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All Spanish schools in Madrid
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AILMadrid, Spain

4.7

Rating: 4.7/5.0

16 students - overall rating
Calle O'Donnell, 27, first floor - 28009 Madrid - see on map
What we like about the school
  • Central location next to the Retiro Park, considered to be one of the most attractive parts of Madrid.
  • Excellent nationality mix. No student nationality makes up more than 15% of students.
What we dislike about the school
  • Do not offer favorable cancellation terms in the case of a student getting a visa rejected.
Age of students
  Percentage of students
1-18 years 5%
18-24 years 40%
25-34 years 35%
35-50 years 15%
>50 years 5%
The average age outside summer is 4 years higher than in summer.

Location: AIL Madrid is located in the culturally rich Spanish capital city, Madrid. Housed in the Salamanca neighbourhood, the school is close to several commercial shops, many eateries, links to public transport and several attractions. AIL Madrid is 500m from El Retiro Park and within walking distance of sites such as the Puerta de Alcalá, Cybele Fountain, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, the Museo Nacional del Prado and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. It is well-positioned for students to enjoy all the city has to offer.

Course selection: The school provides many Spanish courses suitable to students of all levels. AIL Madrid also runs several other courses throughout the year, including Club 50+, Exam Preparation (DELE, SIELE), Internships, and combination programmes of Spanish and other subjects such as art, cooking and dance.

Getting around: The school is within a moment's walk from several subway stations (Retiro, Goya, Velázquez, O'Donnell), bus stops and train stations (Recoletos).

Spanish Courses

General Language
Online
Private
Work & Study
Business
Exam PreparationWhy exam preparation courses are excellent for optimum progress
Language Plus Activity
Specialty Courses

Our prices for AIL include

  • INCLUDED Organized activities
  • INCLUDED Wireless LAN zone at school
  • INCLUDED Free certificate of course attendance
  • INCLUDED Language level placement test before arrival

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Student opinions about AIL, Madrid

4.7

Rating: 4.7/5.0

Overall school rating of
AIL, Madrid
16 authentic ratings from students who reserved with us
School
Location of the school
4.7 

Rating: 4.7/5.0

Facilities
3.8 

Rating: 3.8/5.0

Social activities
4.1 

Rating: 4.1/5.0

Organisation
4.1 

Rating: 4.1/5.0

Course
Quality of teaching
4.6 

Rating: 4.6/5.0

Value for money
4.6 

Rating: 4.6/5.0

Accommodation
Homestay
3.0 

Rating: 3.0/5.0

Shared Flat (apartment)
3.2 

Rating: 3.2/5.0

Overall school rating by student age group
Students < 18 years (0 ratings)
0.0 

Rating: 0.0/5.0

Students 18-30 years (1 rating)
4.0 

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Students 31-49 years (0 ratings)
0.0 

Rating: 0.0/5.0

Students 50+ years (14 ratings)
4.8 

Rating: 4.8/5.0

Verified reviews only, uncensored. All student opinions from students who booked a course at the school with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
3.0

