Salamanca Chueca La Latina Malasaña Museo del Prado Plaza Mayor Complutense University of Madrid Palacio Real Parque de la Bombilla Museo Sorolla de Berlin Puerta del Sol Café Comercial Vicente Calderón Stadium Campo del Moro Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas Avenida de América Parque del Retiro Museo Reina Sofía Madrid Atocha Railway Station www.ef.com Important Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change. Language Courses Abroad For adults and students aged 16 & above EF International Language Centers Accreditations and Memberships The EF International Lan- guage Centers in London, Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester, Bristol and Bournemouth are: EF Dublin is accredited by: The EF International Language Centers in the USA are members of: The EF Interna- tional Language Centers in the USA are accredited by: The EF International Language Centers in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are accredited by: EF Nice is recognized with the Label Qual- ité Français Langue Etrangère. EF Vancouver and Toronto are accredited by Languages Canada. All EF Courses are certified by Southern New Hampshire University. EF Education is an active participant in the Comité Européen de Normalisation. The EF International Language Centers in Brisbane and Perth are members of: The EF International Language Centers in Cambridge, München, Cape Town and Nice are accredited by: The EF International Language Centers in London, Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester and Bournemouth are members of: All EF Courses are recognized by Hult International Business School. Federation of International Youth Travel Organizations. Madrid A lively city, Madrid enjoys an unsurpassed social scene found in its many sidewalk cafes, tapas bars and nightclubs. The EF school is located in an elegant residential quarter, convenient to the most important sites. Contact details: EF Escuela Internacional de Español María de Molina, 41 28006 Madrid Spain Phone: +34 91 781 65 83
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Salamanca
Chueca
La Latina
Malasaña
Museo del PradoPlaza Mayor
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
Complutense University of Madrid
Palacio Real
Parque de la Bombilla Museo Sorolla
Parque de Berlin
Puerta del Sol
Café Comercial
Vicente Calderón Stadium
Campo del Moro
Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
Avenida de América
Parque del Retiro
Museo Reina SofíaMadrid Atocha Railway Station
www.ef.comImportant Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change.
LanguageCourses AbroadFor adults and students aged 16 & above
EF International Language Centers
Accreditations and Memberships
The EF International Lan-guage Centers in London,
Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester, Bristol
and Bournemouth are:
EF Dublin is accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers
in the USA are members of:
The EF Interna-tional Language
Centers in the USA are accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers
in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are accredited by:
EF Nice is recognized with the Label Qual-ité Français Langue
Etrangère.
EF Vancouver and Toronto are accredited by Languages Canada.
All EF Courses are certified by Southern
New Hampshire University.
EF Education is an active participant in
the Comité Européen de Normalisation.
The EF International Language Centers
in Brisbane and Perth are
members of:
The EF International Language Centers in
Cambridge, München, Cape Town and Nice are
accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers in London, Cambridge,
Brighton, Oxford, Manchester and Bournemouth are
members of:
All EF Courses are recognized by Hult
International Business School.
Federation of International Youth
Travel Organizations.
MadridA lively city, Madrid enjoys an unsurpassed social
scene found in its many sidewalk cafes, tapas bars
and nightclubs. The EF school is located in an
elegant residential quarter, convenient to the most
important sites.
Contact details:EF Escuela Internacional de EspañolMaría de Molina, 41 28006 Madrid Spain Phone: +34 91 781 65 83
Section Topic
1 .......... Introduction to EF
2 .......... Welcome to Spain
3 .......... Weather watch
4 .......... Travel & transfer service
5 .......... School information
6 .......... Academics
7 .......... Accommodation & meals
8 .......... Money matters
9 .......... Phones, faxes & Internet
10 ........ Health care & insurance
11 ........ School activities & excursions
12 ........ Transportation
13 ........ Expectations
14 ........ Spanish culture & living tips
15 ........ Adjusting to a new culture
16 ........ EF school calendar & holidays
17 ........ Checklist
Contents - Madrid
Dear Student
Welcome to Madrid! Thank you for choosing to study
at EF Escuela Internacional de Español. During your
stay in sunny Spain, we will do our very best to make
your stay with us enjoyable and easy.
