Frequently Asked Questions

Want to learn more? Here are some answers to our most common questions.

How many students are there in each class?

The class size varies, but typically there are around 4 to 10 students per class. This allows for a dynamic and interactive learning environment.

Who are my classmates?

Your classmates will be other students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities who are also studying Spanish at ILA. It provides a multicultural and immersive learning experience, where you are encouraged to speak only Spanish and class.

Are ILA teachers native Spanish speakers? What are their qualifications?

Yes, the teachers at ILA are native Spanish speakers. They are experienced language professionals with relevant qualifications and expertise in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. They typically have a degree in Philology and/or a Masters in teaching Spanish as a foreign language.

Can I change my schedule from the morning to the afternoon classes?

Schedule changes are subject to availability. Please contact the coordination team as soon as possible to discuss your request and explore the available options.

What is the course timetable?

Our morning classes generally happen in the morning, from 09.30 - 13.30.

Can I prolong my Spanish course once my first course ends?

Yes, you can extend your Spanish course. Please contact the coordination team to discuss the details and available options.

Can I do a trial class?

No, but you have the option of signing up to 1 week of classes at a reduced price, to see if it is the right course for you.

Do I get university credits for studying at ILA?

No, our courses do not count for university credits.

How old are your students?

Students at ILA come from a wide range of age groups. While the majority of students are young adults from 23-35 years old, there are also older students attending the courses.

Will I be able to change my class if the level does not suit me?

Yes, if you feel that the assigned class level does not suit your proficiency, you can discuss your concerns with the coordination team. They will assess your skills and, if necessary, make arrangements to transfer you to a more appropriate level.

How long does it take to complete one level?

The duration to complete one level varies depending on several factors, including your prior knowledge, language learning abilities, and the intensity of your study. However, on average, it takes approximately 8 to 12 weeks to complete one level if you are a complete beginner. Once you achieve higher levels (e.g. B2), it can take longer to achieve even higher levels.

How many different levels do you have?

ILA offers different levels of Spanish courses ranging from beginner (A1) to advanced (C1). The specific levels we work with are:

A1.1 - beginner 1
A1.2 - beginner 2
A2.1 - pre-intermediate 1
A2.2 - pre-intermediate 2
B1.1 - intermediate 1
B1.2 - intermediate 2
B2.1 - upper intermediate 1
B2.2 - upper intermediate 2
C1.1 - advanced 1
C1.2 - advanced 2

What books do you use? And how many books per language level?

ILA uses the ‘Aula’ series of textbooks, but the teachers also create a variety of material tailored to each level of the course. We use one book per level: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1.

What teaching method do you use?

ILA uses the communicative method. The focus is on developing practical language skills through meaningful and real-life communication. This includes a combination of speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities, as well as group discussions and interactive exercises.

Will I take exams?

Yes, periodic evaluations and exams are conducted throughout the course to assess your progress and proficiency in Spanish. They are typically every 3 months. These assessments help track your learning and provide feedback on areas that may need improvement.

How much can I expect to learn after 4 weeks of class?

The amount of progress you can make in four weeks will depend on various factors, including your dedication, previous language learning experience, study habits, and the intensity of the course. Generally, students can expect to acquire a solid foundation in basic vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills within this timeframe.

Can I start in the middle of the week?

No, ILA limits the start days to Monday, so everyone starts on the same day. This is easier from an organisational point of view and better for the students.

Which course is recommended to make the fastest progress in Spanish?

Our Intensive courses (20 hours/week) are typically recommended for those who wish to make rapid progress in Spanish. These courses involve more hours of instruction per week, providing a concentrated and immersive learning experience.

In order to study a Masters at a Spanish university, how long would I need classes to reach a suitable level of Spanish?

The duration of classes required to reach a suitable level of Spanish for studying a Master's degree in a Spanish university may vary depending on your starting proficiency and the language requirements of the specific program. It is recommended to consult the language requirements of the university and the Master's program you are interested in, as they may have specific language proficiency criteria. Based on those requirements, the administration can guide you on the estimated duration of classes needed to achieve the desired level.

