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Why study Spanish in Argentina ?
Argentina is an ideal country to study Spanish in. The level of education is high, people are friendly and enjoy meeting foreigners.
Besides, the exchange rate against foreign currencies (such as euros, dollars, etc.) is highly favorable to foreigners, which means that studying, traveling around is cheap. It is also much cheaper than in other countries to practice paragliding, horseriding, sailing, tango, etc.
What are the advantages of choosing Córdoba?
The City of Córdoba has the advantage of not being too big (like the city of Buenos Aires ), nor too small (like the cities of Mendoza , Salta , or Bariloche). It is a pleasant and dynamic city where virtually every place is within walking distance. People are warm to foreigners and go out of their way to make them feel welcome. There is also a variety of cultural, sports, and recreational activities always available; as well as excursions, horse riding in unbelievable places, guided strolls and hand gliding.
Being located in the middle of the country, the province of Córdoba is strategically positioned if someone's planning on visiting or communicating with other provinces. The weather is mild and cloudy days are very rare. It is truly the ideal place if you wish to learn about Argentina and its way of life.
Why choose
SET to study Spanish in Argentina
?
We would mention our commitment to our students, the warmth of our staff, and above all the quality of our courses.
I want to travel and study Spanish in Argentina at the same time, what can I do?
There are a number of "twin schools" that SET-Idiomas has in Buenos Aires , Mendoza , and Bariloche. We offer combined programs with special discounts. Please contact us by e-mail letting us know your favorite places and we'll send you the cost.
Is there a minimum language level required to sign up for
my Spanish course in Argentina
?
There is no minimum level required. SET is open for all students, whether they are starters or advanced, and adapts the curriculum to each level.
What is the maximum number of students per class?
Six is the maximum.
What do I need to bring to the school on the first day?
You will need a pen and a copybook or notebook to take notes. We will provide you with the rest of the teaching materials needed.
Are the teachers native speakers?
Yes, all our teachers are qualified and teach their mother tongue. Excellence is guaranteed.
How will the teachers know my level of Spanish?
During the first class, students take a written and oral level test that helps teachers decide on the best course for their knowledge of the language.
When do the classes start?
Classes take place all year round and start every Monday, except for National holidays in which case they start on the next day.
What happens if there are no other students with my same level to form a group with?
We will offer you private classes for the amount you have paid.
Is it possible to take a course without accommodation?
Yes, if you have friends or relatives in Cordoba you can stay with them, or else stay in a hostel or hotel.
Is it possible to use accommodation without the Spanish course?
No. We only offer accommodation to our students.
If we are a group of friends or co-workers and we want to take a Spanish course in Argentina together, can you make a special price for us
?
If you are at the same level, we can make a special discount. You can send us an e-mail to obtain more information ( info@learningspanish.com.ar ).
What is the minimum age to register in a Spanish course in Argentina ?
You must be at least 18 years old to sign up for a program. If you are under 18, your parents must sign your papers for us to accept your application form.
Is there an age limit to study Spanish in Argentina at SET ?
No, anybody can sign up. We've had students from 15 years of age onwards.
What would be the best moment to make a reservation for a Spanish course in Argentina ?
The sooner the better. If possible, 4 weeks before the beginning of your course.
How do I register?
- Fill out the forms
- Send them by air mail to SET-IDIOMAS, Corrientes 21 - 500 Cordoba , Argentina , e-mail to info@learningspanish.com.ar or by fax 00.54.351.421.17.19
- Transfer to our bank account 90€ (26€ registration fee + 64€ that will be deducted from your course). We will send you our bank account number and all the details by e-mail. Do not forget to clearly state your full name.
- Upon arrival, pay the rest of course/accommodation cash or if you prefer by bank transfer.
How do I send mi application?
You can send it by e-mail attachment, fax or air mail.
How do I know if my place is confirmed?
We will send you an e-mail with the reservation confirmation.
When do I have to arrive in Cordoba ?
Arrivals are usually on Sundays. If you happen to arrive on a different day, your reception can be organized.
Please let us know the place and exact date of your arrival, especially if you want us to organize your transfer to the city.
How do I get from the airport /bus terminal to my host family or apartment?
