| 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 audio-visual 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. |