Rating: 3/5.0

Liked
I thought that Julia & her staff did their best to lend a hand when needed. I sincerely appreciate the efforts that Julia gave. During my third week at the school, I attended the B1 intensive Spanish language programme. This was an outstanding experience. The students in the class were at the same language learning level and the teachers (2:1 in the first part and 1 in the second part of each school day) were outstanding. I would highly recommend the intensive programme to all.
Disliked
I attended two different language programmes: the two-week senior programme and a one-week intensive programme. I began with the two-week Senior Programme. The teacher was out for 3 days which left the class with only 7 out of 10 days of continuous instruction from her. The substitute teacher didn't seem to have any lesson plan or focus to her lesson. As a result little was learned by the class when the substitute showed up.
Review details
Quality of teaching / language progress: The intensive course was outstanding.
Course: 2 wks Club 50+ // 1 wk Intensive Course - 3 weeks
Review date: 29. Oct. 2024 by Regina O'Rourke
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
The instructors were patient, encouraging students to speak in Spanish and not be concerned with making mistakes. The content provided was varied both in topics and various approaches to learning so that the classroom time passed quickly. I learned quite a bit in a short amount of time.
Review details
Course: Intensive Course [Spanish] - 2 weeks
Review date: 29. Apr. 2024 by Steven Leff
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
I liked the contact with the teachers. The teachers are very friendly and know the Spanish language very well and the differences it has with other languages. I love the activities of the 50+ program that give you the opportunity to get to know some people from other countries well.
Disliked
Our classes took place in a small room. One of the activities for all students (Archaeological Museum) was organized with a teacher who did not know anything. The other activities were very interesting.
Review details
Course: Club 50+ (1ª semana) + Semi-Intensive Course (2ª semana) - 2 weeks
Review date: 3. Aug. 2022 by Marie-Lucie Uehlinger
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
The teacher, Berna, is energetic, motivated and explains the language perfectly. She created a safe environment that made it easy to practice and learn. She used many different work forms and the her speed of instruction was paced perfectly.
Disliked
Nothing
Review details
Course: Intensive Course - 2 weeks
Review date: 13. Aug. 2024 by Anthony John Grant
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
I really appreciated the teacher (Miriam), very competent, kind and communicative. Also, I appreciated the diversity of the group (5 nationalities, various ages from 17 to 63).
Disliked
Only when we arrived in Madrid did we understand that our main contact was actually an intermediary. A direct contact with the school could have avoided some misunderstandings.
Review details
Quality of teaching / language progress: Interesting offers, which allow you to be in a different group than the one on the course. I really enjoyed the cooking class, but also all the other offerings.
Other comments We thought that we were in direct contact with the school from the beginning and we did not quite understand why this was not the case. Without questioning the competence of the intermediary, a direct contact might have avoided misunderstandings (related to organization, payment, accommodation...). Having said that, once the problems were identified, the school employees (especially Varun) were very supportive. Having heard other people over the age of 50 complain about the accommodation, there may be some room for improvement on that front.
Course: Club 50+ - 1 week
Review date: 26. Jul. 2022 by Christoph Uehlinger
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
Beatriz and Ana were excellent teachers. 50+ offer was variable success depending on guidance. Super advanced 'blackboard' with internet connection.
Disliked
- I found the test to estimate the level inconvenient. Instead of seeing the results immediately, the answers came via email - The acoustics of the rooms were dramatically bad. Practicing speaking skills in pairs was impossible for me due to the cacophony of sounds that echoed through the room. - The 50+ offer appeared to be in siesta time. This was not clear to me (and neither were any of the other group members). - For the weekend trips to Toledo, Segovia, etc., a tour operator was recommended by the school, which I was not really enthusiastic about. First we stopped at a shop with the intention of buying something. The microphone in the bus did not work and so we did not receive any explanation. Too bad. - On day 1 it was said that we would get subjunctive. That did not really work out because, in line with the level of the group, we were covered all kinds of other subjects such as ser/estar and the different forms of the past tense. Very instructive and useful, but it is still a shame that the subjunctive has been left more or less untreated. I understand that the 'intensive course' uses a fixed structure of a book. Good to know for a possible next opportunity. It was not clear to me beforehand either. Perhaps this could be communicated better.
Insider tip: Ask the school where they want to arrange accommodation. I heard a lot of complaints from group members about their accommodation arranged by AIL. Very far from the school, and with few facilities, for example no kettle or hairdryer.
Review details
Quality of teaching / language progress: It was nice to have a group so I felt embedded. Interesting group of people from all over the world. I also liked the freedom not to participate, so I could work off my own wish list, such as El Prado and Thyssen Museum etc. 50+ program was in siesta time. After an intensive morning of lessons + own activities afterwards, it were long, intensive days. So I skipped a few activities to have more time to visit museums.
Course: Club 50+ - 2 weeks
Review date: 21. Oct. 2024 by Hilde De Boe
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
4.0

