host families live within walking distance of the school. However, in exceptional cases it will be necessary for the students to take a bus from their family to the school. All host families are located within 25 minutes of the school. A bus pass is included in the course fee.

All host families agree to fulfil the following conditions:

• To provide students with rooms which are comfortably furnished
• To provide basic laundry facilities and to change bed linen and towels weekly
• To make a daily bath or shower available
• To provide students with all meals (which may include a packed lunch on some days)
• To provide students with a door key so that they can let themselves in and out
• To treat students as family guests and generally behave in a friendly and hospitable manner
• To ensure that students are at home at times agreed by the school or by the student's parents

Sant Jordi Residence

The Sant Jordi student residence is located in the city centre, less than 15 minutes walk from the school. The residence, which provides accommodation throughout the academic year to students from the University of Tarragona, was opened in 1998 and is very well maintained.

Accommodation is available in spacious double or triple room, each with their own private bathroom, with sheets and towels provided. The bedrooms are equipped with wardrobes, writing desks and chairs, desk lamps, bookcases and mirrors. Accommodation includes all meals (full board).

Facilities that are available free to students include a TV lounge, a computer room, separate study rooms, and a gymnasium. Washing machines are also available for a small charge. Students are provided with a key to their room only. There is a 24-hour reception service.

Transfers

Airport transfers from/to Barcelona airport are included in the Spanish teenager programme.

The course includes a very full programme of excursions and other activities with all costs covered by the course fee.

Example of a weeks activities:

• Monday: Orientation walk around Tarragona and welcome party. Fireworks display on the beach
• Tuesday: Aquopolis Waterpark and castells -- "human castles"
• Wednesday: Visit to the Roman walls and amphitheatre
• Thursday: Arrabassada Beach and sports and firework display
• Friday: Spanish tapas workshop and Welcome Party
• Saturday: Full-day excursion to Barcelona, including Montjuïc
• Sunday: Day with the host family or picnic on the Milagro Beach

The monitors responsible for the programme of activities as well as some of the teachers stay in the residence for the duration of the course and one of their key responsibilities is to help supervise the well being of the students at all times.

Curfew

The school operates a policy which ensures that all students are back at their accommodation:

• Sunday to Thursday 23:00
• Fridays and Saturdays 24:00

This policy is strictly enforced by both the monitors at the residence and the host families (and the latter may set earlier curfews).

Dates & Prices: Tarragona