GAP YEAR

School was well located, facilities appropriate.
Both teachers were different but excellent, enthusiastic, informative and informal.
Cultural activities were interesting and useful. Again the guides were enthusiastic and positive and went beyond doing simply what was necessary.
Accommodation was disappointing. I had booked a homestay which was cancelled at very short notice. I then had to pay more for hostal accommodation, which was fine in itself but the process of confirming this was disorganised. It all worked out ok in the end.

TANDEM School is situated in a very nice area in Madrid, easy to reach by underground and bus.
The school inside is well organized and the teachers are very nice and prepared, the staff too.
The school organize some activities during the week, I took part in two of these and was very useful, because you can speak Spanish while having fun with others!
I think that my level was between two levels (A2 and B1) so, perhaps for me was better study in the class B1 in order to improve more my spanish instead of A2. However, I met some really nice people and I was invited at my classmate's party!
Extrano mucho Madrid, mi companeros y Tandem tambien! :)

Spanish lessons took place in the town center , very easy to reach by metro or bus, schedules were perfect for me with a little 15 minutes break for drink a coffee . The group was reduced what offers possibility for much more conversations and it was again mixed, that is to say that existed a way to connect to the lessons by webcam for people who couldn't go to school because they were in a foreign country. By this way i can continue to participate at the class from France this week and i really enjoy. in the course we make some grammar or conjugation but above all we practice a lot and i think it s a good way to learn. The fact to live in the courses city help too cause we have to listen, to read (in the museums for example) , to speak Spanish all the day and it s sure the best way to discover a culture which takes part for a big part of the language. in Madrid there is lot of architecture, classic, modern and contemporary art , a very nice park , a pleasant atmosphere . The school propose some events like visits with a guide that are interesting too. And i was living homestay , the woman who received me was very nice but i think actually in Madrid it s not a good idea to come back to have dinner wit the habitant because most part of the live take place on the evening. In school we meet others students we go out with on the evening or for visiting, it s a very nice experience too. So, i m very happy with my stay in Madrid, i recommend!

I liked the fact that the teachers do not put any pressure on us and they show a lot of patience. Being in a small group also facilitates learning because the teacher can take the time to correct each student and understand these difficulties. The courses are not too long and the breaks between each are beneficial, moreover the school is well located geographically with particular parks nearby to go to revise or work quietly. The only thing I regret a bit is that I have not been able to get to know other students in other classes better, but that may not be a Tandem problem, but rather the students themselves.

I liked my teachers very much: Mabel and Natalia. They were very professional and enthusiastic. Also Luis in my direct class was fine.
The some classrooms were a bit tiny, but changing rooms every week, was a good idea.

I did not join any activities, as I know a lot of Spanish dance and Argentinian tango.

My host family was excellent .

Staff and teachers were very friendly, helpful and accommodating. Always willing to help and make changes/arrangements based on feedback.

Classes were generally good, although sometimes syllabus is disorganised. Would have preferred fixed teachers and fixed syllabus/lesson plan, tailored specifically for the student. Instead, teachers and classes changed week on week and teaching level varied as well.

School activities were merely average and could be better. Only 3 activities a week in general - not much choice.

Location is excellent, near to Banco de Espana Metro station and only 15 minutes' walk away from city centre. Facilities were adequate.

Housing seemed hit and miss, although my housing with my host family was excellent and definitely recommended. However, some fellow students had different experiences (eg houses very far away, poor hosts, etc)