The transfer from the airport or the bus station to the lodging place is not included in our tariffs. It costs 13€ (from the airport) and 7€ (from the bus station). If you book the course we will pick you up. As soon as possible you should send us your flight information, including flight number and arrival schedule.
What happens if I don't like the accommodation?
You should just let us know and we will offer you other lodging arrangements to make you feel comfortable.
What are the working hours at SET?
We work from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm .
Our telephone number is 00.54.351.421 17 19
You can also call us via Skype to "set-idiomas" or e-mail to info@learningspanish.com.ar
Where are the students from?
Most of the students who study Spanish in Argentina at SET are Europeans (Dutch, Belgians, Germans, Austrians, French, etc. ) and Americans. We also receive many Brazilians, Australians and people from New Zealand , etc.
ost of our students are Europeans (Dutch, Belgians, Germans, Austrians, French, etc. ) and Americans. We also receive many Brazilians, Australians and people from New Zealand , etc.
What time is it in Argentina ?
If you want to know please click on:
http://www.timeanddate.com/
Argentina doesn't change to winter or summer time.
Is it necessary to have health/travel insurance ?
Yes, it is necessary to be insured during your whole stay in Argentina .
What happens if I get ill?
Someone from our staff will go with you to the doctor. Consultation, medicine and (should it be necessary) Hospitalization costs will be paid by the student.
Generally what happens is that students pay these costs and are later refunded by their insurance company.
What's the weather like in Córdoba? Which clothes should I bring?
The weather in the city of Córdoba is generally mild and sunny. Cloudy days are rare .
During the summer (December to March) temperatures vary between 25º and 35º Celsius
During the winter (June to September) the weather is dry and sunny with temperatures that vary between 10 and 20º C
During Spring and Fall : the weather is mild, sunny and average temperature is 25 C
So you shouldn't forget to pack T-shirts, shorts, swimming suits, comfortable shoes, a cap and plenty of sunscreen.
How will I get in touch with my family while studying Spanish in Argentina ?
The spanish school offers internet connection for all of its students. Besides, there is a cyber cafe on almost every block in town, where you can find cheap internet connection.
You can also buy telephone cards to phone from any telephone. The host family houses all have telephones where students can receive calls as well as make calls, using cards.
If you are planning on bringing a cell phone, it must be GSM compatible. Here you'll be able to buy a chip and communicate without any trouble.
How long do students usually stay?
4 weeks is the average. We recommend a minimum of 2 weeks.
Can I take a Spanish course in Argentina at SET for just a week ?
Yes, you can, but we recommend you stay at least two weeks to take full advantage of the course.
The one-week courses can be useful for people traveling around, in need of communication skills for traveling situations.
What kind of accommodation do you offer?
We offer a variety of lodging arrangements: Family houses, apartments to share with Argentine students, college dorms (where bedrooms are double and the kitchen and bathroom are shared with other people).
How do we select our host families? Where do they live? What should I expect?
SET carefully selects its host families. In many cases we've been working successfully with these same host families for several years.
In the city of Córdoba , most host families live at walking distance from the school (15 minutes), or at the most, 15 to 20 minutes away by bus.
Host families can either be a traditional family, with kids and parents, or a couple with no children, a widow, a bachelor, etc.
Families can belong to any social status, though their houses tend to be simple and comfortable. Although most of the host families find the additional income provided by lodging students quite useful, very few of them do it for the money alone. Most of them are genuinely interested in getting to know more about other countries and their cultures.
You will meet very communicative people. You will be able to plan activities with your host family and discover that many of them and their friends will want to know more about your country's way of life, as you yourself learn about the country you are visiting and its people.
Even for beginners we strongly recommend that they stay with a host family from the very start, because they are used to dealing with foreigners and find a way to communicate with them through their genuine affection.
What does accommodation include?
It can include half board, breakfast or just lodging. Usually, apartments don't offer any meals, while families sometimes offer one meal or breakfast.
Sheets and towels, as well as their cleaning are included. On the other hand, the laundering of personal clothes is up to each student. There is always a handy Laundromat.
Can I ask for special conditions for my lodging (non-smoking family, special diet, etc.)?
Of course you should list your preferences in your lodging form so we can offer you the most suitable accommodation.
If I'm a vegetarian or I have allergies, will it be a problem?
