STUDY ABROAD
SUMMER 2011
TOLEDO, SPAIN
BILINGUAL SUMMER CAMPS & FAMILY STAY
AGES 12-17

Take advantage of O'Neill Language Academy's (OLA) exciting bilingual summer camps combined with home stays in Toledo, Spain for youth ages 12-17!

Introduction

Children learn languages naturally when immersed in a stimulating, fun environment that fosters encouragement and praise. Our study abroad summer programs offer just that-immersion at day camp by participating in all types of activities such as sports, games, arts & crafts, dance, theatre and much more. At home students are also immersed in Spanish while interacting and communicating with their host family. OLA has chosen the ideal location for this invaluable experience, the magnificent city of Toledo, Spain!

We want you to:

• Make friendships with Spanish children of similar ages & with similar interests.
• Discover first-hand the rich Spanish culture and gain a deeper understanding of your own culture.
• Learn Spanish the natural way, by being immersed in the language and culture in a fun, nurturing environment both at day camp and with your host family.
• Develop life-long international friendships.

The Director’s First Experience in Spain

In 1982 when the Director of OLA, Theresa Gunderson was 16 years old, she traveled to Spain for the first time and lived with a Spanish family. Today, some thirty years later, Theresa and her Spanish family remain the best of friends. Through the years they have visited each other and they stay in touch via Skype and email.

Although Theresa earned a degree in Spanish from the University of Minnesota, she admits that she couldn’t speak Spanish very well until she lived in Spain. Theresa states, "Everyday was filled with new cultural experiences and language growth". Living with a family you hear Spanish all day long. At first I had to look words up in the dictionary to help me communicate my thoughts and needs like 'May I take a shower?', 'This meal is delicious!' or 'What time are we going to the bullfight?' Before I knew it, these phrases and many more came to me naturally because I heard them and used them over and over again.

Several years later I had a similar experience living in France with a French family. I am convinced that living in a country where the target language is spoken is the quickest, most effective and by far the most exciting way to learn a second or third language!

It would be an honor to provide your children with the exciting experience of living in Spain! Their language skills will quickly improve and their adventures in the Spanish culture will remain with them for life!

-Theresa Gunderson, Director.

Welcome to Toledo, Spain

For many people Spain is known as the land of flamenco dancing, beautiful beaches and bullfighting. From the sun drenched beaches to the medieval towns Spain attracts over 60 million tourists each year making it the third most visited country in the world. Situated between France, Africa, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the diversity of this colorful and energetic culture provides a beautiful setting for learning the Spanish language!

Toledo

OLA’s family stay and bilingual camp programs take place in Toledo, Spain. Toledo is a perfectly preserved medieval city located in the very heart of Spain. It is less than an hour away from Madrid by train. The city has 2,000+ years of history - making it unique in its culture and charm.

There is so much to explore among its plazas, gardens and narrow streets - whether it's watching jewelry or swords made by hand, visiting the magnificent Toledo cathedral, walking along the old Arab city walls, riding the Zoco Tren around the city, or exploring the stone bridges, fortified gates and winding streets of this medieval city, Toledo is a museum waiting to be discovered...

Toledo by Day...

Toledo by Night...

Castilla-La Mancha

Toledo is situated in the region of Spain known as Castilla-La Mancha. In Castilla-La Mancha your child will surely be in awe of the fairytale castles, grandiose medieval buildings, Moorish mosques, winding cobbled streets and ancient city walls. A must see are the famous windmills immortalized in Miguel Cervantes' Don Quixote. After touring we will take a break to have a refreshment and a "tapa" such as Spain’s famous cheese; Manchego.

Madrid

The capital of Spain, Madrid is just an hour from Toledo. Madrid has so much to offer. It is the stage for some of the best flamenco dancers, bullfighters and soccer players in the world. (Spain won the World Cup in 2010!)

According to the Guiness Book of World Records Madrid is home to one of the world’s oldest restaurants; Casa Botín. A cable car ride or "Teleférico" gives visitors wonderful panoramic views of many of the capital’s best sights and attractions. Retiro Park in the heart of Madrid offers a rose garden, a boating lake, a street theatre with puppet shows and wide open spaces to run and play.

The Prado, one of Europe's premier art museums is a must see when visiting Madrid and the Madrid Zoo is considered one of the best in Europe. The Royal Palace, Madrid's most beautiful building is the largest royal palace in Western Europe.

Other attractions are Puerta del Sol, Madrid's most central and best known plaza and Plaza Mayor which is a marvelous enclosed plaza making it a perfect place to sit outside and try some chocolate con churros. We guarantee that your child will experience much of what Madrid has to offer!

Family Stay

Your child will live with a loving Spanish family carefully selected by our staff. A unique benefit to our program is that your child will be placed with a family who has a son or daughter of a similar age as your child. This way your child will have a companion with related interests right from the start. They will even attend camp together!

Living with a family is such a wonderful experience because your child will learn Spanish more quickly, participate in the traditions, customs and everyday routines of a typical Spanish family and savor the authentic Spanish cuisine.

Motivational instructors and caring host families encourage students to speak Spanish as much as possible. They help them whenever needed and praise them for their efforts and their progress in their second language.

Arrival

Your child’s host family will greet your child at the airport. Their goal is to welcome your child as a member of their family from the moment they arrive. Our staff will also be at the airport to meet and greet your child and all of the American students.

