Malaca Instituto: the historical development

Founded in 1971 Malaca Instituto is now one of the largest private language schools in Spain dedicated to the teaching of Spanish. Around 3000 students of all ages (from 16 years upwards) and from all over the world study in the school every year, staying from between 2 weeks and up to 1 year. It employs an average of 65 people throughout the year and up to almost 100 in the peak summer season.

The teaching of Spanish to overseas students started on the Costa del Sol in the early 70’s and Ida Willadsen and Joaquin Chacon, the joint founders of Malaca Instituto, were among the first pioneers. Today this industry on the Costa del Sol is seen as an important contributor to the local economy and receives important support from the town halls and the Junta de Andalucia as well as various other national and local institutions.

In the early days the schools had to survive on their own, often with fierce competition from a public sector supported by local and national government. Malaca Instituto had to rely on the support of its increasing band of international friends and business contacts who appreciated the professional standards of the school. These people eventually developed into the international network of agents and contacts that have been crucial in the history of Malaca Instituto and remain so today.

After sojourns in various different buildings in Málaga (at one time the school was housed in 3 different buildings and also owned various apartments, the odd bar and one or two other bits and pieces, including a “croissanteria” !), it was decided to move everything to the substantial premises that now form its home – the mini campus of Malaca Instituto-Club Hispanico. Located in an up-market residential area, some 10 minutes walk from the beach and 15 minutes bus ride from the town centre, this is an ideal location.

After major renovations this building now houses a large students’ residence (Club Hispanico) whose 110 bedrooms all have on-suite facilities, 25 classrooms, study centre, multi-media lab, bar/restaurant, multi-activity rooms, dance studio, swimming pool and various large terraces - in other words exceptional facilities for a language school, creating an international mini-campus in a residential area of Málaga. This has now served as the school’s home for the past 25 years.

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