Immersive Spanish Courses in Spain with Instituto Hemingway

Immersive Spanish Courses in Spain with Instituto Hemingway

Location
  • Spain
    • Bilbao
Length
1 to 52 weeks
Language
Spanish

Program Details

Language Level
BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
Immersion Level
Intensive Standard
Certifications
DELE (Spanish)
Specialized Courses
Business Specific Purposes Teaching
Class Size
Private Lessons Small Class (1-7) Medium Class (8-15)
Weekly Classroom Hours
20
Housing
Apartment Host Family
Age Min.
14

Pricing

$145
Price Details
Prices vary, starting at 145$
1-52 weeks
Primarily small classes (1-7 students per group)
We offer both standard and intensive courses.

All students will receive a textbook which uses a communicative approach to ensure you progress rapidly.
Teaching hours vary depending on the course. Though our most popular courses are 20 hours a week, students can choose to do 23, 26 or 30 hours as well.
What's Included
Activities Classes Visa Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Airport Transfers Some Park Fees SIM cards
Jan 26, 2025
Apr 11, 2026
7 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Looking for an unforgettable trip to Spain that will improve your Spanish and expand your resume? Look no further: the Instituto Hemingway’s courses are designed to immerse you in Spanish language and culture. You, the learner, are at the heart of everything we do.

We offer a wide range of courses at all levels and for all ages to fit your specific aims, be it learning more about this wonderful country, progressing your Spanish, or preparing and taking an Official DELE exam with us.

With us you don´t need to be worried about dealing with accommodation and visa subjects on your own, we will be there to help!

Our highly qualified teachers will quickly help you find your feet, working with you throughout your stay with us to get the most out of every minute of your course. After lessons are done for the day, kick back with your new friends as you explore our city with our much-loved daily program of cultural activities.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

Students appreciate the small, dynamic classes with patient, professional teachers who focus on practical communication and cultural immersion.

Program Highlights

  • Bilbao is a city that’s off the beaten tourist trail, so it’s the perfect place to truly practice your Spanish in day-to-day situations. Why not explore some of the many other cities in Spain while you’re here, thanks to Bilbao’s great transport networks!
  • Join us for our free cultural activities including trips, wine tastings, salsa lessons, cooking workshops and tapas tours.
  • We have a range of accommodations available, including with a Host Family, in Shared Apartments or in Private Accommodation.
  • Our courses start every Monday all year round! We cover all levels, from A1 (Beginner) to C2 (Proficient). At the end of your course you'll receive a certificate which states the level of Spanish you’ve acquired.
  • Our experienced and accredited in-house lawyer who specializes in Study Abroad programs helps handle the VISA process with no hidden costs, to make your arrival in Spain a breeze.

Preparing to study and volunteer in Spain

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

Instituto Hemingway offer sBIPOC support through inclusive, safe, and culturally responsive environments. We prioritize respectful community engagement, often providing supportive, curated housing and staff dedicated to ensuring students of color feel comfortable, seen, and supported during their immersion experience
We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ individuals, creating a safe space where all students can express their true selves while learning a new language.
At Instituto Hemingway Spanish School we are dedicated to providing inclusive and supportive learning environments for neurodivergent individuals. Our experienced instructors are trained to accommodate diverse learning styles, ensuring that every student, regardless of their neurodiversity, can thrive in our language programs. We offer personalized support and resources to help neurodivergent learners excel in their language studies and achieve their language learning goals.
At Instituto Hemingway, We are dedicated to ensuring accessibility for all. We provide a range of accommodations to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, including accessible facilities, materials in various formats, and support services. Our goal is to make language learning an inclusive experience, where everyone can participate fully and thrive in their language studies.

Impact 🌎

Environmentally-conscious students choose Instituto Hemingway because many of our volunteer programs are held here in Bilbao, a sustainability accredited city. There are options to take volunteer programs in sustainability and the environment, as well as field trips and studies where students can leave a lasting impact on their host country
Instituto Hemingway provides ethical, sustainable volunteer abroad programs in Spain designed to address genuine community needs rather than short-term charity. Programs focus on long-term impact through local partnerships, cultural sensitivity, and supporting local employment, ensuring projects are responsible and respectful

Popular Programs

Permaculture in Spain

In our Spanish courses and volunteering program, you’ll immerse yourself in the language while contributing to meaningful projects like animal welfare, social media, permaculture, beach cleanups, soccer and community, art and therapy, social entrepreneurship, or teaching English to children.

