It was a real pleasure to host Namrita and her lovely 10-year-old daughter, Priya, in my home in Barcelona (Dosrius). Originally from the US and currently learning Spanish, they spent a week and a half fully immersed in the language and culture, an experience filled with warmth, laughter, and discovery. This program for families is designed to welcome both adults and children to participate together, making it ideal for shared learning and bonding.
Namrita is a thoughtful and kind person, and it was wonderful to see how she embraced the opportunity to improve her Spanish through relaxed, conversational lessons. As an adult, she benefited from tailored lessons and activities as part of the program. We shared many engaging discussions throughout the week, allowing her to grow more confident and fluent in a natural, flowing way.
Priya, sweet and curious, was a joy to be around. At just 10 years old, she brought such bright energy to the house. Her Spanish learning was a fun combination of formal and informal lessons through games, cultural activities, stories, and everyday conversations. She picked up new vocabulary and expressions with surprising ease. She’s the kind of learner who absorbs everything around her, often without even realizing it!
During their stay, Namrita and Priya also spent time with other wonderful members of our teaching team. Ana took them on tours through different parts of Barcelona, combining language learning with cultural immersion. Lydia welcomed them into the rhythm of life here in Dosrius, and Laura in Argentona led engaging lessons full of creativity and interaction, especially tailored for Priya.
Staying with a local family (my parents and dogs) and a host teacher (myself) provided authentic cultural immersion, allowing both Namrita and Priya to experience daily life, traditions, and language in a natural setting. Watching both of them grow more comfortable and expressive in Spanish was incredibly rewarding. It’s always a privilege to be part of someone’s language journey, and this one was especially memorable thanks to their openness, curiosity, and warm presence.
Introduction to the Family Program
A Spanish Homestay Immersion Program (SHIP) is more than just a series of Spanish language classes—it’s a chance for the whole family to embark on a shared adventure of learning and discovery. Designed with families in mind, this program brings together parents and children in a supportive, fun environment where everyone can learn Spanish at their own pace. Through a combination of engaging Spanish immersion classes, extra-curricular activities, and exciting excursions, families experience the Spanish language and culture firsthand.
Children learn Spanish quickly and naturally, picking up new words and expressions through games, stories, and real-life interactions. Parents, meanwhile, can improve their own language skills while enjoying quality time with their family members. The program is available year-round, so families can choose the schedule that works best for them, whether it’s a summer holiday, a winter break, or any time in between. With a focus on both education and enjoyment, the Spanish immersion program ensures that every family member, from the youngest to the oldest, has fun while learning and exploring together.
How Namrita and Priya Learned Spanish with Us
One of the most rewarding aspects of hosting Namrita and Priya was seeing how differently they approached learning Spanish, each with her own style, needs, and strengths. The program offers Spanish lessons at different levels to accommodate both adults and children, including teens, ensuring everyone can learn at their own pace.
Namrita, whose level was already beyond B1, focused mainly on speaking practice and correction. Her lessons were conversational, designed to help her express herself more naturally and refine her grammar and pronunciation in real time. Over coffee, walks, and discussions about culture and daily life, we worked on fluency, spontaneity, and accuracy. She appreciated being gently corrected and encouraged to stretch her vocabulary further. With each conversation, her confidence grew, and by the end of her stay, she was able to sustain long, nuanced dialogues with ease.
Priya, on the other hand, needed a more structured base to build her Spanish. At just 10 years old, she learned through a combination of formal lessons using a textbook and interactive activities and games. The program is suitable for families with kids and teens. This balance gave her both the foundations of grammar, basic vocabulary, sentence structure and the fun of learning in context. Whether it was playing a memory game with new words, solving puzzles, or role-playing in Spanish, Priya absorbed the language naturally while still building a solid foundation.
Our team of experienced teachers plays a key role in adapting Spanish lessons for various ages and different levels, ensuring that both children and adults receive engaging, age-appropriate instruction.
Together, their learning journeys showed the beauty of immersion: it’s not just about lessons, but about living the language at every moment, whether in the classroom, on an excursion, or simply sharing a meal at home.
Choosing the Right Spanish Immersion Program
Selecting the perfect Spanish immersion program for your family starts with understanding your children’s age group and interests. Some programs offer group classes tailored for kids and teenagers, while others provide private lessons or a combination of both, ensuring that every child receives the right level of support and challenge. It’s also important to consider the location, whether you dream of learning Spanish in Barcelona, Menorca, Valencia or Cádiz, to name a few of our locations, there are options to suit every family.
