1. How many hours/courses do I need to do at the barnetegi to get a HABE diploma?
About 100-120 are necessary, in other words, one course to get a HABE diploma. Take a look how HABE calculates the time needed to pass a level:
2. What do I need to be able to do the HABE exam?
To answer this question you must always take in account the resolution passed in any particular year by the Basque Government. What is currently in force stipulates that students must be registered this year at an euskaltegi or barnetegi and must have passed the course corresponding to their level.
3. I have never studied Euskera. Can I go to the barnetegi?
Yes, of course. You will be given an entrance exam and, according to the result obtained, you will be put into a specific group.
4. How many students are there in a group?
The groups are normally between 8 and 12.
5. How long does a course last?
Those in winter (October-June) between 3 and 4 weeks. Those in summer (July-September) 12 days (bear in mind that in summer there are also lessons at weekends).
6. How old do I have to be to attend the barnetegi?
Sixteen on the day the course begins.
7. What it is the methodology used at the barnetegi?
Our methodology is based on school dynamics. It is founded on linguistic skills and different types of texts, and we work on the contents corresponding to each course.
8. In what ways are the barnetegi and euskaltegi different?
At the barnetegi all the environment is Euskaldun. In contrast, at the euskaltegi the practice of Euskara is limited to the classroom. At the barnetegi the linguistic immersion is very significant.
9. I have learned the Euskara of my town, in the street. I don’t know any grammar and I have never read or written in Euskara. Will I have problems in class?
No. Of course you have mastered the oral register, but we must work on your written register. Therefore, you will work on it in class with your irakasles.
The dialect or Euskalki is definitely not a problem. In this sense, we have had the same experience with several students.
10. Apart from receiving classes, do I need to study/work on what I have studied by myself?
We do not set anything separately (if students ask the irakasle, they will be given exercises to do on their own, after class).
We set the objectives of each student and we know what have we to do to achieve them. We regard it as very necessary for the students to communicate in Euskara in the out-of-school activities, at the multi-media library, with other students, etc.
11. If I choose the modality of staying to sleep at the barnetegi, do I have to take sheets, blankets, etc.?
No.
12. If I choose the modality of staying to sleep at the barnetegi, do I have to take towels?
Yes.
13. If I choose the modality of staying to sleep at the barnetegi, do I have to take flip-flops?
Yes, as they are advisable for the shower.
14. If I don’t stay to sleep at the barnetegi, can I participate in the out-of-school activities?
Yes.
15. What can I do at the barnetegi in the evenings?
You can take part in board games and watch a film and/or television.
16. What is the barnetegi hours during the winter courses?
The center opens from 8:30 on Monday to 18:00 on Friday.
17. What is the barnetegi hours during the summer courses?
During the summer the barnetegi remains open from 8:00 on the first day of the course until 18:00 on the last day without interruption.
18. I am diabetic and so I follow a special diet. Will this be taken into account when my meals are prepared?
That won’t be a problem. On the first day of the course the cook will be told so that she knows. She will therefore be able to prepare a diet appropriate to your situation.
19. I am a coeliac and so I follow a special diet. Will this be taken into account when my meals are prepared?
That won’t be a problem. On the first day of the course the cook will be told so that she knows. She will therefore be able to prepare a diet appropriate to your situation.
20. I am a vegetarian and so I follow a special diet. Will this be taken into account when my meals are prepared?
That won’t be a problem. On the first day of the course the cook will be told so that she knows. She will therefore be able to prepare a diet appropriate to your situation.
21. If I don’t like a dish, what can I do?
There is always a great variety of dishes in our meals: there are three choices for the first course and two choices for the second. There is also a wide range of desserts: there is always fruit, yoghurt and homemade desserts, made by our cook. You will therefore not have that kind of problem.
22. Is there WiFi?
Yes, in the whole building. Free and without passwords.
23. Can I do sport at the barnetegi?
Yes, of course. The surrounding area is very suitable for running. Besides, the sports hall is close by (about 200 metres away). Our students have free entrance to the swimming pool and the gym and there are good discounts on the courses.
24. What are the opening times of the sports hall?
From 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.
For more information: Larrea Leisure Centre
25. If I stay to sleep at the barnetegi after the lessons, what can I do?
You can take part in the out-of-school activities or you can go to the multi-media library. You can go for a walk with other students to the town, you can go to the swimming pool, etc.
But remember you have come to study and improve your Euskera.
26. If I stay to sleep at the barnetegi and I fall ill, what can I do?
If you don’t feel too bad, you can stay in your room. If you need to see a doctor, the doctor who is free at that time or the one who is on call at the health centre in Amorebieta-Etxano will come and see you. You can also go to the health centre in Amorebieta-Etxano and the corresponding doctor will see you there.
27. I have mobility problems. Can I attend the barnetegi? Can I stay in the boarding modality?
If you are a person with reduced mobility, there will be no problem for you to attend the barnetegi, whether you stay until the lessons end or whether you stay and sleep there. At the barnetegi we have a lift, ramps to avoid climbing the stairs, as well as bathrooms and rooms adapted for people with reduced mobility.
28. I am working, but I want to go to the barnetegi. Is this possible?
Depending on the schedule you have. We always look at each individual case. If you really want, there is always a way of becoming our student.
29. Are the rooms individual?
No. They are for 3-4 students.
30. Is there a toilet in the rooms?
No.
31. Is smoking allowed at the barnetegi?
No.
32. Can animals be brought to the barnetegi?
No.
33. Will my roommates be my age? What will their level of Euskera be?
To complete the rooms we follow 3 criteria: gender, age and the level of Euskera.
34. If I attend the barnetegi with my partner or one or several friends, can we sleep in the same room?
Yes.
35. If I go somewhere in the evening or at night, will I have problems when I return?
No. from 10.00 p.m. there is a caretaker who will open the door for you.
36. Once the course has begun and been paid for, if I have problems attending, will I be able to recover what I have paid for?
Yes, but only for tyhe courses between october and june. To do this you have to inform the secretary the week the course begins. After studying your request, 25% will be retained. The remainder will be returned to you.
37. Is there a car park at the barnetegi?
Yes and it is free.
38. Is there a laundry at the barnetegi?
Yes. There are washing machine and dryers. There are also irons and ironing boards.
39. Are there any kinds of grants or aids for studying at the barnetegi?
You will have to ask at your town hall, as there are municipalities which help in the process of Euskara learning, while others do not.
40. Are there any kinds of grants or aids for unemployed people to attend the barnetegi?
Not at the moment.
41. Is it necessary to attend class?
Yes.
42. Classes start early on the first day of the course. Can I come the night before?
No. We are sorry, but it is not possible to come the day before the course starts, nor to stay after the end of the course. If necessary, you can consider booking a hotel in Bilbao or Amorebieta to arrive on time the first day of the course.
43. How do I get to Barnetegi from Bilbao?
There are several options. From Bilbao you can come to Amorebieta by train (Euskotren), by bus (Bizkaibus) or even by taxi. The most convenient option is Bizkaibus, as Bizkaibus buses to Amorebieta leave from in front of Abando station in Bilbao every 15 minutes. They are lines A3514 (which goes to Gernika, passing through Amorebieta) and A3515 (which goes to Bermeo, passing through Amorebieta, and also through Gernika). The journey takes about half an hour, and in Amorebieta you have to get off at the San Pedro stop (Geraleku/Apeadero). From there it is about a 10-minute walk to Barnetegi.