Why our Spanish Immersion program? Because of Our Celtic Potion

Which is our method? We are not a standard language school. First because we only teach Spanish, and second because we specialize in what we call “language expeditions,” in short, full language immersion experiences in Spanish. The reasons we do it are twofold: first, because it is scientifically proven that anyone if exposed to a language for a sufficient time  learns to speak in the target language (although that time for adults is longer); and, second, because introducing the learner to the culture of the target language increases not only commitment to learning but also helps the learner avoid misunderstandings, makes the process of learning easier and faster, and allows the learner to start thinking in another language which is key to producing the language naturally. That´s our method. Full immersion free of interference daily and cultural exposure

When you learn any subject, you usually need both intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. Wanting to know the cultures and countries of the target language is usually a great intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation is usually the practical use you have for the target language. Intrinsic motivation particularly is very important because motivation is needed to progress in learning the technical part of the language, the grammatical structures. If we add hundreds of new words on top of learning grammar, then sometimes you feel like giving up.

However, when you can put all that information into cultural context, it helps you engage on a different level with the target language. Learning how native people live and speak introduces a human side to the language, which keeps you connected to the learning process. It is the same process that is happening in secondary education. Students (especially Gen Z) disconnect faster than before because they have been more exposed to electronic devices, and they need to re-connect, plus they need to connect the content that they are learning to its practical applications. This is changing the way students are taught. 

We have called our method “language expeditions,” full language immersion experiences in Spanish, named as such because they resemble the mountain expeditions that are prevalent in Asturias.

Following our mission, in the expedition, you are immersed in a new reality where you will live, study, eat, relax, converse, and see the sights in Spanish, while getting to know some of the most popular and magical places in Spain, in the region most valued by the Spanish ¿Cuál es la comunidad autónoma más querida y la más odiada de España? (larazon.es) and by foreign tourists The Telegraph se enamora de la comunidad autónoma “olvidada” de España: “Ni paella ni bailaores” | El HuffPost (huffingtonpost.es) 

First, you will be part of a group that lives life together, where you are continually exposed to Spanish. You’re in a bubble away from your daily reality where you become accustomed to the culture.  Everything is designed to give you minimal contact with your native language. That´s our mission. We try to ensure that students with the same native language are not in the same group and if they are, the teacher will ensure that you do not use that language.

While there are times of learning Spanish formally, you will primarily learn by practicing Spanish during the course of different activities – some tourist activities, some sports, but other activities are simply common daily activities of Spanish people but all designed with a purpose: to use the 4 skills required for learning a language: writing, speaking, reading and listening, with the clear goal of communicative competence. And at no time, even when traveling by bus to some tourist sites, will you no longer be practicing Spanish!

A language “Sherpa,” or guide (our teachers), will lead you to “the pinnacle,” to your linguistic goal. The Sherpa will accompany you throughout the weekday, leaving you only at night, when you go to a student residence or to your host family where you will continue with the immersion experience. (On weekends, you are free to explore the culture and language on your own.) Your Sherpa is committed to you and will guide you throughout your stay, both linguistically and culturally. All of the Sherpas are certified. They make it their mission and commitment to help you summit, to help you achieve your goal. We believe that intensive exposure to Spanish, the immersion experience, is the key to that achievement.

The benefit of immersive language-learning experiences and how to create them | Cambridge English