FAQs

ABOUT THE CITY

The Spanish have different meal times to most other European countries. Breakfast is normally between 07:30 and 09:00, before starting work or school, followed by a snack at 11:00 and the main meal then is usually from 14:00 to 15:00. The last meal of the day consists of something light between 20:30 and 22:00.
Business hours in Spain and Malaga depend on the type of business but the majority open from 09:00 – 13:30 and re-open at 17:00 – 20:00. The supermarkets and retail outlets donΒ΄t tend to close at noon, whereas the local markets for buying fresh fruit, meat and fish open from 08:00 – 15:30.
In the city you can move around by bus, train, metro or bicycle and of course by foot. As Debla is so close to the city centre and the beach you will be able to make it to most places walking.
It takes 20-25 minutes by car to get to the school from the airport.

Yes, we offer transfer service to and from the airport.Β 

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

In case of any emergency during your stay with us you can contact Debla on +34 638603490
Students coming from European countries or Switzerland should bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). We recommend that non EU students obtain a study abroad insurance. Debla has an agreement with an insurance company that covers medical assistance as well as repatriation. The rate is variable, depending on the number of course weeks. For further information please contact our administrative team.
If your flight is delayed, it is necessary for you to contact the driver via the telephone number provided to you. Additionally, if you have reserved accommodation with a host family we recommend you contact them and inform them of the delay.
Debla is located in β€œLa Malagueta”, one of the finest areas of Malaga overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, only five minutes walking distance to the beach and a short ten minute walk to MalagaΒ΄s city centre.

ABOUT THE COURSES

The lesson times: – Intensive Spanish course times are as follows: 09:00 – 13:00 or 15:00 – 19:00 (schedules are subject to change) – Superintensive Spanish course times are as follows: 09:00 – 15:00 or 14:00 – 20:00 (schedules are subject to change).

Our Spanish language courses begin every Monday except A1 course.

In order to determine which Spanish language course will suit you best, it is important to identify your objectives – are you looking to improve your language skills and knowledge of Spanish culture? Or are you looking to prepare for the official exams (DELE or SIELE). Your language level and length of your stay will also determine the best course to reach your goals. If you have any questions or concerns choosing your course, please contact our friendly and helpful administrative team.

Tuition is included in the price. The cost of each book is 30€.

Yes you can, but your parents or legal representatives should sign an authorization before the course. The minimum age is 16 years

DeblaΒ΄s certificate guarantees that you have successfully completed the selected course and reached the proficiency level stated following our study plans which meet the standards set by the Instituto Cervantes. In order to be awarded our certificate, it is necessary to have attended at least 80% of the course lessons.
In situations where a student wishes to change his/her selected course or assigned class, he/she should inform our administrative staff directly who will then arrange to discuss this with our Director of Studies. The Director of Studies will review the situation and if appropriate and/or necessary he/she will be assigned a new class.

ABOUT THE ACCOMMODATION

Should you have a serious problem with regards your accommodation; we advise that you to inform our office staff n as soon as possible so that we can find a solution or should it be necessary arrange a change of accommodation. Our school office staff are friendly and welcoming and willing to assist you with any concerns or queries that may happen regarding your accommodation during your stay with us.
Please inform our office staff if you will be receiving visitors at your accommodation so that we can discuss the best options for you.
Accommodation is available from 12:00 Sunday, the day before the course begins. Should you wish to arrive a few days earlier, please inform our office staff who will check availability and options.
Our accommodation should be left in the morning, before 11:00.

Visa

– Information for those students requiring a VISA to enter Spain: If you are from outside the EU and intend to stay long-term in Spain, Debla will assist you in processing the necessary documents.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CCP BY LEVEL AND LEARNER PROFILE

The PCICΒ (Curricular Plan of the Cervantes Institute) establishes objectives for learning Spanish as a foreign language at different levels according to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). For all levels, specific goals are set according to the three learner profiles:

Level A1

Learner profile

Main objectives (A1)

πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Social agent

– Can understand and use basic everyday expressions.
– Can introduce him/herself and ask simple questions.
– Can participate in simple social exchanges (shopping, greetings, asking for information).
– Can understand short texts (posters, menus, advertisements).

πŸŽ“ Independent learner

– Uses basic strategies for learning (repetition, association).
– Uses simple resources such as dictionaries, apps, pictures.
– Sets realistic short-term learning goals.
– Reinforces his/her motivation and reflection on the learning process.

🌍Intercultural speaker

– Recognises basic customs of the Hispanic world (greetings, meals, timetables).
– Shows respect for other cultures and forms of communication.
– Adapts to simple social norms (use of β€˜tú’ and β€˜usted’).
– Avoids elementary cultural misunderstandings.

Level A2

Learner profile

Main objectives

πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Social agent

– Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (personal information, shopping, environment).
– Can interact in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information.
– Can understand instructions, notices and clear, short messages.

πŸŽ“ Independent learner

– Applies basic study skills such as note-taking, underlining and outlining.
– Begins to use adapted authentic resources such as videos or songs.
– Sets medium-term goals and evaluates own progress with support.

