This was my first visit to Menorca, and hopefully the first of many. I came to take part in the SHIP program with my host teacher Mónica, who is also the founder and director of Spanish Express, and it turned into an experience I will always remember.

Mónica was not only my Spanish teacher, but also my cultural guide and now a friend. She has a very special way of teaching. You learn Spanish and culture almost without realising it.

There was no need to sit in a classroom because the classroom was wherever I was with Mónica: walking through the streets, having coffee, visiting beautiful places, eating local food, going to the beach, and talking naturally in Spanish.

My main interest was Spanish for business, as I need it for my work in the US. With times changing and Spanish becoming more and more important, I realised I had to give my Spanish a big push.

This experience really helped me improve my confidence, vocabulary, and ability to express myself in real situations. I learned useful Spanish for business, but in such a relaxed and natural way that it never felt like a formal lesson.

And then there is Menorca itself. What a dream! The beaches are breathtaking, with clear turquoise water, quiet coves, and landscapes that feel almost untouched. Every beach seemed to have its own personality, and one curious thing I noticed is that in Menorca you can go from history and culture to the sea in just a few minutes. One moment you are walking through ancient streets, and soon after you are looking at some of the most beautiful water I have ever seen.

Ciutadella, Mónica’s hometown, is impressive. Her house is right in the old quarter, surrounded by narrow streets, beautiful squares, historic palaces, churches, art, culture, and history.

One of the things that surprised me most was the number of palaces in the old town. They give the city a very special atmosphere, almost as if every street has a story to tell. Walking through Ciutadella with Mónica made me notice details I would probably have missed on my own — the architecture, the courtyards, the old façades, and the connection between the island’s history and daily life today.

The food was another highlight — fresh, local, and absolutely delicious. Sharing meals, discovering local flavours, and talking about Menorcan culture made the experience feel even more authentic.

SHIP in Menorca is much more than a Spanish course. It is language, culture, daily life, friendship, and discovery all together. I left feeling more confident in my Spanish, especially for business, but also with a deeper love for Menorca and its way of life.

I cannot recommend Mónica and Spanish Express highly enough. This was not just a course; it was a truly unforgettable experience. Thank you!!!

I found this style of learning much more effective than regular class-based lessons. Much of our time was spent doing activities e.g. visiting little towns, going to markets, museums, cafes and restaurants and meeting up with Maria's friends which meant my social Spanish improved significantly. The provided material was useful for practice but was not the main focus. In particular, Maria went the extra mile to ensure I had a great experience - she organised for me to be able to visit a gym, had her friends invite me to a padel game and did lots of superb local cooking. Her apartment was very comfortable, clean and very conveniently located for shops, transport, the high street and walks.

My daughter spent three weeks with Pilar over easter. Pilar took care of everything, she is a brilliant teacher and by the sounds of it a great cook too! The accommodation was comfortable and Pilar made our daughter feel at home straight away. The daily routine of lessons in the morning and activities in the afternoon was a great balance of travel experiences and language learning. Our daughter learnt so much and came back with the skills and confidence to pass her A2 DELE exam. I highly recommend Pilar and Spanish Express to anyone looking for a 5* Spanish immersion course. Thank you Pilar!

I had a great week with Pilar in late April, 2026. She was a wonderful teacher and host, and Valencia was beautiful. I’m a recent retiree and was traveling solo. I studied Spanish over 40 years ago and decided to re-learn the language since it’s good for brain health, and many in my city speak Spanish. I felt entirely comfortable staying at Pilar’s home and found her teaching methods to be invaluable. One week of instruction made a world of difference in my Spanish - so much so that I wish I’d signed up for two weeks to make even more progress. Pilar’s instruction continued on an informal basis each day (after formal instruction) when she took me around Valencia to sightsee and sample some of Valencia’s typical food & drink. I truly enjoyed my time with her. I found her to be a very warm person with a great sense of humor. I should also add that she’s a terrific cook, and lives in a beautiful home in the mountains (her garden is amazing!). Each day, I took short hikes near the house. And during instruction time, we sat on the outdoor patio with the mountains visible. Finally, the accommodations were excellent. I opted for a separate living space just below the main house, though the house would have been fine too. The time flew by. I can’t think of a better way to learn Spanish and experience Valencia. I plan to return.

Alberto and Marisol are expert hosts. Not only was the planning for my visit tailored to my interests and level of expertise, it was full of fun and amazing experiences. The teamwork was also impressive, allowing for a change of focus each day, which enabled a depth and breadth of opportunity that I hadn't anticipated.

I was welcomed into their home, where the facilities were excellent but more than that, I was treated as a friend would be, in a relaxed and generous manner.

Alberto and Marisol understand how tiring it is to sustain speaking and thinking in another language. They are supportive and yet maintain an appropriate level of challenge that enables the achievement of new learning.

The daily lessons always started with new information related to the day's activities: the history or culture for example. There was also time to zoom in on specific grammar aspects, which helped to clarify many concepts learnt in other contexts.

A fabulous experience which I would thoroughly recommend.

What a week! I’m on the train returning to Madrid while writing this review, wishing I would have booked another week. For those who want to improve their Spanish I think this is the perfect way to continue the process, no matter your level. Pilar was an extremely gracious host and a very knowledgeable teacher. Her love for the language plus her vast knowledge of the city and country made for a truly unforgettable experience. The classes were structured for my level so I never felt overwhelmed but definitely was pushed to help me improve. After classes we did many activities around the city that enriched the experience and my immersion with the language. The accommodations are incredible and away from the hustle and bustle of the city. After one week in Gilet, I feel more confidant and am excited with where I am in this fun and exciting challenge of learning a new language. I look forward to returning in the near future!

We went to the program as a family of 3, with our 11-year-old daughter. I simply wanted to find a program for all of us, and Mónica made that happen. We really enjoyed our time there. Our starting level of Spanish was quite weak, but we managed to get through the week without speaking English! In this relaxed environment, I felt comfortable in Spanish for the first time. I didn’t worry too much about speaking, and I just used the words I knew to express myself. We also traveled quite a bit! We visited some small towns (pueblos) that we probably wouldn’t have gone to on our own, and we learned a lot.

I am currently studying a Spanish degree in London, when I say I have learnt more in the week I was in Cadiz with my host teacher, I’m not lying. What an experience! Not only did I get to delve into the Spanish food culture, but the culture of Spain as a whole. I lived and breathed as a Spaniard! I was fully immersed from the day I arrived until the day I left! I will be doing another immersion with Spanish Express as soon as possible. I honestly felt like part of the family! If you are also a student / university student you are missing out !