Subject related visits
Museo de Reina Sofia
Dedicated to 20th century Spanish art, the biggest draw of the museum is Picasso's Guernica. Displayed with its preparatory sketches and photographs of the artist at work, this exhibit will give students an appreciation of how artists create their work and respond to the world around them. However, Guernica is far from the only great work here, Dalí and Miró, among many others, are also represented, with film, sculpture and photographs detailing the various media available to artists.
Museo del Prado
This is the largest collection of Spanish art up to the early 19th century. As well as containing works by: Hieronymous Bosch, Rembrandt and Boticelli, among many others, this museum contains exhibits from a range of historical and national perspectives. Students can compare and contrast the styles they see and trace the development of Spanish art through time and across media.
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
Completing the "Golden Triangle" of art museums in Madrid, this museum focuses on the works the others neglect. From early Italian paintings to contemporary European and American works, students can explore and draw inspiration from these fine examples of art that will aid their studies enormously.
Escorial
The Royal Monastery of El Escorial is an imposing 16th Century edifice. Phillip II ordered its construction and its main architect was Juan Herrera. The Monastery also houses the Mausoleum of the Spanish Monarchs and is considered to be one of the Eight Wonders of the World.
Further highlights
- Modern Foreign Languages
Spanish Lessons
This course combines language lessons from qualifield language schools in resort with ‘out and about' assignments. All assignments are task based, strengthening lessons learnt from the classroom session and aims to provide a degree of self sufficiency in the language, whether its understanding the money, exploring the market or shopping for food. This course includes morning language lessons, a certificate for each student and worksheets on a CD Rom.
Project options include:
- I-spy en-route
- Resort specifc assignments
- Local etiquette
- Useful phrases
- Money and measurements
- Market assignment
- Restaurants and shopsHost Family Stay
Braver students can really dive into the language by living with carefully selected host families. This immersion technique will let students develop their confidence of Spanish in a safe, supportive environment.
Staying with a host family combines language lessons with the cultural practices of daily life. During their stay, students will keep a journal to assist with their language development and they will also receive a certificate of completion upon departure. Full immersion into a host family's home requires maturity and communication and we recommend this type of living arrangement for KS: 3-5 level.
- 2 - 4 students per family
- Shared rooms for students
- Includes morning language lessons
- Host families are usually situated on the outskirts of the cities
- Teachers accommodated in hotel on a bed and breakfast basis
Tapas Tour
What could be more Spanish than tapas? Students can enjoy this delicious national speciality while they expand their practical vocabulary.
Toledo
The city of Toledo has a collection of monuments as well as a rich artistic and architectural heritage with buildings ranging from Gothic to Baroque. This World Heritage Site remains as Spain's religious capital and is considered the city of the three cultures: Christian, Moslem and Jewish.
Parque del Buen Retiro
This large area of landscaped gardens provides respite from sightseeing offering a range of recreational activities, great for people watching!
Valley of the Fallen
This monument and Catholic basilica was conceived by Franco to honour the dead from the Spanish Civil War. The structure contains Franco's tomb and a great deal of controversy due to the use of political prisoners during construction.
