If you are moving to Spain to learn about a different way of life, then learning the language is crucial. So much of the culture is conveyed through language, not to mention being able to listen to and get to know local people, attend events of interest and learn about your host country.
The more you know before you arrive, the sooner you will be able to find your feet and your place. It will also be easier for your children to integrate and make friends if they have some basic language skills before they arrive.
No problem if they don’t, just be prepared for the integration to take longer. I’d say it takes 4-5 months to become confident in the language but of course each person learns at a different pace and it depends if you have learnt a foreign language previously as this can speed up the process.
There are many language schools catering to foreigners in Spain. I tend to steer clear of the big schools like Don Quijote who have bought up many of the smaller schools. My rule of thumb is to study with the smaller, more personal schools or teachers. A private teacher can also be a good way to improve quickly
Carmina is a friendly, highly qualified Spanish teacher who has significant experience in teaching and language translation. She has lived and worked as a teacher in the UK and Spain and holds a BA Hons in Applied Languages and a Master’s degree in Teaching Languages for Secondary Schools. Now living back in Granada, she teaches private lessons at her home and online. She can be contacted by email.
Castila Language School is located in a pretty carmen in the Albaicin. It has small classes for all levels with a focus on grammar and conversation. They also have a special program designed for families arriving on sabbatical i.e. you can be flexible in your hours of study and they help prepare children for the start of the school year by teaching them Spanish and what to expect at school. Mention Your Year in Spain for a discount.