Mini stay in Elche (Alicante)

Spanish courses for groups and schools in Elche

General information

• Age limit: None (closed groups)
• Starting date: Any day
• Minimum level of Spanish: Beginner
• Students per class: 12 max.

The city of Elche

Elche, the city where Top School is based, is a great choice when looking for a destination for a school trip. Elche is known for its World Heritage sites (El Misteri and the Palm Grove), is only 20 minutes from Alicante, 15 from the beach and another 15 minutes from an international airport. The city can boast the largest collection of palm trees in Europe, which creates a unique landscape that will make visitors feel as if they were in a tropical country. Its Mediterranean climate means mild winters and warm summers, which only adds to that tropical feeling.

In Elche, history and culture merge with modernity, as the city has a rich history due to its Muslim influence, yet it has evolved to become one of the most prominent cities on the Costa Blanca.

The school

The Spanish school at Top School has a prime location in the city. It is 5 minutes’ walk from the city centre and close to various bus stops and train station. In the neighbouring area, you can find cafes, bars and restaurants.

The school has recently refurbished its premises and has air-conditioned classrooms with all the latest technology (audiovisual equipment, smartboards, etc) so that the learning process is more fun and efficient.

The Spanish course

The students will receive 15 hours of Spanish per week in the mornings. The lessons will be taught by highly-qualified, native teachers with a wealth of experience in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. The lessons focus on developing the students’ communicative skills through dynamic activities that will facilitate learning and encourage students to participate actively in class. Furthermore, students can choose a tailor-made course for them, whether that be general Spanish or on particular Spanish themes.

• General Spanish + History: The Conquest of America, El Cid, The Reconquest
• General Spanish + Literature: Don Quixote, Lazarillo de Tormes
• General Spanish + Art: Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Gaudí, etc.
• General Spanish + Spanish culture: festivals, Spanish cuisine, etc.

The accommodation options

The right choice of accommodation is essential for a successful school trip. Top School has spent 25 years organising language-learning holidays here in Spain and abroad. For this reason, we are able to offer our students two different types of accommodation:

• Homestay: The best way to fully immerse yourself in the language and customs is by living with a Spanish family during your stay. Our host families are carefully chosen by our accommodation officer, and offer full-board (packed lunch at lunchtime).
• Hotel: Those students who prefer hotel accommodation will stay at the Ibis hotel in Elche on a half board (breakfast and evening meal) basis. The hotel is only 1km away from the city centre, has 96 soundproof bedrooms and is equipped with everything you need for a relaxing, comfortable stay. Furthermore, there is a 24-hour cafeteria and snack service.

The activity and excursion programme

Groups that take part in Top School’s mini stay in Elche will be able to choose from a wide range of exciting activities that are listed as follows:

Afternoon activities

• • Guided tour of Elche aboard the Trenet
  • Beach games
  • Museums
• • Sports
  • Swimming pool
  • Shopping
  • Treasure hunt
• • El Clot de Galvany Nature Park
  • Arab Baths
  • El Huerto del Cura Garden

Evening activities

• • Sevillanas dancing
  • Tapas party
• • Ice skating
  • Cinema
• • Bowling
  • Karaoke

Half day excursions

• • Helados Alacant ice cream factory in Alicante
  • El Hondo Nature Park
• • Alicante and Santa Barbara Castle
  • Turrón Museum in Xixona
• • Villena and its castle and treasure
  • Local festivities

Full day excursions

• • Murcia
  • City of the Arts and Sciences in Valencia
  • Terra Mitica theme park
  • Mundomar marine animal park
• • Terra Natura wildlife park
  • Benidorm and Guadalest
  • Canelobre Caves and Valor Chocolate Museum
  • Toy Factory and Museum in Ibi
• • Naval Museum and Roman Amphitheatre in Cartagena
  • Isle of Tabarca
  • Aquopolis water park
  • Beach day in Arenales del Sol

The mini stay includes

• 15 or 20 general Spanish lessons or general Spanish + themed project
• Accommodation in host family or hotel
• Full board in homestay and half board in hotel
• Course material
• Certificate of attendance
• Activity and excursion programme
• Bus pass
• 1 free leader per 15 students

Sample timetable*

*This timetable is subject to changes depending on the activities chosen by each group.