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UK: 0845 130 4775
Intl: +44 1273 725 200
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Spanish
General Course
San Sebastian, Spain
1 Week from £209
course only
Spanish General Course (20 lessons per week)
San Sebastian School
 This is the most popular group course and runs throughout the year at all levels from beginners to advanced. Classes focus on the four main language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing, combined with aspects of local culture. This course is recommended for those who wish to learn the language at a steady pace and attracts students of all ages and backgrounds. Classes usually take place Monday to Friday in the morning, although in high season they make take place in the afternoon. Please Note; there is a summer supplement of £25 per week on this course from 3 July to 25 August.
Course Summary
| Lesson Length |
45 |
| Class Times |
9:30 - 11:00
11:30 - 13:00 - Your exact timetable will be confirmed at start of course. |
| Testing Methods |
On the first day from 09.00 to 11.00 hrs. Multiple choice and oral assesment |
| Course Materials |
Included in the course fees |
| Age Range |
16 to 100 |
| Average Class Size |
10 |
| Maximum Class Size |
12 |
| Nearest Airport |
San Sebastian Airport |
| Language |
Spanish |
| Course Type |
General Course |
| School |
San Sebastian |
| Location |
San Sebastian, Spain |
Important Information
Books: Please note that if you are a total beginner you have to go to the reception of the school on your first day in order to obtain the book for beginners (15 Euros) this is not included in the course price on our website.
Shared apartments: In San Sebastian the shared apartment sometimes involves living with a Spanish professional. There may be other foreign students sharing too, but either way you will have a private room, will be able to use all the facilities of the apartment and can come and go as you please.
Activities
A number of activities are available alongside this course, including the sample activities listed below. Please not these may vary and be chargeable.
At the school we organise "intercambio" (language and cultural exchange with Spaniards) parties, talks and lectures, video, international meals and visits to cultural centres, radio, exhibitions, the Congress Centre, and as members of a traditional gastronomic society, we organise dinners prepared by student volunteers and our monitor. In San Sebastian you can play all kinds of sports. Golf, tennis, horse riding and our school will help you organise this. Many surfers are attracted to our waves in Gros, Mundaka, Hossegor, and the Mundáiz Gymnasium, next to the school, offers our students preferential rates.
Others: Dinners, tours, guggenheim museum, sports.
The Municipal Sports Council is very active, and if you become a member you can get into the sports centres and take part in the courses that it organises. In summer they run courses in 20 different sports ranging from surfing, canoeing or sailing to tennis, hang-gliding or climbing.The school organises sports activities such as football and volley-ball matches, horse-rides, bike rides, excursions to the mountains.
Excursions - We make the most of the wonderful scenery in the Basque Country with excursions to its nature reserves. We also visit the villages along our coast, the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, Pamplona, France, and we go on excursions for the entire weekend in the quieter months. Skiing, sports, rural tourism…
Weekend Surfing Trips; The cost is 75€ for a 2 day weekend (16-17/07) and 99€ or a 3 day week end (23-24-25/07). This includes surfing materials (board, wetsuit...) transportation to the best surfing resorts in the area each day, unlimited surfing + 1 hour high level surfing lesson + final party.
Accommodation Options
Prices are per person, per week and include course and accommodation. Supplementary nights may be available. Accommodation prices may vary with season. See step 1 of the booking process for the final price.
 Host Family
Staying with a host family is without doubt one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the language and culture of a country. They may not speak your language but that's all part of the learning experience - and fun! All host families are carefully selected and located within walking distance, or a short bus ride, of the school. You stay in a shared room and receive meals as stated (bed & breakfast, half board or full board). Most families can cater for special dietary requirements, bed linen is provided, and laundry service and towels are sometimes included. A key is given to the outside door so you can come and go as you please. If for any reason you do not wish to eat at home please just notify the family in advance. It's great to experience the different cultural aspects of living with a family, such as different food and meal times, but please respect these too. We also suggest that you take some pictures of your family, friends and home as these can act as useful props for discussion.
