Frequently Asked Questions

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How can I enrol?

You can easily enrol online.

Can I enrol at short notice?

Yes, we also welcome late applications.

What is the minimum age to attend?

The minimum age to attend our courses is 17, but we can make an exception if you are 16.

How many different levels are available?

We offer at least 5 levels from A1 to C1. There are often more levels available.

How do I know what my Spanish level is?

Do our online Spanish Test

Can I change the group if I feel that the level is not right for me?

If you don't feel comfortable in your group, let us know and we'll check with your teacher. If the teacher agrees with you, we'll check availability.

How large are the groups?

The groups are always quite small: minimum 2/3 students, maximum 8/10 students (depending on the city).

What happens if the minimum number of students per group is not reached?

This almost never happens as the minimum number of students is low, but should this be the case, we offer you less hours of private tuition for the same price.

When can I start my course?

You can start on any Monday of any week you wish (except absolute beginners, see "Courses", "Start dates and holidays").

Can I choose my schedule?

In case of individual classes we are very flexible. However, in case of group classes it's rather difficult…

Can I start the course on Wednesday or Thursday?

It is normally possible. Please ask us in advance.

What do I need to bring?

Bring pens and paper - and a dictionary if you wish (we have some at school, but you may prefer to have your own. Alternatively you can also use your mobile phone). You'll get your books from us.

What happens on the first day at school?

You should arrive at school at 9:00 am. You'll do your oral placement test, then you'll have lessons from 9:30 till 13:30 (with a coffee break). You will meet the other students in the school.

What time shall I come on the first day?

You should be at school at 9:00 am. The lessons start at 9:30 am.

What is the proportion between grammar and conversation?

We deal with all aspects of the language: grammar, exercises, reading, writing, listening comprehension, conversation, songs… Our aim is to make you speak and participate as much as possible.

Can we choose the topics we want to deal with in class?

Choosing your own topics is only possible if you book individual lessons.

Do you offer one-to-one lessons?

Yes, we offer one-to-one lessons. It is also possible for 2 people to share private lessons.

Can we build a group and study together?

Yes, that’s possible ! Send us an e-mail and we’ll attend to your request.

Can I book one-to-one in addition to group lessons?

Yes, you can book as many additional one-to-one lessons as you want. See our Courses.

Do I get a certificate?

Yes, on your last day you'll receive a certificate indicating the length of your course, the progress you have made and the level you have reached.

How can I pay?

You can pay by credit card, by bank transfer (no extra charge), or in cash.

When do I pay?

Before the course starts you have to pay at least the deposit of 150 € to reserve your place. The rest can be paid at the very latest on your first day at school (Madrid) or two weeks before your course starts for Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Alicante und Granada.

Can I pay in instalments?

Sorry, this is not possible.

Are there any discounts?

There are discounts if you stay for 12 weeks or more.

Why do I have to pay a deposit?

The deposit needs to be paid to reserve your place on the course and your accommodation (when requested).

Can I cancel the course?

Please read our general conditions. https://academiacontacto.com/legal-notice/

Is it possible to stay longer than previously booked?

Yes, you can increase the duration of your stay. However, the same accommodation cannot always be guaranteed.

How can I know if there are still any places available?

Just send us an e-mail to info@academiacontacto.com to check the availability.

What happens on national holidays?

No lessons are given on national holidays. However, no more than one national holiday will be celebrated in any one week. In our Madrid school half the cancelled lessons will be held during the same week.

Can I take a break in the middle of my course?

Although this is not advisable for your general progress, it is possible to have a break if you wish to.

Can I stay for just 1 week?

Yes, we accept students for only one week (but your language course will be more successful if you stay longer).

Could I do my course in two different cities?

Yes, you can. No problem!
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How far is the school from my accommodation?

Most of our flats are centrally located. All of them are easily accesible to the bus and metro system and in most cases you can just walk to school.

How many people are there in a shared flat?

There are between three and ten people sharing the flat.

How many students are there in a family?

Our guest families have between one and three rooms for students.

When can I move into my room and when do I have to vacate it?

