Hi,
I am looking for a public university or college in madrid that offers spanish classes for forigners or as a second language.  I will be in spain for a year and should be gettin my residency soon.  I heard that they are free if you are a resident, is that true?  thanks for any help.

Hi,

The Complutense is an excellent public university and they also offer Spanish classes for foreigners, but not for free.

If you have a low level of Spanish, the Casa Encendida (cool place for art exhibitions) has free Spanish classes for immigrants.

And if you’re already a resident, the Escuela Oficial de Idiomas offers very cheap Spanish classes for foreigners, but from what I’ve heard it’s hard to get the classes you want.

Complutense: http://www.ucm.es/
Spanish classes for foreigners at the Complutense: http://www.ucm.es/info/cextran/Index.htm
Casa Encendida: http://www.lacasaencendida.es/
Free Spanish classes for immigrants at the Casa Encendida: http://www.lacasaencendida.es/LCE/lceCruce/0,0,73552_1808413_73541P1=16,00.html
Escuela Oficial de Idiomas in Madrid: http://www.eoidiomas.com/

Good luck.

Thanks a lot for the info. I already took a 40 hour intensive spanish class and I am looking to meet people to practice with and learning more does not hurt.  anu advice?

An intercambio (language exchange). It’s a good way to meet people.