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The
Don Quijote schools use an interactive method of teaching based
on learning by practice. The emphasis is on conversation but,
of course, they also pay attention to grammar, reading, listening
and writing. Grammar is one of the building blocks of a language
and is essential to the continuous interaction between teacher
and student. Don Quijote has refined the communicative teaching
method continuously through years of experience and constantly
evaluating and applying student suggestions.
A successful
implementation of the interactive method depends completely on
the personal attention the teacher is able to give to you. A group
never consists of more than eight students in all intensive and
Super Intensive courses. The school determines the make-up of
the group according to the students' abilities. The first day
of the course begins with an oral and written test. If you are
a beginner you will start directly in a beginners group.
The
lessons at the Don Quijote schools are lively and varied. In class,
teachers make use of overhead projectors, video and other audiovisual
materials. To ensure that the lessons are as practical as possible,
the instructors use newspaper articles and they teach you how
to conduct a telephone conversation in Spanish. Films and documentaries
will also be viewed, songs will be listened to and menus read.
In addition, you will give talks and take part in role-play situations.
On
the first Monday you are expected at school at eight o'clock.
As a beginner (a third of the students are beginners so you are
not the only one) you will start lessons immediately. You will
notice that by the end of the lessons, you will already be able
to speak a little Spanish. If you already have some knowledge
of the Spanish language you will take a level test first so that
you can be classified at the right learning level. The lessons
then start immediately afterwards.
Each day you have a minimum of four lessons
with a half hour break. A class lasts approximately 50 minutes.
The class schedule can be either in the morning or the afternoon.
This depends upon various circumstances (current number of groups,
the level of the student etc.) and will be determined on your
first course day. |
