Torrevieja language school teachers raise concerns over shortage of Spanish course places

Teachers at Torrevieja’s official language school, the Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (EOI), say the supply of Spanish course places is insufficient to meet demand. A report published by El Español on 19 October sets out concerns raised by Silvia Esclapez Mira, head of the Spanish as a Foreign Language department (ELE), and puts the waiting list for first-year A2 at 750 people in June.

That figure relates to that particular course and month. The report also describes applicants who have submitted requests for five consecutive years without securing a place. Esclapez says the situation is getting worse.

529 students enrolled across Spanish levels

The report records 529 students enrolled in ELE courses: 141 in the first year of A2, 108 in the second year of A2, 121 at B1, 88 at B2, 47 at C1 and 24 at C2. These figures cover Spanish as a foreign language, rather than all languages taught at the school.

The teachers’ concerns focus on staffing. According to the report, the department had five teachers before 2021 and expanded to eight following the arrival of refugees from the war in Ukraine. Cuts in 2024 reduced the team to four. The subsequent recovery of half a post has brought staffing to the equivalent of 4.5 teachers.

The same report says classrooms are available in both the morning and afternoon. In calling for more provision, the department head identifies insufficient teaching staff, rather than a lack of physical space, as the problem.

Groups of 35 and applicants waiting

The report describes first-year A2 groups with 35 students registered. It also explains that teachers admit people from the waiting list when they discover that an enrolled student has not joined at the start of the academic year.

The accounts gathered link language learning with everyday life. Marena, a resident originally from Poland, says studying at the EOI has helped her communicate with neighbours, make friends and take part in book clubs. A foreign doctor who is also a student at the school explains the need to speak Spanish fluently when treating patients and says he was placed on the waiting list for a conversation course.