Rating: 4/5.0

Liked
The school is located in the center of Madrid. The teachers are well-qualifyed and helpful.
Disliked
The Organisation of everything is poor.. you can get hardly information from people in charge. You have to ask your classmates whether somebody has heard something.
Insider tip: Go and look for information all by yourselves. You find no on the desk.. ask other students, your classmates etc.
Review details
Quality of teaching / language progress: It was an International group of seniors.
Other comments It is a good school with nice young teachers. Afternoon programme could be more interesting.
Course: Club 50+ - 2 weeks
Review date: 22. Oct. 2024 by Maja Valinia
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
We felt very comfortable. Very nice staff and teachers. Very good excursion destinations.
Review details
Quality of teaching / language progress: Good.
Other comments Very good and recommendable school.
Course: Intensive Course - 1 week
Review date: 13. Jun. 2022 by Olga Lutz
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
I liked that there were students from all over the world and that I could talk to them.
Review details
Quality of teaching / language progress: The activities were very good, especially the cooking.
Course: Club 50+ [Spanish] - 1 week
Review date: 28. Sep. 2022 by Ingrid Deban
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
Very lively and different teachers with different concepts, so it was never boring.
Disliked
Interior decoration. One teaching room had no windows, which can seem cramped.
Review details
Quality of teaching / language progress: Very intensive and educational
Course: Total Immersion Course - 1 week
Review date: 27. Dec. 2023 by Carola Pfisterer
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
Quality of instruction was excellent. Course material was challenging.
Disliked
After class excursions varied widely in quality and usefulness.
Review details
Quality of teaching / language progress: The classes improved my confidence in speaking Spanish to people outside the classroom.
Course: Total Immersion Course - 4 weeks
Review date: 1. Oct. 2024 by Michele Young
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
Teachers, leisure activities.
Disliked
The school is located in three buildings. I was not informed in advance where the classes were going to take place.
Insider tip: Have an entry level, at least A1, A2.
Review details
Quality of teaching / language progress: I will definitely repeat the course in the 50+ group.
Course: Club 50+ (2 недели) / Spanish+Cooking (1 неделя) - 3 weeks
Review date: 25. Oct. 2023 by Elena Benenson
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.

Ratings of AIL compared to ratings of all schools in Spain

 AIL MadridAverage of all other schools in Spain
Overall school rating4.8

Rating: 4.8/5.0

4.4

Rating: 4.4/5.0

Location of the school4.7

Rating: 4.7/5.0

4.7

Rating: 4.7/5.0

Facilities3.8

Rating: 3.8/5.0

3.9

Rating: 3.9/5.0

Social activities4.1

Rating: 4.1/5.0

3.7

Rating: 3.7/5.0

Organisation4.1

Rating: 4.1/5.0

4.3

Rating: 4.3/5.0

Quality of teaching4.6

Rating: 4.6/5.0

4.4

Rating: 4.4/5.0

Value for money4.6

Rating: 4.6/5.0

4.3

Rating: 4.3/5.0

Homestay3.1

Rating: 3.1/5.0

4.0

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Shared flat3.1

Rating: 3.1/5.0

3.9

Rating: 3.9/5.0

AIL

Accreditations and Quality seals
FEDELESistema de Acreditación de Centros Instituto Cervantes (SACIC)FIDESCU, Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, Lånekassen, CCSE, Unir, CCIS
Spanish teacher qualifications
100% hold a university degree
100% hold a recognised language teaching qualification
Languages spoken by school staff (cannot be guaranteed by school)
First day of course
Students should arrive at 8:45
Student gender mix
50% male / 50% female
Offer for returning students
You will be refunded/waived the school's administration fee if you already attended previously a course at AIL and you book here.
Payment methods accepted for payments made directly to the school
Visa - logoMastercard - logoPayPal - logoMaestro - logoCash payment - logoBank Transfer - logo
Year of school foundation
2006
Legal name/parent company
Academia Internacional de Lenguas Madrid SL | Tax registration ID: B84717180