You’ll stay in comfortable apartments or with welcoming host families and enjoy a variety of cultural activities. It’s a complete program where you combine learning Spanish with giving back to others.

DELE Exam preparation

Working towards your DELE exam? We can help: as an accredited DELE exam centre, we know the best ways to prepare you for your exam. The course offers DELE preparation alongside general Spanish classes - you’ll be dreaming in Spanish by the end! If you don’t have much time, we’ll help your Spanish improve in leaps and bounds with our SIELE preparation course. As the first certified digital Spanish exam with international recognition, SIELE is a quick and easy way to highlight your Spanish skills.

Teaching in class

If you’re a Spanish language teacher looking to brush up on current methods for teaching Spanish as a second language (ELE), this is the course for you! Covering both foreign language acquisition and specific classroom techniques, we aim to supply you with the latest advice on how best to teach Spanish. Our classes also explore Spanish culture and history. We offer this course in an online version too.

Spanish Junior course

Searching for a fun and educational trip for your son or daughter? Our courses for teens will be perfect for them. We aim to playfully introduce kids to Spanish without making them feel they have to sit in school. In 210 min per day, your child will learn to communicate in Spanish, play language games, sing Spanish songs, do handicrafts, listen to Spanish music and role play everyday situations. We will provide accommodation too. Free leisure and cultural activities in the afternoons

Spanish course seniors

We know many people aged 50+ are looking for much more than just learning Spanish or improving their skills. That’s why our courses for seniors, at all language levels, have cultural activities tailored to your individual interests - be it tasting the delicacies of Spanish cuisine, exploring Bilbao or discovering the secrets of Spanish culture. With no more than 12 people per class, our teachers can dedicate more time to each individual student, incorporating your needs into the class content.

Live and Learn Spanish with an Instituto Hemingway Teacher

What better way to learn Spanish than to live with your own private Spanish teacher! This program is the most effective way to develop your language skills in a short space of time whilst being fully immersed in Spanish culture. You’ll get 10-20 private lessons per week in your teacher’s own home. Please note some teachers take more than one student, but we don't place two students of the same nationality or language in the same homestay unless requested. Contact us directly to learn more.

Student School and University Trips with Instituto Hemingway

Are you a teacher seeking a flexible educational school trip or university program for your students? Our subject-specific academic travel programs, customised to fit your requirements, are just what you need! We combine intensive Spanish studies with enjoyable afternoon activities, ensuring students gain in-depth insights into the Spanish way of life and practise their Spanish. Thanks to our high-quality professional service, many schools return regularly to relive their experiences with us.

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 41 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Instruction 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Housing 5
  • Value 5
Showing 17 - 24 of 41 reviews
Luan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best way to learn and practice at the same time!"

Loved the school! Classes and teachers are great. My Spanish has improved a lot, and I'm now able to keep a conversation, asking for directions, understanding people... I even went to a Movie Theater and watched a movie in Spanish without subtitles! The School is located right in the center of the city, easily accessible by bus, car or walking. Frequently they organize events or/ and lovely excursions nearby. That way I had the opportunity to visit the city and knowing about restaurants, coffee shops, bars and meeting other people. I enjoyed the time I spent at the Instituto Hemingway Spanish School. That's why I highly recommend this experience.

This school is perfect from both points of view: the theoretical and the practical way to learn a language. There are different classes for different levels, and the activities and rides around the city let you practice what you study in class. I think I learnt more Spanish by hanging around the city with Carmen and Carmela than just studying from any book. I'll always remember this wonderful stay in Bilbao.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Between Spain’s siesta culture and a wonderfully lively nightlife, meal times there are much later than most immigrants would no doubt be used to.
Enjoying Spanish tapas in the sun.
Lunch is pretty religiously eaten at around 3 PM, just after clocking off for the day, while dinner normally takes place between 9 and 10 at night.
228 people found this review helpful.
Rose
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Learning Spanish at the best School ever

I had been learning Spanish from books and online courses for a while, and had visited Spain many times, but I lacked the confidence to speak to people for fear that they wouldn’t understand me and I wouldn’t be able to understand them. I decided to go to Instituto Hemingway for a two week super intensive course mainly to build my listening and speaking skills. I made great progress in my time there. All of the staff were great, but the teachers in particular were very patient and helpful. I have a way to go before I get even close to being fluent, but I now have much more confidence that I can hold a conversation and ‘mas o menos’ be understood. I loved every minute of it.

