When it comes to learning any language, there truly is nothing better than traveling to a country to immerse yourself with native speakers. This is why immersion schools are so great because you are not only learning the language, but you are able to learn it by surrounding yourself with those who are so good at speaking it that you are forced to converse in the same language. If you are looking at going to a Spanish immersion school to help you learn the language better, here are 10 keys that you should consider when choosing the perfect school for you.
Choosing the country/region
The thing with learning Spanish is that there are different countries and regions that speak it, so essentially, there are also different types of Spanish. This means that when you are choosing what Spanish immersion school to go to, you also need to decide what country or region you will travel to depending on the type of Spanish you want to learn.
There are several things to consider when picking the country or region. Different costs of living, different activities available in the area, and another important is choosing over European versus Latin American countries because different countries have different kinds of slang.
#1 Cost of Living
When looking at the cost of living, there is no doubt that Latin America is cheaper than European countries. But when looking to study Spanish, Spain is really the only country in Europe that has Spanish Immersion schools. If you can afford to learn the language and live in Spain, then go for it. But if you are on a budget, then you might want to consider Spanish immersion schools in Latin America where cost of living is more affordable.
#2 Activities
Part of going away and learning in a Spanish immersion school is also learning about the country itself. Some might even consider the experience a learning vacation. With that, you definitely want to choose a country that offers activities that you are interested in. If you are more into nature/outdoor activities, then you might want to choose a school located in a country that is accessible to such activities. However, if you are interested in going to museums and learning about the country’s culture, then you might want to opt for something else. These are all options to consider when searching for the right country to study in.
#3 European versus Latin American
You also need to remember that different areas speak different types of Spanish. European Spanish is different from the Spanish of the Americas. Aside from this distinction, there are also different dialects within areas in Spain and in Latin America. This is why when choosing a country to study in, you also have to decide what type of Spanish you are looking to learn. This will help you narrow down your options.
Choosing the School
Once you have made up your mind and decided on the country or area, you can than move on to choosing the right Spanish immersion school for you. Of course you want to pick a school that will truly help you learn Spanish along with other considerations. When picking out a school you might want to consider things like cost, class size, dual-language program offered, housing options, teaching style, tours and activities.
#4 Cost of School
Considering the cost of the schools you are looking at is an important factor. You definitely need to pick one that you can afford. Gather the different schools you are interested to attend and list down the costs of each one so that you can see what fits your budget best. You might also want to check if the school offers financial aid of any kind or easy payment options that allows you to pay the fee monthly instead of annually, depending on what is best for you.
#5 Class size
Sometimes when a class is big in size, the professor won’t be able to do a lot of one-on-one teaching. When determining what school to go to, check on the size of their classes. In most cases, smaller classes are proven to be more effective, but of course this is also dependent on how good the teacher is. So in addition to checking on the size of the class, make sure to do some research on the professors that teach in the school.
#6 Dual-language program
You might also want to check if the Spanish immersion school offers dual-language programs. There are some where in all instructions are delivered in Spanish, which is okay if you are somewhat comfortable understanding parts of the language already. However, if you are a beginner and know nothing about Spanish, then you might want to stick to a dual-language program where instructions are delivered in English for you to better understand.
#7 Housing options
There are some Spanish immersion programs that connect students with Spanish-speaking families who host students in their home for the complete Spanish immersion. If this is something you are interested in, then make sure that the school you choose offers such program. However, if you prefer not to live in someone else’s home, then you might consider checking the housing options available for each school. Some have dorms, while other schools might expect students to search for housing on their own. Picking a school that offers housing options is definitely more convenient and something for you to consider so that you don’t have to hunt for your own place.
#8 Teaching style
Everyone has different learning styles, which is why it is important to find a school that provides the right teaching style to maximize your learning. For instance, visual learners need pictures or other visual aide materials to help speed up the learning process. However, auditory learners need to hear the words constantly when learning a new language. Others might need to experience the language by living it such as immersing in a real Spanish home. Determine your learning style so that you can figure out what Spanish immersion school offers the teaching style for you.
#9 Tours
Some programs are not confined to learning in a classroom. There are ones that offer tours or field trips to different areas to ensure maximum learning. If this is something that you are interested in, then you might want to check to see if the school offers such trips.
#10 Multiple-city option
There are Spanish immersion schools that have more than one location. Some of these schools might even offer a multi-city program. This means that after every semester, you can move to a different location and learn Spanish there. This will allow you to be exposed to different cultures and different types of Spanish.
Choosing the perfect Spanish immersion school for you is really dependent on numerous factors. This is why it is important to do your research before hand and so that nothing surprises you. Ultimately, your goal is to learn the language so find a school that is known to produce students that end up speaking the language well.