The day of arrival is the Sunday before you start your course (Saturday for Alicante and Granada), and the day of deparure is the Saturday after your course ends.

Can I arrive a few days before the start of my course?

Only as an exception, if we have availability. In case we don’t, we’ll recommend you a pension for those extra nights.

Can we choose the area where we would like to live?

You are welcome to state any preference you may have, but we can’t guarantee meeting your wishes.

Can I stay in the same room even after the end of my course?

Yes, you can, but only if there is a previous agreement with us.

When will you give me the information about my accommodation?

We will send you the address, how to get to your accommodation as well as how to get to the school about a week before the start of your course. If you need more information don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Should I give my arrival details to my family or to Academia Contacto?

You have to give the information about your arrival to Academia Contacto.

Who do I get in touch with if there is a problem with the flat / family?

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us and tell us about any problem you may have.

Can Academia Contacto also find accommodation for a friend or relative?

Yes of course.

Can I change my accommodation if I am not satisfied?

Yes, you can, depending on availability.

Are there any washing machines in the flats?

Yes there are.

Do I need to bring my own sheets for the shared flats?

No, you don’t. All sheets and blankets are provided.

Can I make and/or receive calls in my flat / family home?

Some flats have got a phone, others haven’t. You can get calls in all the families.

Can I cook in my family home?

No, your family will cook for you.

During my stay can I split my accommodation between flat and family?

Yes, you can.

Should I bring a present for my family?

Your family doesn’t expect anything. They are not used to gifts.
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How long has the school existed?

Since January 2001.

Is the school always open?

The school in Madrid never closes, in the other cities we close 1 or 2 weeks for Christmas

How many students are there at Academia Contacto?

We have an average of 30 to 65 students at the same time.

What is the average age of the students?

The age ranges are: 18-30 (70%), 30-40 (20%), over 40 (10%).

Where are the students from?

Our students are from all over the world: Europe (75%), America and Australia (15%), Asia and Africa (10%). Most are university students or young professionals.

Can I use the Internet at school?

Yes, you can use the Internet at school free of charge.

Can I use the printer for free?

Yes, for important documents.

Can I make phone calls at school?

Only in case of emergency

Can I receive letters, parcels...?

Yes, you can give our address or the address of the place you are staying at.

Can I study in Contacto if I don't book accommodation?

Yes, of course!

Should I take out medical insurance?

You decide. We can also organize travel, accident and health insurances for you.
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What kind of Spanish do the people in Sevilla speak?

People in Sevilla speak correctly with an andalusian accent.

How big is the city?

Sevilla has 700.000 inhabitants.

What is the weather like?

Sevilla has a warm climate, with hot, dry summers (30-40ºC) and moderately cold winters (10-15ºC).

How can I get to Sevilla?

Sevilla is well-connected with almost all airports worldwide. From some european cities you can also take a bus to Sevilla - and of course you can come by train or by car as well.

What is public transport like?

Public transport in Sevilla is excellent, you can get everywhere you want by metro or by bus. The best thing about it: it is cheap!

Can I travel by car?

Of course it is possible to travel by car. We can help you to find a parking place.

What kind of Spanish do the people in Granada speak?

People in Granada speak a correct Spanish, with an andalusian accent.

How big is the city?

Granada has 240.000 inhabitants.

What is the weather like?

Granada has a warm temperate climate, with hot, dry summers (30-35ºC) and moderately cold winters (10-15ºC).

How can I get to Granada?

Granada is well-connected with a lot of airports worldwide. Another possibility would be fly to Malaga or Madrid and then go by train or by bus. From some european cities you can also travel by bus to Granada - and of course you can come by train or by car as well.

What is public transport like?

Public transport in Granada is excellent, you can get everywhere you want by metro or by bus. The best thing about it: it is cheap!

Can I travel by car?

Of course it is possible to travel to Granada by car. We can help you to find a parking place.

What kind of Spanish do the people in Alicante speak?

People in Alicante speak a clear spanish.They also have their own language, valencian, which is similar to catalan.

How big is the city?

Alicante has about 325.000 inhabitants.

