During the half-term break, GCSE and A-Level Spanish students visited the Andaluisan town of Benálmadena in southern Spain, for a five-day deep-dive into Spanish language and culture.

Student’s stayed with Spanish host families whilst attending Spanish lessons at language school, Colegio Maravillas.  After settling in with their host families, students enjoyed  visiting nearby Mijas to discover important historical sites, the Picasso Museum and the Alcazaba (fortress) in Málaga. They also visited the world famous Alhambra – a walled hilltop monument filled with palaces, gardens, fortresses and dungeons as well as  getting to grips with Spanish culture during cooking lessons making paella. 

This trip is incredibly beneficial to our language students as they are able to stay with a Spanish host family and they are fully immersed in Spanish family life.

Here is Year 13 student Katie’s write up of the trip:

The recent trip to Benálmadena was an incredible opportunity to practise my Spanish and expand my knowledge of Spanish customs. Staying with a host family really gave me an insight into everyday life abroad and allowed me to pick up unique vocabulary that ordinarily wouldn’t be taught in a classroom. 

The cultural sites that we visited were fascinating and informative; I personally enjoyed visiting the Alcazaba in Málaga as I found it really interesting to see the mix of Arabic, Roman and Spanish cultures that make up the structure. 

Overall, I would definitely say it was a trip that I’ll never forget!