History - Philosophy

 

IEMA was founded in 1989 by the Spanish philologist, Maria del Carmen Varas Velayos and the German philologist, Dr. Rainer Rutkowski.

The objective is to offer high quality Spanish courses to very small groups, in a well situated, attractive city which is not overrun by foreigners and, above all, situated in a region where “castillian" - the official Spanish - is spoken.
IEMA is not only a Spanish Language school.  IEMA’s courses are practical, with a strong pragmatic orientation, as our clients do not only want to learn a gramatically correct Spanish.

Do you want to understand what the Spanish are saying?  Do you want to know how and when you must say what?  If so, IEMA is the right place for you!
The “Patio Chico”

In order to guarantee and maintain this high level of quality, IEMA is continually monitored and tested by independent bodies. Dictamen.

 

Moreover IEMA is the place where Spanish study foreign languages – a perfect place for you to get to know Spanish people. 

Due to the quality of its services, in 1999, IEMA was awarded for the first time with the prestigious seal of quality, CEELE, from the University of Alcalá de Henares (Madrid). 
 
Moreover, in 2002, IEMA met the strict criteria to become an associated centre of the state institution Instituto Cervantes. Instituto Cervantes recently requested IEMA to point out why it is an advantage to study in an accredited school like ours – the following is an official information from Instituto Cervantes website: among others, this accredited school
- guarantees certain quality standards in the teaching of Spanish
- meets the legal requirements for carrying out teaching activities
- has adequate teaching resources and a
- properly qualified and trained teaching team,
- a teaching plan guaranteeing satisfactory progress
- presents publicity which reflects accurately the services offered
The Instituto Cervantes carries out periodic inspections and renews accreditation permits every two years.
“Conference room”

IEMA is official DELE preparation school for the only official examination in Spanish worldwide - the DELE examinations of Instituto Cervantes.

In addition, IEMA is associated with various organisations, such as ASELE, DSV and FMF, whose objective is the development and promotion of teaching Spanish as a foreign language.
 
IEMA is also an official examination centre of the Diploma Internacional de Español, which has been developed in collaboration with FIDESCU Foundation and Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca.
 
IEMA collaborates with Madrid’s Chamber of Commerce (courses and exams in Business Spanish, Spanish for Tourism and Medicine) and is its official examination centre.
 
In 2003, IEMA became the authorized centre and co-ordinator for the Autonomous Government of Castilla y León.

Since 2004, IEMA has been collaborationg in a working group of the Council of Europe in order to adapt the language examinations and assessment criteria to the Common European Framework of Reference for languages.

 

In 2005, IEMA was awarded the “Premio Patrimonio Cultural”.

 

In 2008, the Consejo Iberoamericano (Iberamerican Council) selected IEMA for the PREMIO IBEROAMERICANO EN HONOR A LA EXCELENCIA EDUCATIVA 2008.

 

The classes take place in the ancient part of Avila, in a historical, UNESCO protected twelfth century building famously known as the “Posada de la Estrella”  ("The Inn of the Star"). In its time it housed many medieval personalities and today maintains this medieval ambience and character.

 
“Cocina-bar”
You are going to find out why students and friends of IEMA believe that being able to study here is such a privilege. A successful learning process does not only depend on the excellent and experienced teaching staff, but also on the pleasant atmosphere, which will allow you to both study and relax. 
“Salón rústico”