Proposal for a Congress in San Sebastian

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Spanish Semester Programs with TANDEM Escuela
Internacional Madrid
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SPANISH, AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE

• Spanish is spoken by 440 million people
• It is the official language of 21 countries
• It is the fourth language in the world in number
  of speakers
• It is the worlds second language of
  communication
• 41 million people speak it in countries where it
  is not the official language (36 million in the
  USA)
• Spain Experience a European perspective
• Spains growing importance within EU. The Spanish
  economy is 4th in GDP per capita
• A unique perspective Spain is Europes gateway
  to Latin America, and Northern Africa

A force of 440 million speakers
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MADRID, CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC CAPITAL OF SPAIN

• Madrid has about 5 million inhabitants
• It is located in the geographic center of the
  country
• It is the countrys political, economic and
  social center
• A natural link between Europe, Latin America and
  North Africa
• A cosmopolitan city A melting pot of cultures.
  22 of Madrids inhabitants are from other
  countries
• It has the largest collection of art in Europe
  (the Golden Triangle) the Prado Museum, the
  Reina Sofía Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemizsa
  Collection
• It has a rich cultural and leisure life
  exhibitions, trade shows, nightlife, bars,
  restaurants
• Many sports can be played in its parks and in the
  mountains outside Madrid

Madrid, a city to be experienced
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TANDEM, Escuela Internacional

• TANDEM has more than 20 years of experience with
  US university programs
• TANDEM has consistently received the highest
  rating by Spains accrediting institutions
  (Instituto Cervantes and Universidad de Alcalá)
• TANDEM takes a humanistic approach to education
  and has been teaching foreign languages since
  1982 English, German and Spanish for foreigners
• We have 100 employees, and over 700 students
  study Spanish with us every year
• The school has 14 classrooms and is situated in a
  19th century mansion in the heart of Madrid -
  reach out and touch the von Thyssen Museum -
• The school has a prestigious reputation for
  language teaching
• Located in the heart of Madrids cultural
  triangle
• We are a school with a social conscience

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LAYERS OF IMMERSION

• CLASSES
• HOMESTAY
• TANDEM PARTNER
• CULTURAL PROGRAM
• EXCURSIONS

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LAYERS OF IMMERSION (I)

• LANGUAGE AND ELECTIVE CLASSES
• LANGUAGE SEMESTER
• Orientation (Jan. 3/4) (Jan. 5/7 April 30,
  2008) Easter Week vacation (April 11 - 18)
• TANDEM language classes
• 225 hours of Spanish language per semester -
  900 am to 100 pm schedule
• active class participation and preparation,
  bi-weekly quizzes on Fridays, cumulative final
  during finals week
• Maximum 10 students per language class
  international student environment
• Communicative method focus. TANDEM proprietary
  textbooks and material developed through 20
  years of experience. All books and material
  provided by TANDEM
• Elective courses 90 hours (i.e. Spanish Art and
  Architecture, Spanish Film, Current Events,
  Spanish Literature, etc.) Afternoon class
  schedule. Start in February
• INTERNSHIP SEMESTER (minimum of
  upper-intermediate level of Spanish)
• 1 month intensive lang. 6 hrs. language
  classes and 30 hrs. internship/week
• (NGOs- Helsinki Group, multinationals Daimler
  Chrysler, Spanish small/med. firms)

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Tandem works closely with the families to ensure
a positive experience for all
LAYERS OF IMMERSION (II)

• II. HOMESTAYS a window into Spanish culture and
  society
• Your homestay profile form is our guide. Please
  include dietary preferences, special needs, etc..
  Based on the information you provide TANDEM will
  match you with the most appropriate home.
  Homestay family/ Señoras
• Between 20 and 45 minutes from TANDEM using
  public transportation and/or walking
• Spanish food Part of the cultural experience.
  Mediterranean diet. Expect larger portions,
  protein, legumes, olive oil, fish, bread, ...
• Meal plan
• Breakfast Dinner
• Friday and Saturday - only Breakfast
• Talk to your señoras about packing a lunch
• TANDEM monitors and works closely with the
  families. Families usually have had years of
  experience with US students. They will specify
  their rules but will usually be open to your
  needs and suggestions (meal schedule, visitors,
  ...)
• Your TANDEM Student Advisor (Leslie Clark) and
  EuropaPlus (Marina and Maria España) will be
  monitoring your experience and helping to resolve
  any issue

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LAYERS OF IMMERSION (III)

• TANDEM Partner
• Spanish language students are matched with an
  English language student for 1 hour of Spanish
  and 1 hour of English conversation per week
• Increase fluency and vocabulary, and make friends
  

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LAYERS OF IMMERSION (IV)

• IV. CULTURAL PROGRAM
• 3 cultural activities per week with other
  international students at TANDEM
• -Historical walks/museums the best Madrid has
  to offer per week
• Noche en blanco, carnival, local fiestas
• Cooking, flamenco classes (10 to 15 euros)
• Concerts, theater, art galleries
• Informational session every Monday during class
  break (snacks provided)
• Merche and Julio work hard and have a great time
  bringing you the best of Madrid!

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LAYERS OF IMMERSION (V)

• V. WEEKEND and DAY EXCURSIONS
• 2 weekend excursions a semester
• Granada with the world famous Alhambra
• Salamanca(3rd oldest univ.) rural boutique hotel
  in mountain village of
• Bejar with ceramic workshop, coincides with
  village fiestas
• sign up before Jan due to high demand of
• hotel rooms in Granada and Bejar
• Includes TANDEM and local guides, bus, 2 nights
  hotel, full board,
• Historic guided tour (towns, Alhambra, historic
  neighborhood tours)
• Day excursions every other weekend to Segovia and
  Toledo
• Included in program

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COST OF LIVING

• Higher cost of living than in the US in general
• You may find transportation, and travel more
• affordable. Clothes and electrical/electronic
  devices more expensive.
• The strong Euro/weak Dollar will make cost of
  living in Madrid seem even higher
• Euro/US Dollar rate 1 Euro 1.4 Dollars
• Café y tostada 2.50 euros coca cola y pincho de
  tortilla or bocadillo 4 - 5 euros
• Coca cola from a machine 1.2 euros movie 8
  euros Museo del Prado 3 euros
• Deodorant 2 euros shampoo 3.5 euros 10
  minute taxi ride 5 euros
• Menu del día (3 course lunch) 8-15 euros
• loaf of bread of sandwich bread or barra de pan
  2 3 euros

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SAFETY

• Madrid is a relatively safe place
• Lower crime rate than in equivalent US cities
• Very low violent crime
• However you must beware of pickpockets
• Dont carry your wallet in your back pocket
• Dont leave items unattended in public places
• Dont carry your passport with you on a daily
  basis. Carry a photocopy.
• Dont carry backpacks on your back. Hold them in
  front of you.
• Do carry your US drivers license with you if you
  plan to use a credit card.
• Be especially aware in the metro, around tourist
  areas (Puerta del Sol area, Gran Via, the Retiro
  Park, around museums)

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PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

• Abono Transporte
• monthly unlimited metro and bus pass
• Excellent service and coverage.
• Metro Hours 6 am 1 am
• Bus Hours 6 am midnight
• Special Buho buses after midnight
• You will get your public transport/bus/
• walking route during your orientation
  session session at TANDEM

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SPANISH at TANDEM Madrid We are unique, like you.
Independent, innovative, alive
www. tandem-madrid.com