Language study trip to Seville: a week of lessons, culture and staying with Spanish host families

From 18 to 24 October, a group of pupils from the Licei Vittoria spent a week in Seville, Andalusia, on their traditional language study trip.

The pupils stayed with local families, who welcomed them right from their first dinner with traditional dishes such as ham croquettes and tortilla de patatas. Throughout the week, they learnt Spanish at breakfast, at dinner and whilst chatting at home.

The mornings were spent attending Spanish lessons at the Instituto San Fernando – a school accredited by the Instituto Cervantes with which Liceo Vittoria has been collaborating for several years – and taking part in cultural workshops. We began with a welcome treasure hunt, a way of finding our way around the city through the narrow streets of the Barrio de Santa Cruz.

In the afternoons, the programme took the group on a tour of Seville: the Plaza de España and the María Luisa Park, the Real Alcázar with its gardens and decorative features, the Cathedral and the Giralda, the Triana district and the Castillo de San Jorge.

The morning spent on the ‘Taller del Descubrimiento’ was particularly well received. The pupils climbed the Torre del Oro, where the guide explained that the name derives from the sun’s reflection on the river’s surface, which made it appear golden. They then visited the Archivo de Indias, where they saw paintings, historical documents and ancient cannons once used to defend the city.

Two days were set aside for excursions outside the city. In Jerez de la Frontera, the pupils visited the Museum of Equestrian Arts and strolled amongst the historic buildings in the town centre: for many, this was the highlight of their stay. Another day was spent in Cádiz.

Between one visit and the next, there was also time to sample the local cuisine, from churros to sandwiches with fresh jamón, which we enjoyed alongside the specialities prepared at home by the families.