Is this program for you?

The Intensive Residence Program in Madrid is suited to the student who is looking for a highly intensive language + culture immersion program in Madrid. The program is ideal for students who have limited travel experience, are comfortable under the guidance of outgoing and knowledgeable monitors and would like to interact with international students. Please visit the supervision page for more information.

Location

Madrid is the largest city is Spain as well as the most vibrant. Madrid will capture your heart right away with its bustling streets, astonishing art galleries, beguiling promenades, and the sheer energy of its citizens. It is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Spanish language and culture!

The Madrid Intensive Residence Program takes place on a spectacular campus that has received special mention from UNESCO for its facilities and academic environmental design. The campus is 15 km from the heart of Madrid and is ideally located with its own grounds and close to a host of excellent excursions destinations

Academic Program

The concept of the Madrid Intensive Teen Residence Program is full immersion. This means that students are encouraged by staff to speak Spanish at all times: during classes, during meals, on excursions and during activities. At 32 lessons per week, the program is highly intensive, but fun!

Students are divided into two age groupings: junior 10-14 and senior 15-18. Both junior and senior students have a 4 day per week academic schedule that consists of 8 x 45 minute lessons on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 9:30 AM and 5:05 PM. The lesson breakdown is as follows:

• Lessons 1, 2, 3 & 4 focus on the four major components of language: speaking listening, reading and writing
• Lessons 5 & 6 are workshops that students sign up for based on their interests: film & media studies, drama, newspaper production, exam preparation, etc.
• Lessons 7 & 8 consist of one computer-based lesson and one tutorial (one on one time with your teacher), or time to finish up homework and assignments or prepare for the Thursday night Entertainment evening

On the first day of class, students are given a comprehensive assessment to determine their level placement. All levels are offered from beginner to advanced and each class has a maximum of 10 students, with an average of 6 to 7 students at the same level. View our sample schedule for more information.

Cultural & Activity Program

Each week students enjoy a full program of cultural activities and excursions as well as sports and leisure activities, both on campus and off. Full-day excursions to places of interest in and around Madrid take place every Wednesday and Sunday and every Saturday is a day reserved for sports or leisure activities including on-campus swimming or soccer and shopping or sightseeing in Madrid.  Evenings include a variety of on and off campus activities including cinema, a disco, talent night, etc.

Optional excursions can be booked including a trip to a dinner and musical or to Warner Bros. amusement park in Madrid.  See our sample weekly schedule for more information.

Optional Golf, Tennis & Horseback Riding Lessons

If you are interested in learning how to play tennis, golf or horseback riding or you already know how but want to keep up your game or skills you may want to sign up for optional lessons.  You can select to focus on either tennis or golf or horseback riding (only one option is allowed per two week session) for 8 x 45 minute lessons per week. Lessons take place 3 evenings each week and on every second Saturday. 

The lessons take place on the campus. The ratio of students to instructor will be no more than 6:1 (a minimum of 4 students is required for each lesson) for tennis and golf.  For horseback riding the ratio of students to instructor will be no more than 4:1 with each student having their own horse. Please see the sample weekly schedule page for lessons days and times.

Teachers

The teaching staff are fully-qualified young and dynamic native speakers.  They set out to create a relaxed, amusing and motivating atmosphere with lesson themes that you can relate to.  During extra-curricular activities, you will be strongly encouraged to use Spanish so you can get used to thinking in the language!

Accommodation

Students are accommodated on campus in double rooms with en-suite washrooms.  Males and females are strictly separated. Meals are taken in the school cafeteria and vegetarian options are available at each sitting.

The campus facilities include:

• air condition rooms
• computer rooms with free internet access
• classrooms
• cafeteria with dining hall
• lounges
• basketball courts
• football (soccer) pitches
• 11 tennis courts
• outdoor and indoor horseback riding facilities
• indoor gymnasium
• swimming pool
• golf practice range

For general information on residence accommodation please visit our Residence Q & A page.

The following program features are included in the price:

• 32 lessons per week
• Afternoon workshops
• Study materials
• Language level test on first day of classes
• Certificate of attendance and detailed record of achievement
• 2 full-day excursions every week
• Fully supervised evening and weekend activities and excursions
• Internet access
• Single room accommodation in residence
• 3 meals per day
• Return transfer for Madrid Barajas International Airport (please see the Getting There page for more info)
• 24 hour emergency support
• Comprehensive Medical and Travel Insurance (Only available for US citizens/residents)