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Posted by Veronica B. (USA)
on May 2016 - USA
I spent two weeks from 4 April 2016 at AIL Madrid
I spent two weeks from 4 April 2016 at AIL Madrid in a Club 50 group. In the first session we introduced ourselves. By the coffee break our teacher Nuria had quietly noted our levels of Spanish: a couple of students were moved to a different class and we gained someone from another group. I was impressed by this unobtrusive process.
Our group were all pretty much at the same fairly basic level, and though there was a wide age range we were working or retired adults, which felt comfortable, though it was great to be among young students in the school as a whole. Grammar usually came first each morning, followed by emphasis on conversation and games that got us talking. Nuria was very flexible and clear, allowing 'preguntas' which she used to encourage talking and to demonstrate important everyday vocabulary and grammar. She was never condescending and we enjoyed and learnt from her graphic explanations and her humour.
The afternoon activities were entirely voluntary. I attended a few, including two walks - round Madrid and round Cervantes birth town -but felt free to make the most of Madrid's wonderful art galleries in my own time. The staff were friendly and long-suffering.
Our group have made a pact to stay in touch and all to come back next year - I hope we manage it.
Veronica
Posted by Mishi M. (Hong Kong)
on December 2015 - Hong Kong
The best Spanish school ever!
I searched for two months to find a good language school in Spain. Decided that Madrid would be a good place to learn the correct accent for standard Spanish I could use all over Spain, South America as well as the United States. It took 3 months of emails with Iris patiently answering my emails of all sorts of questions not having any real experience of Spain.
The school is well organised in placing students in the correct level as well as helping with accommodation. Other services offered are sourcing extra curricular courses outside of the school such as cooking and tango dancing, cultural shows as well as opening a bank account.
The teachers are highly qualified and professional. They are friendly and make each lesson fun.
Each student is taken care of both linguistically as well as socially by being introduced to many other students in their cultural activities outside school hours.
This school makes you feel part of the growing family that AIL is.
I spent a total of about 10 weeks in two parts studying the language. I was surprised how much I could comprehend after just a short time.
I will be coming back next year as well. Thanks again AIL!!
Posted by Francesca R. (Italy)
on November 2014 - Italy
Me matriculé en la escuela AIL por pura casualidad
Tras una serie de llamadas a escuelas de idiomas en Madrid, encontré una chica muy maja al teléfono que me explicó muy rápido las ventajas de AIL e intentó además entender mis palabras incoherentes en español: decidí que aquella tenía que ser mi escuela de español.
Entonces, imaginar volver después de muchos años a una clase con estudiantes con los que no compartes nada menos tus faltas gramaticales no me apetecía mucho...De verdad, desde el primer día la escuela y las clases me gustaron mucho, y de repente cambié mi opinión: podía aprender y conocer a gente, que como yo, también sentía la necesidad de comunicarse a través de palabras (pocas) , sonrisas (muchas), y gestos (sólo entre algunas nacionalidades en particular ;).
Los compañeros de clase eran todos simpáticos, aunque al principio demasiado callados. Me acuerdo que las conversaciones durante la primera semana se desarrollaban sólo en el tiempo presente: no conocíamos otro tiempo verbal. Me encantaba esta situación: nadie tenía planes, ni pasado, pero todos estábamos muy centrados en vivir el momento.
Si alguien quiere aprender español en Madrid, AIL es una excelente oportunidad para estudiar, conocer gente y descubrir Madrid a través de las actividades sociales organizadas por la escuela durante la tarde y a veces por la noche.
Lo que más aprecié de AIL fue la metodología de la enseñanza, que parecía más una charla entre amigos que una lección.
Lo que más me gustó de AIL fue que el profesor nunca se rió de nuestra manera de hablar, que de verdad, a menudo no tenía ninguna lógica (un besito a Edu)
Lo que AIL podría mejorar son las bromas de algunos profesores (No te enfades Edu)
Lo que más me sorprendió de AIL fue la paciencia del personal de la recepción que siempre tenía respuesta aunque no entendiera la pregunta (bravo a Francesca, Roxana, Laura y los demás..)
¡Que todos los próximos estudiantes tengan tanta suerte como yo y puedan disfrutar de una escuela tan buena como esta!
Posted by Michael K. (Portland - USA)
on August 2014 - USA
My future learning vacations
I am a terrible tourist and not very spontaneous. I don't go to all the museums or take many pictures. I do however like planning and learning so in addition to making arrangements for our honeymoon/vacation to Madrid I thoroughly researched schools for foreigners to learn Spanish..
I decided to give AIL a try, I initially signed up for two weeks of Intensive Courses via the Internet from my home in Portland, OR. U.S.A, I could change if I was not all that impressed. I was impressed! After my first week I signed up for 3 more weeks (for a total of 5 continuous weeks) Super Intensive Courses. The added 5 hours of individual classes per week I had with Maria R. were tremendously useful toward my personal Spanish language skills goals.
The entire staff, not just the instructors, are over-whelmingly helpful and friendly. The teachers are enthusiastic, patient, and talented. I never felt out of place ( I was at least 20 years older than the average students in July 2014) and the group lessons were all inclusive and fun. The reception staff are golden. Sophie and Alison were constant in their enthusiasm and smiles. The instructors reign in the classroom but the reception is your very best friend for any and everything else.
An instructor or staff member led each of the afternoon activities. Afterward I was left thinking "that was great, I wish I could take a class with him/her”. They seem to have a talent for genuine friendly connections, or maybe it's the Spanish in general, either way, they were inspired.