We have a lot to offer you here in Madrid. The school
is in a good location in a lively area of Madrid with
excellent sports facilities nearby. Enjoy studying with
us in the 3rd biggest city of Europe and capital of
Spain, with plenty of opportunities waiting for you and
also with the warmest and most hospitable people
you will ever meet.
The school staff and I look forward to meeting you
soon and helping you make the most of a complete
immersion in our culture. Madrid will exceed your
expectations!
Best wishes,
Chus de Llano,
School Director
EF International Language Center, Madrid
4 Madrid, Spain
2. Welcome to Madrid, SpainMadrid is the biggest city in Spain and the
3rd largest in Europe in terms of population
after London and Paris. It is a cosmopolitan,
warm and welcoming city and a melting pot of
different nationalities and cultures. Madrid is
also the world capital of the Spanish language,
a language that is becoming an essential tool
in a growing number of disciplines (already
spoken by more than 400 million people
worldwide.) As financial capital of Spain,
Madrid offers numerous professional train-
ing programmes in national and multinational
leading companies.
Madrid has so many exhibitions, shows and
an endless array of artistic initiatives and leisure
activities (shopping, dining out, clubbing) that the
students feel a total immersion in the Spanish
culture since the beginning, helping them to
improve their language skills. Furthermore, it is
home to some of the most renowned institu-
tions, aimed at nurturing and promoting the
Spanish language, such as the National Library
or the Cervantes Institute. We must also men-
tion the cultural heritage provided by El Museo
del Prado, Reina Sofía and other magnificent
museums.
Madrid also has the privilege of being geo-
graphically situated in the center of Spain,
allowing the student to visit many other Spanish
cities in just a few hours by public transport
(bus, plane, high-speed trains).
3. Weather WatchThe climate of Madrid is dry and sunny. Its
continental climate is characterised by extreme
temperatures: July and August are absolutely
scorching, but the short and intense cold winter
(between December and February) surprises
many visitors.
The little rain that falls on Madrid is mainly
between October and November and also during
the spring (from March to May).
Having planned a trip to Madrid, we must bear in
mind that autumn and spring are also very mild
and pleasant seasons. Average temperatures:
Summer between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius,
Autumn between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius,
Winter between 2 and 10 degrees Celsius and
Spring between 15 and 21 degrees Celsius.
There is a 5 degree temperature difference
between the day and the night. Please pack
accordingly!
Due to this continental climate, seasons are
strongly differentiated, resulting in amazing skies
and landscapes, especially the sunsets.
4. Travel & Transfer serviceTransfer service
Arriving at a busy airport in a foreign city can be
confusing. EF offers a one-way transfer service
from the airport to your accommodation for an
additional fee. We highly recommend that you
take advantage of this service.
At least one month before your arrival, you
must inform the EF Office in your home country
of the exact details of your flight (airline, flight
number, date and time).
Independent arrival
It is very easy to get to the city from the airport.
There are several options (please note that
prices are subject to change):
❚ Take a taxi to your homestay or to the Stu-
dent Residence. Taxi fares from the airport
usually cost 25-30€. There is an airport
supplement of 4,50€. Do not get into a taxi
unless it has been booked for you by EF or
you have agreed to a price beforehand as it
will be very expensive. Besides by law the
1. Introduction to EFEF Education First, welcomes students of all ages from every corner of the world to learn a language at our schools, also located all over the world. Our innovative curriculum uses an intensively structured academic program, along with an array of educational and social activities, resulting in a fast and fun way to learn a language.
EF students come from diverse back-grounds that, like you, have chosen an academic language program to enhance their skills and improve their career pros-pects. Many of you will have been planning this for many years and it is now time to take advantage of this opportunity!