Staying with a host family is without doubt one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the language and culture of a country. They may not speak your language but that's all part of the learning experience - and fun! All host families are carefully selected and located within walking distance, or a short bus ride, of the school. You stay in a single room and receive meals as stated (bed & breakfast, half board or full board). Most families can cater for special dietary requirements, bed linen is provided, and laundry service and towels are sometimes included. A key is given to the outside door so you can come and go as you please. If for any reason you do not wish to eat at home please just notify the family in advance. It's great to experience the different cultural aspects of living with a family, such as different food and meal times, but please respect these too. We also suggest that you take some pictures of your family, friends and home as these can act as useful props for discussion.
Supplementary nights - £29 pp per night
Staying with a host family is without doubt one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the language and culture of a country. They may not speak your language but that's all part of the learning experience - and fun! All host families are carefully selected and located within walking distance, or a short bus ride, of the school. You stay in a single room and receive meals as stated (bed & breakfast, half board or full board). Most families can cater for special dietary requirements, bed linen is provided, and laundry service and towels are sometimes included. A key is given to the outside door so you can come and go as you please. If for any reason you do not wish to eat at home please just notify the family in advance. It's great to experience the different cultural aspects of living with a family, such as different food and meal times, but please respect these too. We also suggest that you take some pictures of your family, friends and home as these can act as useful props for discussion.
Supplementary nights - £29 pp per night
For accommodation description please see other description for this type.
Supplementary nights - £39 pp per night
For accommodation description please see other description for this type.
Supplementary nights - £39 pp per night
Staying with a host family is without doubt one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the language and culture of a country. They may not speak your language but that's all part of the learning experience - and fun! All host families are carefully selected and located within walking distance, or a short bus ride, of the school. You stay in a single room and receive meals as stated (bed & breakfast, half board or full board). Most families can cater for special dietary requirements, bed linen is provided, and laundry service and towels are sometimes included. A key is given to the outside door so you can come and go as you please. If for any reason you do not wish to eat at home please just notify the family in advance. It's great to experience the different cultural aspects of living with a family, such as different food and meal times, but please respect these too. We also suggest that you take some pictures of your family, friends and home as these can act as useful props for discussion.
Host family, twin room, half-board
Supplementary nights - £29 pp per night
Host family, twin room, half-board
Supplementary nights - £29 pp per night
Host family, twin room, half-board
Supplementary nights - £29 pp per night
Host family, twin room, half-board
Supplementary nights - £29 pp per night
Shared Apartment
A shared apartment gives you the opportunity to live with foreign, and/or native, students in a friendly and independent environment. Just remember that you may have to make an effort to practise the language outside class! Apartments are located within walking distance, or a short bus ride, of the school. You stay in a single room, or double room if travelling with a friend, and share the kitchen, bathroom and living area with the other students. A deposit may be required upon arrival, and bed linen is provided but towels are not. Please remember that apartments abroad, and especially those in Europe, may not be of the same standard as in your home country: they are clean but they can be small and basic. Please also note that shared apartments fill up quickly during the summer, when there tends to be a higher number of younger students. In San Sebastian the shared apartment involves living with a Spanish professional. There may be other foreign students sharing too, but either way you will have a private room, will be able to use all the facilities of the apartment and can come and go as you please.
Supplementary nights - £29 pp per night
A shared apartment gives you the opportunity to live with foreign, and/or native, students in a friendly and independent environment. Just remember that you may have to make an effort to practise the language outside class! Apartments are located within walking distance, or a short bus ride, of the school. You stay in a single room, or double room if travelling with a friend, and share the kitchen, bathroom and living area with the other students. A deposit may be required upon arrival, and bed linen is provided but towels are not. Please remember that apartments abroad, and especially those in Europe, may not be of the same standard as in your home country: they are clean but they can be small and basic. Please also note that shared apartments fill up quickly during the summer, when there tends to be a higher number of younger students. In San Sebastian the shared apartment involves living with a Spanish professional. There may be other foreign students sharing too, but either way you will have a private room, will be able to use all the facilities of the apartment and can come and go as you please.
