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Spanish plus culture
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Learning about Spanish culture on a language plus course gives students the chance to truly immerse themselves in the unfamiliar. Attracting a varied clientele, these courses come in various guises including Spanish plus sherry tasting and Spanish plus cinema. Nicola Hancox finds out more.
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All of our Spanish plus culture courses are associated with known aspects of Spanish culture and agents like to promote this type of programme in order to stand out,” says Bob Burger from Malaca Instituto in Malaga, adding that students can learn Flamenco, Salsa, cooking and hispanic studies while studying Spanish at the school.
Burger adds that there is a small niche demand for such courses from clients, although Marga Fortmann from Escuela Montalbán in Granada says that students on combination courses make up 35 per cent of their total student body. She also notes that they appeal to all ages and nationalities and adds, “Generally we have all age groups; maybe the 40 plus [aged] students are a little more interested.”
Encouraging language learners to learn about authentic Andalusian culture (of which Granada is the provincial capital), the school’s Spanish plus cultural experience programme comprises a guided visit of Granada’s Arabic quarter, Albaicín, and a tour of an ancient Arab bathhouse as well as 15 hours of weekly language tuition.
Like Escuela Montalbán, Escuela Carmen de las Cuevas, also based in Granada, utilises the city’s affiliation with Flamenco and students can enrol on their Spanish plus Flamenco programme where they receive dance tuition six times a week. Mónica Capella at the school reflects that they can be flexible with the course components, however. “[Students] can choose how many hours of Flamenco they want to do.” The school has also introduced a Spanish plus Flamenco guitar programme for the summer season only.
Ursula Holthausen from Instituto de Español Pablo Picasso in Malaga observes that the school has offered Spanish plus Flamenco since the school’s inception almost three decades ago. But she relates that demand is still rather modest with a majority of their students preferring to “take our free offer of cultural activities than book the special [plus] courses,” for instance a Flamenco workshop.
The Road to Santiago course, offered by the University of Santiago de Compostela in Santiago, targets more advanced language learners and Carmen L. Villasol, Vice Manager of Cursos Internacionales at the university, says it is generating plenty of interest among tour operators, university departments and the general public. As a two-week course, students literally take to the road with a team of experts to enrich “students’ knowledge of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, using a multidisciplinary approach which takes in the history, art, geography, literature, gastronomy and the present day of the Camino,” details the brochure. “So far our typical student is Brazilian, American or from the different countries of the EU,” observes Villasol.
Enjoying Spanish cuisine in a restaurant is one thing but learning about its method and origins is something else entirely. At Instituto Hispánico de Murcia, students can take a week long course which looks at the region’s gastronomical roots. According to Manuel Pérez, the programme typically consists of Spanish lessons, two cooking classes, five meals with a member of the school’s staff, visits to local markets and two seminars on food and wine. “Here, you can find fresh fish and seafood from the Murcian coast and the Mar Menor, the great olive oil, the best fruit in the east side and the basic natural ingredients of our national gastronomy,” asserts Pérez.
Frederic Parrilla from Clic – IH Seville and Cadiz has seen a noticeable decline in interest where Spanish plus culture courses are concerned. “In my opinion, they used to be more popular than they are now…I would say it’s a product that has come into its maturity.” He relates that their Andalusian gastronomy and wine tasting courses appeal to a more mature audience (aged 50 and above) and typically attract Western Europeans students.
Other schools have shown a marked willingness to encompass other areas of Spanish culture. For example, Letra Hispánica in Salamanca has introduced a Cine y Textos programme that takes an in depth look at Spanish cinema. Each week students view a Spanish film and follow it up with a discussion on cinematography, characters, themes and plot. A former Letra Hispánica student noted, “I am now hooked on Spanish film. What a great way to better understand Spanish culture!” |
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The following language schools, associations and accommodation providers advertised in the latest edition of Language Travel Magazine. If you would like more information on any of these advertisers, tick the relevant boxes, fill out your details and send.
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