What is the weather like?

Alicante has a warm temperate climate, with hot summers (30-35ºC) and temperate winters (15ºC-20ºC).

How can I get to Alicante?

Alicante is well-connected with all airports worldwide. From some european cities you can also take a bus to Alicante - and of course you can come by train or by car as well.

What is the public transport like?

Public transport in Alicante is excellent, you can get everywhere you want by metro or by bus. The best thing about it: it is cheap!

Can I travel by car?

Of course it is possible to travel by car. We can help you to find a parking place.

What kind of Spanish do the people in Valencia speak?

People in Valencia speak clearly. They also have their own language, valenciano, which is similar to catalan

How big is the city?

Valencia is the third biggest town of Spain. It has 800.000 inhabitants.

What is the weather like?

Valencia has a warm mediterranean climate, with hot summers (30-35ºC) and temperate winters (15ºC).

How can I get to Valencia?

Valencia is well-connected with almost all airports worldwide. From some european cities you can also take a bus to Valencia - and of course you can come by train or by car as well.

What is public transport like?

Public transport in Valencia is excellent, you can get everywhere you want by metro or by bus. The best thing about it: it is cheap!

Can I travel by car?

Of course it is possible to travel by car. We can help you to find a parking place.

What kind of Spanish do the people in Barcelona speak?

People in Barcelona speak clearly and correctly. They also speak catalan, they are bilingual.

Could Catalan be a problem?

Everyone does understand and speak Spanish. You only have to ask for it…

How big is the city?

1.6 million people live in the centre of Barcelona, and around 4 million live in the province.

What is the weather like?

Barcelona has a warm temperate climate, with hot, dry summers (30-35ºC) and moderately cold winters (10-15ºC).

How can I get to Barcelona?

Barcelona is well-connected with all airports worldwide. From some european cities you can also take a bus to Barcelona - and of course you can come by train or by car as well.

What is public transport like?

Public transport in Barcelona is excellent, you can get everywhere you want by metro or by bus. The best thing about it: it is cheap!

Can I travel by car?

Of course it is possible to travel by car. We can help you to find a parking place.

What kind of Spanish do people speak in Madrid?

People in Madrid speak clearly and without any accent. No dialects are spoken in Madrid.

How big is the city?

About 3 million people live in the centre of Madrid. Including the suburbs there are about 4 million inhabitants and in the region Madrid, 6 millions.

What is the weather like?

Madrid has a warm temperate climate, with hot, dry summers (30-35ºC) and moderately cold winters (10-15ºC).

How can I get to Madrid?

Madrid is well-connected with all airports worldwide. You can also take a coach from some European cities to Madrid - and of course you can also come by train or by car.

What is public transport like?

Public transport in Madrid is excellent, you can get everywhere by metro or by bus. The best thing about it: it is cheap!

Can I come by car?

Of course it is possible to come by car. We can help you find a car park.
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What kind of Spanish do people speak in Madrid?

People in Madrid speak clearly and without any accent. No dialects are spoken in Madrid.

How big is the city?

About 3 million people live in the centre of Madrid. Including the suburbs there are about 4 million inhabitants and in the region Madrid, 6 millions.

What is the weather like?

Madrid has a warm temperate climate, with hot, dry summers (30-35ºC) and moderately cold winters (10-15ºC).

How can I get to Madrid?

Madrid is well-connected with all airports worldwide. You can also take a coach from some European cities to Madrid - and of course you can also come by train or by car.

What is public transport like?

Public transport in Madrid is excellent, you can get everywhere by metro or by bus. The best thing about it: it is cheap!

Can I come by car?

Of course it is possible to come by car. We can help you find a car park.
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What kind of Spanish do the people in Barcelona speak?

People in Barcelona speak clearly and correctly. They also speak catalan, they are bilingual.

Could Catalan be a problem?

Everyone does understand and speak Spanish. You only have to ask for it…

How big is the city?

1.6 million people live in the centre of Barcelona, and around 4 million live in the province.

What is the weather like?

Barcelona has a warm temperate climate, with hot, dry summers (30-35ºC) and moderately cold winters (10-15ºC).