Supplementary nights - £29 pp per night
A shared apartment gives you the opportunity to live with foreign, and/or native, students in a friendly and independent environment. Just remember that you may have to make an effort to practise the language outside class! Apartments are located within walking distance, or a short bus ride, of the school. You stay in a single room, or double room if travelling with a friend, and share the kitchen, bathroom and living area with the other students. A deposit may be required upon arrival, and bed linen is provided but towels are not. Please remember that apartments abroad, and especially those in Europe, may not be of the same standard as in your home country: they are clean but they can be small and basic. Please also note that shared apartments fill up quickly during the summer, when there tends to be a higher number of younger students. In San Sebastian the shared apartment involves living with a Spanish professional. There may be other foreign students sharing too, but either way you will have a private room, will be able to use all the facilities of the apartment and can come and go as you please.
Supplementary nights - £19 pp per night
A shared apartment gives you the opportunity to live with foreign, and/or native, students in a friendly and independent environment. Just remember that you may have to make an effort to practise the language outside class! Apartments are located within walking distance, or a short bus ride, of the school. You stay in a single room, or double room if travelling with a friend, and share the kitchen, bathroom and living area with the other students. A deposit may be required upon arrival, and bed linen is provided but towels are not. Please remember that apartments abroad, and especially those in Europe, may not be of the same standard as in your home country: they are clean but they can be small and basic. Please also note that shared apartments fill up quickly during the summer, when there tends to be a higher number of younger students. In San Sebastian the shared apartment involves living with a Spanish professional. There may be other foreign students sharing too, but either way you will have a private room, will be able to use all the facilities of the apartment and can come and go as you please.
Supplementary nights - £19 pp per night
Student Residence
Located in the centre of the city this residence is part of a monastery . Only 5 minutes to La Concha beach and 15 minutes walk from the school. There are different types of rooms, individual and double, and offer full board accommodation. This is a very good option for the juniors that come during these dates to do the Junior Summer Course.
Please note, this residence in San Sebastian is only available during the month of July.
It is possible to book a room with en-suite facilities for an extra £ 30.00 per week.
The School - San Sebastian
School facilities
          Extra Facilities: Drink and vending machines, entrance facilities for disabled people
The school is just 5 minutes' walk from the centre of San Sebastián and close to many amenities such as a gym, park and shops. The building has been completely renovated to offer everything expected of a large and successful language school, including 10 bright air-conditioned classrooms and an excellent range of self-study facilities. Teachers are fully-trained native speakers and work alongside administrative and activities personnel to help students get the most out of their stay in San Sebastián. They also encourage you to join their intercambio programme, a valuable opportunity to practise your Spanish with locals, and for them in turn to practise their language skills with you.
Academic credits - the language programmes we offer in San Sebastian are approved by the University of Southern Mississippi ('USM'). USM is a fully accredited comprehensive state university. USM's international and foreign language programmes are nationally recognised for their excellence. Students can earn up to 12 hours of undergraduate or 9 hours of graduate credit for their enrolment in our Spanish language programmes. You must complete a 3-week immersion programme with at least 20 hours of class time per week (not including activities) to earn three hours of academic credit. Please visit our website at www.cactuslanguage.com for further details.
Out and About
Few cities can offer as many activities in a single area as San Sebastián. The bay of La Concha draws visitors year-round, be it for surfing, kayaking, swimming or simply sunbathing. Add a few more layers and you can be skiing in the Pyrenees the next day - France or Spain, take your pick - or head south to Bilbao to take in the architecture as much as the art at the Guggenheim Museum. But most of all you won't want to miss the fiestas - the Jazz Festival in July and the running of the bulls in nearby Pamplona being the most famous, with numerous other excuses to party throughout the rest of the year. Just don't forget you have to get up for class.
More on San Sebastian School
Best Time to Go
Spring, Summer and early Autumn are usually best. Temperatures in the height of summer (July & August) can reach 30ºC and winters (Nov-Feb) can be quite cold.
Accreditations
International House, CEELE, Instituto Cervantes
Nationalities represented at this school
Sweden 22%, France 4%, USA 20%, Holland 4%, Germany 16%, U.K. 8%, Italy 4%, others 22 %
What other students have said...
