FAQs
Intensive Spanish courses since 1964
The course
Do I have to pay registration fees?
No. At Gran Canaria School we do not charge any registration fees.
Do I have to buy books for the course?
The workbook yes. You can buy the textbook if you want. You can also rent it for less than its sale price.
How long is each lesson?
50 minutes.
What is the maximum number of students per class?
Fourteen.
What happens if the group I have been assigned to does not help me improve my Spanish level?
You can talk with your teacher or the academic coordinator. We will do our best to find a solution that meets your needs.
In what cases do you recommend private classes?
Private classes offer more personalized attention. They are very effective in the case of students who need to practice the conversation, improve their skills in specific areas of the language (past tense, use of the subjunctive …) or correct errors. It may happen that the pace of the general course is too fast. In this case private classes are an additional support to learning.
How many private lessons can I book?
As many as you want. Students usually book packages of five or ten lessons per week, which correspond respectively to one or two lessons per day.
Do I receive a certificate at the end of my course?
Our certificates are not official documents, according to the legislation on non-regulated education. Certificates or diplomas are not included in the price of the course. Students who wish to do so (and who have completed 85% of attendance) can request a certificate of attendance from Gran Canaria School of Languages for 5 Eur. This certificate will show first and last name, name of course, date on which has been done, level reached and number of hours.
Can Gran canaria School prepare me for the official Spanish exams?
Yes. We have preparation courses for the DELE, SIELE and DIE exams.
More information here:
Is the course canceled if I am the only student at my level?
No. Gran Canaria School guarantees its A1-B2 levels throughout the year, and C1 from October to March, regardless of the number of students in the course.
Can I change the level?
Of course, as long as the change is approved by the teacher or the academic coordinator. Our main objective is that all our students feel comfortable in their classes.
How can I know what my level of Spanish is?
Before starting the course all new students are required to take a placement test to help us determine which level is the most appropriate. To take the test click here: Online test.
It is important that the online test is done before arriving at the school for an efficient organization and distribution of students. This is for the benefit of all.
The level is assigned based on the results of this test and an oral test that is done at the school with a teacher before 9:00 am.
Are the hours of bank holidays made-up?
Yes. The hours of all holidays (national, regional or local) are made-up throughout the week.
When do the classes begin and end?
The class schedule is from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. When there is a bank holiday, classes end at 2:00 p.m. It may happen that there are two holidays during the same week. In that case, classes run from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 4:25 p.m.
When can I start the course?
If you do not have any notions of Spanish, we recommend that you start on the official starting date. You can check out our calendar here: Calendar and dates. If you already have some knowledge of the language, you can start any Monday throughout the year. When Monday is a holiday, the course will start on Tuesday. In case you cannot start a Monday, contact us.
What do I need to take to class the first day of the course?
Something to write: a notebook, pencil, rubber, pen …
I am an absolute beginner. Will I be able to understand the teacher?
All classes are taught in Spanish, including at A1 level. Do not worry. Our teachers have great experience and will help you at all times. You just need to have a little patience and a lot of desire to learn. All your class mates are in the same situation.
How old are the students and where are they from?
We have students of all ages, from the age of 16 to the age of seventy. They are of different nationalities, mainly from European countries such as Germany, United Kingdom, Italy or Sweden.
The accommodation
How can I get to the school residence?
By bus. The bus stops are outside, across the parking lot. The path is indicated from the terminal by signs on the ground. Depending on the number of the line, some buses stop at San Telmo station and others at Santa Catalina station. If your bus stops in San Telmo, you must take a city bus (yellow) to Santa Catalina or a taxi to your accommodation. You can’t pay by credit card on the bus.
By taxi.
Our airport pick-up service. If you book this service, we will pick you up at the airport.
More information here: Accommodation
When I arrive at my accommodation, what should I do?
In the lobby of the residence hall you will find an envelope with your name on it and inside, the key to your room.
Where is the accommodation located and how far is it from the school / the beach / the nearest shopping centre / the historical centre?
Distances from the ‘Best residence’:
to the school: 850 metres, 10 minutes on foot.
to the beach: 350 meters, 4 minutes on foot.
to the nearest shopping mall: 700 meters, 9 minutes walk.
to the historic centre: 5 km; 60 minutes on foot, 10 minutes by bus line 12 (Parque Santa Catalina – Teatro).
Distances from the ‘Plus residence’:
to the school: 140 metres, 2 minutes walk.
to the beach: 180 meters, 2 minutes on foot.
to the nearest shopping mall: 1.1 km, 14 minutes walk.
to the historic centre: 4.9 kilometres; 55 minutes on foot, 10 minutes by bus line 12 (Parque Santa Catalina – Teatro).
When do I have access to accommodation? When do I have to leave?
You can occupy your room at 12:00. Rooms must be vacated by 10.00 a.m.
Who can I contact if I have any problems on arrival?
Once we have confirmed your enrollment, we will provide you with an emergency phone number that you can use outside school hours, which is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What if my flight arrives before Saturday/Sunday or leaves after Saturday/Sunday?
You must inform us of the day of your arrival and departure and reserve the extra days you need for accommodation.
Can I book accommodation without taking a course?
We offer accommodation to those who accompany students on our courses.
Can I extend my stay in the accommodation after the course?
Yes, but you must inform us in advance of the change of departure date.
Are towels and bed linen included?
Toilet towels and bedding are provided by the school and are changed with each cleaning of the room. You can order an extra cleaning and change bed linen and towels. This service has an additional cost.
Where can I do the laundry?
We offer a laundry service (not ironing) for an additional cost. If you wish, you can go to a local laundry.
Is there an Internet connection in the accommodation?
Yes, there is free WiFi access for students.
