The timetable: Group classes run between 09:00 and 15:00 each day (one-to-one classes may be given after 15:00). Students will find out their timetable on the first day of classes when the new arrivals have been allocated to their groups. Each lesson lasts 55 minutes. Each course includes a 15-20 minute break every day. The timetable is displayed in the entrance hall.
When to come: Group courses begin on Mondays all year round – or, if the Monday is a National Holiday, it will begin on the Tuesday. The following dates are National Holidays in Uruguay: 1st January, Easter Friday, 1st May, 18th July, 25th August, and 25th December. On these dates the school will not run classes.
Before arrival students should complete the graded online test, a week before the first course day: www.spanish-herradura.com/level-test.
On arrival the students will receive a folder with information about their stay with us, including a city map. Students who book accommodation through the school will find the folder at the accommodation when they arrive, and those who don’t will receive it on the first course day.
The first day of the course will begin at 09:00 with a short oral test for those who already have some knowledge of Spanish, and those who did not complete the online level test will do so at the school. Absolute beginners will not do the tests and will start classes straight away, at a time confirmed on their arrival. The timetable on the first day may be different to the rest of the week, but will be the same from Tuesday through to Friday. On the first day of classes a welcome meeting will be held to introduce students and staff to each other, to explain a bit about the school, and to present the week’s social activities.
At the end of the course students will receive a certificate of attendance, which includes a record of the level of Spanish achieved and personal feedback from the teachers. A written and oral examination can be taken if required. We also ask students to complete a questionnaire to reflect on their experience and offer their feedback on their stay with us, so that we can continue improving.
Course length: The minimum length of group courses is one week and there is no maximum. The courses run continually depending on the levels of the students attending the school. Some students stay for one or two weeks, others choose to stay for several months. Of course, those who stay longer will achieve a higher level of Spanish, but short courses are ideal for people who want to learn intensively as part of their holiday, for example.
Levels: All the courses, except Course D, are available at all levels of Spanish, from absolute beginner through to advanced. Progress from one level to the next depends on the individual student, the type of course, and of course how much time they dedicate to Spanish outside of class. Typically students will cover between one and three new areas of grammar each week, as well as revise areas previously covered.
The office is open every day except weekends and holidays from 09:00 to 15:00. Office staff are available during these hours to answer students’ questions about excursions and activities, as well as to respond to any comments or doubts about the courses and accommodation. For example, if the student feels that the classes are too easy or too difficult, they can talk to the office staff or to the teachers about moving to a different level. The office is also the place to go to pay for the social activities or to make general enquiries.
The students: The minimum age for all courses is 18 (except for the children’s course). Younger student (aged 15, 16 or 17) can be accepted with their parent’s written permission, as long as they book accommodatin with a local host family. There is no maximum age. We have students of all ages and backgrounds, some of whom are on holiday in Uruguay, some who have decided to live and work or retire in Uruguay, and others who include their stay with us as part of a bigger trip, for example backpacking around South America. Typically our students come from the USA, Europe and Brazil but we welcome people from all over the world.
Groups: There is a maximum of 6 students per group, although that number may be exceeded in conversation classes. If a student books group lessons but there are not sufficient numbers of students to form a group at the appropriate level, the course will go ahead but it will be adjusted as follows:
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Courses A, G, H, I, J, K and L: 4 hours per day in group
If there are no other students at your level, 2 one-to-one lessons will be given. If there are only 2 students in the group, the lessons will be reduced to 3 semi-private lessons daily. It may be the case that you will be in a group for part of the course and in one-to-one classes for the rest of the course: for example, 1 hour of one-to-one grammar classes and 2 hours of conversation class in group. -
Course B: 6 hours per day in group
If there are no other students at your level, 3 one-to-one lessons will be given. If there are only 2 students in the group, the lessons will be reduced to 4 semi-private lessons daily. Normally, those who choose Course B participate in the Course A classes and receive 2 extra hours in group per day – or, if there are no other students at your level with Course B, 1 hour one-to-one. -
Course D: 4 hours per day in group + 1 hour one-to-one or 2 hours semi-private
If there are no other students at your level, 3 one-to-one lessons will be given. If there are only 2 students in the group, the lessons will be reduced to 4 semi-private lessons daily. -
Courses E and F: 3 hours per day in group
If there are no other students at your level with Course F, you will participate in the Course A grammar classes (2 hours per day) and some of the conversation classes (2 hours per day, 3 days per week).If there are no other students at your level, the lessons will be reduced to 2 semi-private lessons daily.
These changes are designed to reflect the intensive nature of individual tuition. The group may change in the course of an individual student’s stay, as new students arrive, other classmates leave, or if you progress to a different level.
Other: We strongly recommend that all students arrange for international medical coverage before they arrive. The school is not responsible for accidents or illnesses.