“It was my first language course and I’m really happy that I chose Cactus. They offer a good package value and have a clear website where it was easy to book the course. The classes and the school were very good and I enjoyed San Sebastian as a vibrant city with great bars. The beach is perfect for surfing. I would definitely recommend Cactus.” (Ellen Welch, November 2009)
“I liked the classes and teachers there. The school is great, not too big, not too small, and very friendly. The surf was totally awesome, I was stoked at the end of the week. I loved San Sebastian and I wish I could have stayed more than a week.” (Kate Jessop, September 2009)
“The main reason why I chose Cactus is because they offered the Spanish and surf package. Cactus provided all the information we needed to get settled in San Sebastian (including emergency phone numbers and addresses) and were wonderfully responsive and readily available through email whenever we needed them. We had an amazing experience! San Sebastian is a beautiful, culturally rich city. The beaches, food, shopping, cathedral, buildings, flowers, people... all are sooo lovely! I left my heart there.” (Alicia Kelley, August 2009)
“I think that this school is really good and well organized. Its teachers are really good. I think that San Sebastian is a nice and agreeable city. I will recommend it to my friends.” (Marit Gjerstad, July 2009)
“Being here to study Spanish was really entertaining. All services provided by the school were good, like the introduction program which was great. Teachers are very good and well qualified. I met a lot of people in the school and in the city as San Sebastian is a city where we can get to know people very quickly.” (Reichun Lillehdt, July 2009)
“I really liked the school, its teachers, activities and organisation. It also has the advantage of being situated in a really nice city.” (Dennis Hayley, July 2009)
“I really liked the patience of the teachers as well as the course structure and material. San Sebastian is a beautiful small city and a trip to the near mountains is so great. The school is really good and I can recommend doing this language trip with Cactus Language. ” (Helen Smith, June 2009)
"In general I thought the school was fine. Liked the teachers in particular and it was central and facilities were fine.
Liked the town, nice size and walkable and easy to orient oneself and so close to the beach. Also serious lack of English forces one to speak Spanish. I would recommend they have their chargers and batteries for digital equipment - cameras, phones etc. - sorted as San Sebastian is not a large city and not easy to get right equipment. Lack of taxis and lack music in bars a minor irritant.
Without any doubt best value in the town is the €20 fixed price menu at Kaskazuri restaraunt - super view at window seats and superb food. Always busy but you can get in. The best value I had in Spain this trip.
I lived in a family home which was very central and the lady of house was very pleasant. I enjoyed most about my trip the teachers at the school - their energy, friendliness and enthusiasm."
(Michael O'Connor, September 2008)
"I choose Cactus because the website was well designed and any online enquiries were answered promptly.
In the school of San Sebastian my teacher was excellent. I have been involved with education for over 30 years and was impressed with her.
The most enjoyable thing was a combination of a family holiday, renewing my commitment to learning Spanish, and San Sebastian itself which is one of my favourite cities."
(Anne Munt-Davies, August 2008)
"I choose Cactus for the fantastic website and for the good reputation. I thought the school was great and the teachers I had were really good. The classes were fantastic I very much enjoyed them and I thought the age-range was good and I was put in a very pleasant group. The classes itself had a lot of variety and both teachers made us feel very comfortable which meant we were all confident to practise our Spanish in front of them and in front of the rest of the class.
The Staff were friendly at all times and offered help when needed. The location of the school is good and easy to find.San Sebastian is a great place, very clean and safe and it is somewhere I feel very much at home.
I stayed in a share apartment. Staying with someone who had very limited English meant I was forced to speak Spanish and it helped me a lot. I feel more confident with the language now"
(Ilse Van Steen, July 2008)
"I choose Cactus for the professional website. The Class size was good and the standard of teaching very high. San Sebastian is a fantastic place to spend a few weeks. It is beautiful, the people are friendly and the food is excellent. What I enjoyed most were the individual classes that I took in the afternoon were a great chance to really use my Spanish. Also the town was a lovely place to spend 3 weeks.
I thought Cactus were excellent. I would recommend you to friends because you made the process very easy. My agent (Elvira) was incredibly helpful''
(Kirsty Morgan, July 2008)
The school was great. Teachers were really interesting and the staff were all really helpful.
