Total immersion: the secret to learning a new language

I attended Intercultura Spanish Language School's Samara Beachfront campus for three weeks in 2016. I was very impressed by the organization of the school and classes, the placement process for new students (a 10-minute chat, in Spanish, with a teacher who assesses at what level and in which class the student should be placed), the teachers' professionalism and the ambiance, which was casual but goal-oriented. I had a working knowledge of Spanish and was placed exactly where I needed to be to further my learning. That said, it is the total immersion that allowed me to gain and develop confidence in my speaking skills. I lodged with a local family where no one spoke any English, which meant that I would either sink or learn to swim - which is just what I did. I now speak Spanish fluently. Going to Intercultura was the best thing I could have done to achieve my goal.