Spanish Language School in Andalusia, South of Spain

Tropical Coast Languages:
TCLanguages situated in the heart of Almuñécar in Andalusia prides itself on competent Spanish language training in a magical environment.

Since 1992 Tropical Coast Languages Spanish school (formerly IMSOL Almuñécar) has been offering Spanish Courses in Almuñécar on the tropical Coast, throughout the year.

We are an Instituto Cervantes Accredited Teaching Centre & we comply with the CEN regulations (Comité Européen de Normalisation) concerning language study travel. Our teaching Centre has five classrooms fully-equipped for the study of Spanish with TV, video, DVD and all the necessary audio and CD equipment. There are a maximum of 8 students per class. We guarantee a friendly, reliable and personalised service.

We give prominence to the communicative approach because it is activity-based, interactive and learner-centred and it encourages learners to use the language as much as possible for real and purposeful communication, in real-life or realistic situations.

We also follow an eclectic methodology in which the individual needs, interests, and learning styles of our students are taken into consideration. For that reason, we incorporate complementary techniques and strategies that have also proved successful in language learning.

Intensive Spanish Courses; Individual Spanish Courses; Combined Spanish Courses; Spanish Grammar Courses; Vocabulary and Conversation Courses; Preparation for D.E.L.E Examination; Study of Spanish Culture and Literature Courses; Spanish Courses for Specific Purposes; Spanish Courses for Senior Citizens; Teacher Training Courses; Spanish Courses for Teenagers.

The school has a professional and dynamic team of teaching staff, all holding superior university degrees and having undergone our in-house training programme.

All our language teachers are native Spanish speakers.

TCL is a Teacher-Training Centre for the Teaching of Spanish as a Foreign Language for native Spanish speaking teachers.

Tropical Microclimate:

Almuñécar is a small town located on the Mediterranean Coast of Granada, which has a unique tropical microclimate, hence the name "Costa Tropical". Although it is a fishing village Almuñécar's economy is also based on the production of tropical fruits such as the chirimoya, or custard apple, kiwi, avocado and nispora. Its location and privileged climate (with average temperatures of 29ºC in the summer and 18ºC in winter) make Almuñécar a very popular tourist destination attracting primarily Spanish tourists.

Beaches:

The Almuñécar coastline boasts over 19 kilometres of beautiful beaches and hidden bays with calm crystal-clear waters especially well suited to the practice of water sports such as diving, windsurfing, etc. Almuñécar Aquarium recreates this part of the Mediterranean sea, its habitat and ecosystems, with more than 3,000 specimens from 200 different species of fishes and invertebrates such as, octopus, jellyfishes, etc.

Also, the proximity of the mountains is perfect for the practice of open air adventure sports such as trekking, paragliding etc.

Local Gastronomy:

Eating and drinking out forms an important part of the Spanish way of life and where better to do it than at a popular Spanish holiday resort? Here in Almuñécar there are many traditional family-run restaurants where you can eat fresh local produce at affordable prices. Try fresh orange juice, coffee, and toast with tomato and olive oil for breakfast. Order the "Menu Del Día" (Set daily menu) at lunch time which will include a choice of salads, thick chickpea or lentil soups, fresh fish, squid and octopus or paella amongst many other dishes. In the evenings enjoy drinks and tapas which come for free and are an excellent way of sampling the dishes on offer.

Almuñécar has an indoor market which is just 10 minute’s walk from the school through the old town where you can buy fresh local produce including chirimoyas (custard apples), avocadoes, and nisporas.

Almuñécar has been home to Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs before the arrival of the Catholic king and queen in the 15th Century. The castle of San Miguel is perhaps the most important monument and has fantastic views of the several kilometres of beaches of Almuñécar. The town’s museum of history, situated in the castle grounds, is well worth a visit if you are interested in learning about how the town has changed through the ages.

There are many archaeological remains throughout the town and along the coast nearby which can be visited on some of our guided tours.

Other Places of interest:

The Botanical Gardens "El Majuelo" situated below the castle, provides the visitor with a shady place to relax and enjoy more than 180 species of palm trees and tropical plants. The park is also used as an open air auditorium for concerts and the Almuñécar Jazz Festival is held here each summer, attracting internationally renowned artists.

The Ornithological Park "Loro-Sexi" (Sexi being the name of the original Phoenician settlement here) also situated below the castle, houses a collection of around 200 different species of parrots and other birds.

The Water Park "Aqua Tropic" situated on the beach of Velilla attracts young people and families to its 18,000 m² of salt water pools and green areas.