Real Spanish, Real Life—A Balanced and Immersive Experience
This isn’t a typical classroom-based course. Instead, SHIP offers a homestay immersion built around authentic, practical, and conversational Spanish — combined with cultural activities, downtime, and flexibility.
You’ll learn while exploring our beautiful country: speaking Spanish over meals, navigating towns, and sharing real moments with your host teacher. At the same time, we respect your independence — and ours.
Here’s what a typical week might look like:
☀️ Mornings: Independent Starts + Tailored Lessons
8:00 – 10:00 | Make-Your-Own Breakfast & Easy Conversation
Most mornings begin at your own pace. You’ll prepare your own breakfast in the kitchen, just like you would at home. However, some days, you may share breakfast with your host teacher—offering a natural opportunity for conversation.
This “mix and match” approach balances independence with spontaneous interaction. There’s no formal breakfast session, but every conversation counts as practice.
📝 This setup encourages self-reliance, while still allowing for real Spanish use in everyday routines.
10:00 – 13:00 | One-to-One or Small Group Lessons (depending on program and location)
Late mornings are for personalized Spanish lessons, adapted to your language level, pace, and interests. These sessions may involve:
- Grammar and vocabulary practice
- Interactive exercises or board games
- Real-world language tasks (e.g., reading a map, ordering from a menu)
- Exam preparation, if you’re working towards a certification, with our official examiners
- Conversations based on current events, Spanish culture, or topics of personal interest
- Conversational practice while shopping in supermarkets or local markets
- Conversations while engaging in sports (e.g., gym, cycling, hiking, swimming)
Lessons can take place indoors, in the garden, in a coffee shop, at the supermarket, in the gym, or even while enjoying a walk.
🥘 Midday: Learning Over Lunch + Free Time
13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch as a Learning Space
Lunch is usually shared with your host teacher—and occasionally with their family or friends. These conversations are guided and natural, giving you valuable exposure to daily vocabulary, expressions, and cultural topics.
14:00 – 17:00 | Free Time to Recharge
After lunch, take a break. Whether you want to nap, explore, read, or reflect on your notes—this time is yours.
🕒 This downtime also allows host teachers to recharge, ensuring high-quality interaction during active sessions.
🌄 Afternoons (3x/Week): Real-Life Learning in Action
17:00 – 20:00 | Cultural Activities & Excursions
Three afternoons a week are reserved for interactive cultural experiences—which serve as Spanish lessons in disguise. You might:
- Visit a museum, emblematic building, or art gallery to discover Spain’s artistic treasures
- Explore a nearby town or historic site steeped in local traditions
- Take a scenic walk while completing a language challenge
- Immerse yourself in the colors, sounds, and flavors of a local festival or community event
- Savor a wine, sherry, or olive oil tasting led by regional experts
- Watch a Spanish film at home or at a local cinema, then discuss its themes over coffee or pop corn
These outings are guided by your host teacher and often include booklets or conversation prompts. Everything—transport, tickets, and meals—is included.
🌆 Evenings: Shared Dinners & Optional Social Time
20:00 – 21:00 | Dinners with Your Host Teacher
Every evening, you’ll share dinner with your host teacher — a relaxed space for conversation, cultural exchange, and plenty of natural Spanish practice. Meals often include stories, laughter, and insights into local traditions. Sometimes, family members or friends join in, adding extra warmth (and new conversation partners) to the table.
After Dinner | Your Time, Your Choice
Evenings are usually your own, but your host may offer relaxed, optional activities like:
- Watching a movie in Spanish
- Playing board games in Spanish
- Enjoying an evening stroll filled with Spanish conversation
Participation is always optional — this program respects both your independence and your host teacher’s.
🗓️ Weekly Flow: Balance, Flexibility, and Immersion
Your week includes roughly 25–35+ hours of guided Spanish exposure, depending on your host teacher’s schedule.
But you’re not learning 24/7—and that’s by design.
You’ll have:
- Two free mornings or afternoons each week
- At least one full day off per week if you stay more than one week
- A healthy balance between structured learning, real-life Spanish, and private time
🙌 Our program is immersive, but also human. Host teachers aren’t available around the clock—and students shouldn’t expect to be constantly supervised. This balance keeps the experience effective and enjoyable for everyone.
What’s Included
🖥️ Pre-Arrival Online Session – Meet your host teacher and get tips to prepare for your stay.
🧪 Spanish Level Test – Assess your skills so we can personalize your lessons.
🎭 Spanish Culture Quiz – Discover your cultural interests to enrich your learning experience.
📚 Tailored Lessons – A blend of grammar, conversation, and cultural content designed just for you.
🗣️ Guided Conversations – Practice Spanish naturally during meals, daily routines, and excursions.
🧭 Cultural Activities as Live Lessons – All meals, tickets, and transport included.
🏡 Full-Board Accommodation – Enjoy home-cooked meals at your teacher’s home and during planned activities and excursions.
📝 Customized Study Materials – Resources that match your level and learning goals.
📶 Wi-Fi Access – Stay connected in your teacher’s home.
📄 Certificate & Progress Report – A personalized record of your achievements.
🎥 Video Souvenir – A keepsake capturing highlights of your immersive experience.
The Real Immersion Experience
This isn’t a full-time classroom. It’s a lived language experience—where you learn through cooking, walking, laughing, shopping, or relaxing with your host teacher. It’s about practical Spanish, real connection, and everyday life in Spain.
1. What “25+ Hours” Includes
The “25+ hours” refers to the total weekly time you’ll spend actively engaging in Spanish through structured learning and interaction. Here’s a breakdown of the typical schedule:
- Breakfast with conversation (Section A-1): 6+ hours
(9:00 – 10:00, Monday to Saturday) - One-to-one lessons, formal or informal (Section A-2): 10+ hours
(11:00 – 13:00, Monday to Friday) - Lunch with conversation (Section B): 5+ hours
(13:30 – 14:30, Monday to Friday) - Educational activities with your host teacher (Section C): 9+ hours
(17:00 – 20:00, three afternoons per week) - Dinner with conversation (Section D): 6+ hours
(20:00 – 21:00, Sunday to Friday)
Total: Approximately 36+ hours per week of immersive Spanish language interaction.
Please note that this structure is flexible and the times are approximate. Each host teacher follows their own schedule—some sessions may be longer, and the timetable can be adjusted based on your preferences, language level, and available local activities.
2. Interaction with Host’s Family and Friends
Occasionally, your host teacher may invite family or friends to join for lunch or dinner—or meet them at a local restaurant—usually once or twice a week, depending on their personal routines. These gatherings provide excellent opportunities to enjoy authentic Spanish conversation in a relaxed, social setting.
After dinner, students typically have free time, but many host teachers offer optional evening activities such as games, movies, walks, or cultural outings. These can be enjoyed one-on-one with your host or, occasionally, with their friends or family. If you prefer not to join group settings or meet additional people, that’s absolutely fine—you’re not expected to take part in all activities, especially after dinner, as this time is considered your own.
3. Free Afternoons/Evenings – Optional Practice Opportunities
Two afternoons or evenings per week are generally reserved for rest or personal time. However, if you’d prefer to continue practicing Spanish, we offer optional add-ons, including:
- Extra one-to-one lessons
- Guided language-based excursions or activities
These additional sessions can be arranged upon request and are priced separately.