School Blog

Cultural activities at our Spanish language school from 18.04.2016 to 24.04.2016

Monday, 18.04.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels

14.00-15.00 h
Information session about the courses and Granada
Only for new students!

Tuesday, 19.04.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels

20.00-21.30 h
Visit to the Arabic bath Hamman de Al-Andalus (including massage)
Discover the authentic Arabic baths at Granada. Relax and enjoy the bath and massage. You need to wear swimming clothes, a towel is not necessary
Price: 25 €

Wednesday, 20.04.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels

20.30-22.30 h
We are going to eat Paella and have a drink together
We will meet at 20.30 h in front of the school
Price: 17 €*
* drinks are not included

Thursday, 21.04.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels

15.00-16.30 h
Film session "Un cuento chino" (S. Borensztein / Spain - Argentina 2011)

Friday, 22.04.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels

15.55-19.00 h      
Horse riding in Dilar (Sierra Nevada Natural Park)
Come and enjoy horseback riding through the beautiful landscape of the Sierra Nevada!
Price: 30 €*
* the price does not include the bus ride, 3 € roundtrip

22.00–23.00 h 
Flamenco performance "Raíz y Duende" at Taller de Arte Vimaambi              
Enjoy the beautiful Flamenco art!
Address: C/Cuesta de Gomerez, nº 11
Price: 15 €

Monday 11.04.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels
14.00-15.00 h
Information session about the courses and Granada.
Only for new students!

20.30 - 22.30 h
Tapa Tour with Rubén
Come and  try the nice tapas from Granada!
We will meet at 20.30 h in front of the school.  Every student pays his/her own consumption.

Tuesday, 12.04.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels

20.00-21.30h
Visit to the Arabic bath Hamman de Al-Andalus (including massage)
Discover the authentic Arabic baths at Granada. Relax and enjoy the bath and massage
You need to wear swimming clothes, a towel is not necessary

Address: Calle Santa Ana 16 (Near to Plaza Nueva)
Price: 25 €

Wednesday, 13.04.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels

20.30 h
Let's go to the cinema with Rubén!
"Altamira" de Hugh Hudson (Spain 2016)
We will meet at 20.30 h in front of the school
Price: approx. 4 €

Thursday, 14.04.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels

16.00-19.00 h
Excursion to Nigüelas
We visit an oliveoil mill in Nigüelas Village and having a olive oil tasting 
Price: 38 € (inlcudes: transport, tour and tasting).

Friday, 15.04.2016
15.55-19.00 h       
Horseback riding at Dilar en Sierra Nevada Natural Park
Come and enjoy horseback riding through the beautiful landscape of the Sierra Nevada! Go to our office if you want to receive more information
Price: 30 € (the price does not include the bus ride, 3 € roundtrip)            

19.30–21.00h              
Flamenco en la Casa del Arte Flamenco
Enjoy the beautiful art of Flamenco dancing!
Address: C/ Cuesta de Gomerez, nº11
Price: 16 €

Sunday, 17.04.2016                  
07.45-20.00 h
Day trip  to Córdoba
Don’t miss the day trip to Córdoba organised by Instituto Cultural! Enjoy the amazing Mezquita, a cathedral built around an old Mosque. One of the most impressive monuments in the world!

Meeting point: Our guide Juan meets you at the Congress Palace 
Price: 55 € (includes: transport, insurance, entries and guide)

WEEKEND OF 15,16,17 APRIL TRIP TO MOROCCO
Organised by: Study Travel Spain

For more information go to our office

In 1986 our school opened to seek an immersive approach to Spanish language learning. During all these years we have grown in number of international students and prestige. We are accredited by the Spanish Instituto Cervantes and we are a member of TANDEM International, a network of language schools in Europe and overseas. With more than 800 students every year our school can be considered as a medium-sized Spanish language school.

30 years would not have been possible without our students! This is exactly what we would like to celebrate now. We want to give something back for all these years of loyalty!

We will give 30 grants away and you can choose your date!

We award scholarships to students interested in learning and practicing Spanish within a complete immersion environment in Granada, an historic enclave of Andalusia. Granada as a university town will give students a real opportunity to learn the Spanish way of life and to practice the language in everyday situations.

We will offer a 2-week Spanish course for students between 18-28 years. Candidates should be on a beginner Spanish level (A0/A1). The course consists of 4 group lessons of 45 minutes per day (Monday to Friday). Candidates are accommodated in shared flats with other students from the school (single rooms / use of kitchen facilities).

The terms and conditions of our scholarship campaign are:

• Candidates from all over the world will be considered.
• Age range: 18 to 28 years old.
• Beginner Spanish levels: A0 / A1.
• 30 scholarships (5 scholarships per month) will be granted during 6 months from 18.04. to 17.10.2016.
• The students can increase the period of study (over 2 weeks) assuming the expenses.
• The scholarship covers the tuition of 2 weeks (375,00 €).
• The scholarship does not cover the accommodation costs (250,00 €).
• The chosen candidates will be asked to reserve accommodations through Escuela Montalbán.

