Learn Spanish in Spain with EF

I would advise everyone to go study abroad. Not only did I developed my language skills, I also developed a lot personally.
My Spanish skills have improved so much within such a short period of time. When I arrived I didn’t speak any Spanish anda after studying nine months abroad, I have the level of upper intermediate. I believe that there is no other way to become fluent in a language than to go abroad and ‘live the language’.

EF Málaga is a beautiful school, located close to the beach. During your daily life, you’ll be surrounded among local people, which is great for your cultural experience and language improvement.
The classes are very well organised, the staff is friendly and the school organises interesting activities and trips.

I would highly recommend EF Málaga, I’ve had the time of my life there!

I loved my experience in Málaga and I have fallen in love with the city. The teachers are amazing. One of the things that surprised me the most, is the close relation between the students and the teachers. Besides from this, it’s an amazing experience and I would recommend everyone who is able to,to make this decision. The school is located in the most relaxed neighbourhood of Málaga and close to the beach. I have learned so much about myself and have made the coolest friends but apart from all that, I speak a new language.

Coming from a small town in Connecticut I feel as though my experience in Madrid is something I will never forget. The friendships I have made have allowed me to travel all around Europe just visiting friends that I have made through the EF program, and for this I think it is a really special thing. Through my time in Madrid I have been through many new experiences, made friends I never thought I would have been so close to and improved my Spanish skills tenfold. The teachers at EF madrid are some of the best professors I’ve ever had in my student years. They are fun, and always there to help you whether It’s a small or large probelm. Having visited both EF Malaga and EF Barcelona although I think both are very good programs as well, I think Madrid as a city is better. Being the metropolitan capitol of Spain and in the center you’ll find that you will get more real Spanish speaking people and less tourists. For this reason it is a better city to improve your Spanish skills. The night life in Madrid is truly incredible and spending nights out with your friends is really something you will never forget. Overall I think my expirence at Madrid has been very rewarding

I was very excited to go to Barcelona and study abroad. My friend went through a different program and enjoyed it a lot. My Spanish improved so much and I 100% think this was a valuable experience and recommend others to study abroad. (Learning Spanish was more of a result of being in Spain not at all a result of taking those un engaging classes with bad teachers)
Having said that I have come to the conclusion that, from what I experienced during my stay, the EF program in Barcelona is unorganized, the staff are rude, and the host moms, which I spoke to(I can't speak for ones I have not met or heard about), are uneducated and rude as well. I am not saying all of their locations are like this but the interactions I had with the Ef staff in Barcelona were atrocious. They would most definetly be unqualified to work in the U.S. for speaking to customers the way they do. Not only that but I was shocked because they were complete liars. They would say anything to save their behinds and made up stories when people complained. I do not believe they were qualified for their jobs one bit as they are rude, close minded, and untrustworthy.
As much as my experience with the staff was atrocious that wasn't the worst part, and it is probably unusual as most kids just pass through the program and are simply given fake smiles. The worst part was how obviously unorganized the program was. Most host parents were not even parents. Some where just men or young women who lived alone and were never home. My host mom was not a native spanish speaker and had such a thick accent I could barely understand her. She also did not know anything about the culture and therefore it was not a "cultural experience". I spoke to many people who were there with me in Barcelona(from all over the world) and many had problems with the program and their host "families". Some were left alone to do what ever they wanted sometimes as their host "parent" would go out clubbing. One of my friends was not even fed for a few days and was forced to buy her own food(the program is expensive and includes meals). Everyone I had talked to who was vegetarian arrived at the house to find out that the host family didn't even know! My host mom did not even know how to cook for my roommate and me and due to this we wasted so much money on our own food. Her boyfriend also smoked in the bathroom and the house would reek and I had an allergic reaction to the smoke.
Over all I recommend going to Spain just not through EF. My close friend loved her program and even talks to them today! There are great programs out there- this is not one of them.

I spent a month in Madrid in order to improve my Spanish, but I learned so much more than that! All of the students at EF Madrid were so welcoming, passionate, and intelligent. I made so many close friends; I was not expecting my social experience to be so fulfilling and exciting!
I absolutely fell in love with the city-- Madrid is so beautiful, safe, historical, and accepting. I cannot wait to return in the future!
This experience was unforgettable, and I am so glad that I decided to go to EF Madrid!

I spent 4 weeks in Madrid to learn Spanish and honestly, it's been the most wonderful experience in my life. I loved everything about the school : the staff and the teachers were kind and creative, the activities organized by EF were interesting and I always had fun in my classes. The housing was great as well ; my Spanish mom really cared about the students who lived with her.
I also loved the atmosphere of the school : I met dozens of fellow students from around the world and they were all open-minded, nice and eager to learn.
My Spanish improved so much in just a month!!
Muchas gracias a la grande familia de EF Madrid :)

My experience with EF in Barcelona was absolutely amazing. I got so much out of it. From improving my Spanish to traveling all over the city, it was definitely the best 2 weeks of my life. I met so many amazing people, some who will be friends for life. Unfortunately I did not have to best host families, and next time I will more than likely stay in the EF residence. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this program to anyone who's considering learning a language abroad. Thank you EF!

Being able to travel abroad and spend two weeks in Barcelona was an unforgettable experience. To spend time in a country, surrounded by one's target language and learning skills to practice in the real world is something few get the chance to experience but all should try to do. EF combines an environment of fast, efficient learning with the opportunity to explore the area and practice newly learned skills. EF also teaches the language and cultural skills necessary to travel, barter, communicate colloquially, engage in conversations, and meet new people, giving a well-rounded and wholesome learning experience. I highly recommend EF for anyone interested in learning a language quickly and effectively, while also being able to practice that language in a comfortable, safe environment while also having the freedom to break out of one's comfort zone and be completely immersed in a new culture and language.