A: You won't be short of Spanish schools to choose from. Most major cities
in Spain have several schools and there are also plenty more close to beach
resorts. For the best results, stick to those that have Certificate of Quality
in Teaching Spanish (CEELE) accreditation, and are also members of
internationally recognized trade organizations such as the Federation of International
Youth Travel Organisations (FIYTO).
When choosing your tuition, look out for native speakers teaching a maximum
class size of eight to 12 people, preferably solely in Spanish. Be aware, though,
that not all schools teach adults and teens at the same site.
Most schools provide accommodation, either with a Spanish host family or in shared self-catering apartments with other students. Activities are often included - some schools offer Spanish tuition combined with surfing or flamenco lessons. Others concentrate on sightseeing and cultural attractions. A standard seven-day package might include 20 hours of morning lessons, and four afternoon trips out.
It can be cheaper to book direct with the language school. La Janda school (00 34 956 44 70 60; www.lajanda.org) is located in Vejer de la Frontera, a small Andalucian town close to two beaches. On 18 July and 1 August, it runs two-week courses for 14- to 17-year-olds. The classes are held in a separate building from the main school but the two are close by. Your daughter will receive 20 50-minute lessons per week at one of four levels, from beginner to advanced, each weekday morning, followed by afternoons activities such as kayaking, juggling and music.
The cost of €890 (£612) per person includes full-board accommodation with a host family and airport transfers from Jerez, all course materials and the registration fee. At the same time, you could also sign up for its two-week adult beginners' course, comprising 20 lessons plus two cultural evenings and three organized activities per week. This will cost €650 (£447) staying in the same place as your daughter, although you would have to pay €90 (£65) extra for airport transfers.
Cactus Language (0845 130 4775; www.cactuslanguage.com. Cactus Language recommends Lacunza school (00 34 943 32 66 80; www.lacunza.com), five minutes from San Sebastian's centre. Lacunza runs two-week summer schools for 14- to 17-year-olds starting every Monday from 4 July to 5 September. Lessons are held in the same building as those for its mature students. These take place Monday-Friday from 9am-1pm with class sizes ranging from four to 12. The cost is £709 for two weeks, based on half-board accommodation with a host family, and includes 50 45-minute lessons, six organized afternoon activities (typically surfing, cookery, beach volleyball, etc) and two Saturday excursions.
Lacunza also offers general adults' Spanish courses starting every Monday. Two
weeks, with the same accommodation and number of lessons, would cost you £569.
The school arranges organized free events such as Spanish film evenings, cookery
lessons and cultural talks. The nearest airports are Biarritz and Bilbao. Cactus
can arrange transfers and flights.