I can be a bit of a skeptic so a review with just positives might ring false to me. I did have one issue that I brought to the attention of Alison at reception. The director, who's office is within ear shot of the main entry, and who's door was never closed, overheard my complaint. He came out immediately. He made the call to address the problem before the afternoon was over. That type of receptiveness to hear, and quick action to resolve an issue is priceless.
There may be other schools in Madrid that are very good but when you enjoy the quality of experience that AIL offers, the other schools will probably never have a chance at your business. The bottom line is that it is a business and as long as they continue to provide such a high quality product I will come back. In fact, it will probably be a factor in my deciding where to spend my future learning vacations.
Best,
Michael Keefe
Portland, Organ USA
Posted by Shao jie A. (London - United Kingdom)
on January 2014 - United Kingdom
Quality teachers
I thoroughly enjoyed my 2 weeks in AIL Madrid. Not only was I placed in the appropriate level, the pace and quality of teaching is superb. Cultural activities were really interesting as well, giving us a glimpse of life in Madrid.
I strongly recommend AIL Madrid to anyone looking for a good learning experience. I must add that their customer service is quite excellent and you should contact them for any clarifications.
Posted by Enrico L. (Cosenza - Italy)
on May 2013 - Italy
FANTASTIC SCHOOL!
I needed to attend a 3-week course at AIL Madrid to pass the DELE B2 examination, but also to be more fluent in Spanish. At first, when I got there, I was just feeling like speaking English (e Italiano)... PERO... luego empecé a no tener ningún problemas para expresarme en español también!!! Los profesores son excelentes y muy amables; el personal que trabaja allá es joven, dinámico y siempre dispuesto a ayudarte. Gran ambiente! I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL TO ANYONE! ^^
Posted by Erika G. ([email protected] - Italy)
on May 2013 - Italy
UNA EXPERIENCIA MARAVILLOSA!!
Estuve en AIL durante 4 semanas y fueron verdaderamente fantásticas. Los profesores son estupendos y en la escuela todos están disponibles para ayudarte, nunca te sientes solo. Aprendes español rápidamente... divirtiéndote! Resultado: lo pasé de maravilla. Recomiendo AIL Madrid a todos. Muchas Gracias por todo, AIL. :)
Posted by Liceo B. (Torino - Italy)
on March 2013 - Italy
Una semana inolvidable!
Es una pena que todo haya terminado tan pronto… La verdad es que lo pasamos genial: nuestros papás y mamás españoles, nuestros profesores de AIL Madrid fueron estupendos!
Practicamos mucho el español durante los cursos que teníamos por la mañana, que fueron divertidísimos. Por la tarde íbamos de paseo por la ciudad, y tuvimos la oportunidad de conocer un montón de museos… ¡Creo que sólo hemos faltado el museo naval ! ;-)
Por la noche cenábamos en casa y charlábamos bastante con la familia. Total: ¡lo pasamos genial!
Un saludo a todos y...hasta la próxima!
Besos a todos y...una vez más GRACIAS por todo!!!!
Posted by Martin F. (Umeå - Sweden)
on February 2013 - Sweden
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
I came to Madrid as a spanish beginner who just knew a few phrases and spent 2 months at AIL Madrid to do the super intensive course. It was the best decision i could have done and I definitely improved my spanish more than i could ever have imagined was possible in only 2 months. All the teachers I had the opportunity to have at the school were professional in the way of teaching and really helpful and friendly! In fact all the people working in the school were super helpful and friendly! Since i had the super intensive course i also had beyond the lessons with the class some private lessons were i could choose which part of the language i wanted to practice more on, such as my conversation abilities etc. These lessons were a good option for me since it made me progress on the parts i found difficult or useful for me. Except of the lessons, the school also offers every day activities which is all from cultural visits to classes where you get useful knowledge when living in Spain. These were great and a good way of getting to know the other students in the school. The whole experience in the school was absolutely great and i can't imagine finding a better school to learn spanish and have fun at the same time! :)
Posted by Giulia R. (Rome - Italy)
on January 2013 - Italy
A great experience!
I've spent 4 weeks here and I've to say that it is a great school! I lerned so many things and now I'm more confident when I write or speak spanish. The courses are stuctured very well and you will practise grammar, speaking, listening and so on. The professors are prepared and they will help you everytime you need. The staff is organized and helpful. There are many people that speak lots of languages and it will not be a problem comunicate with them. I've really improved my spanish and I hope to come back one day! Thank you for everything AIL MADRID :)
Posted by Natalia F. (Togliatty - Russia)
on January 2013 - Russia
Fantastic school, teachers and occupations!!!
Tremendous school. I remained is very happy and I plan to return still. Very friendly personnel and skilled teachers! Also it was interesting to visit various occupations. In general all the super super! ! ! To all I recommend.
Posted by Peter I. (Madrid - Spain)
on December 2012 - Spain
Couldn't get any better
I wanted to begin my gap year by getting my spanish up from A-Level standard, so decided to study in Madrid. AIL started me out a bit lower than I should have been, but my grammar was in dire need of the boost and when I asked to increase a level it happened the next day. Both classes I was in had fantastic teachers, applying was a breeze with excellent contact from the school, and they organised me an internship and my accommodation as well. Combined with the picturesque setting in the centre of Madrid and it's great coffee shops my one regret is that I didn't do another month of the intensive course.
Au pair program
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