No, if you are a vegetarian or allergic to some food or animals, please give details on your application form.
When do I have to leave?
In general, students leave on Saturdays , once their course is finished. You may however request an extension of your stay if you wish.
Does SET organize social activities?
SET organizes student activities in the afternoon and at night, as well as weekend excursions.
At SET's front desk you will find a timetable with activities suggested for the month and another with those proposed for the current week. Besides, on the school's website you will find a very complete calendar of recommended activities.
Am I going to receive a certificate at the end of the course?
At the end of the course each student will receive an attendance certificate listing the number of hours of study undertaken and the level achieved (according to the European language study framework).
Which International exams can I prepare at SET?
You can prepare the DELE, CELU and FIDESCU exams.
How do I pay for my course?
You must pay the reservation first. This costs 140 USD or its Euro equivalent. This may be paid by bank transfer.
We will send you all our bank account data by e-mail.
The remainder of the cost of the course is payable in cash directly in Córdoba on the first day of classes. You may make this payment by bank transfer also if you wish.
Do I have to bring a gift to my host family?
No gift is necessary, but a small token gift is always appreciated. We suggest giving something representing your culture or city of origin such as local crafts or music, while photos of your city, province and family are also a good idea.
Do I have to bring an international student card? At SET we offer the "Touristcard discount" card. It is valid throughout Argentina in hostels, hotels, travel agencies, restaurants, etc. Further informati9on may be obtained at the following website:
www.touristcarddiscount.com
How do I get to the school on the first day? You will be accompanied by a member of your host family on the first day of classes.
What progress am I likely to make during my Spanish course in Argentina ?
This is one of the hardest questions for us to answer, since this depends on a number of factors, such as: 1) Your foreign language learning ability; 2) Your study habits; 3) Your willingness to speak the language at all times, risking the inevitable mistakes; 4) The amount of previous language training you have received; and 5) Your knowledge of other foreign languages.
If one also considers that by "speaking" people can mean: "being fluent ", "making oneself understood" "understanding what other people are saying", etc., it becomes obvious that there is no simple answer to this question.
How many weeks do I need to study in order to be able to speak the language?
A lot depends on each particular student. An average student can go from level zero to be able to hold a basic conversation on general topics in 3 or 4 20-hour weeks. If you start at a basic level you can make much faster progress.
What are the courses like? What methods do you use? The only language used during classes will be Spanish. First of all, so that you get used to listening to and understanding the spoken language, and secondly because the student groups are international and interested in learning Spanish, so this language is the only common language for the group.
Grammar and communications skills are taught so as to create constant interactivity between teachers and students, and both the language and its grammar are taught "hands on" without memorizing rules or vocabulary so that skills may be put in practice flexibly and fluently after a relatively short time of study. You will be studying in a Spanish speaking country, and for this reason, especially if you live with a Spanish-speaking host family, you will be able to practice your language skills at once.
Is it possible for me to extend my course or to reserve another course in another city in Argentina ?
Yes, providing you can give us some advance notice. You can extend your course in Córdoba or continue it in one of the destinations where we have "twin schools" ( Mendoza , Buenos Aires and Bariloche). Can I volunteer without taking a course?
A good level of Spanish is a must for volunteer work. That is why at SET we ask future volunteers to take a 4-week intensive course as a minimum.
How long does a minimum period of volunteer work take?
The minimum is 4 weeks, but 5, 7 or more weeks is better.
Do I have to pay to volunteer?
No, SET does not charge for volunteer work, but does insist on a minimum 4-week course.
What kind of volunteer work can I do?
You can work in orphanages, public libraries or hospitals, or again you can work with teenagers or the homeless.
The offer is immense and varied. The important thing for you is to be sure what you want to do and have a lot of initiative.
Is it possible to organize programs for groups?
Yes, at SET we organize customized programs for student groups. In general these programs consist of the language course, recreational activities and trips.
Is it possible to get credits in the USA for the Spanish course I will take in Argentina ?
SET offers tailor-made programs for university student groups. These programs are comprehensive, including an intensive course, cultural activities and trips. Since they are university-sponsored, they offer study credits. If you are coming by yourself, please tell your student advisor and ask him to contact us.
Any other questions?
Send us an e-mail to info@learningspanish.com.ar
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