San Sebastian is amazing in June. Not too many tourists but the weather can be great. But the weather is also unpredicatable!
Definitely would recommend it, although not for longer than 3 months. I stayed with the best host mother. There was the son and another student and I have never felt so at home outside of my own house! They were so lovely and the conditions and food was great too. Loved every minute.
(Georgina McKeon, July 2008)
'' I just wanted to say that thoroughly enjoyed my time in San Sebastian over the May June period. Lacunza was absolutely brilliant, and I thoroughly enjoyed my surfing lessons.''
(Farima Saadat- May 2008)
"All was excellent. I was very happy with the school and the classes.
San Sebastian is a very nice town, I would definitely go there again
I stayed with a host family, whose flat was close to the school. Everything worked really well. My host was a guy of similar age to me who was talkative and friendly.
I enjoyed learning the language in its native country and meeting new people, as part of my class, who were from all over the world."
(Andrew Dean - September 2007)
Basque Course/ Individual lessons
'' I chose Cactus because it looked very professional/trust worthy. I found it was an excellent school, good staff and very informative and useful lessons. San Sebastian is a lovely town, would definitely recommend staying in the old part, great atmosphere and lots of practice opportunity. I made my own arrangemts for accommodation and stayed in Pension Aussie, cheap, good location and nice owner''.
(Mike Clark- August 2007)
"I chose Cactus because they had an easy website and a lot of choices. San Sebastian is an awesome town; the beaches are really nice, the old part of the town and the Basque country's scenaries are simply beautiful! Since there was a lot of students, we went to another school that had no windows and no internet. I didn't really care though since the students and teachers were nice. The classes were fun and I think I learned a lot of vocabulary. I was in a host family, it was the nicest family ever and I will sure stay in touch with them. The city was perfect and the people were extremely nice!"
(Mathilde Leblond, July 2007)
"I had a great week in San Sebastian at the language school and thank you so much for helping me to set it up. First of all San Sebastian is ideal with lessons in the morning and surf on the beach in the afternoon. Flights to Biarritz are easy and cheap. I was right in the old part of town where all the action was, including music in the free jazz festival all night.
It was the first time I'd done a course abroad and I hadn't done much Spanish before but as I spoke French and German it was quick to pick up in the total immersion environment, though a temptation to brush up the German and French with the other students in the breaks! In case any older clients wonder being a 55 year old in a class of late teens and twenty’s was absolutely no problem. Everyone in the class took their learning seriously and were there to have a good time too.
I was impressed with the school. They were friendly and efficient. The two teachers I had were very different from each other and complemented each other well, one doing lots of oral work and speaking quite fast, the other slower and filling in the basic gaps in our grammar etc.
I only had one week holiday to take but it was worth it for the boost it gave to my Spanish (and French and German too). I hope to grab another week later and San Sebastian again or one of the other schools in Spain would be ideal."
Mary O'Neale (July 2006)
"I thought the school was good and well organised, the staff was very helpful, and the teachers good and friendly. I also felt that I was learning at the right level. San Sebastian is a nice town, easy to walk around, with a nice beach, lots of sand and very clean. There is not a huge amount to see, but there are nice bars and restaurants, and it is a good place to relax after classes. I stayed in an apartment with a Spanish family. The room was nice and the family lovely and tolerant of my mediocre Spanish. The food was fine, but difficult to adjust to dinner at 10 pm! There was nothing I did not enjoy about my trip; a very relaxing holiday."
