Demand for year-long study abroad programmes is on the rise in Spain among 12-18 year olds, according to the Asociación Española de Promotores de Cursos de Idiomas en el Extranjero (ASEPROCE). Despite the country's economic hardships demand has increased by 25%, following 20% growth last year, with destinations in Canada and the US driving interest. Demand for year-long study abroad programmes is on the rise in Spain among 12-18 year olds, according to the Asociación Española de Promotores de Cursos de Idiomas en el Extranjero (
ASEPROCE).
Despite the country's economic hardships demand has increased by 25%, following 20% growth last year, with destinations in Canada and the US driving interest. ASEPROCE expects 3,500 students to begin year-long courses abroad this fall.
"The US has established itself as a favourite destination for Spanish students"
"The US has established itself as a favourite destination for Spanish students," said Secretary General Marta Galea. "Competitive prices make it very attractive but you also have to add the attraction of living in a completely different culture that's heavily represented in film, television and other forms of mass media."
Students typically study at private and public institutions for an average of 9-11 months, with 95% choosing to live with homestay families, says ASEPROCE. Along with experiencing new cultures, improving language fluency is a major motivator to study a full year abroad.
Not surprisingly 95% of students choose English-speaking countries, however the organisation says there has been a small rise in interest to study in German and French-speaking countries, probably due to the economic situation facing most of Spain.
Earlier this year ASEPROCE condemned the Spanish government for
slashing subsidies for language learning abroad. However, it said that despite the economic situation, parents were still willing to pay for their children to learn "practical" languages including English and German.
Demand for year-long study abroad programmes is on the rise in Spain among 12-18 year olds, according to the Asociación Española de Promotores de Cursos de Idiomas en el Extranjero (ASEPROCE).
Despite the country’s economic hardships demand has increased by 25%, following 20% growth last year, with destinations in Canada and the US driving interest. ASEPROCE expects 3,500 students to begin year-long courses abroad this fall.
“The US has established itself as a favourite destination for Spanish students”
“The US has established itself as a favourite destination for Spanish students,” said Secretary General Marta Galea. “Competitive prices make it very attractive but you also have to add the attraction of living in a completely different culture that’s heavily represented in film, television and other forms of mass media.”
Students typically study at private and public institutions for an average of 9-11 months, with 95% choosing to live with homestay families, says ASEPROCE. Along with experiencing new cultures, improving language fluency is a major motivator to study a full year abroad.
Not surprisingly 95% of students choose English-speaking countries, however the organisation says there has been a small rise in interest to study in German and French-speaking countries, probably due to the economic situation facing most of Spain.
Earlier this year ASEPROCE condemned the Spanish government for slashing subsidies for language learning abroad. However, it said that despite the economic situation, parents were still willing to pay for their children to learn “practical” languages including English and German.