General school facilities

  • Snack vending machine

  • Drink vending machine

  • Lounge

  • Student support desk

  • Copy machine

  • Free WIFI

  • Non-smoking (all indoor areas, but not all outdoor areas of school)

  • Paid parking (<500m)

  • Classroom equipment

    • Air conditioning in all classrooms

    • Heating in all classrooms

    • Ample natural light in most classrooms

    • Number of classrooms: 40
    • Number of public PC workstations: 2

    Facilities for disabled students

    • Wheelchair access to classroom

    • Accessible Toilet

    • Wheelchair access to reception

Student Age / Nationality

Average number of students
In summer: 220
Throughout the year: 220
Minimum age of students
17 years
Average number of levels
Adult courses In summer: 35
Adult courses Throughout the year: 35
Average age of students
In summer: 23 years
Throughout the year: 27 years

Top student nationalities

Student Nationality Percentage of students
USA 13%
Germany 4%
England 3%
France 2%
Italy 1%
Other nationalities 77%

Information for all courses offered by AIL

Lesson duration
50 minutes
School's administrative fee
50.00 €
Course material
Generally course material is distributed free to students and will stay in student property.
Comments about courses

Enrolment fee includes:

  • Level test outside class time
  • Welcome tapas and drinks evening
  • First textbook and all learning materials
  • Course assistance certificate


    4-5 Days prior to the students' arrival, the school will confirm where the classes will take place.

    The school has 3 schools and the distance between them is approximately 10-15 minutes walking distance.

  • C/ O'Donnell 27, 1º Izq
  • C/ de Juan Esplandiú, 15, bajo
  • C/ de Bárbara de Braganza, 11

Individual classes
Single individual lessons of tuition can be reserved at 40 €. The combination of group and individual lessons is highly recommended. Individual lessons will encourage you to actively speak the foreign language and will offer you the opportunity to discuss individual problems and weaknesses.
Days without class
In 2024 (including national and regional bank holidays):
01 Jan 2024, 06 Jan 2024, 28 Mar 2024, 29 Mar 2024, 01 Apr 2024, 01 May 2024, 02 May 2024, 15 May 2024, 15 Aug 2024, 12 Oct 2024, 01 Nov 2024, 09 Nov 2024, 06 Dec 2024, 09 Dec 2024, 25 Dec 2024.
In 2025 (including national and regional bank holidays):
01 Jan 2025, 06 Jan 2025, 17 Apr 2025, 18 Apr 2025, 01 May 2025, 02 May 2025, 15 May 2025, 25 Jul 2025, 15 Aug 2025, 01 Nov 2025, 10 Nov 2025, 06 Dec 2025, 08 Dec 2025, 25 Dec 2025.
School policy regarding bank holidays:Full number of lost classes are made up
Please note that this school reserves the right to reduce the number of lessons if the minimum number of students is not reached.
Level test
A test to assess your exact language level takes place before the start of the course via an online form.
Lessons needed per Spanish language level
Level (CEFR) LESSONS needed per level WEEKS needed
(20 lessons per week)
A1 Beginner A1 to A2 80 4
A2 Elementary A2 to B1 160 8
B1 Intermediate B1 to B2 180 9
B2 Higher Intermediate B2 to C1 200 10
C1 Advanced C1 to C2 220 11
C2 Proficiency
Data above gives some guidance. For more details consult our page How long does it take to learn a language or reach a specific level.

Airport transfer

Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport:
75 € one way
140 € return (both ways)
More details about airports near Madrid and how to travel independently from the airport to the city on our Madrid page. For flight comparisons to Madrid, we recommend using skyscanner.com.