A well-designed Spanish immersion program will balance structured language classes with cultural activities and plenty of free time, so families can explore, relax, and practice their new skills in real-world settings. By considering your family’s needs, interests, and preferred style of learning, you can find a program that makes learning Spanish an unforgettable adventure for everyone.
A Magical Morning at Rukimon
One of the most enchanting parts of their stay was our quiet morning getaway to Rukimon – Rucs del Corredor, nestled on the crest of the Montnegre-Corredor Natural Park. It was the perfect blend of nature, peaceful animals, and immersive learning, a memory I know they both treasure.
We began with a gentle walk through the 10-hectare reserve, home to around 50–60 donkeys of various Iberian breeds, the only place in the country where such diversity coexists.
For Namrita, this was more than a walk—it was an opportunity to deepen her Spanish naturally. Describing the donkeys, their behavior, the setting in the forest… every moment sparked spontaneous dialogue.
For Priya, the donkeys were like gentle playmates. She loved the Donkey Assistant Card activity, a mini gymkhana of brushing, guiding, and feeding the donkeys. Her eyes lit up when she received her “assistant” card at the end, such a big sense of accomplishment!
We even rented a small burro for a short ride, which Priya adored. The day was playful, immersive, and unforgettable.
Exploring Dosrius with Lydia
During their homestay immersion, Namrita and Priya enjoyed a beautiful day with Lydia, discovering the history and hidden gems of Dosrius, a city known for its rich history and cultural landmarks.
The tour began at the Ayuntamiento de Dosrius, built in 1885. From there, they visited the Iglesia de Sant Iscle y Santa Victoria, an 11th-century Gothic church, and the Antiguo Ayuntamiento, now home to the town’s Historical Archive and its festive gigantes.
The route also included the Lavadero “El Comú”, a 19th-century communal washhouse, and ended in the Bosque Artístico de Ernest Borràs, where art and nature meet.
This walk became much more than sightseeing—it was a journey through history, tradition, and creativity, all while practicing Spanish in the most natural way.
Discovering Argentona with Laura
Another unforgettable day was their visit to Argentona with Laura, a town famous for its fountains, modernist houses, and traditions.
Highlights included the Font Picant, Casa Mora, and the story of the old tram. Priya loved following the Ruta de Càntirs giant decorated water jugs before visiting the Museu del Càntir, where they discovered pottery traditions.
The day ended sweetly at Heladería La Granja, where Priya proudly ordered her own ice cream in Spanish.
A Journey Through Time: Museu Romà de Premià de Mar
Another cultural highlight was the Museu Romà de Premià de Mar, built around the remains of a 4th-century Roman villa.
With guided lighting, projections, and immersive storytelling, the site came alive. Priya loved the mosaics and reconstructions, while Namrita expanded her vocabulary, describing Roman life and architecture. The visit also gave them insight into the customs and daily life of ancient Romans, deepening their understanding of the culture.
It was a multisensory journey into history, one that left them both inspired. We had an amazing time!
Exploring Barcelona with Ana
With Ana, the focus was the vibrant heart of Barcelona. From the El Clot neighborhood to the Hospital de Sant Pau, the Glòries area, and finally the Sagrada Familia, every stop was both cultural and linguistic.
Ana encouraged them to describe what they saw, sparking playful exchanges in Spanish. For Priya, it felt like a game; for Namrita, it was deep, practical practice.
This day captured the true spirit of immersion, where learning and living are one.
Shopping Fun at Mataró Parc
One of Priya’s favorite outings was a lively afternoon at Mataró Parc, a large shopping center.
Shopping turned into a language lesson: “¿Cuánto cuesta?”, “¿Tienen mi talla?”, “¡Qué bonito!” Priya happily practiced phrases in real situations, while Namrita enjoyed observing her daughter’s confidence grow.
After exploring fashion, toy, and accessory stores, we finally collapsed in the food court, where Spanish practice turned into a lively debate about snacks and ice cream flavors. It was fun, natural, and full of learning. By the end of the afternoon,I was completely exhausted, dragging my shopping bags like a true local, while Priya was still buzzing with energy, chatting away in Spanish about every single brand she had discovered, as if she were preparing for her own fashion blog!
