Programs are structured in 5 levels, from beginner to advanced. Two teachers, both university graduates and who specialize in teaching Spanish, coordinate each group's classes together with the Director of Studies.

Students who already have some knowledge of Spanish will have an oral and written test at the start of the course. This is used to determine their precise level. All other students will start as beginners. The language levels are defined as follows:

• Beginner: Students who have no (or very little) previous language experience.
• Elementary: Student can exchange basic information with simple structures.
  
• Intermediate: Students can hold a simple conversation on a one-to-one basis.
• High Intermediate: The student can communicate in normal situations, but has difficulty with precision.
• Advanced: The student can communicate easily, but has difficulties with more complicated structures.

Students will receive 25 Spanish language and culture lessons per week, in the mornings and early afternoons, Monday through Friday. Each group class has 6 to 12 students. This allows each student to receive the personal attention that they need to learn the language. The program is designed to promote the student's ability to communicate.

The Following Is Included In The Program:

• 5 Levels available: Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, High Intermediate, Advanced.
• 25 lessons of Spanish classes with native qualified teachers, Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm (45 minutes each lesson)
• Small groups of 6-12 students
• Accommodation in homestay in a shared room and full board (3 meals daily)
• Activity Program (see below for details)
• Half-day activities with a monitor on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
• Full day excursion on Saturdays. Expenses during the excursions are included in the price.)
• Textbooks and materials
• Free internet and e-mail access
• Certificate of attendance
• Arrival and departure transfers from/to the San Sebastian airport or train station.
• NRCSA emergency insurance for program dates in the foreign country.

Not Included:

• Pocket Money (Generally  $75 - $100 is more than enough)
  

From Monday to Friday:

* Breakfast with family from 8:30 to 9:00
* Classes and breaks from 9:30 to 13:45
* Lunch with monitor from 14 to 15:30
* Activities from 15:30 to 19:30 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
* Dinner and entertainment with the family starting at 20

Saturday: Full day excursion from 10 to 18
Sunday: Free day with the family

During the afternoons and evenings on weekdays students participate in a variety of organized activities and/or half day excursions. These activities allow students to meet their peers from around the world that are attending the program, and often leads to forming of life-long friendships. It is also a great chance for students attending the program to practice their Spanish since its the common language of all the attendees.

The following are some of the possible activities and half day excursions:

• Organized Sports & Games
• Open Zone Zurriola (Festival)
• Dance Lessons
• Pamplon – San Fermines
• Spanish Films
• Guided Tours of San Sebastian
• Aquarium & Urgull Stronghold
• Science Museum
• Picnic on Sta. Clara Island
• Kayaking
• Trekking
• San Telmo Museum

The following are some of the full day excursions:

• Guggenheim & Bilbao
• Visit to Zumaia
• Tourist Towns on the French Coast Line
• Sanctuary of Loyola
• Visit to Vitoria
• Ferrerias & Mirandaola Park

For a listing of all the activities, click here (PDF).

Students aged 14 -17 years old are welcome to attend, regardless of educational background, occupation or nationality. No previous knowledge of Spanish is required.

Students desiring credit for their study should contact their home school or request the NRCSA Credit Fact Sheet. Generally, U.S. schools consider 15 hours of study to be equal to 1 semester credit.

Certificates & Exams
A diploma will be issued to each student at the end of the course, indicating the level of proficiency they have attained, how many hours of lessons they have attended, and the content covered.