A large percentage of our students ap-ply their new language skills by taking a recognized exam. Successful completion provides the necessary language qualifi-cations for university and for professional endeavours. Many students view their time with EF as a chance to explore educational alternatives whilst honing language and study skills.
A great aspect of an EF program is the variety of nationalities at our schools. We welcome you to join this international com-munity where you’ll experience life and language with EF. We take great pride in our continuing dedication to our mission – breaking down barriers of language and culture.
5 Madrid, Spain
cabs must have a “taximetro” (counter) and
the taxi driver must turn it on when you enter
in the cab. PAY ATTENTION to this important
detail in order not to be deceived
❚ If you are travelling light, you can take the
tube, a modern, secure and cheap option.
In around 45 minutes you will be in any place
of the city. Cost 1, 50 € single ticket plus 1
€ airport supplement. For more information
www.metromadrid.es
❚ There is also an airport bus, which will take
you downtown to Avenida de América (just in
front of EF school) for 1,50€. From there, you
may take a taxi to your homestay. It will cost
approx. 10-15€.
IMPORTANT: Please always advise your EF
office or your homestay hosts of your expected
arrival time. This will allow your hosts to plan
their day accordingly and to make sure some-
body is there when you arrive.
5. School InformationOur EF Madrid school lies in the exclusive
northest quadrant of the city, in front of one
of the main public transport hubs of the city,
which includes 4 tube lines and more than 40
bus route lines (city and regional). It is because
of this, that in less than 20 minutes you can
be in any part of the city departing from the
school. The neighborhood is the renowned
“barrio de Salamanca”, exclusive and luxuri-
ous where Loewe, Gucci and all other big
and exclusive brands are located. It is also a
very traditional and old fashioned area with a
local market and hundreds of typical bars and
restaurants ranging through all categories and
prices.
A very competent staff of teachers, Housing
and Administrative Coordinator, Activities Coor-
dinator and School Director that love Spanish
culture and Madrid city, are here to assist with
questions and concerns.
The unique and emblematic glass building in
which the school is housed, is an icon in the
city. A fully modernized building with state of
the art design and facilities and a nice private
outdoor area that students can enjoy, even
in Winter (partially covered). The school is
provided with:
❚ Reception (always staffed)
❚ Classroom with multimedia facilities
❚ Language lab with 16 pc’s
❚ Multifunction room for presentations, confer-
ences or special events
❚ Wi-fi
❚ Internet bench
❚ Student lounge
Students can eat lunch at the cafeteria in front
of the school with special EF prices and ter-
race all year around.
Staff
The School Director can help with anything
that has to do with the general organization
of the course and will deal with any problems
of a serious nature. She can also help with
administrative problems such as banking, visas,
course changes and insurance as well as with
more important academic matters such as class
changes and examinations.
If You Need Help
❚ Questions about your course can be
answered most easily if you ask the right
people. The following people are always
ready and willing to help.
❚ The Accommodation Coordinator can help
with homestay problems and financial ques-
tions.
❚ The Activities Coordinator is responsible for
entertainment, sports, travel and other non-
academic events. They can give you sugges-
tions of what to do in your spare time.
❚ Teachers and Course Advisors can help with
any language difficulties or study problems.
❚ Homestay hosts can help with domestic and
general problems about life at home.
6. AcademicsThe EF academic programme gives students
the opportunity to study the Spanish language
and the local culture for as long and with as
much intensity the student wishes and best
adapts to his or her needs. All students will at-
tend grammar, listening, speaking, reading and
writing classes.
First days at the school
On your first day of school, you will be wel-
come at 9:20 a.m. (winter time) and 8.50 a.m.
(summer time) by the School Director, and you
will be given a test lasting approximately 1.5 to
2 hours; this will allow us to allocate you to the
right level.
Orientation
Orientation is a very important part of your
course. It is when you first meet your class-
mates and where friends are made. It is your
first introduction to the staff. You will also re-
ceive your personalized study timetable, details
on the study centre, recreational activities and
information about Madrid.
