During a visit to the Castilla y Leon region of Spain, I visited the following private language schools offering courses for individuals or groups of teachers, also pupils. More details can be found on their websites or from the named contacts. All of the schools listed offer courses for teachers of Spanish as a foreign language, in addition to general language courses. Teachers can enroll onto existing courses (open programmes) or classes can be tailor-made for a group (closed programmes). Some courses are suitable for native speakers wishing to gain practical ideas for the classroom. The schools can also put together courses for pupils aged around 8+. All offer extra-curricular leisure and cultural activities. Accommodation can be with host families or self-catering; in hotels or university residences.

In Salamanca

Colegio Debiles www.colegiodelibes.com Alfredo Perez: marketing@colegiodelibes.com Can do tailor-made courses for small groups of teachers

Enforex www.enforex.com Estefania Garcia: am11@enforex.es Also schools in other parts of Spain

ISLA www.learningspanish-spain.com Amanda Wiggert-McCarthy: amanda@academiaisla.com Very flexible, English-run

Mester www.mester.com Jorge Martin: jorgemester.org Has living accommodation on site, ideal for pupil groups

Tia Tula www.tiatula.com Cristina Martin: info@tiatula.com Specialist courses for teachers at the school and online

Unamuno www.spanishcoursesunamuno.es Maria Montero Garcia: marketing@spanishcoursesunamuno.es Also a school in Santander

In Segovia

Segovia City Council www.aprendeespanol.turismodesegovia.es Raquel Lucia Atance: aprende.segovia@gmail.com Tailor-made courses for a minimum of five teachers

In Valladolid

Universidad de Valladolid www.spanishinvalladolid.com Isabel Paul: isabel@funge.uva.es Modern university campus, international atmosphere.

Schools are sometimes able to offer grants to teachers wishing to follow a summer course. It is worth checking with them in May or June for possibilities.

Marta, a teacher from Chesterton Primary in Wandsworth, attended a two-week course last year. Her grant covered accommodation, food and tuition. Sessions were split between Spanish language and practical teaching ideas for the classroom. Cultural activities (most of which were free) included talks about history and art, films and outings to other cities. Marta says that she had a fantastic, motivating experience during which she made some life-long friendships.

Other grants are available through the Erasmus+ programme. Teachers and support staff can apply under Key Action 1: Mobility for school staff. Mobility projects include study courses in Europe. In Salamanca for example, I met a group of teachers from a primary school in Cornwall who were doing a week long beginners’ course during their half-term holiday. If you would like more details about the Erasmus+ programme, which also offers funding for developing strategic school partnerships (Key Action 2), check out: www.erasmusplus.org.uk/schools-funding

Please note that there is an annual deadline for applications, usually in February.

If you have been on a study visit abroad, do write a post about your experiences!