The SHIP Experience – Living Spanish Every Day
Namrita and Priya’s stay was the perfect reflection of what the Spanish Homestay Immersion Programme (SHIP) truly means.
SHIP is a comprehensive Spanish program that combines language learning with cultural activities, excursions, and immersive experiences designed for families.
It is not simply about attending lessons, it’s about living Spanish every day. Through conversations at home, cultural visits, playful challenges, cooking workshops, and even shopping trips, they experienced the language as part of real life.
Namrita strengthened her fluency and confidence, while Priya built a solid base through fun, creativity, and meaningful practice. With the support of my amazing team, Ana, Lydia, and Laura, every outing became an opportunity to connect language, culture, and community. Participants learn from native speakers, making each interaction authentic and effective.
By the time they left, they weren’t just learners of Spanish. They had lived it, embraced it, and made it part of their story.
SHIP for Families – Educational Holidays Together
What made Namrita and Priya’s stay especially inspiring is that they experienced SHIP as a family. Our programme isn’t just for individual learners, it’s designed to welcome parents and children together, creating shared memories while each family member learns at their own pace. Families can be matched with host teachers/families who have children or teens similar in age to their own children, ensuring a comfortable and engaging homestay experience.
For Namrita, it was about sharpening her conversational Spanish and gaining confidence in real-life situations. For Priya, it was about building her foundations through structured Spanish lessons, games, and cultural activities. And for both, it was about sharing the journey, discovering new places, practicing Spanish side by side, and returning home with skills and experiences that will stay with them for life.
The program offers flexible durations, such as one or two weeks, to suit different family schedules and needs. That’s what makes SHIP unique: it’s not just a language course, it’s an educational holiday. Families enjoy the beauty of Spain, its culture and traditions, while also making progress in Spanish in a natural and enjoyable way. Every activity, from exploring historic towns and museums to simply ordering an ice cream, becomes a learning opportunity.
Age Group Considerations
When it comes to choosing a Spanish immersion program, the age group of your children plays a vital role in shaping their experience. Programs for young people, whether kids or teenagers, are crafted to be both fun and educational, using engaging activities like games, sports, and cultural events to help children learn Spanish in a natural, intuitive way. For younger children, the focus is often on interactive play and hands-on learning, making every class feel like an adventure.
As children grow older, programs may introduce more structured language classes, along with opportunities to participate in excursions and tours that bring Spanish culture to life. Teenagers often enjoy a mix of classroom learning and real-world practice, from exploring historic sites to joining in local festivals. By choosing a program that matches your child’s age and interests, you ensure they have an amazing experience, one filled with laughter, discovery, and the joy of learning Spanish alongside new friends.
Making Language Learning a Family Adventure
A Spanish immersion program offers families a wonderful way to learn Spanish together, creating cherished memories and building valuable language skills. When selecting a program, take into account your children’s age group, the location, and the variety of activities available. Look for a program that provides a thoughtful combination of language classes, cultural experiences, and free time, so your family can fully immerse in the local culture and practice Spanish in meaningful ways.
With so many options to choose from, it’s worth taking the time to find the program that best fits your family’s interests and needs. By joining a Spanish immersion program, you’re not just learning a new language—you’re giving your family a unique experience that will enrich your lives and create memories to last a lifetime.
A Spanish Journey Worth Taking
Spanish immersion programs open the door to a world of language, culture, and connection for families. By living with a host teacher and their family, attending Spanish classes, and participating in cultural activities, every family member can learn Spanish in a way that is both fun and deeply meaningful. These programs offer more than just language lessons; they provide a chance to experience the rhythms of daily life in Spain or Latin America, to make new friends, and to gain a deeper understanding of different cultures.
Whether your family chooses the vibrant energy of cities like Barcelona and Valencia, the relaxed charm of Cádiz and Sevilla, or the unique atmosphere of Menorca, the rewards of immersion are immense: stronger Spanish language skills, deeper cultural awareness, and unforgettable moments shared together. With its welcoming people, rich traditions, and stunning settings, a Spanish immersion program is more than a course—it’s a chance for families to learn, grow, and create lasting memories side by side.
SHIP: Learn Spanish, Live Spain.
Namrita and Priya, thank you for your enthusiasm, your smiles, and the joy you brought into our home. You will always have a second home here in Barcelona with us, with our team, and with the Spanish.
And for other families thinking of joining us: come and make Spain your classroom. With SHIP, Spanish is not just learned—it’s lived.