How are the rooms furnished?
The rooms have a single bed, a bedside table, a desk with lamp and chair, a built-in wardrobe, a drawer, a safe deposit box and satellite TV; en-suite bathroom with shower.
Can I cook in the accommodation?
The residences have a common kitchen where students will find a refrigerator, coffee maker, water boiler, toaster and microwave oven to prepare simple dishes such as salads, sandwiches, or to heat food in the microwave, but there are no stoves, pots or pans.
Can I stay at the residence hall if I am under 18 years of age?
Yes, as long as your parents or legal guardians accompany you.
What if I have a special diet?
Our cook adapts to restrictive diets (allergy, intolerance, vegetarianism…). Please let us know about your special diet in advance.
Payments and cancellations
How do I pay for my booking?
You can pay by credit card at the school secretary’s office or by bank transfer at no cost to the beneficiary.
How much are the registration fees?
The school does not charge any registration fees.
What does the course price include?
It includes:
the teaching hours as indicated in the programme,
the initial level test,
tutoring and academic advice during your stay,
Internet access,
personalized attention and information,
discount on car rentals
discount on surf courses.
What if I have to cancel my course?
Please read our General Terms and Conditions, paragraph 22: Cancellations.
In any case, you must inform the school as soon as possible and we will inform you.
If I don’t attend school, can I ask for a refund?
If you do not attend school, you are not entitled to a refund. Missed classes cannot be made up.
If I have to leave my classes before the end of the course, will I get my money back?
No, but you can postpone the rest of your stay.
I have paid for a course and for personal reasons I am unable to do it on that date, what can I do?
You can change your course date for no extra cost.
I have paid for a course and I will never be able to go, can I get my money back?
For cancellations arriving 20 days before the start of the course, the school reimburses the amount paid for classes and accommodation less 10%. If the cancellation arrives later, the school reimburses the amount paid less 20%. No cancellations will be admitted if submitted after 4:00 pm (GMT or CET-1) of our last working day prior to the starting date of the course or arrival at the accommodation.
The refund will always be made in the same method as the payment was made.
No refunds will be made after the start date of the course or after occupancy of the room.
If I book the course and am refused a visa, will I be refunded the paid fees?
Yes, we will refund all the money we have received except for th bank costs. The refunds will always be made in the same way as the payment was made.
Others
Can you help me with the visa process?
Gran Canaria School will provide an invitation letter for students who need a visa issued. To do so, they must send the registration form and a photocopy of their passport, and have paid the total cost of the course and accommodation, if contracted with the school. If the visa is refused, the total amount received will be returned by providing the refusal document.
Do I need health insurance?
Citizens from EU countries do not need additional insurance, as there are agreements between all EU countries regarding health care. It is recommended that you bring your European medical card or, failing that, an E-111 form. However, it is advisable to check the applicable regulations with the competent authorities of the country of origin. For citizens from non-EU countries, it is recommended, as for other trips, to take out medical insurance when booking your travel.
Who do I speak to if I have further questions?
You can contact the school by email or phone. The opening hours are from Monday to Friday, from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. The information is provided in Spanish, English or German.
If I have a problem, where can I file a complaint?
Complaints or claims must be submitted in writing and to the school secretary. Claim forms are also available for students.
Activities and excursions
Are excursions included in the course price?
The school organizes a weekly excursion to different places of interest on the island. Students who have booked their accommodation with us will enjoy a 50% discount on the price of their accommodation.
In addition to the excursions, what other activities does the school offer?
We offer a visit to the historic quarter of the city which concludes with a tasting of local specialities. This activity is not free. The island of Gran Canaria is an ideal setting for the practice of various sports activities, which is why we collaborate with different companies so that our students can combine learning Spanish with sport: surfing, hiking, mountain biking, canyoning, climbing or divining.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: the city and its people
Is it a big city? How many inhabitants does it have?
It is an average city, with approximately 380,000 inhabitants.
What are the advantages of LPGC over other cities?
LPGC offers all the advantages of a city (an active social and cultural life, a good public transport network, commercial areas…) and, in addition, the opportunity to enjoy the best urban beach in Europe; all this, with a privileged climate all year round.
The Spanish spoken in the Canaries, what is it like?
The variety of Spanish spoken in the Canary Islands shares characteristics with the varieties from the south of the Peninsula and is close to the Spanish of America. This means that if you become familiar with the Spanish we speak here, you will be able to understand the vast majority of Spanish speakers. In class we learn a standard variety of Spanish, enriched with the particularities of the Canarian variety.
If I go to school by car, where can I park it?
Most of the streets around the school are blue zone. There are also private parking spaces. A cheaper option is to park your car near the Las Arenas shopping centre and then walk along the beach promenade (on foot, approximately 20 minutes).
Can I rent a car or a bicycle?
Yes, students at our school who wish to rent a car receive a special discount. The city offers a bicycle rental service. For more information, visit sitycleta.com/.
Where can I find tourist information about the city?
At the school we provide you with information. For further information, you will find tourist information points in Santa Catalina Park and San Telmo Park. You can also visit lpavisit.com/es/.
Where can I find information on cultural and sporting events?
At the school we will keep you informed of some events that take place in the city or on the island (concerts, popular festivities…). If you want more information, visit:
What is the cost of living like?
Approximate prices:
Bus ticket: 1.40 € (no travel pass); €0.85 (with travel pass).
Movie entrance fee: 5 €
Litre of petrol: 1 € (June 2018)
In the tourist area (beach) these prices may increase:
Beer in a bar: 3 €
Menu of the day: 10 €
Dinner in a medium-priced restaurant: 25 €
A coffee in a bar/cafeteria: 1,10 €