After years of standing at the front of a classroom, Yvonne did something few teachers ever dare to do. She flew to Spain, sat down in the student’s chair, and started again from zero.
I am Pilar, a host teacher with the Spanish Homestay Immersion Program (SHIP) in Valencia, in the peaceful town of Gilet. I open my home to learners and shape every lesson around the person in front of me, their goals, their rhythm, and their curiosity.
Welcoming Yvonne was a special joy, because she arrived not only to learn Spanish but to feel what her own students feel. This is her story, from her arrival at the airport to her confident goodbye.
Meet Yvonne: A Language Teacher Starting From Zero
Yvonne is a Dutch language teacher from Leende, in the Netherlands. She speaks Dutch and fluent English, with some German and French, yet Spanish was completely new territory for her.
Her motivation was beautifully honest. She wanted to experience first-hand what it feels like for her own students to learn a language from scratch, and to understand the process from the other side of the desk.
Enthusiastic, active, and open to anything, she came ready to speak from day one and to embrace a full week of language and culture.
A Warm Arrival and Dinner by the Sea
Yvonne landed in Valencia on a Sunday afternoon, and her immersion began the moment we met. While waiting for Di, another student arriving two hours later, we shared our first conversations over coffee at an airport café.
That evening we celebrated her arrival with dinner by the beach at a lively tapas restaurant.
Between the sea breeze and the shared plates, Spanish was already becoming the natural language of the table.
Verbs, Verbs, and More Verbs: Building the Foundations
Our morning classes followed a clear path through the verb workbook. We began with the present tense of regular verbs, then tackled the irregular ones, which proved the trickiest part of her week.
From there we moved to reflexive verbs and verbs like gustar, before progressing to the present perfect and the past simple.
Yvonne supported every lesson with written and oral tasks: a personal presentation, her daily routine, and stories about her last holidays.
A Stroll Along Malvarrosa Beach
After her very first lesson, we headed straight to Malvarrosa Beach for a long walk by the Mediterranean.
The weather was glorious, and the relaxed setting turned new grammar into real conversation. Describing the sea, the people, and the light gave her fresh vocabulary a place to live.
It was the perfect reminder that in SHIP, the classroom never really ends. It simply moves outdoors.
Las Fallas: A Festival of Fire and Flowers
Yvonne’s week coincided with Las Fallas, one of Spain’s most iconic festivals, during its biggest days. On her first free afternoon, she wandered the streets to admire the towering fallas monuments on display.
Later in the week, we dedicated almost a full day to the celebration, walking through the city’s most important neighbourhoods.
Watching the falleras and falleros parade to Plaza de la Virgen for the Offering of Flowers gave her a truly unforgettable insight into Valencian tradition.
Climbing El Miguelete and Finding La Estrecha
Our visit to the historic centre took us up El Miguelete, the cathedral’s famous bell tower, with sweeping views over the rooftops of Valencia.
We strolled through Plaza de la Virgen and even discovered La Estrecha, once known as the narrowest house in Europe.
Every corner sparked questions, and every question became practice. History and language walked hand in hand all afternoon.
Buñuelos, Churros with Chocolate, and Mercado Colón
No Fallas experience is complete without its flavours. Yvonne tasted traditional buñuelos in the street, as every Valencian does in March.
She also enjoyed thick hot chocolate with churros at Valor, a beloved stop that quickly became a favourite memory.
We ended one special day with dinner at a restaurant in the beautiful Mercado Colón, where good food and easy conversation brought her Spanish to life once more.
A Quiet Afternoon to Rest and Review
After the long day exploring Las Fallas, Yvonne chose to spend her next free afternoon at home.
She used the time wisely, reviewing vocabulary and grammar while recovering from all the walking we had done through the city.
That decision said a lot about her as a learner. She understood that rest and revision are part of progress, something she will surely pass on to her own students.
La Albufera: A Boat Trip and Paella
One of the highlights of the week was our excursion to La Albufera Natural Park, the birthplace of paella and one of the region’s most emblematic landscapes.
Yvonne enjoyed a peaceful boat trip across the lake, gliding past reeds and rice fields under the open sky.
Sharing paella in its homeland turned the day into a full sensory lesson, where nature, gastronomy, and language came together beautifully.
Esmeralda’s Birthday: The Perfect Final Test
On her last full day, Yvonne joined Esmeralda’s birthday celebration, surrounded by family and friends from Spain, Colombia, and Argentina.
It was the ideal setting to put a week of learning into practice. She chatted naturally with different accents and personalities, using her new Spanish in real, relaxed conversation.
There could be no better conclusion to her immersion than laughter, music, and Spanish flowing around a birthday table.
Yvonne’s Progress by the End of the Week
By the time we said goodbye at the airport, Yvonne had travelled a remarkable distance from her first hello. She was using the present tense with confidence and had begun working successfully with past tenses.
From day one she made a conscious effort to speak Spanish at every opportunity, and her dedication paid off quickly.
She left with stronger Spanish, wonderful memories, and something extra: a student’s perspective that will enrich her own teaching forever.
Ready to Begin Your Own SHIP Journey in Valencia?
Yvonne’s week in Gilet, Valencia, shows what happens when you stop only studying Spanish and start living it, surrounded by real conversations, real festivals, and real people. Your own story could be next.
Whether you are a complete beginner, a fellow teacher, or a lifelong learner, every programme is built around your level, your goals, and your interests.
👉 If you would like to read more real stories from students who have lived and studied Spanish with us, our diary blogs follow each journey from arrival to departure. You could become the protagonist of our next story.
To learn more about our Spanish Homestay Immersion Program (SHIP) and plan your own week in Spain, reach out to our founder, director, and host teacher in Menorca, Mónica Romero.
Speak Spanish. Live the culture. Discover a new chapter of your life in Spain.
You can explore more real immersion journeys here:
👉 SHIP Stories of Our Previous Students
For personalised guidance and program details, contact:
Mónica Romero Founder and Director
📞 Phone / WhatsApp: +44 7903 867 894
📧 Email: monicaromero@spanishexpress.co.uk