For additional information contact us at: cursos@escuela-montalban.com

The programme consisted of 4 Spanish lessons in the morning, combined with cultural activities such as a guided visit to the Alhambra or a walk through the old Arabic quarter Albaicín organized by our teacher Paco.

During the breaks students and teachers visited a local coffee bar where they had chocolate & churros.

Students were accommodated in local host families where they had the opportunity to practice the language in everyday situations.

We wish you all the best for your trip to USA and hopefully see you again next year in Granada!

The Escuela Montalbán Team

Monday 04.04.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels
14.00-15.00 h
Information session about the courses and Granada.
Only for new students!

20.30 - 22.30 h
Tapa Tour with Rubén
We will meet at 20.30 h in front of the school

Tuesday, 05.04.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels

20.00-21.30h
Visit to the Arabic bath Hamman de Al-Andalus (including massage)
Discover the authentic Arabic baths at Granada. Relax and enjoy the bath and massage
You need to wear swimming clothes, a towel is not necessary
Price: 25 €

Wednesday, 06.04.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels

20.30 h
Let's go to the cinema with Rubén
"Altamira" de Hugh Hudson (Spain 2016)
We will meet at 20.30 h in front of the school
Price: approx. 4 €

Thursday, 07.04.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels

Friday, 08.04.2016
15.55-19.00 h       
Horseback riding at Dilar en Sierra Nevada Natural Park
Come and enjoy horseback riding through the beautiful landscape of the Sierra Nevada! Go to our office if you want to receive more information
Price: 30 € (the price does not include the bus ride, 3 € roundtrip)

22.00–23.00 h                
Flamenco "Raiz y Duende" at Taller de Arte Vimaambi
Enjoy the beautiful Flamenco art!
Address: C/Cuesta de Gomerez, nº11
Price: 15 €

Saturday, 09.04.2016                  
07.45-20.00 h
Day trip to Seville
Don’t miss the day trip to Seville organised by Instituto Cultural!
Meeting point: We meet you at the Congress Palace
Price: 60 €

Monday 28.03.2016
09.00-14.00
Spanish courses for all levels.

20.30-22.30h
Tapas Tour with Ruben!
Discover the authentic and great places to eat at the city centre of Granada!
We will meet at 20.30 h in front of the school.  Every student pays his/her own consumption.

Tuesday, 29.03.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels.

20.00-21.30h
Visit to the Arabic bath Hamman de Al-Andalus (including massage)
Discover the authentic Arabic baths at Granada. Relax and enjoy the bath and massage. You need to wear swimming clothes, a towel is not necessary.

Address: Calle Santa Ana 16 (Near to Plaza Nueva)
Price: 25 €

Wednesday,  30.03.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels.  

20.30 – 22.00 h
Paella cooking class and dinner!
Do you wondering how the Spanish people make Paella? Come and experience! We will make a Paella together and eat it later.

Escuela de Cocina
Address: C/ San Marcos, nº 1
Price: 15 € (cooking class and dinner / Minimum: 4 persons).

Thursday, 31.03.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels.

15.00 – 17.00h
Film session "La isla mínima" of Alberto Rodríguez (Spain, 2014)
Theme: Crime
Subtitle: Spanish

Friday, 01.04.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels.

15.55-19.00    
Horseback riding at Dílar, Sierra Natural Park
Come and enjoy horseback riding through the beautiful landscape of the Sierra Nevada!

Price: 30 € (the price does not include the bus ride, 3 € roundtrip)

19.30–21.00h              
Flamenco en la Casa del Arte Flamenco
Enjoy the beautiful art of Flamenco dancing!
Address: C/ Cuesta de Gomerez, nº11
Price: 16 €

Sunday, 03.04.2016                
08.45 - 20.00 h
Day trip  to Costa Tropical
Don’t miss the day trip to Costa Tropical organised by Instituto Cultural!

Meeting point: at the Congress Palace
Price: 46 €

Monday 21.03.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels.

13.30-14.30 h 
Information session about the courses and Granada for new students
Only for new students!

18.30 - 20.30 h
Semana Santa (Easter Week) Procession of Realejo: "Nuestro Señor en el Huerto y Virgen de de la Amargura"
Come and see the beautiful procession of Realejo with Marisa!
We will meet at 18.30 h in front of the school. 

Tuesday, 22.03.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels.

20.00-21.30h
Visit to the Arabic bath Hamman de Al-Andalus (including massage)
Discover the authentic Arabic baths at Granada. Relax and enjoy the bath and massage.
You need to wear swimming clothes, a towel is not necessary.
Price: 25 €

Wednesday, 23.03.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels.   

16.00-19.00 h
Excursion to Nigüelas
We visit an oliveoil mill in Nigüelas Village and having a olive oil tasting 
Price: 38 €

Thursday, 24.03.2016
09.00-14.00 h
Spanish courses for all levels.

We recommend you to go to the processions this day!

Friday, 25.03.2016

There are no classes on this day!

