Palma de Mallorca 50 Plus Language Learning Holiday

Spanish Language Holiday Course

Location

Set on the beautiful Bay of Palma, charming Palma is the capital city of Mallorca, the largest and most historic of the Balearic Islands.  The city shares many similarities with lively mainland Spanish cities but also possesses a unique island charm.  Famous for its spectacular sunsets and historic buildings, the city's most impressive landmark is the enormous 13th century cathedral in the middle of town.  Nearby are the 10th century Arab baths and the gateway to the city's Old Quarter of narrow twisting streets and ornate squares where orange and olive trees shade the numerous sidewalk cafés.

Palma, with a population of just under half a million, is known for its surprising diversity. Mallorcans are a mix of Spanish, Arabs and Carthaginians, and today, they share their island with people from all over Spain and Europe, as well as South America and Africa.  The city boasts a lively art scene and thriving nightlife, along with a large boating community, culminating every summer when the city hosts the Copa del Rey yachting competition.  The Balearics are also naturally known for their beaches and you’ll find no shortage of them on Mallorca or any of the other islands – Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera.

Program

This program is designed for students over the age of 50 who prefer to study and socialize with people their own age.  Classes are three hours a day from 10am to 1pm., Monday to Friday.  Classes have a maximum of ten students and all levels are available, including complete beginners.

The  program includes activities and excursions specifically for your age group, featuring a full-day excursion to the other-worldly Drac Caves and a tour of the Modern Art Museum which includes works by Picasso, Miró, Tàpies, and Barceló.  The program also includes restaurant meals with typical Palma cuisine.

Lessons

The main objective of our Spanish language course in Palma de Mallorca is to improve conversational skills. The emphasis of classroom activities in this program is therefore the development of the students' abilities to speak and understand spoken Spanish.  Classes are conducted entirely in Spanish and students are given plenty of opportunities to develop their practical speaking skills.  

Plenty of attention is also paid to grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing skills, and a wide variety of materials are used including published materials from many sources and materials written by the teachers. While the atmosphere in the classroom is relaxed and informal, you should be prepared to work hard and participate fully. Lessons are 55 minutes in length.

Teachers

Teachers in this Spanish language learning program hold university degrees and all have successfully completed a rigorous training course that prepares them to teach Spanish to foreigners.  The teaching and the course program are carefully supervised by the Director of Studies, who is also responsible for ensuring that students are placed in the appropriate levels and that their progress is satisfactory.

Accommodation

The Palma de Mallorca 50 Plus Language Learning Holiday offers homestay family, executive homestay family and independent apartment accommodation options.

• Homestay family: All host families live in flats, as individual houses in Palma are not common. Apartment buildings (both old and modern) are rarely more than 8 floors high.  A typical flat will have three or four bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, a dining room and living room. Some flats have terraces; almost all of them have balconies.
• Executive homestay: There are also a limited number of host families who live in larger, 'up-scale' apartments and can offer students their own private bathroom. These families will also do your washing and ironing.
• Independent apartment: Apartments with 1 or 2 bedrooms are available on request, please contact us for details

*Listed above are the recommended accommodation options for this language holiday program.  Alternatively, you may book the course only and arrange your own accommodation in local hotels or apartments.  Please see the prices page for Course Only Fees.

Features included in the price of our language holiday program:

• Fifteen Spanish lessons per week (1 lesson = 55 minutes)
• Language level test on first day of class
• Social and cultural activities
• One full-day excursion
• All study materials
• Certificate of completion
• Your choice of accommodation

For more information or to book this program please call us toll-free on 1-888-386-1411.