CESA Languages Abroad - Redruth

George P.

I booked a 2 week Spanish course in Belmadena. My level is a confident beginner and could happily strike up conversations with Spanish speakers-pre course including a couple of speakers in my work. I was hopeful that on my return the level would increase.

I arrived 2 days before it started and by chance I shared my hotel meals with a Spanish girl with whom I interacted in both Spanish and English. I also spoke Spanish with others in the hotel.

First week of the course, I joined a group some of whom had been there for months. The tutors were hammering on about a forthcoming test (Written) and the whole week was about getting through this test-grammar, grammar, grammar. (Some other students Spanish was incoherent-mine was too I expect but I did not here much correction on pronunciation ) By mid week Id lost the will to live,-I was exhausted. Past tense? I couldn't even remember the endings for present tense. My amiga commented on the fact that my fluency had notably decreased.

I only stayed on the course A. I had paid for it. B. I don't just give in because something is difficult, I was sure something was going to stick . Revision for one of the tests basically included everything in the test so a photo memory, not understanding ,could get you through and also on the test the tutor sneakily pointed you in the direction of the correct answer.
The second week saved my holiday as I was transferred to a different class as my own class was doing another test. The second class, totally different 'The Party Class' more free flowing conversation, laughing, games, joking-just my level. My amiga commented on my change in mood for the second week.

I received a certificate at the end and was given excellent for everything, apart for a couple of things the rest were patently incorrect.. So I would say with emphasis on tests, dubious certificates of excellence this is getting done for audit purposes i'e 98% of our students acquire the grade of ..

Positives for the actual course-the second class set up, the people I met in both classes (German, Russian, Finland, Gaza and more ) tutors very friendly, the napolitanas at break time.
When I booked this course I was told that if it appeared I was in the wrong level I would be moved into a more appropriate class, I suspect that if I had not been moved due to the pending test I may have completed the course at a level above a useful level for me.

I honestly don't know if I would recommend CESA or the school as for me it has actually put me off going back to Spain, I have just started Spanish lessons in Glasgow allowing a few weeks for my brain to untangle but my first lesson on Tuesday I barely understood anything, I am also now speaking less Spanish to my colleagues at work.

Celia D.

I was very happy and impressed by Cesa Languages. Amanda went to a lot of trouble to tell us about the different language courses in Spain and helped us to decide which would be most suitable. She was also very helpful with all the pre trip admin and during the trips. Our daughter really enjoyed the A level Easter course in Salamanca. The school pitched the level perfectly and the city was a super place to spend a week. It was the perfect size to explore and to learn more about Spanish culture. The three weeks she spent in Valencia in the summer were also excellent. She really liked her host family and learnt a lot on the intensive course. The school were very helpful and wanted to make sure the students enjoyed their time with them. I highly recommend Cesa languages.

Deborah S.

A unique opportunity to learn in a wonderful immersive environment. Excellent teachers, good system for class placement. My experience was that there was more focus on conversation vs. grammar. More details provided before the course would have been valuable -esp. pertaining to the additional add-on options.

Cristina L.

My 15 daughter Anna went to Salamanca this summer. Anna had an amazing experience. Salamanca is small and a student town so Anna made friends very easily, even outside the language school. Her accommodation was within walking distance from the school which was very close to Plaza Major. Anna stayed with a host family that helped Anna during the week, very clean, good food, kind host mother happy.
The teachers in the language school Studio Sampere were excellent. She was in a group that was the correct level foe her Spanish
She learnt the basics very well and got a certificate.
Overall a great experience and would recommend to orhers.

Paul M.

Wow 👍😄 great experience
Catherine was very helpful advising on queries and booking. Comprehensive information pack. Our daughter had a lovely time in Málaga practising Spanish and learnt a lot. She had access to support if needed, but at 17 enjoyed the independence too. First time abroad alone!
Staying with a host family meant she learnt a lot more. Only comment would be that linking in with other students prior to course would have been helpful and made her less anxious. But not sure that is practical when coming from so many destinations at different times.

Paddy F.

Had 3 great trips with CESA, 3 very memorable experiences and my Spanish benifited to a point where I was questioning choosing it for GCSE to considering Spanish at university

Emily O.

Really great teachers who were friendly and approachable. Lessons went though each language level slowly and thoroughly, this really helped me feel confident at speaking and meant I have really retained the knowledge I gained on the course.

Ash A.

[TLDR: consider contacting the specific language school directly before trying to book through CESA.]

I can only speak on behalf of my own experience, but I personally would not recommend booking a foreign language course via CESA, especially if it is a course that requires multiple intricate arrangements to be made (complicated accommodation arrangements, trying to find out what your options are given scarce availability, finding out how to fit a course within your budget and make the most of any discounts/offers). I am not writing to criticise the schools CESA partners with, only CESA themselves as an intermediary/agency.

In my case I was trying to book a year-long German language course in Heidelberg as a student from the UK. The CESA website served well, initially, as a catalogue of the various courses on offer and the locations that one can study. One of the courses that they advertised was in fact what I ended up settling on! However, attempting to book my course via CESA was only a hindrance and it was far better to contact the language school directly and skip CESA as a middleman. I will summarise the reasons why:

CESA was very reluctant to respond to any of my attempts to contact them via email or over the phone. At one point I was told that they were simply too busy to assist me in arranging a course: they were occupied with their current students but were sure to contact me later on (they never did). This is not helpful when I needed to book my course well in advance in order to process my visa. I understand that they may be understaffed, but why advertise a product to new students if you are unable to provide it in a reasonable time? Advertising an array of expensive courses online and prompting students to 'contact us now'/'enrol now', only to tell them that they are too busy seems a little deceptive, if not irresponsible. When contacting the German language school directly I was always able to get accurate information and a quick response.

The pricing of the course on the CESA website, in terms of accommodation and tuition fees, was lacking many important details and options and was likely outdated. It was difficult to get a clear picture of how much my course would cost. Going to the German language school website directly provided more options for customisation, discounts for booking over certain number of weeks and much more information on the location/amenities of different accommodation choices. Through these discounts, and not needing to pay a fee to CESA, I saved money by booking with the language school directly.

My customer service experience when dealing with the language school directly was positive: they seemed grateful for my service and eager to have me at their school and made several additional concessionary discounts to make the course more affordable for me. With CESA my custom seemed to be an inconvenience and they did not seem eager or willing to help me. This is not very reassuring when I am looking to spend thousands of euros on a course and live in a foreign country.

Again, this is only my personal experience and, furthermore, my personal impression thereof. That said, I feel that I must leave 1 star as by attempting to book via CESA I feel that I have been only hindered and not at all helped. Bypassing CESA and making all of my arrangements with the language school directly allowed me to save both time and money as well being able to explore and select my options better.