Spanish teaching programmes
Classes will be divided according to levels.
Our teaching staff will make sure that you are
placed at the right level. Please note that Busi-
ness and Exam courses are only available for
students of an intermediate to advanced level.
All classes are taught in Spanish. Please also
note that promotions to higher levels are based
on class performance, attendance and teach-
ers’ comments.
Tests
You will take a placement test on arrival. Your
progress is monitored, amongst other things,
by 2 weekly tests covering all the skills: gram-
mar, vocabulary, reading, writing and oral
comprehension.
Official Diploma de Español como Lengua
Extranjera (DELE) exams
Depending on students’ interests and levels,
we offer DELE preparation options. There
are three levels – from Lower Intermediate to
Advanced. Exam dates are usually in May and
November. Students interested should contact
either their local Spanish Consulate for details
or their local EF office.
Course Certificates
At the end of your course, you will receive a
certificate. You will also receive an academic
record referring to the progress you have
made. However, please note that these certifi-
cates are only given to students who have at-
tended courses regularly. It is important to note
that in order to be eligible for an EF certificate,
students are expected to participate in class
and must attend at least 80% of all classes.
Special Interest Options
General and Intensive courses include a num-
ber of special interest class options. After the
initial placement test, you will have the chance
to specify your preferences for these special
6 Madrid, Spain
interest classes. Some of these classes require
intermediate or advanced Spanish proficiency.
Also, a minimum number of participants are
required for each special interest class to take
place. The Director of Studies will discuss
your particular needs and wishes with you. All
General and Intensive courses include special
classes on phonetics and additional Intensive
Language practice.
Course books
As part of your academic program, you’ll be
expected to buy the books and classroom
materials that you will use in class. The exact
number of books that you’ll need is determined
by your academic level, progress and choice of
special interest classes. If you wish to buy ad-
ditional books you may need more money. The
books you buy are yours to keep, write in and
take home with you for future reference.
Lessons
All lessons last 40 minutes and are always
taken in Spanish, including the beginner’s level.
The basic study classes are taken in blocks of
two lessons.
Timetable
The school’s timetable changes during the
year, depending on enrollments. Students will
either have a combination of morning and
afternoon classes during their stay, or a morn-
ing or afternoon schedule only. The applicable
schedule will be confirmed during the orienta-
tion on the first day.
7. Accommodation & MealsFor your comfort and safety, please observe
the following rules in your homestay accom-
modation:
❚ The taking of drugs is strictly forbidden.
Students not respecting this rule will be sent
home immediately at their own expense.
❚ No animals are allowed in the rooms.
❚ No open flames (candles, cookers, etc.) are
allowed in the rooms.
❚ No alcohol is allowed in the rooms.
Homestay accommodation
If you are staying in one of our carefully chosen
homestays you should arrive at your host’s
home between 17.00 and 19.00. If you cannot
arrive at this time please inform your hosts of
your arrival time so that someone will be there
when you arrive. Any special requests for ar-
ranging additional nights should be confirmed
with your home office prior to departure. In a
city as large as Madrid, homestays can be up
to one hour’s travelling time from the school.
Meals: Homestay accommodation includes
breakfast and dinner at home seven days a
week and full board at the weekends. You
are not allowed to use the kitchen to cook.
However, you can put food, water or sodas in
the refrigerator. You will have meals with your
hosts at their set meal times. Please be sure to
call your hosts if you are going to be late or if
you are not going to be home for a meal. Please
also respect your host’s privacy at lunchtime
by eating before returning to their home after
school. Note: Lunch and dinner times are very
late in Spain compared with the rest of Europe.
Lunch is generally after 14.00 and dinner after
21.00. During school days it is usual practice
to have a second breakfast/snack at the 11.30
break in order to keep you going until lunchtime
for prices between 4-6€. Please do not wash
any clothes in the bathroom and dry those in
your bedroom, instead, please ask your hosts
where their laundry room is.
Note: Most homes in Spain are not air-condi-
tioned our homestays are no exception.
