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?
3 comments:
Wow, eight times! I really loved Valdelavilla too, I just went for my first time at the beginning of August. I will definitely be going back! Check out my website to see a frog's perspective on Valdelavilla, Spain...My Valdelavilla Experience or Valdelavilla.
Did you walk out to El Vallejo when you were there? I loved that excursion and the BBQ waiting for us upon our return was great too! Maybe our paths will cross someday in the mountains! :o)
Have a great day, and it was fun to find someone that experienced Valdelavilla. I try to explain it to friends, but it is hard to put the experience into words sometime!
Candee
So you were there a couple of weeks befor me. Good stuff. I have walked to El Vallejo but this time I was recovering from a leg injury so didn't want to risk the walk so I sat in the sun while the BBQ wafted actoss the grass reading my book and watching the birds.
Hello
Vaughn systems have a wonderful idea and hopefully you will think the same about MovingOn Courses. We also offer full board in exchange for chatting in English to our students. There are several differences:
We have qualified teachers who give our students structured classes in the morning. This means you have more free time if you wish to take it.
Instead of staying in one “English village”, we take our students on a trip each afternoon. This means you will get to visit places you otherwise could not visit without hiring a car.
We go to Ireland each summer which is when we have an international mix of students. This means it is easier for our students to only speak English
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