(Sarah Done, August 2005)
"I chose cactus because the website was very easy-to-use and the prices were very competitive. The school was very professional dividing people into classes accordingly and the classes were fun and informative. When suggestions were made for class topics, the teachers were willing to change their lesson plan to do what we wanted to cover. San Sebastian is a beautiful city! There is no shortage of things to do both during the day and in the evening. Everything is within walking distance and the beaches were divine! The people I met in Lacunza were amazing, they really helped turn the trip from a good one to a brilliant one. Another aspect that was great was going out with the locals and speaking Spanish with them during Semana Grande. "
(Severine Watson, August 2005)
'' I booked with Cactus because of an article in the travel section of the Independent newspaper. Lacunza was fantastic; the classes were taught soley in Spanish by spanish teachers who were excellent. the staff were helpful and the atmosphere was really good - very international and friendly. I feel that I have made huge progress with my learning. San Sebastain was the perfect location. really good public transport, great restaurants and bars, good shopping and beautiful beaches in the heart of the city. We were there for grand semana so also had the benefit of all the activites and the spectacular firework competition for 7 nights. What we enjoyed most was the classes, they were fantastic and San Sebastian was a great location''
( Jane and Annabel Hill- August 2005)
"Hi Laura. What a nice surprise to get an email asking how my trip in San Sebastian was. I had an excellent time there. It's such a fantastic city, not too big, but big enough for a decent night life, whilst still being able to bump into people. What makes it great though is the two beaches, finally managed to have a go at surfing, which I've been wanting to do for a long time. The school's really sweet, much smaller than the one in Barcelona, but that's not a bad thing. The only thing I thought was a shame, is that I had two teachers a day, so I wasn't really able to build up a relationship with them, like I could in Barcelona, where I had just 1 teacher. But I know that some students enjoyed the change and found it refreshing.
I highly recommend San Sebastian, it hasn't got lots of museums and places to go like Barcelona, but there are plenty of places to go just out of the city. Plus there are film festivals going on. It's probably better to go there whilst the sun is still out to make the most of the beaches, and hill top cafes!
Thanks again for your interest, and its quite likely I'll be in touch soon because I'm thinking of carrying on in Guatamala, and possible doing Italian
some time later. Hope all's well for Cactus"
(Hannah )
"Thank you for all your help in arranging my language course; it went WONDERFULLY. I think that my happy experience is due in large part to the very family I stayed with and the incredibly friendly staff I met at the school. I stayed with a Spanish couple who were hosting three other students so I didn't feel any of the awkwardness of being a random guest. I don't know how typical a host family they were, but they have about 18 years experience and I can't remember a more welcoming household, perhaps even more so than those of certain relatives! The family showed a genuine interest in me and the other students; I enjoyed all our conversations.
I feel that I did greatly improve in certain areas and despite my misgivings when I was told that the classes were not structured in any particular manner; the lessons were taught with creative techniques, the teachers were clearly well-prepared and I didn't have problems integrating into the class, of course it helped that there were only two other students in it. I especially enjoyed the lessons in which we digressed into discussions about the Basque country, culture and present political situation. I've never learned a language in such an entertaining way.
I've left out the most important thing I think. San Sebastian is gorgeous!! I've promised myself to return to live there for a few years one day. I highly recommend it as a place to learn the tongue and the culture..it is rather cosmopolitan and not only is every view spectacular but the people are not at all haughty about it. I've never encountered such friendliness. San Seb has the attribute of being large enough to be called a city, but small and warm enough to have small town ambience, esp in the Parte Vieja.
Finally, it is a great base for exploring the rest of Spain and other European countries if one stays for an extended period of time. So you see, I have nothing but glowing reports. I hope my input helps out. Thank you again for the wonderful job and I will be sure to use Cactus again should I decide to do another language course!"
(Miranda de Savorgnani)
3) "The Host family were very friendly and helpful and the teaching at the school was excellent. I would happily travel with Cactus again, please send me another brochure next year!"
(Bridget Jorro)
We encourage all of our students to review the courses and schools they have visited. It helps us maintain the quality of our courses, and can help other students make informed choices.
Be sure to have your say: Contact us
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Spanish General in San Sebastian School:
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No hidden fees - Our prices include registration fees, course materials and taxes.
Deposit option
Does your course come to more than £200? Pay only £200 today, if you are booking at least 8 weeks before the course starts! Choose the deposit option at the payment stage of your booking.
Booking information
Public Holidays for this school
2010
October 12
November 1
December 6
December 8
2011
January 6
January 20
April 22
April 25
July 25
August 15
October 12
October 25
November 1
December 6
December 8
Airport Transfer Options
Nearest Airport San Sebastian Airport
An airport transfer service is available. £57 pp one way.
Choose the option in step 2 of the booking process.
Other Spanish courses at this school
Map of San Sebastian
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Double, Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
