EISB Spanish students from visit Málaga on their annual language immersion trip

During the month of May, a group of EISB students had the extraordinary opportunity to participate in a language trip to Málaga, in southern Spain. This trip was much more than a school excursion: it was a linguistic and cultural immersion experience designed so that the students could apply their Spanish knowledge in a real, dynamic, and enriching environment.

From the very beginning, the goal of the trip was to live the language, not just study it. For several days, the students communicated in Spanish in different contexts: ordering food, buying souvenirs, asking questions to guides, or interacting with the people of Málaga. This practical approach allowed them to consolidate vocabulary, gain confidence in oral expression, and broaden their cultural understanding of the Spanish-speaking world.

This was the third edition of the linguistic immersion trip organized by EISB, an initiative that has already become a tradition for our students. In 2023, the destination was Madrid, and in 2024, the students discovered Valencia. This year, Málaga welcomed us with open arms, adding a new Andalusian city to this educational route that connects learning Spanish with lively and meaningful experiences.

Exploring the history and art of Málaga

The city of Málaga has numerous historical and cultural sites that allowed us to learn about the richness of Andalusian heritage. Among them stand out the Gibralfaro Castle, with its panoramic views of the city; the Alcazaba, an Arab fortress that transported the students to the era of Al-Andalus; and the imposing Málaga Cathedral, also known as “La Manquita,” whose blend of architectural styles sparked interesting conversations about art and religion.

In the artistic realm, we had the privilege of visiting the Málaga Museum and the famous Picasso Museum, where the students could closely appreciate the works of the city’s most universal artist. But one of the spaces that caught the group’s attention the most was the Pompidou Centre Málaga, a modern contemporary art museum located by the port, easily recognizable by its colorful glass cube. There, the students explored interactive installations and reflected on modern art and its meaning, guided by educational activities designed to foster observation and critical thinking.

Immersed in everyday life

Beyond the monuments, one of the most authentic moments of the trip was the visit to the Atarazanas Market, a vibrant covered market where the students put their language skills into practice by interacting with vendors, reading signs in Spanish, and buying local products. Exotic fruits, cheeses, olives, serrano ham, and traditional sweets were some of the delights they discovered while experiencing firsthand the everyday atmosphere of an Andalusian city.

Additionally, we strolled down Calle Larios, the main artery of the historic center, and wandered through the narrow streets full of life, local shops, and outdoor terraces. We also enjoyed some relaxing time at La Malagueta beach.

Flavors of Spain… and Mexico

One of the tastiest aspects of the trip was, without a doubt, the gastronomic experience. The students tried traditional dishes such as paella, croquettes, Spanish omelet, gazpacho, and a wide variety of tapas. As part of an intercultural project, we also had the opportunity to dine at a Mexican restaurant, which led to an interesting comparison between Spanish and Mexican cuisine. The students shared their observations about ingredients, flavors, presentation styles, and cultural customs related to food, all using Spanish as the vehicle language.

Learning by doing: interviews with natives

As part of the trip’s active approach, one of the projects assigned to the students involved asking local people for advice on what activities to do in Málaga. To do this, the students went out in groups to interact with native speakers, conducting short interviews in Spanish around the city center streets. This experience allowed them not only to practice the language in real situations but also to develop social skills, active listening, and cultural interpretation.

The advice they received was collected by the students and became part of the trip’s final video blog, adding authenticity and a local perspective to their projects.

A final project with a personal touch

As a culmination of this experience, the students are working on a video blog (vlog) in which they narrate their personal experience of the trip. In these vlogs, which will be published very soon, each student describes their favorite places, what they learned, the challenges they faced using the language, and the emotions they experienced during their stay. This activity has allowed them not only to reinforce their oral expression but also to reflect on their learning process in a creative, meaningful, and personal way.

This trip has been much more than an extracurricular activity: it has been an opportunity for academic, linguistic, and personal growth. The students have returned to Bratislava with a broader worldview, new words in their vocabulary, unforgettable memories, and, above all, a renewed motivation to continue learning Spanish.