Spanish & Soccer Immersion in Barcelona

GIYS has created a special opportunity for soccer aficionados—or “futbolistas” in Spain—by designing a unique combination of a youth soccer camp, Spanish classes and excursions to some of the most beautiful sights in this amazing country.

GIYS Immersion Program is based at the RCD Espanyol, a professional Division 1 team in La LIGA, located in Barcelona. Led by an RCD Espanyol, professional Spanish soccer coach, the camp offers participants the chance to see how European soccer players prepare and train. The camp focuses on improving players soccer skills in a fun but challenging environment.

We also offer international summer camps in Spain (F.C. Barcelona, CD Espanyol, Real Madrid, Athletico Bilbao, Valencia), Italy (A.C. Milan), England (Manchester United, Chelsea F.C., Arsenal), and Portugal (F.C. Porto). Contact us for more information about these opportunities.

GIYS welcomes boys and girls, of all ability and skill levels. The average age of our campers is 11–19 years old.

Daily Schedule

In the morning session students will focus on training, drills and game play, allowing players to learn the unique aspects of the Latin and European fútbol game.

In the afternoon, students practice in small groups and one-on-one with a Coach from RCD Espanyol a first division professional team in La LIGA.

A typical day involves warm-ups; a brief discussion of the skill the coach and players will focus on that day, and then one-on-one instruction as well as group practice. Then the players split into teams and scrimmage; matches against outside opposition will be organized, as well. At the end of practice, the Coach and the players cool down and discuss the high and low points of the match, and what needs improvement. All in all, the players practice for 6–8 hours per day.

For more information, contact us.

Spanish Language Immersion Program

The Spanish language programs offered by GIYS, Inc. are designed to enable you to speak Spanish as rapidly as possible. At our various Spanish language schools, you will have the opportunity to choose from small classes, individual instruction, or a combination of both options.

In the classroom, teaching techniques will focus on the communicative approach to learning Spanish. From day one you will begin working on improving your conversational skills. Generally speaking, the process for novices begins by covering basic topics such as who you are, where do you live, etc. As students become more proficient in Spanish, topics may range from sports to politics. As you explore new topics, you will find yourself quickly learning new vocabulary and grammar, and how to effectively use them. In a very short period of time you will find that you will be able to effectively communicate in Spanish!

Why Immersion Programs are The Most Effective Way for Individuals to Learn Spanish?

With a Spanish language immersion program, learning does not stop when you leave the classroom or the field. Since you are living in a country where Spanish is the first language, you will have to utilize what you learned in class, out on the streets. Just going to the store to buy a Coke means that you will have to use Spanish. Though challenging at first, in no time you will quickly acquire the Spanish language skills needed to deal with this, and far more difficult situations.

Why Does Your Spanish Increase At Such A Rapid Rate?

Because you are using Spanish all day, every day! Remember, the only way to really learn a language is to practice it. When you participate in a Spanish language immersion program you will have plenty of time, and countless opportunities to practice your Spanish language skills.

Experience Barcelona

Barcelona, in the northeast of Spain, is located on the Mediterranean Coast with mountains rising up behind. Barcelona is Spain’s hippest, most hard-working city with a beautiful seaside position and a buzzing cultural life.

Barcelona, a city of 2 million, is literally bursting with art and culture. Alongside beaches, the city boasts great shopping, fabulous restaurants and world-class museums.

The city is continually reinventing itself. To the tourist this is evident specially in its architecture, which so well reflects the general approach to life. Barcelona is the most cosmopolitan and economically most active Spanish city. Located on the Mediterranean coast with mountains rising up behind it, Barcelona is the gateway from Spain to the rest of Europe.

Program Highlights

GIYS Cultural & Linguistic Summer Programs combine formal classroom tuition with a very varied list of cultural and leisure activities which introduce the students to Spanish culture, history, lifestyles.

Enjoy exciting field trips, excursions, and cultural events while living with a Spanish family. Standard week in Barcelona with GIYS:

• Classes are held Monday-Friday in the morning from 10 am. to 2 pm. followed by lunch at school or at place nearby.
• Afterwards students have an hour, more or less, of free time.
• Between 3:30 and 4 pm. daily afternoon activities starts. Please, check the schedule for daily recreational or cultural activity. One or more adults (teachers of GIYS school) will accompany to the students during all the activities scheduled in the program.
• In a normal day students have to be back at home no later than 8 pm.
• Usually families have dinner at 8:30 pm. Students can never go out on their own after curfew. Spanish families do not allow to their children to go out during the night without an adult, until they are 18. Families expect that students follow this rule.
• On weekends, usually on Saturday, the group enjoy supervised trips to different locations in La Costa Brava, Tarragona, etc. Please, see “Barcelona: Excursions” information. One or more teachers always go with the group.
• On Sundays students stay with their host families and spend the day with them.

Homestay with a well-chosen Spanish family and 3 meals per day are provided by the program. Breakfast and dinner are with the host family. Lunch will be served at school or at a nearby restaurant. On Saturday— excursion day—family gives to the student a picnic for lunch.

Starting Dates for School Programs

Spanish classes and Cultural activities start on Mondays, each week during June and July. We recomend students arrive in Barcelona 2 days before starting their lessons or activities.

Acommadations for Students in Barcelona

HOMESTAY: with a well-chosen family. The student will have a clean private room, breakfast, and dinner with the family. Also, per request, we can have more than one student per family.

Students will live with local families in their homes. All families are carefully screened and selected. GIYS will use the information that students provide on their accommodation form to place students with local families. All students will have their own room, a desk and usually a key to the house.

Why Are Home stays With Local Families Offered As Part of A Spanish Immersion Program?

A major reason why Spanish language immersion programs are so effective relates to the fact that you have the opportunity to live with a host family (some locations offer apartment and/or other options as well). All host families (and any other accommodation option available) are located, approved and overseen by each respective language school.

When staying with a host family, you will have the chance to practice the Spanish you learned in class in a natural family setting. Because of their interest in your progress, you will find that staying with a host family is a non-threatening environment where you can practice and improve you Spanish. As your relationship with the family grows, your motivation to learn Spanish will increase.

Another great benefit of staying with a host family relates to the fact that in many cases, you will find yourself participating in family activities and you also will learn about the local traditions and the culture.

Emergency medical and ordinary insurance coverage is provided by the program; parents may elect to purchase supplemental coverage on their own. The health care system in Barcelona is excellent. To maintain order and ensure safety, students are expected to follow the school rules and respect the rules at the host family. Students can never go out on their own after curfew. Telephone cards may be purchased for a value of 6 euros or 12 euros which may be use in majority of public phones that can be found all around. When buying a phonecard, make sure it is a valid card for calling to your country.

Spanish Courses

Spanish language classes will take place Monday through Friday for four hours in the morning. Groups will be a maximum of 7–12 students. There are different groups of students attending their level of Spanish. Our classes emphasize the development of communicative competence, including listening, reading, speaking and writing.

COURSES

Elementary Spanish I
Elementary Spanish II
Intermediate Spanish I
Intermediate Spanish II
Advanced Spanish level
Spanish Culture

PROGRAM COST PER STUDENT

Cost of Cultural & Linguistic Programs in Barcelona:

10 days: $1,600
2 weeks: $2,240
3 weeks: $3,360
4 weeks: $4,199

Price does not include air ticket and all other items not listed here.