Visa Documents

Nationals from USA do not require a visa to study short term courses up to 90 days.
Check visa requirements for nationals from other countries.
Nationals from countries that require a visa will receive documents from the school, related to booking confirmation, which is required for the visa application.
Full payment of all fees required before school dispatches documents required for visa application
Yes
Express shipment fee (via courier)
Europe: 70 €
,
North America: 90 €
,
South America: 90 €
,
Africa: 90 €
,
Oceania: 90 €
,
Asia: 90 €
Free shipment via regular mail
Yes

Leisure activities

activity possibledistance from school
Cooking-
Dancing2 km
Tennis-

Examples of leisure activities organized by the school

Adults - Free activities

Not offered.

Adults - Paid activities

The school provides students with after-class activities that are organised by a different teacher throughout the week. These vary from week to week, and displayed for students to see at the start of each week.

Accommodation

Map  

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Other language schools in Madrid offering Spanish courses: 

Questions and answers about AIL

  • Yes, you can book accommodation as well as classes. In addition to the shared apartment option, host family and residence are also offered. When booking, of course, it always depends on the availability.
    Tanja, Languagecourse.Net - Nov 21, 2022
  • Yes, accommodation is usually organized from Sunday (one day before the course starts) to Saturday (one day after the course ends). Extra nights can be booked depending on availability.
    Tanja, Languagecourse.Net - Nov 21, 2022
  • You will complete the level test before the start of your course, so the school could place you in a group suitable for your level. Therefore, you should be ready to attend lessons with students of different ages. Then you will participate in cultural activities which are specifically oriented towards 50+ students.
    Irina Zotova, LanguageCourse.Net - Nov 24, 2022
  • This course is not available for students who start learning Spanish from scratch. We always recommend choosing Intensive or Premium courses for those students.
    Irina Zotova, LanguageCourse.Net - Nov 24, 2022
  • Yes, there are exclusive activities in the senior course, available only for the students attending this particular programme.
    Louise Granath, LanguageCourse.Net - Dec 19, 2022
  • AIL is approved by CSN.
    Louise Granath, LanguageCourse.Net - Dec 19, 2022
  • You cannot choose your flatmates, but the school will take into account your gender, nationality and age when placing you in one or another flat.
    Rubén De Haro, LanguageCourse.Net - Jan 11, 2023
  • Yes, at the end of the course the school will issue a certificate of attendance for the student.
    Martin Zakostelecky, LanguageCourse.Net - Jul 06, 2023
  • AIL Madrid currently has three locations in Madrid, and students can be allocated or moved between any of them

    - C/ O'Donnell 27, 1º Izq 28009 - Madrid
    - C/ de Juan Esplandiú, 15, bajo, 28007 Madrid
    - C/ de Bárbara de Braganza, 11, 28004 Madrid

    All three locations are very close to each other, within 10-15 minutes walking distance.

    AIL Madrid informs all students of the location/address where the lessons are going to take place around 4-5 days before arrival.
    Ángel Marcos Portoles, LanguageCourse.Net - Oct 04, 2023

FAQ about AIL, Madrid

  • We must be notified at least 24 hours in advance of any changes to the schedule or cancellation of classes. Otherwise, you will be charged the full price of the lesson. If you inform us in advance, the school will be able to accommodate your schedule!
    Maksym Sterpul, Language Travel Consultant from LanguageCourse.Net - Jul 25, 2023
  • The accommodation Homestay is the most popular among all our clients of AIL
  • Yes. The school offers pickup from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (75 €)
  • Depending on the chosen course, the maximum number of students at AIL varies from 1 students (Online One-to-One Course) to 10 students (Total Immersion Course)
  • 100% of teachers at AIL hold a university degree. 100% hold a recognized language teaching certificate.
  • The highest Nationality percentage at AIL comes from USA with a 13% representation, followed by students from Germany (4%) and England (3%).
  • AIL offers courses from 17 years to 99. Average age is 23 during the summer and 27 for the rest of the year.

PDF brochure / price list of AIL

Brochure 2023
Brochure 2023
Pricelist 2024
Pricelist 2024
AIL Madrid Prices 2025
AIL Madrid Prices 2025
years
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Madrid
Madrid city attractiveness rated by our students:
4.6 

Rating: 4.6/5.0

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