15.55-19.00 h       
Horseback riding at Dilar en Sierra Nevada Natural Park!
Come and enjoy horseback riding through the beautiful landscape of the Sierra Nevada! Go to our office if you want to receive more information
Price: 30 € (the price does not include the bus ride, 3 € roundtrip)

20.30–21.00 h                
Flamenco "Raiz y Duende" at Taller de Arte Vimaambi
Enjoy the beautiful Flamenco art!
Address: C/Cuesta de Gomerez, nº11 
Price: 15 €

Saturday, 26.03.2016                  
08.45-20.00 h 

Day trip to Las Alpujarras
Don’t miss the day trip to Las Alpujarras organised by Instituto Cultural! The region of mountain villages known as Las Alpujarras clings to the southern flanks of the Sierra Nevada, cloven by deep, sheltered valleys and gorges which run down towards the Mediterranean. 

Meeting point: We meet you at the Congress Palace 
Price: 44 €*

* The price includes a tasting of wine, local ham and cheese.

Granada a city with a rich multicultural history, the Alhambra and other monuments, a student-driven nightlife, hiking in the nearby Sierra Nevada National Park offers a break from urban city life! Thursday, 17th March 2016, a beautiful sunny spring day! Paco with his dog Bruno took a group of students to the fantastic route Cruz de Viznar in Sierra de Alfaguara!

You can find Cruz de Viznar, at the Sierra Alfaguara that is located in the Natural Park of Sierra de Huétor. The view is amazing because it is far enough away from the Sierra Nevada to see the whole mountain range topped with snow in this time of the year.

We started our route at Viznar village, that is approximately 7 km away from Granada. From Viznar it is a 30-minute walk to the Cruz de Viznar. From there we went to La Cueva del Agua. With all the hiking tour took around 3 hours.

We like to take our students here since the climb up is steady rather than steep, therefore we can take students from every age.

Semana Santa, also known as Holy Easter week, is a festivity you will never forget, especially when you celebrate it in Granada! In 2016 Easter in Granada is celebrated from 20 to the 27 of March. During this week 32 processions take place through the city center of Granada leading through the beautiful cathedral of the city!

This Catholic Festivity is very unique when you compare it with other cities in Andalucía. Granada is known as one of the most beautiful cities because of its unique surroundings of the processions and their “pasos” that are known as float of thrones with important religious icons.  

Palm Sunday-  20 March
Palm Sunday is the last day before the lent starts. This day they celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, 1 week before his resurrection.
On this day 5 fraternities (also known as cofradías) are going through the streets of Granada. Around 16.00h the Church Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro gives the opening of the holy week by letting out “La Burriquilla”. The best place to see tis procession is from de Arco de Elvira, that is situated behind the large street Gran Vía.

Holy Monday – 21 March
On this day the neighborhood Zaidín which is located in the south of Granada starts its Holy Week by starting their procession at 16.30 h from the church Corpus Christi. They start with their youngest fraternity Santismo Cristo del Trabajo and Nuestra señora de la Luz.  

Holy Tuesday – 22 March
This day around 18.00 h at Plaza Nueva, many people wait to see a spectacular procession that comes from the church of San Gil. The procession is named as Nuestro Padre Jesus del Gran Poder and Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza.

Holy Wednesday – 23 March
Holy Wednesday is a big day in the neighborhood Sacromonte where the gypsies (los gitanos) live. They say that this is one of the most beautiful and impressive procession of the Holy Week. The name of the procession is María Santísma del Sacromonte and starts around 19.20 h at Calle Ganivet. The best way to see it is when it is on his way back to the Abadía del Sacromonte.

Maundy Thursday – 24 March
This is a big day in the old Moorish neighbourhood Albaicín. People are standing in the small streets of Albaicín to watch La Estrellla, La Aurora and La Concha.

Good Friday – 25 March
On good Friday there are 6 processions in Granada.  Around 15.00 h nearly 5000 people will be at Campo del Príncipe in the neighbourhood Realejo to see El rezo al Señor de las favores.

Holy Saturday – 26 March
On Saturday there is only 1 procession which starts at 17.30 h. The procession begins at the church that is located inside the Alhambra namely Santa María de la Alhambra.

Easter Sunday – 27 March
The last day of Semana Santa: The bells of the churches toll joyfully in Granada. There are processions in the morning that close this beautiful week: at 09.00 h starts a procession from the church San Miguel; the last one starts at 11.00 h from the church of Sagrario that is located next to the Cathedral.

For the exact times, routes please click on the link below (IN SPANISH):
http://www.granadadirect.com/fiestas/semana-santa-granada/

I was for 3 weeks at the Spanish language school Escuela Montalbán to follow a level intermediate B2 course. The quality of the lessons is really good since they offer only small classes and teachers are really friendly and knowledgeable! They only speak Spanish to you, therefore, it enforces you to speak and it develops your Spanish!

The atmosphere in the school is great! The school is cozy and the teachers, people that work there are extremely friendly, knowledgeable and warm. But also being able to experience the culture and lifestyle in Granada cannot be underestimated. Therefore, they organize different kind of activities, one of them was a tapa tour through the center of Granada! This is a good way to know your classmates and to get an impression of the city!

I definitely want to go back to follow another course, maybe in combination with the cooking classes that they offer!

(Amber / 24 years / Netherlands)