Don Quijote: Salamanca

My first day at the language school was a very positive surprise. The welcome at the school, as well as the placement into courses based on an interview with a professor, was handled very professionally and felt pleasant. I felt comfortable in the group I was assigned to. Our teacher, Gloria, was absolutely wonderful, and I will remember her fondly. She exceeded my expectations and captivated me with her energy, good mood, and sense of humor.

The second teacher, Mário, seemed a bit young and less experienced as an instructor. Nevertheless, I still consider the whole experience very positive. One week is really a short time, but of course, that is entirely my own issue.

I was in the Salamanca intensive course for the month of June and had an excellent experience across the board. My teachers had different approaches but were uniformly great -- Jesus was probably my favorite -- my fellow students were serious, friendly, and very diverse in age range and national origin, and the material we covered in my class, A2, was extremely helpful. Extra credit for the school's cafe, which, with excellent coffee, bocadillos, and pastries, was far better than it needed to be. It was my first time in Salamanca and I really enjoyed it -- with its slow pace compared to Barcelona and Madrid, amazing historic center, and enough going on to keep me engaged outside the classroom. If I have the time, I'd love to come back next year!

I only spent one week at Don Quijote so my review will take notice of that.

I liked the classes very well. I thought it very good that the students were only six in the class so it was easier for the teachers to activate the students. The teachers were very enthusiastic about to get the students to participate in the study. They were eager to make us talk, listen an also write. I think that these three factors are very important in language learning. The teachers were very nice and helpful and made you feel good although your Spanish was weak. My vocabulary increased this week and also my writing. What was difficult for me was that the students were far into the study material when I joined the class and I didn´t have the foundation to build on.

The teachers were great and helpful.

The location was very suitable for me, the housing is charming and friendly.

Salamanca is a great town to stay for a couple of weeks. I liked my housing pretty much. The conversation class was lame and in general to be honest I liked the place and the people but the cafeteria at the school was the best.

I was in the Over 50 Spanish class and found the whole experience to be wonderful! The classes were small and the teachers excellent. The entire group jelled extremely well and after class we often went for lunch together or sightseeing. I think this is the advantage of having students of similar age. The schools location is excellent and the cafe attached was great. In the weekend there were excursions arranged. Ana in the office was also extremely approachable and helpful. I would not hesitate in recommending this school and this particular course.

I had Premium classes and had private classes due to the fact that I was the only participant. I learnt a lot and the teaching was focused on my gaps and preferences. The school organizes events (tours, movies, etc.) almost everyday. I would recommend Don Quijote!

The booking customer service was outstanding I booked the course for my daughter only 10 days before the start and Kristele was so helpful, always replying quickly and sorting out all the details. The pickup was smooth and the accommodation perfect. My daughter did breakfast only but wished she did full board. Classes were excellent lots of support and great teaching. She has an outstanding week and would love to go back. We are looking to send our younger kids next year.

Thanks for everything !

In the brochure, there was to be no more than eight people in a class. PERIOD. We had nine.
The two classes were too big. There had been an initial miscalculation.
One Golden Years participant came late into the second class on the first day bringing our class number to 8.
Then another arrived on the second day, first class, bringing us to 9. They both had been placed that first day in the wrong class
They were appropriate age-wise,energy, warmth and had been enrolled in the the Golden Years Program..
The error was allowing a married couple, who talked constantly to each other, and were also not in the Golden Years program, to be there from the start.

The tours in the evening were interesting, introspective and intellectual, but hand-outs, especially to beginners, would have aided comprehension. Say, short, simple Spanish descriptions of what we'd see or what was being discussed. The guide could not be heard, even indoors, as knowledgeably and charming as she was. Her manner was delicate and intimate, like a flower bud.The burden to hear/understand became exhausting and labor intensive..

The teachers were committed, kind and lovable with a ready sense of humor. The school building appeared as if a retreat, a refuge, a garden to sit and rest when not in class. My home stay was appropriate. My expectations were low. I adjusted to what was offered.

I registered for the super intensive course (35 lesson/week). They said that no one else registered for super intensive, so they gave me only the intensive course (25 lesson/week). They had to inform me beforehand so I could change things.