I went on my own & could not have been made to feel more welcome at Instituto Hemingway. Staff very friendly & school located in a fabulous part of Bilbao, near Casco Viejo. I managed to see most of the major sights of Bilbao, improve my spoken Spanish & learn a bit about local culture (discovered a fondness for Pintxos)

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Instituto Hemingway is the best Spanish language school in Bilbao, I chose it for its location (in beautiful, convenient Casco Viejo district next to the Railway and metro station) and because the staff had been very sympathetic and encouraging when we corresponded. But by the end of my first day of class I was aware of two other supremely important advantages: the quality of the faculty and the quality of the students. My teacher was unquestionably the best, most dynamic teacher of Spanish I have ever had. She gave every inch of herself to the job and every day brought original ideas, fresh insights, and crystal clarity of explanation – as well as abundant humor and a wonderful depth of culture – to the classroom. Every day the hours of classroom instruction passed quickly and left me eager to return the next day. My teacher’s openness and breadth of reference (as well as her humor) encouraged the interaction so essential to acquisition of familiarity with the language, and my fellow students rose to the occasion. From all over the world, they were motivated and united by an affinity for Spain and its language and a desire to learnto speak Spanish. They were open-minded and ready to engage with their colleagues. Friendships formed quickly and endured throughout. We learned from one another as well as from our marvelous teacher.
146 people found this review helpful.
Hanz
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The place to go to learn spanish in Spain

Hola! I'm writing this review because I'm really thankful for the Hemingway Institute and how they helped me to make my stay in Bilbao one of the best experiences in my life. Carlos was my teacher and made the classes very enjoyable, but at the same time I learned a lot with him. The lessons are very practical, they forced me to talk and they corrected me every time I needed it.

I made a lot of friends as the Institute promotes friendship and social and cultural activities with all the students apart from the lessons given in the academy.

I knew that the spanish accent in Bilbao was very good and easy to understand, but after my experience I can say without doubt that the Hemingway is the place to go to learn spanish in Spain.

145 people found this review helpful.
Margaret
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Learning Spanish was the best decision ever

My language course at Instituto Hemingway was a big success. Not only does the school offered excellent facilities, the teachers were professional, very proactive and enthusiastic. Also, a student was placed within a group of students that matches his or her level of Spanish. In total, there were almost 6+ classes that guide students in their quest to learn Spanish.

Also, the after school activities were fun and was a great way to get to know the city or other students. There was a wide variety of activities to choose from (one activity per day) and the activities itself were well organized.

I can also recommend staying with a host family, because it makes the immersion in the Spanish lifestyle complete. The family I stayed with was amazing and I couldn't have planned for a better way to feel at home in Bilbao.

All in all it was a perfect time for me! I met a lot of nice people and could learn a lot of Spanish! The teachers had been very friendly and motivating and it was easy to change classes and get an accommodation! Most of accommodations are new and really nice There were a lot of possibilities to do activities in your free time! I love Bilbao and Instituto Hemingway was perfect

I would recommend anyone who wants to learn/improve Spanish to go to this school!

What would you improve about this program?
I would like having received more information before coming to Spain. Many things took it for granted but I was not sure that the program was going to be that way.
137 people found this review helpful.
Chelsea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Spanish course was the best course ever

Interning abroad has been one of the best decisions I have made in my life so far. From the beginning of the process, Instituto Hemingway went above and beyond to make sure that I was going to get the best placement possible. At my Spanish course in Northern Spain, I learned so much and was very grateful to be a part of an incredible team. I cannot put into words how rewarding my experience was and how easy Instituto Hemingway made it for me.

They were always keeping up with us and even planned fun group outings as to stay in touch! We went to a wine tasting program, did a bike tour, and day trip to a local beach town on top of many more. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience. I went all over Spain. Bilbao is a vibrant city with so many options for how you want to spend your time. The people are kind and the weather is great.

What would you improve about this program?
Put in effort to learn about the culture, people, & language because it will make your experience so much better!
130 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story
Julia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

amazing Spanish School

I liked everything. The teachers at Instituto Hemingway are amazing and they really care about your success. They are always happy and friendly. I liked the social programs, because it help you to make friends.