Do I get a certificate at the end of the course?

Yes, attendance certificates are available upon request. We charge 10€ per certificate, as we do not charge an enrolment fee. These certificates are not valid DELE certificates, but can be a valuable addition to your resume and can demonstrate your commitment to learning Spanish.

What is the course timetable?

Our morning classes generally happen in the morning, from 09.30 - 13.30.

Do you offer help to students who want to obtain a student visa?

Yes, we offer a 20 hours/week Intensive Spanish course and comprehensive visa guidance for all students.

Do I need a visa to come to Spain?

Whether or not you need a visa to come to Spain depends on your nationality. Generally, students from all European countries can stay as long as they like and do not need a visa to study Spanish.

Students from other countries can stay up to 3 months without a visa. This includes the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan and South Korea, amongst others.

If you are not from the EU and plan to stay for more than 3 months, you will need a type D student visa. ILA has a comprehensive visa service and can help you with everything you need.

How can I find the right embassy or consulate?

To find the right embassy or consulate for your country, you can visit the official website of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They provide a list of embassies and consulates worldwide where you can find the one that serves your country. You can also use the embassy finder website.

What happens if my visa is denied?

If your visa is denied you should inform us as soon as possible by sending a copy of the official rejection notification by email. In some cases we may be able to appeal the decision and help you to get the visa. If your visa is definitively rejected and you have to cancel your course, you will get a full refund minus an administrative fee. Check our terms & conditions for more information.

What course should I choose if I need a long term study visa?

You need to sign up to a course that meets the minimum requirements of 20 hours of study per week, which is our Intensive Spanish course.

How many hours/weeks of Spanish do I need for a long-term student visa?

You need to study 20 hours per week, for a minimum of 6 months.

How long does it take to process a student visa?

The processing time for a student visa can vary depending on the country and individual circumstances. Embassies require you to make an appointment, which can vary depending on the time of year and availability, so plan plenty of time for this.

Once you have had your appointment at the embassy and have submitted your application it should take between 2-4 weeks to receive a response.

Do I have to pay for the entire course before I can get my visa?

Yes, the course should be paid for in full in advance, which is one of the requirements from the embassy.

If my visa is not approved in time for the 1st day of my class can I push back my start date?

Yes, it is no problem to push back your course start date. There are no additional fees.

Can I extend my student visa from within Spain?

Yes, if you have a long-term visa (6 months or more) you can extend from within Spain by signing up to further courses.

Can I process a visa from within Spain?

Yes. You can arrive as a tourist and apply for a student visa, but it should be done no later than 30 days before the expiration date of your stay in the Schengen area. However, we generally recommend doing it from your home country, as it is easier to gather all the required documents from there.

Do I need to make an appointment to apply for my student visa? How do I do it?

Yes, you should make an appointment at your nearest consulate. Here you have a list of all the consulates around the world

I already have a student visa with a different school. Can I renew with ILA?

Yes, but your previous course must be Spanish lessons. You need a certificate of completion from your old school (certificado de aprovechamiento) and an enrolment letter from us to take to the administration office

What kind of financial proof do I need for a student visa?

You will need to provide recent bank statements that show your financial capacity to support yourself during your stay in Spain. The statements should display your name, account balance, and transaction history.

You should be able to demonstrate about 630€ in your bank account for every month you intend to stay in Spain. For example, for 12 months you should have 7560€ in your bank account.

You should review the requirements at your local embassy for the most up to date figures.

How do I get my NIE/TIE?

NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is the identification number for foreigners in Spain, while TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the physical residency card. To obtain your NIE/TIE, you will need to schedule an appointment at the nearest Foreigners' Office (Oficina de Extranjería) or Police Station (Comisaría de Policía).

We can provide you with specific instructions and guidance based on your individual circumstances at ILA.

What kind of health insurance do I need for my student visa?

For a student visa in Spain, you are required to have private medical insurance that provides coverage for the entire duration of your stay. The insurance should offer comprehensive medical coverage, including emergency care, hospitalisation, and repatriation, without a pre-amortisation period or co-payments (sin carencia y sin copagos).