Meals

Paella	Tapas	Tortilla Espanola	Flan
Churros Con Chocolate	Spanish Olives	Manchego Cheese	Jamon Iberico

All meals are included. Your child will eat breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack or "merienda" with their Spanish family. In the event your child will eat lunch at day camp, your host family will pack a lunch for them to take. The Spanish cuisine is spectacular and rich in seafood, rice, beans, fruit and fresh bread everyday!

Use of Spanish

The goal of the home stay is for your child to be immersed in the Spanish language and culture. Host families understand this and they will speak to your child in Spanish and encourage your child to express themselves in Spanish whenever possible. In the event that the host family would like to improve their English, we ask that they limit that time to an hour a day.

Accommodations

Depending on the family, your child may have their own bedroom but they will most likely share a room with a child of the same gender only. They will have their own bed and be given a place for their belongings.

Transportation

Your child’s host family will be responsible for providing transportation to and from camp each day. Your child will attend camp with their host "brother" or "sister" so they will always be with a member of their Spanish family.

Family Rules

Your child will be welcomed as a member of their host family. They will be expected to follow the rules and expectations of their household. Out of courtesy your child should make their bed everyday and keep their room clean and organized. They should offer to help or they may be asked to help with simple chores such as setting or clearing the table.

Laundry

The host family will take care of your child’s laundry insuring they have clean clothes, bed linens, bath towels, etc. during the length of their stay.

BILINGUAL SUMMER CAMPS IN TOLEDO

Summer camp in Toledo, Spain is a dream come true for any child! The excitement of playing sports and games, creating art, acting in plays, cooking, learning new music and dance, going on fieldtrips to incredible places, all while learning a new language in the sun-drenched Toledo Spain is something to write home about! Our native Spanish-speaking teachers share a passion for working with children and providing them with a caring, safe, fun environment full of positive praise and encouragement!

Unique Benefits

A unique benefit of our camps is that Spanish children have the option of attending camp with their American exchange "brother" or "sister". This is advantageous for a variety of reasons:

1. Your child will have a Spanish-speaking companion or "family-member" close by to ease their transition into a new environment and culture.
2. Their host "sister" or "brother" will help them participate in camp activities in Spanish. In a sense, each American student will have a Spanish friend who is also their personal tutor in addition to the camp instructors.
3. American children will gain a deeper understanding of their own language and culture as one lesson each day will take place in English. During this time the roles will be reversed. The teachers will conduct the camp activity in English and the American children will speak English, helping their Spanish host-sibling with their second language.

Spectacular Field Trips!

At least once a week the campers will go on a field trip to a place of interest. They may go to a bullfight, watch flamenco dancing, and tour a castle, a palace, a museum, a zoo or an amusement park and so much more! (Actual field trips will be determined.)

Days & Times

Monday through Friday American students attend Bilingual Immersion Camp from 9:00am-2:00 pm (Their Spanish host siblings have the option of attending camp too). After camp each day they will return home for lunch and spend the rest of the day immersed in the Spanish language and culture with their family. On the weekends the families will plan special activities or excursions with your child. The end of the program will culminate with a farewell party for all of the American children and their host families.

Sample Camp Schedule

Language Placement Test

On the first day of camp American students will take a placement test in Spanish and Spanish students will take a placement test in English. We want to insure that we teach each student at their present level in their target language.

Eligibility

Students must be 12-17 years of age before May 31, 2011. No previous knowledge of Spanish is required but it is recommended.

Pre-Departure Information

Before departure, students and parents will attend a pre-departure meeting and receive a pre-departure handbook that includes important details about their upcoming trip to Spain. Parents may contact O’Neill Language Academy, Inc. at any time with questions at director@oneilllanguage.comor 651.264.0404.

Cost & Dates:

-A minimum of four American and four Spanish students are needed to run each camp or eight students total.

Cost Includes:

• Registration
• Pre-departure meeting and handbook
• Round trip airfare
• Family pick-up at the airport
• Phone call/Email to parents upon arrival
• Home-Stay with three meals per day & laundry
• 25 hours of lessons and activities per week/supervision by our staff
• Transportation to and from camp each day
• All camp activities, materials and fieldtrips. Fieldtrips will take place at least one day per week and cost for transportation and guide is included.
• Entrance fees to all places of interest while on school-sponsored fieldtrips
• Bilingual assistance 24/7
• A course certificate upon completion of program
• Medical Insurance

Cost Does Not Include

• Spending Money/Personal Expenses

Study Abroad Application

If you would like to register your child for one of OLA’s summer programs in Spain this July, please fill out the Study Abroad Application: Toledo Spain, 2011 (Family Stay & Bilingual Summer Camps) and the Family Stay Interest Survey Form and email, mail or fax them to O’Neill Language Academy.
Email: director@oneilllanguage.com
Address: 131 Crestview Drive North, Maplewood, MN 55119
Fax: 651.264.0505

Study Abroad Application: Toledo Spain, 2011 (Family Stay & Bilingual Summer Camps) (Link to PDF)

Family Stay Interest Survey Form (Link to PDF)

OLA staff will contact you as soon as we receive both forms and as soon as we find a well-matched host family for your child. If you have any questions, please call OLA at 651.264.0404 or email us at director@oneilllanguage.com

This summer give your child a gift that will last a life time... the exciting opportunity to live with a Spanish family and be immersed in the Spanish language and historically rich culture.