My word doesn't time fly when you are having fun? I can't believe that it has been so long since last I did something with this blog. Anyway, I am back and at it and as the winter nights draw in I am sure I will be at it often.
A couple of times a year I go on a really astonishing get together in Spain where I spend the week talking to the most amazing people, and all in English. At the end of August I went on my eighth programme with Pueblo Inglés or English Town to Valdelavilla, a village that was turned into a hotel in the Saroia area of Spain. It is remote and beautiful and - wait for it - FREE. Yes, it doesn't cost a penny (unless you want to drink at the bar). Food wine and accommodation is provided to us Anglos (the term used for the native English speakers). All you have to do is get yourself to Madrid (which you have to pay for) and a bus pick up point.
So what do we do once on the bus? Well there are some twenty Anglos and twenty Spaniards and we have to speak to each other - however Spanish is BAND! We are all of us only allowed to speak English. The idea is that the Spaniards will have a reasonably good standard of English but lack the opportunity to practice it in a continuous way. At Pueblo Englés they get nothing else but English. So it is a total immersion experience. The main exercise is the "1 to1" which is one Anglo sitting, or walking, sometimes even swimming, with a Spaniard and talking to each other. What about? Well pretty much anything really. The important thing is to talk. I have had chats about quantum physics, bread making, the endocrine system, ham curing, theatre, both medical and the drama and loads else beside. There are also little entertainment and group sessions to work with so there is always something happening. By the end of the week you will be physically exhausted but mentally fizzing with ideas. Oh, yes, the people. Well the Anglos come from all over the English speaking world Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, UK, West Indies, India - as long as you have a high standard of spoken English you are welcome, and if you have a good accent like Geordie or Scows or Welsh or Scots then that is even better.
As for the Spaniards they come from every walk of life sucu as top exscutives, students, scientis, housewives, al with a desire or need to improve their English.
A couple of times a year I go on a really astonishing get together in Spain where I spend the week talking to the most amazing people, and all in English. At the end of August I went on my eighth programme with Pueblo Inglés or English Town to Valdelavilla, a village that was turned into a hotel in the Saroia area of Spain. It is remote and beautiful and - wait for it - FREE. Yes, it doesn't cost a penny (unless you want to drink at the bar). Food wine and accommodation is provided to us Anglos (the term used for the native English speakers). All you have to do is get yourself to Madrid (which you have to pay for) and a bus pick up point.
So what do we do once on the bus? Well there are some twenty Anglos and twenty Spaniards and we have to speak to each other - however Spanish is BAND! We are all of us only allowed to speak English. The idea is that the Spaniards will have a reasonably good standard of English but lack the opportunity to practice it in a continuous way. At Pueblo Englés they get nothing else but English. So it is a total immersion experience. The main exercise is the "1 to1" which is one Anglo sitting, or walking, sometimes even swimming, with a Spaniard and talking to each other. What about? Well pretty much anything really. The important thing is to talk. I have had chats about quantum physics, bread making, the endocrine system, ham curing, theatre, both medical and the drama and loads else beside. There are also little entertainment and group sessions to work with so there is always something happening. By the end of the week you will be physically exhausted but mentally fizzing with ideas. Oh, yes, the people. Well the Anglos come from all over the English speaking world Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, UK, West Indies, India - as long as you have a high standard of spoken English you are welcome, and if you have a good accent like Geordie or Scows or Welsh or Scots then that is even better.
As for the Spaniards they come from every walk of life sucu as top exscutives, students, scientis, housewives, al with a desire or need to improve their English.
Look, give it a try and you will certainly have an experience. There are two companies that run programmes which are essentially the same as they were once the same company. Their web sites are at:
&
And did I mention the Rioja?
