Methodology
Our objective is to offer our students an intensive and complete consolidation of the Spanish language which is the reason why our teachers speak only Spanish in class. The methodology used by Pylmon Languages provides the student a solid knowledge of grammar in order to develop his communicative abilities and his vocabulary.
The academic coordinator responsible for our Spanish courses and our Spanish teachers constitute the academic department. All our teachers are either graduates (philology, history, literature…) and specialized in teaching Spanish as a foreign language, studied a Master or did a training course in teaching Spanish as second language. This makes sure that the learning process of our students is of the highest quality. Due to the fact that everyone has his own pace of studying a language, the academic department has a weekly meeting in order to evaluate the progress of every student. The options of whether the student is still in the right class with regard to his level or if it is necessary to assign him to another group will also be analyzed.
Concerning the methodology applied, we differentiate between these two parts:
Part 1 - Grammar
In the grammar module the student studies grammar and vocabulary in a dynamic and communicative way. The concepts and contents are presented in texts, audio or images. In order to consolidate the new structures, some practical exercises are conducted afterwards.
Part 2 – Listening comprehension and oral/ written expression
The main goal is to improve the communicative abilities of the students. They practise grammar and vocabulary which they studied in the grammar class before. Emphasis is put on the four linguistic skills although the main focus is expression as well as oral comprehension.
We offer courses for all levels according to the Common European Framework of References
(MCER - http://cvc.cervantes.es/ensenanza/biblioteca_ele/marco/):
A1 Beginner
The student can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. He can introduce himself and others and ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he lives, people he knows and things he has. He can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
A2 Elementary
The student can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). He can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. He can describe in simple terms aspects of his background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
B1 Pre-intermediate
The student understands the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. He can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. He can produce simple connected texts on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. He can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
B2 Intermediate
The student can understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his field of specialisation. He can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. He can produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
C1 Upper-intermediate
The student can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. He can express himself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. He can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. He can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
C2 Advanced
The student can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. He can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. He can express himself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations.
