Program Overview: don Quijote
Don Quijote Valencia is located right in
the heart of city. Everything you could want to see or do
are just minutes away either by foot or by public transportation.
For those visiting during the warmer months, you will be happy
to know that the school is only 20 minutes by bus to the nearest
beach. Currently the school occupies a fourth floor of a charming
building and has 5 classrooms, a fully equipped multimedia
classroom, an administration area, a teachers' break room
and student meeting area. Near the school there is a magnificent
park, which was once the bed of the River Turia, and the famous
Museum of Arts and Science is located here.
Don Quijote opened its first school in 1989,
and today has a reputation as one of the finest organizations
in Spain. This reputation has helped to bring students from
all over the world to study Spanish at the various don Quijote
schools. In addition to a school in Valencia, don Quijote
also has schools in the following cities: Madrid, Barcelona,
Granada, Salamanca and Tenerife. The variety of locations
where don Quijote has language schools has proven to be a
great benefit to our students. While most people will choose
to study at just one location, we have many students who decide
to divide up their time between the different locations. The
benefit of this is obvious: students can get to know distinct
parts of Spain will continuing to receive the same type of
instruction at each don Quijote location. We have had students
study a few weeks in Granada, spend a month in Valencia, and
then finish off their program with a two week stay in Barcelona!
The lessons at the don Quijote schools are
lively and varied. The emphasis is on conversation but, of
course, don Quijote also pays attention to grammar, reading,
listening and writing. In the classes, the school makes use
of overhead projectors, video and other audio-visual materials.
To ensure that the lessons are as practical as possible, you
will work with newspaper articles and learn how to conduct
a telephone conversation in Spanish for example. Films and
documentaries will also be viewed, songs will be listened
to and menus read. In addition, you will give talks and take
part in role-play situations.
Besides offering excellent Spanish language
programs, don Quijote also offers (and or assists in arranging)
a variety of interesting cultural activities and weekend excursions
allowing student the chance to really get to know Spain.
As with many of our other schools, don Quijote-Valencia
not only provides general Spanish language study, but can
also provide specialized programs for businesspeople, lawyers,
teachers, etc. Specialized courses are offered under a private
instruction format. |
Standard
Program: Group instruction
4 lessons per day, 5-8 students per class. The Intensive course
of 4 lessons daily is available at all don Quijote schools
in Spain. This course is offered at all levels from total
beginner to advanced. Through various activities, practices
and exercises, designed for each level, you will gradually
acquire and develop the necessary strategies to understand
and communicate messages in Spanish, oral as well as written.
Examples of the subjects
covered in the lessons are:
- Everyday situations which you will
encounter during your stay in Spain such as meeting people,
telephone conversations, etc. Vocabulary and idiomatic
expressions. Styles of language use; when a particular
use of language is acceptable.
- Grammar (forming words, sentence structure,
spelling and word sounds). Not in the form of dry rules
but through communication and practice.
- Cultural factors such as as: The meaning
of words in different contexts. If you do not watch out
you can get into some funny situations or even embarrass
someone. The gestures and body language which accompany
and influence communication. Language use. Intonation.
Intensive
Program: Group
instruction 6 lessons per day, 5-8 students per class. If
you have a short period of time or need something intensive,
this is a great program. This program follows the same format
as the Standard Program.
One-to-One
instruction: 4 or
6 lessons per day. This course is perfect for those who need
specialized instruction or who will only be in Spain for a
short period of time. Note: This program will make
use of the format shown under the Standard Program. The exception
of to this would be when someone has set up a specialized
program to cover very specific types of topics. |