Inviting friends: Please ask your hosts before
you invite friends to their home. Please do
not expect your hosts to serve meals to your
friends.
Damages: Should you cause any damages to
your host’s property, please inform them imme-
diately and settle the matter directly with them.
EF acts only as a mediator between student
and hosts and cannot assume responsibility for
any damages caused by you.
Telephone: Do not use your host’s telephone
without asking them first. If you want to make
a call to your own country, try to reverse the
charges (in Spain this is called a “llamada a
cobro revertido”), or ask your family to call you.
Keys: You will most likely be given a key to
your host’s home. Please keep it in a safe
place. If you lose it, you may have to pay for a
new lock, which can be very expensive!
Accommodation Questions: Should you feel
unhappy with your homestay, please try to dis-
cuss any problems with them. You may suffer
from “Culture Shock” because the Spanish may
have different ways from your own country.
Room: Generally you will share your room with
an EF student of a different nationality, although
we are not able to guarantee this. You will be pro-
vided with a bed, bed linens, closet space, and
towels for home use. You will also have access to
a desk or table which may be in another room.
Bathroom: You will use the host’s bathroom
facilities. Please be considerate of your host’s
habits when using the bathroom.
Laundry: Your homestay hosts will wash your
sheets and towels. However, they are not
responsible for doing your personal laundry
(although some families may offer to do this for
you anyway). An information sheet will be given
7 Madrid, Spain
to you at the school with a list of launderettes
that you can use; the price per wash can
differ from what you would be charged at the
homestay. However, if you have any serious
problems and are still unhappy after the first
week, you should contact our EF staff who
may be able to find another homestay for you.
If you wish to change your accommodation
in any way during the course you must give
the EF staff seven days notice. If you do not
respect this notice period, you may be subject
to a penalty fee.
8. Money MattersCurrency
The currency in Spain is the Euro. The symbol
for this currency is €. The euro is divided into
100 cents (sometimes referred to as euro-
cents, especially when distinguishing them
from other currencies).
Banknotes come in denominations of €5, €10,
€20, €50, €100. They will each be a different
color to allow you to tell them apart more eas-
ily. Coins come in denominations of 1c, 2c, 5c,
10c, 20c, 50c, €1, €2.
Spending money
We advise you to take about 100 to 125€ per
week in spending money, although this truly
depends on what you choose to do during
your leisure time. You should bring most of
your money in traveller’s cheques or credit
cards, as well as about 100€ in cash for when
you first arrive, including, some small change
for telephones, lockers and bus tickets. You
will also need to take money for learning
materials used in class and for any language
proficiency exams you plan to take.
Only carry as much money as you need for
one day – remember that thieves exist every-
where in the world! The safest way to carry
money is traveller’s cheques. Many places also
accept major credit cards.
Changing money
Foreign money cannot be changed at the
school, but please ask staff where you are able
to change money or traveller’s cheques.
Credit cards
We strongly recommend that students travel
with either a Visa or MasterCard. Credit cards
enable you to rent cars, reserve hotel rooms,
and do various activities, which may be more
difficult with cash or traveller’s cheques.
9. Telephones, fax & InternetTelephone
On your first day at the school, you’ll get in-
structions on how to use a payphone and how
to phone your home country. We remind you
that you should not use your homestay host’s
telephone to call your family, as there is no way
of checking the total cost of the call. Depend-
ing on the length of your stay we recommend
buying a local Spanish mobile phone. You will
receive information about this on arrival.
Fax
All EF schools use fax machines to conduct
business. You can send and receive faxes from
this machine. When you receive mail or faxes
at the school, these will be kept at the front
desk for you until you pick them up.
Internet
The school is equipped with Wi-Fi wireless
Internet. Students are highly encouraged to
bring their personal laptop computers for email
and Internet use on the wireless network.
Students are also able to access the Internet
and email in the computer centre according to
the timetable set by the school.
10. Health Care & InsuranceWe strongly recommend that you take out a