How can I get to Barcelona?

Barcelona is well-connected with all airports worldwide. From some european cities you can also take a bus to Barcelona - and of course you can come by train or by car as well.

What is public transport like?

Public transport in Barcelona is excellent, you can get everywhere you want by metro or by bus. The best thing about it: it is cheap!

Can I travel by car?

Of course it is possible to travel by car. We can help you to find a parking place.
No results found in this section.

What kind of Spanish do the people in Alicante speak?

People in Alicante speak a clear spanish.They also have their own language, valencian, which is similar to catalan.

How big is the city?

Alicante has about 325.000 inhabitants.

What is the weather like?

Alicante has a warm temperate climate, with hot summers (30-35ºC) and temperate winters (15ºC-20ºC).

How can I get to Alicante?

Alicante is well-connected with all airports worldwide. From some european cities you can also take a bus to Alicante - and of course you can come by train or by car as well.

What is the public transport like?

Public transport in Alicante is excellent, you can get everywhere you want by metro or by bus. The best thing about it: it is cheap!

Can I travel by car?

Of course it is possible to travel by car. We can help you to find a parking place.
No results found in this section.

What kind of Spanish do the people in Granada speak?

People in Granada speak a correct Spanish, with an andalusian accent.

How big is the city?

Granada has 240.000 inhabitants.

What is the weather like?

Granada has a warm temperate climate, with hot, dry summers (30-35ºC) and moderately cold winters (10-15ºC).

How can I get to Granada?

Granada is well-connected with a lot of airports worldwide. Another possibility would be fly to Malaga or Madrid and then go by train or by bus. From some european cities you can also travel by bus to Granada - and of course you can come by train or by car as well.

What is public transport like?

Public transport in Granada is excellent, you can get everywhere you want by metro or by bus. The best thing about it: it is cheap!

Can I travel by car?

Of course it is possible to travel to Granada by car. We can help you to find a parking place.
No results found in this section.

What kind of Spanish do the people in Valencia speak?

People in Valencia speak clearly. They also have their own language, valenciano, which is similar to catalan

How big is the city?

Valencia is the third biggest town of Spain. It has 800.000 inhabitants.

What is the weather like?

Valencia has a warm mediterranean climate, with hot summers (30-35ºC) and temperate winters (15ºC).

How can I get to Valencia?

Valencia is well-connected with almost all airports worldwide. From some european cities you can also take a bus to Valencia - and of course you can come by train or by car as well.

What is public transport like?

Public transport in Valencia is excellent, you can get everywhere you want by metro or by bus. The best thing about it: it is cheap!

Can I travel by car?

Of course it is possible to travel by car. We can help you to find a parking place.
No results found in this section.

What kind of Spanish do the people in Sevilla speak?

People in Sevilla speak correctly with an andalusian accent.

How big is the city?

Sevilla has 700.000 inhabitants.

What is the weather like?

Sevilla has a warm climate, with hot, dry summers (30-40ºC) and moderately cold winters (10-15ºC).

How can I get to Sevilla?

Sevilla is well-connected with almost all airports worldwide. From some european cities you can also take a bus to Sevilla - and of course you can come by train or by car as well.

What is public transport like?

Public transport in Sevilla is excellent, you can get everywhere you want by metro or by bus. The best thing about it: it is cheap!

Can I travel by car?

Of course it is possible to travel by car. We can help you to find a parking place.
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Can I suggest any activities?

Yes, of course, all ideas are welcome.

Do I have to take part in all activities?

No, you are free to choose what you want to do.

When do the excursions take place?

Excursiones normally take place on Saturdays, and sometimes on Sundays.

What does the cancellation insurance cover?

You can cancel the course before it starts and we’ll refund you the money you’ve already paid.

Is the airport pickup only on arrival or is it both ways?

It is only when you arrive; if you also require it when you leave, you can book it separately.

Who can I call in case of an emergency?

We will give you a 24 hour emergency number you can call anytime.

I still have some questions. Who can I ask?

Send an email to info@academiacontacto.com
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