Intensive Spanish course in South America

We use a specialist Spanish teacher and lessons are based at the Work the World house, scheduled for the beginning of your time in Mendoza. Lessons take place in small groups of up to four housemates and you will be assessed on day one to make sure your teacher knows what level of Spanish you currently have. It is recommended that you study as much as possible before you leave as this gives your teacher the opportunity to create more detailed lessons for you, maximising your skills before you start at the hospital.

Your course is split into theory and practical sessions. Mornings are spent in the Work the World classroom building on your vocabulary, learning grammar and sentence structures and taking part in group exercises and role plays. As the week progresses you will begin to focus on key phrases and terms tailored specifically to your healthcare placement.

In the afternoons you will head into the city with your teacher to use your Spanish in practical scenarios. This is a great chance to practice your conversational and listening skills, as well as get to know the area. You will enjoy city tours, take part in a cookery class and visit local markets. Your teachers will take you to local restaurants to enjoy the local food – which is of course steak in Argentina – and introduce you to culture and customs unique to the area, such as tango and wine tasting. Chatting to locals, looking at street signs and hearing and seeing Spanish in context will really bring the language to life and reinforce the classroom study, bringing your language skills on dramatically. Please note that activities are subject to change depending on season, weather and availability.

Read one student's breakdown of the course.

Although some supervisors speak good English, we recommend that anyone taking part in the Argentina programme has some basic Spanish before starting at the hospital as this helps you get fully involved in patient care. Students can learn at home before they leave, but learning in-country will progress your vocabulary and conversational skills far more quickly. You will also quickly pick up the quirks of Latin American Spanish and the local dialect of Mendoza, which is new and important regardless of whether you are a beginner or competent in European Spanish.

Dedicating part of the course to understanding medical terminology is invaluable for your elective. Ines will tailor the lessons to suit your discipline, giving you an amazing head start when you begin your placement. It can be hard to find a course before you leave that can focus on the medical terminology in such detail, or one that tailors the class to match your skills.

Along with the Spanish, many previous students have also commented on the cultural activities as a highlight of their trip. A small group, knowledgeable guides and a chance to get involved with so many of the things Argentina is famous for, is an incredibly fun introduction to the first week in a new country - a great way to prepare for your elective.

Read more on the benefits here.