🌍 Intercultural speaker

– Can recognise basic differences in social customs and cultural expressions.
– Shows interest in other ways of life and avoids premature judgements.
– Begins to compare his/her own culture with that of the Hispanic world.

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Level B1

Learner profile

Main objectives

πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Social agent

– Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling.
– Can produce simple, coherent texts on familiar topics.
– Can understand the main idea of clear texts on familiar topics.

πŸŽ“ Independent learner

– Plans his/her learning with greater autonomy.
– Can select effective strategies to extend vocabulary and grammar.
– Reflects on errors and actively seeks solutions.
🌍 Intercultural speaker– Participates in conversations taking into account the cultural perspective of the interlocutor.
– Recognises more complex social norms (register, humour, cultural gestures).
– Can adapt his/her behaviour to different basic intercultural situations.

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Level B2

Learner profile

Main objectives

πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Social agent

– Can understand the main ideas of complex concrete and abstract texts.
– Can interact with fluency and spontaneity in conversation with native speakers.
– Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects.

πŸŽ“ Independent learner

– Critically evaluates learning materials and selects appropriate ones.
– Sets long-term goals and specific strategies.
– Integrates language learning with other areas of knowledge or personal interests.

🌍 Intercultural speaker

– Understands values and beliefs underlying cultural behaviour.
– Manages cultural misunderstandings with empathy and respect.
– Engages in intercultural situations with sensitivity and effectiveness.

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Level C1

Learner profile

Main objectives

πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Social agent

– Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without obvious effort.
– Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognise implicit meanings.
– Uses language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.

πŸŽ“ Independent learner

– Can accurately self-assess his/her level and progress.
– Uses specialist sources and adapts his/her strategies to demanding contexts.
– Develops his/her personal learning style and integrates complex communicative skills.

🌍 Intercultural speaker

– Critically analyses cultural differences and communicates with intercultural competence.
– Actively contributes to mutual understanding in multicultural contexts.
– Mediates effectively between people from different cultures.

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Contents

Contents of the PCIC by levels and learner profiles

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Level A1

Learner profile

Main contents

πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Social agent

– Basic vocabulary about everyday life (greetings, family, meals).
– Simple grammatical structures (present tense, articles, gender and number).
– Basic communicative functions: introducing oneself, asking for information, thanking.

πŸŽ“ Independent learner

– Strategies for memorising vocabulary.
– Use of pictures, flashcards, bilingual dictionary.
– Identification of personal study routines.

🌍 Intercultural speaker

– Forms of greetings and farewells in the Hispanic world.
– Time differences and basic cultural routines.
– Attitudes of respect and curiosity for other cultures.

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Level A2

Learner profile

Main contents

πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Social agent

– Extended vocabulary (leisure, health, short trips).
– Use of past tense (past perfect and indefinite), comparatives, pronouns.
– Interaction in everyday situations with a certain degree of autonomy.

πŸŽ“ Independent learner

– Techniques for organising content (lists, diagrams).
– Use of adapted authentic materials (audios, subtitled videos).
– Basic self-assessment of progress.

🌍 Intercultural speaker

– Rules of politeness in different Spanish-speaking countries.
– Knowledge of basic cultural celebrations (Christmas, San FermΓ­n).
– Observation of cultural similarities and differences.

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Level B1

Learner profile

Main contents

πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Social agent

– Expansion of vocabulary on current affairs, work, environment.
– Use of combined past, future, simple conditional.
– Coherence and cohesion in narrative and descriptive texts.

πŸŽ“ Independent learner

– Note-taking techniques and use of digital resources (blogs, podcasts).
– Reflection on learning styles.
– Time management and planning of language tasks.

🌍 Intercultural speaker

– Analysis of cultural stereotypes.
– Recognition of formal and informal registers.
– Active participation in simulated intercultural events.

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Level B2

Learner profile

Main contents

πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Social agent

– Abstract and specific vocabulary (technology, politics, art).
– Subordination, passive, precise use of tenses.
– Expression of opinion, argumentation, nuance of discourse.

πŸŽ“ Independent learner

– Critical evaluation of information sources.
– Autonomous use of learning platforms.
– Adaptation of strategies to academic or work contexts.

🌍 Intercultural speaker

– Study of non-verbal cultural behaviours.
– In-depth comparison of social norms and values.
– Management of misunderstandings through empathy and negotiation.

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Level C1

Learner profile

Main contents

πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Social agent

– Specialised and nuanced vocabulary according to context.
– Complex structures: indirect style, compound conditional, periphrasis.
– Oral and written production with expressive richness and precision.

πŸŽ“ Independent learner

– Autonomous management of learning or research projects.
– Synthesis of information from multiple sources.
– Evaluation of own performance with advanced criteria.

🌍 Intercultural speaker

– Critical reflection on cultural clashes.
– Application of cultural mediation strategies.
– Ability to act as an intermediary in multicultural contexts.