Lately, I’ve seen many parents on the forums discussing school choices for their children moving to Spain, especially debating between public, semi-private (concertado), and private schools. Our child is currently in a private international school in Madrid, and when we first arrived, the biggest challenge wasn’t what we expected—it was the language. So, I wanted to start this post to share our experience with language tutoring in private schools. This is purely our personal experience, and I welcome everyone to join the discussion!
When we first arrived in Spain, even though we had enrolled our child in a beginner’s Spanish class back in our home country, he was still a bit overwhelmed in a fully immersive Spanish environment. The school teachers were very nice, but with many kids in one class, they couldn’t focus on him all the time. During the first month of school, our son became noticeably quieter at home. It was clear he was frustrated at school from not being able to understand or speak. After talking with his homeroom teacher, we decided we had to start intensive language tutoring immediately, without any more delay.
Ways to Get Language Support
We initially considered three main options: the school’s language support program, external tutoring centers, and a one-on-one private tutor. Each has its pros and cons, and we ran into a few pitfalls along the way.
In-School vs. External Tutoring
In-School Language Support: Many private schools offer extra language help for international students, usually in small groups after school or during specific periods. The advantage is convenience, as the teachers are familiar with the school’s curriculum. The downside is that progress can sometimes be slow, and these programs in Spanish private schools often require an extra fee, which can be quite expensive.
External Tutoring Centers: There are all sorts of tutoring centers (academias) all over Spain. The pros are more choices and flexible pricing, and your child can meet peers from outside their school. The cons are that the teaching quality can be inconsistent, requiring time to attend trial classes and vet them. Additionally, their materials and teaching methods might not align with the school’s.
Our Final Choice: Private Tutor + Home Support
After weighing all the options, we ultimately chose a one-on-one private tutor. Although it was the most expensive option, the results were the most direct. Through a friend’s recommendation, we found a local university student with experience teaching Spanish as a foreign language. They came twice a week for one and a half hours each session. The tutor would prepare lessons based on our child’s school textbooks and homework, which was highly targeted. After about two months, our son started to dare to answer questions in class—a huge step forward!
| Method | Pros | Cons | Approx. Cost |
|---|
| In-School Support | Convenient, synced with school curriculum | Progress can be slow, higher cost | €100-€200/month |
| External Tutoring Center | More choice, flexible pricing | Inconsistent quality, may not align with school | €80-€150/month |
| One-on-One Tutor | Highly targeted, fastest results | Highest cost | €20-€35/hour |
Beyond tutoring sessions, creating a supportive home environment is also crucial. We established a ‘Spanish Time’ every day after dinner, where we’d watch Spanish cartoons and play simple board games together. I also bought many Spanish picture books to read to him before bed. This helped him see learning the language not as a task, but as a part of life. He was a bit resistant at first, but gradually, when he started understanding the jokes in the cartoons and laughing on his own, that sense of achievement was undeniable.
A child struggling with language is a common problem for almost every new immigrant family. Don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either. The key is to find the method that works best for your child and for parents to be actively involved. Once they get over the language hurdle, you’ll see a huge leap in your child’s confidence and social life at school. I hope our experience can be a helpful reference, and I’d love to hear how everyone else has helped their kids with language learning!