The teachers are nice. I very appreciate them for giving such useful grammatical knowledges during the class. It helps me a lot. I like it very much because not only the perfect teachers but also nice facilities. I liked my classes because I could change my schedule from morning to an afternoon class in preparation for a test.
My teacher was a really nice guy and it was always fun with him joking around.
The location of the school is perfect for tube connections and lunch break.

The course is very well-designed and structured. The content of the course is interesting and informative. I liked that that there are video and audio clips, especially the video clips that showed how we could teach in the classroom.
Carlos was pretty much everything you’d want as a tutor; with his ability to give you his full attention to your inquiries, with his timely responses, his encouragement and understanding, I was able to complete the course feeling confident that I can do my job as teaching Spanish as a second language in my chosen country. Throughout the course, I enjoyed working in every module. There is so much interesting information, ideas for teachers etc.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alfredo Orive for all the guidance and encouragement he gave me throughout this course. I’m thankful for the very detailed feedback, not just on what I’ve submitted but how I can improve.

Once again, I would definitely recommend Instituto Hemingway and I will be signing up for more courses in the future. I would highly recommend this course for anyone who wants to start or continue teaching and want to have more knowledge about teaching.

Jose, the director, is also very nice, always accessible and always trying to help the students. Rodrigo, the receptionist, is always available to help. I was very happy to have Carlos as my teacher, because he was always very professional, he is a great teacher but also very flexible and funny when needed.

What would you improve about this program?
I found this course to be well structured and easy to navigate. The assignments are relevant to the content covered during the course and it guides the student to put the newly acquired teaching knowledge into practice. This course equipped me with practical ideas on how to prepare a lesson plan, which assists me to give my students the best possible learning experience.

At the end of each module, there is a list of references to other websites relevant to the material covered during the module. As a teacher, I use many of these resources almost on a daily basis and I find it extremely useful.

If I have to improve something about this program would be using more real-life situations in class. Sometimes in my classroom in my country I have to deal with problems of discipline and is very difficult for me classroom management.
148 people found this review helpful.
John
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Absolutely fabulous!!

I liked everything. The teachers were very professional, rather strict to play with my children too. It was not allowed to use the phone during the lessons, to be late etc. They gave homework and were often tested. Every Friday gave feedback.
The school is located near the metro station Abando in downtown Bilbao. Also close is the budget supermarket Carrefour. It was perfect for packed lunch.

Wifi works at the school, there is a library where you can rent a book for children too.

My children had a very bad level of Spanish at the beginning but after 2 weeks the improvement was significant. Excellent teachers who made them learning Spanish something fun and rewarding.

On Fridays we went as a compliment to the nearest restaurant with the whole group, including the teacher. It was fun and informative to communicate in an informal atmosphere.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
The school was way over my expectations. Perfect!"

I had a great experience. The teachers explained everything in a way that was easy for my children to understand. I really admire the way that they make them interact with the other students to increase their Spanish and learn all together, and in a funny way . In a future time i will love to come back with my children, and I will talk good of you with my fiends to come and get their own experience. Every teacher was so kind, polite and artist. My children really loved every minute they spent together with them! If I had to change anything would be changing new chairs for students to make them confortable for everybody!
139 people found this review helpful.
Louise
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I absolutely loved this Spanish course!!

Size of class and level of participation and comprehension good. Our teachers were fine and the five sessions with Fran were especially helpful in understanding culture, politics and regional differences. We were quite pleased with our home apartment. Bilbao is a fantastic city.

I am 28 years old and it was my first "language school experience". I appreciated the professionalism of the teachers and the efficient structure of the lessons (with both grammar and conversational skills, associated in a way that you practice efficiently what is taught).

The staff are really friendly and all of the teachers put so much effort into their jobs and they can't be thanked enough for it. The activities run through the school are very fun and I am glad I had this opportunity to study in Instituto Hemingway.

The long talks with her (a lawyer practicing from home) really added a lot to improving our speaking ability.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be relaxed and is not only time for studying but also for enjoying your vacation
129 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Thanks but in our opinion and experience this program is better for non-single mothers or fathers.

Pleaes let me know your citizenship and reasons to come to Spain.

Not at all. This program is totally flexible in terms of dates to join us but also time to stay (2 weeks minimum) and degrees required. We will give you training upon arrival and in that sense no degrees required either.