Mester: with Spanish everywhere

Our Spanish language school,

an authentic experience in Spain

Mester, founded in 1991, is located in the historic city of Salamanca, in the heart of Castilla y León.

Our school offers international students the opportunity to feel, enjoy and really become an active part of a unique lifestyle, very different from their own: the Spanish lifestyle.

At Mester, learning doesn’t end at the end of each lesson. Each of the activities we organize offers our students the opportunity to see different aspects of Spanish life.

Our main objective is constant: not only to educate our students, but also to offer them an authentic Spanish experience.

We are dedicated to providing assistance before, during and after our students’ programs. Our team helps students choose the program that best suits their individual needs and goals.

MORE THAN 34 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

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Our motivation and extensive experience have made us experts in teaching Spanish. Our center is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes and by completing our programs it is possible to obtain university credits. We try to offer the most personalized service possible because the enthusiasm and satisfaction of our students is the best reflection of Mester’s spirit.

Mission and values

At Mester, the most important thing is the student, which is why our methodology is based on a communicative approach in which interaction and fun play an essential role in the classroom.

We accept with great enthusiasm the challenge of preparing our students, on the one hand, to learn Spanish and, on the other hand, to be able to face the future with responsibility, vision, equanimity and generosity, living a truly immersive experience that also brings out the most human part of themselves: social relationships.

Mester is committed to quality education: the lessons cover the functional,grammatical, lexical, sociocultural and strategic objectivesappropriate to each level, working on the communicative activities of the language according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) . Languages (CEFR). For this purpose, we have a consolidated teaching team, with experience in the teaching Spanish and broad communication and social skills.

We offer our students personalized attention: we are available for any consultation of students before, during and after their enrollment in our programs. It is very important for us that they can clearly understand all the information they are given. provides. Upon arrival we provide them with the materials they will need and they receive a briefing on how to use them. orientation so that they can adapt as best and as quickly as possible to our country.

Student profile

We specialize in group programs, but we also have experience with individual students: an average of 3,500 students a year pass through Mester.

  • Individual students: our individual students are, on average, between 18 and 20 years old, most of them coming from other European countries (Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Poland), the United States or Russia. Their average stay is one month and they usually stay with Spanish families or in shared apartments with other students. However, we have students of all ages (from 16 years old).
  • Students in groups: in this case, the tutor or accompanying teacher is the one who decides that his or her students are to be placed in a group. most of them have made many study trips with us. The average length of stay is one week, although many groups choose to stay two or three weeks. weeks.

Our team

Teachers

Our teachers are experienced in teaching Spanish as a foreign language and preparing for official exams. At Mester, teachers do more than just pass on their knowledge: with small classes and the nature of conversation classes, they become true guides for their students.

Sandra Gomez

degree in Hispanic Philology (University of Salamanca), Certificate of Pedagogical Aptitude (CAP).
Sandra is one of our most veteran teachers, she has been working at Mester for more than 20 years.

“My favorite part of teaching at Mester is the contact with students from different cultures and countries, which creates an open, educational and thought-provoking conversation.”

Consuelo Garcia

degree in Hispanic Philology (University of Salamanca), Certificate of Pedagogical Aptitude (CAP).
Consuelo has also been working with us for more than 20 years.

“I love being a Spanish teacher because of the satisfaction of teaching my native language, combined with the opportunity to learn about different cultures through students from all over the world. While teaching grammar, conversation and DELE courses, I am constantly making students laugh and getting them to learn and enjoy themselves.”

Belén Rodríguez

Degree in Geography and History and Master in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language (University of Salamanca), Certificate of Pedagogical Aptitude (CAP), Teaching World Languages with New Technologies (Stanford University), Emotional Intelligence as a Teaching Tool, Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Skills as a Teacher and Artificial Intelligence applied to the classroom (University of Nebrija).
Belén has been working at Mester for many years, but has also taught at institutions such as the University of Salamanca.

“I have been a Spanish teacher for 17 years. I love to teach, read, practice tai chi, volunteer, don’t like to cook and my favorite character now is Lily from Duo.”

Carmen González de la Riva

degree in Hispanic Philology and Master in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language (University of Salamanca), Course for the qualification of tests of
written expression and interaction DELE, A1-C2 (International courses). She has worked as a Spanish teacher at the Università degli studi di Cassino e del Lazio Meridionale and at the NGO ACCEM teaching Spanish to immigrants. Specializing in lexis and sociolinguistics, Carmen is also the academic director of the school.

