Colegio Maravillas

You may feel at home here if...

• You want Spanish immersion in a Mediterranean town, with a setting that feels more authentic and relaxed than a large city.
• You like a personalised language school where programmes can be shaped around your goals, interests and learning style.
• You enjoy a social, lively and culturally immersive atmosphere with a mixed international student community.
• You are travelling alone and would like to join a school where solo students are a common part of the mix. Around 50% of students travel solo.
• You value an international environment, with students from France, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, the United States, Italy, Canada, Japan, Poland, Norway, Iran and other countries throughout the year.
• You feel comfortable in a broad age mix. Students range from 13 to 90, with especially strong suitability for teenagers, adults and older learners.

Worth knowing before you choose

• Benalmádena offers a Mediterranean town experience. If your main priority is the fast pace of a large metropolitan city, compare the destination carefully before booking.
• The school is a friendly, personalised language school. If you prefer a large university-style campus, this may not match the study environment you have in mind.
• The experience leans towards Spanish culture, local immersion and meaningful study. If you are mainly looking for a highly commercial, party-oriented language trip, another style of school may suit you better.
• The student age profile changes by season. In summer, the average age is 16, while off-season it is 40, so your travel dates can influence the classroom and social atmosphere.
• June is the busiest month, with spring and early summer generally livelier than the quieter winter months.

Teaching approach and classroom setup

• You learn in small international groups, with an average class size of 7 students and a maximum group size of 10.
• All teachers are native Spanish speakers, and all hold a teaching qualification and a university degree.
• Lessons focus strongly on communication and real-life language use, helping you practise Spanish for situations you may experience during your stay in Spain.
• Your classes can include digital resources, collaborative activities and project-based tasks when they support the lesson aims.
• Learning is connected with cultural immersion, local experiences and interaction with the community, so classroom Spanish links naturally with life in Benalmádena.
• The school has 24 classrooms, and classrooms are equipped with audiovisual technology and air conditioning.

Materials, placement and completion

A typical day at Colegio Maravillas

1. 09:00 – 10:50

   Morning Spanish, first block

   Start the morning with focused Spanish practice, using the language for communication and real-life situations.

2. 10:50 – 11:30

   Mid-morning break

   Take time to reset on the terrace, in the cafeteria or in the common lounge before class continues.

3. 11:30 – 13:20

   Morning Spanish, second block

   Continue your Spanish lessons with collaborative tasks, conversation and guided classroom work.

4. 13:20 – 14:30

   Lunch and terrace time

   Stay at school for a relaxed lunch break or meet classmates in the cafeteria, student café area or sunny terrace.

5. 14:30 – 15:30

   Walk towards the beach

   Use your free time to enjoy Benalmádena, with the beach about a 15-minute walk from the school.

6. 16:00 – 18:00

   Afternoon activity

   Join the programme when an activity is scheduled, such as a city walk, cultural workshop, cooking class, museum visit, beach day or excursion.

7. 19:00 – 20:30

   Free evening in Benalmádena

   Spend the evening exploring locally, relaxing after the day or joining a social event such as a film night or international dinner when it is part of the programme.

Ways to meet people in Benalmádena

Student life FAQ

Support you can expect during your stay

• You have a designated student support contact at the school.
• Staff are available during school hours if you need help or advice.
• Emergency numbers are shared when you arrive, and emergency contact is available outside school hours.
• For emergencies, the average response time is 5 to 15 minutes.
• Attendance is tracked, and if you are unexpectedly absent, the school contacts you to check on your wellbeing. If there is cause for concern and they cannot reach you, they may contact your accommodation provider if necessary.
• The school can assist in medical emergencies and has partnerships with local medical providers.
• Significant safety incidents are documented internally and reviewed by the school management team, with relevant parties informed when needed.
• Colegio Maravillas has recorded no serious incidents in the past two years.

Extra arrangements for students under 18

• Students under 18 are accepted, with parental consent required.
• Under 18 programmes and activities are supervised.
• Airport transfer is mandatory for students under 18.
• If a minor needs medical attention, staff or, where appropriate, the host family accompanies them to the appropriate health centre or hospital. The school helps with communication, translation and administrative procedures, while keeping parents and group leaders informed.
• If a minor loses important documents, the school helps with reporting the loss, contacting the relevant embassy or consulate, completing paperwork and keeping parents and group leaders informed.
• If a minor is affected by theft, harassment or another safety-related incident, the school helps ensure their immediate safety, can accompany them to the relevant authorities and keeps parents, group leaders and host families informed until the situation is resolved.

Host family checks and curfews

• Host families are vetted, and host homes are inspected.
• Host families are re-evaluated yearly.
• Curfews apply for students staying with host families.
• Students aged 16 and over may go out during free time with parental permission and must return by 12:00 midnight from Sunday to Thursday, or 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, as agreed with their host family.
• Students aged 13 to 15 may go out only with parental permission and must return by 12:00 midnight every day.

Useful points to know before booking

• Adult students are legally responsible for their own medical care and personal affairs, but the school can provide information, advice and practical assistance on request.
• For adult students, replacement documents remain the student’s responsibility, although the school can advise and, if requested, accompany them to the relevant authorities.
• For adult students involved in a safety-related incident, the school can provide advice, practical assistance and accompaniment on request, while responsibility for managing the situation remains with the student.
• Whether a student staying with a host family receives their own key depends on the host family.

Frequently asked about safety, support & wellbeing

The senior course at a glance

Minimum age

50

Age range

50 to 70

Average age

58

Average group size

7 students

Starting levels

Total beginner, A1, A2, B1 and B2

Minimum number of students

3 students

Designed with senior students in mind

• You join a senior course that welcomes solo travellers, couples, retired learners and professionals who share an interest in Spanish, Spanish culture and an authentic sociable experience.
• Lessons focus on useful Spanish for real situations, including conversation, everyday communication, culture and society, local history, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, reading, writing and speaking confidence.
• The classroom atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and supportive, with active participation, conversation and cultural topics at the centre of the learning experience.
• Your Spanish class is based on language level rather than age, so you can learn alongside adult learners of different ages while still enjoying a senior-only activity programme outside class.
• Benalmádena offers a welcoming, easy-to-navigate Mediterranean setting with public transport, a pleasant climate, a relaxed pace of life, cultural attractions and everyday amenities.
• You can get help with local transport, taxis or arrival information, which can make the first days in Benalmádena easier to manage.
• Quieter accommodation can be requested. Arrangements depend on the season, availability and budget, and are made whenever possible according to your preferences.

Activities and practical details for senior students