I’m on a long-term course and would like time off to travel, is this possible?

Yes, we factor holiday time into our long-term courses. For example, a 52 week course has 4 weeks of holiday, which can be used for travel, Christmas, religious holidays, or whatever you like.

How long will it take the school to have my visa documents ready?

We can typically have them ready 2-3 days after you have completed your enrollment.

Can I come to Spain before my student visa starts?

You are permitted to come to Spain up to 14 days before your student visa starts.

If I am on a student visa, am I allowed to work?

Yes, you can work up to 20 hours per week on a student visa, or even 30 hours in some circumstances.

Where will I be based?

You will be based within 30min walking distance or public transport of the school. The Barcelona public transport system is very well developed and cheap, so you’ll usually be within a ten-minute walk of a metro station.

Who am I sharing the flat with?

You will be housed with other students or ex-students living in Barcelona. If you’re keen on practising your Spanish, then you can also request to be housed with a local. Living with people who already know the city is a great way to get to know the neighbourhood and meet a few people too.

What is the accommodation like?

Our flats are all modern, clean and in good areas, with fully-equipped kitchens, washing machines and high-speed Internet. You will have your own bedroom with a double bed, clean bedding, a desk and complete access to the common areas. As soon as your accommodation is confirmed, our coordinator will send you all the details with photos of the flat and a map with directions to the school.

Can I look for my own accommodation?

While the school provides accommodation options, if you prefer to look for your own accommodation, you are free to do so and we can share useful links and information with you to help you in your search.

Are utility bills included?

Yes, all utility bills are included. Electricity, water, gas, internet, etc. Food, meals and public transport are not included.

Are meals included?

No, meals are not included.

Can I bring a partner / friend / children?

Accommodation options may vary in terms of their suitability for accommodating partners, friends, or children. It is possible to arrange accommodation for two or more people. Let us know as soon as you can so we can make arrangements and provide information about additional costs.

On what day is check-in/check-out?

By default we organise accommodation from the Sunday before your course to the Saturday after, but this may be subject to change depending on availability. Our coordination team will communicate with you and confirm the specific days and tim

Are bed sheets and towels included?

Yes, these will be provided.

Can I change my accommodation if I'm not satisfied?

If you are not satisfied with your accommodation, it is recommended to discuss your concerns with the accommodation coordinator. They will do their best to address your issues and, if you have a legitimate reason, we can make arrangements for a change of accommodation, subject to availability.

Do I have to take care of cleaning my accommodation?

A bi-weekly cleaning service is included in the price, to clean the common areas (bathroom, kitchen, living room). You will be expected to clean your own room and take care of day-to-day cleaning, washing the dishes, taking out the rubbish, etc.

Will I have laundry facilities?

Yes, all our flats have a washing machine and space to dry your clothes.

Is there air conditioning?

The availability of air conditioning in the accommodation can vary. Some accommodations may have air conditioning, while others may not. All of our flats have fans for summer, and heaters for the winter.

Do I have to buy the books?

Yes, you will need to buy a book for each level you move up: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1. These are not included in the course fee. The books typically cost 40€ and you will need a new one every 6-12 months, depending on how intensively you study.

You don’t have to buy them from ILA, if you already have them from somewhere else or a previous course.

Do I have to pay for the course fee upfront and in-full?

In order to book your place on the course we ask for a down payment of 350€. If your entire course is less than 350€, you should pay in full to book it. The balance should be paid in full before the start of the course.

If you are doing a long-term course for a visa, we offer a payment plan to pay the balance in 3 separate instalments, but the full balance must be paid in order to issue the enrolment letter.

Can I pay for my course on a weekly basis?

No, the minimum enrolment period is 4 weeks.

How can I make a payment?

When you book a course we will send you a link to pay online via credit/debit card. You can also pay via bank transfer, or cash or card at the school.

What is the cancellation policy?

The 350€ down payment is non-refundable.

If you have paid in full but cancel more than 30 days in advance, you will be entitled to a refund, minus the 350€ down payment. For full details on our cancellation policy, including visa rejections, please see our terms and conditions.