“In addition to being an academic director, I am a Spanish teacher. I have always loved teaching and helping others, and now I can do that through this job. I am
an empathetic and fun person. In my spare time, I play the piano and read old books (this fascinates me
). I love nature and climbing mountains”.

María Eugenia Boccanera

degree in Hispanic Philology (University of Salamanca), Master in Spanish Language: Research and Professional Practices (Autonomous University of Madrid), Master in Hispanic Lexicography (Royal Spanish Academy and University of León), postgraduate degree in Natural Language Processing (UDIMA, Cálamo & Cran), Initiation to the Teaching of Spanish as a Foreign Language (Instituto Cervantes and University of Vigo).

Specializing in grammar and lexicography.

“I think there is nothing more satisfying and exciting than seeing how students enjoy learning Spanish. I love to laugh with my students and learn from them. Some of my hobbies include dancing, reading, sports and video games.”

Alan Gabriel Roca

Master’s Degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language (University of Salamanca), specific training in the creation of teaching materials, DELE examiner and grader for all levels (Instituto Cervantes).

“I am approachable, friendly and very patient. I love teaching grammar, but always in a visual and clear way, looking for my students to really understand how the language works, not just to memorize it. I am convinced that there is no single way to learn, so I adapt my classes according to the characteristics, interests and objectives of each person. My hobbies include reading and learning new things, as I am tirelessly curious”.

Carlos Camino

Graduate in Hispanic Philology (University of Salamanca). Specialized in lexicography, he has been with Mester for more than a year and a half.

“I consider myself a very sociable person, close and eager to make my classes a space where learning and having fun go hand in hand. I like to create a good atmosphere in the classroom and connect with the students with confidence and humor. I am a lover of languages, travel and contact with other cultures. I enjoy getting to know new countries, sharing stories and creating bonds through language”.

Yolanda Campos

Training of Teachers of Spanish as a Foreign Language and online classes (Instituto Cervantes), continuous training in Teaching Spanish to Absolute Beginners, Neuroeducation applied to ELE teaching and Spanish Grammar for ELE Teachers (Escuela ELE Internacional), SIELE exam preparer (Instituto Cervantes).

“I design dynamic classes that integrate personalized content and everyday experiences to foster real communication. I feel great interest in cultural diversity, I enjoy spending time in nature, walking and observing in the environment as a way to recharge energy.”

Administration

José Ramón López Hernández

School Director

Founder of Mester, Ramon is a friendly person who always takes the time to greet new students and welcome groups. He is passionate about providing a quality education and his success is based on hard work and dedication. He fosters a high level of commitment in his teachers and staff, who in return provide a first class education.

Carmen González de la Riva

Academic Director

Carmen takes care of all the academic aspects: assigning our students to the appropriate level, organizing the groups, issuing the attendance certificates, etc.

María Eugenia Boccanera

Responsible for international relations

In addition to being a Spanish teacher, Eugenia is the one who will help you organize your trip successfully. Attentive to the needs of our students, she is in charge of preparing everything necessary to make your stay unforgettable.

Raquel Durán

Responsible for registrations and administrative procedures

Raquel is in charge of the enrollment of our students. Always with a smile, she will manage your enrollment as soon as possible, assuring you a place in our courses.

Rosalia Hernandez

Coordinator of socio-cultural activities

Rosalía and Eduardo are our activities coordinators and are in charge of designing the best socio-cultural program for each student and each group. They create complete and varied programs, offering quality visits and activities without forgetting the educational aspect.

Eduardo Ortiz

Coordinator of socio-cultural activities

Rosalía and Eduardo are our activities coordinators and are in charge of designing the best socio-cultural program for each student and each group. They create complete and varied programs, offering quality visits and activities without forgetting the educational aspect.

Teresa Cabello

Accommodation manager

Teresa takes care to ensure that students are satisfied with the accommodation of their choice. Whether you choose to live with a host family, in a residence, in a shared or private apartment, Teresa will match you with the accommodation that best suits your needs during your stay abroad. She is always available to answer any questions or resolve any doubts related to accommodation once you are here.

Our facilities

A fully equipped school makes the difference

Mester is located in the heart of Salamanca, a few minutes walk from the Plaza Mayor. We have 8 classrooms distributed on two floors, as well as a library, a teacher’s room, a dance room for salsa classes and a vending machine for drinks and snacks. Our facilities are adapted and all classrooms are equipped with digital whiteboards.

In addition, we have our own residence in the same building, on the upper floors:

  • Capacity for 60 people
  • Single and shared rooms
  • Cleaning service
  • Heating and air conditioning
  • Free Wifi
  • Night janitor
  • Common areas: living room, terrace