Program Reviews

I came to Menorca because I wanted to improve my Spanish in a more natural way, not just by sitting in a classroom. I already had a good level, around B2, but I often felt that I needed more confidence when speaking, especially in real situations.

From the beginning, the experience felt very personal. The lessons were adapted to my level and to the things I needed to improve. We worked on grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation, but always in a very practical way. I also liked that I could ask questions freely and focus on the areas where I felt less secure.

What I enjoyed most was that Spanish was not limited to the lesson time. We spoke Spanish during meals, while walking around Ciutadella, visiting places, and doing normal everyday things. This helped me a lot because I had to use the language naturally, without preparing every sentence in advance.

Menorca was a beautiful place for this kind of immersion. I really enjoyed discovering Ciutadella, the old streets, the port, and some of the island’s cultural and historical places. Visiting sites like the Naveta d’Es Tudons and Can Saura Museum made the experience more interesting because I was learning Spanish while also learning about Menorcan history and culture.

Mónica made me feel very comfortable. I did not feel judged when I made mistakes, and that helped me speak more. Little by little, I noticed that I was reacting faster in Spanish and not translating so much in my head.

For me, this experience was useful, warm, and motivating. It gave me more confidence and helped me see Spanish as something I can use in real life, not only study from a book. I would recommend the Menorca SHIP experience to anyone who wants to improve their Spanish in a personal and authentic way.

I left Valencia with stronger Spanish skills, greater confidence in speaking, and wonderful memories of my time with Pilar. More importantly, I left feeling inspired to continue learning the language. This experience exceeded my expectations in every way, and I would wholeheartedly recommend Pilar to anyone looking for an authentic Spanish immersion experience. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, Pilar creates a personalized experience that combines excellent instruction, cultural immersion, and genuine hospitality. I am grateful for the time we shared and hope to return in the future.

As a recently retired professional, I was looking for an adult study-abroad experience that would help me reconnect with the Spanish I studied in school and during my semester college abroad in Seville.

Spanish Express exceeded all my expectations.

Monica designed a customized program specifically tailored to my language level, interests, and goals. The one-to-one immersion format provided an unparalleled opportunity to improve my Spanish through 24/7 conversation and interaction. Rather than focusing on basic tourist Spanish, our discussions covered family, travel, art, current events, Spanish culture, and everything we experienced throughout the day.

What made the program especially effective was the natural way language learning was integrated into everyday life. We practiced speaking in the past, present, and future tenses, while instructors offered gentle corrections to vocabulary and grammar that helped me improve without interrupting the flow of conversation.

The daily excursions added another dimension to the experience. I not only improved my Spanish but also gained a deeper understanding of Spain's history, culture, and contemporary society. Structured lesson time complemented the immersion experience by strengthening my comprehension and grammar skills.

For anyone seeking a meaningful and authentic way to improve their Spanish while learning about Spain and its people, I highly recommend Spanish Express. It was exactly the experience I had been searching for.

My experience with this type of learning was great. I was in Valencia with Pilar Martinez, for two weeks. She is able to build a tailor made program for each student, based on the starting level and that meant I had a maximum learning curve. I loved the fact we only spoke Spanish, which as a beginner is difficult and sometimes exhausting but incredibly rewarding. All the people we met, family and friends, as well as all the museums and tours we did, were situations to speak and listen to Spanish. Pilar is the perfect teacher and great host in a beautiful house and wonderful region of Spain.

I chose Menorca for my Spanish Homestay Immersion Programme because I wanted to improve my Spanish in a real, natural environment while also discovering the culture of the island. I came from Rome, Italy, where I work as an estate agent, and being able to communicate confidently in Spanish is something I really value, both personally and professionally.

I already had a strong B2 level when I arrived, but during my two weeks with Mónica, my host teacher and the Founder and Director of Spanish Express, I felt that my Spanish became more fluent, more confident, and much more natural.

The experience was not only about lessons. It was about living the language every day: during conversations, meals, walks, excursions, and normal daily life. Mónica corrected my mistakes in a very gentle and practical way, and I always felt encouraged to speak. I especially enjoyed being able to discuss real topics, compare Italian and Spanish culture, and use Spanish in meaningful conversations.

Menorca completely amazed me. I loved discovering Ciutadella and Mahón, and some of the places we visited were truly unforgettable. Palacio Torre-Saura was beautiful, Sa Naveta d’Es Tudons was fascinating, and Líthica was one of the most impressive places I saw on the island. I also loved Playa Algaiarens, which quickly became one of my favourite beaches.

Food was another important part of the experience. I really enjoyed trying local Menorcan products, especially sobrassada and cheese. I was also invited to try gin amb llimonada, and I loved it! It was one of those moments where learning Spanish suddenly became even more relaxed, social, and enjoyable.

Another lovely part of the experience was meeting Mónica’s childhood friends. They were so much fun, warm, lively, and welcoming. Even when the conversations moved quickly between Spanish, Catalan, Menorcan expressions, and lots of laughter, I felt included and encouraged to join in. It was real-life Spanish practice at its best — natural, spontaneous, and full of personality.

Mónica and I got on very well from the beginning. Of course, sharing the same name was already a funny start. Every time someone said “Mónica,” we both looked up, which made us laugh more than once. We also discovered that we had a very similar sense of humour, so even when I made mistakes in Spanish or mixed up words, the atmosphere was always relaxed and fun.

There were many funny little moments during the two weeks: trying to understand Menorcan expressions, comparing Italian and Spanish gestures, laughing at how dramatic we could both be, and realising that sometimes language mistakes create the best conversations. Considering the language and cultural differences, I think we did very well — and we laughed a lot along the way.

My two weeks in Menorca were much more than a Spanish course. They were a complete cultural and personal experience. I improved my Spanish, discovered a beautiful island, enjoyed local traditions, met wonderful people, and felt truly welcomed.

I would definitely recommend the Spanish Homestay Immersion Programme to anyone who wants to learn Spanish in a real, human, and unforgettable way.

I really enjoyed my time in Valencia with Pilar. She is a very clear teacher and I found the lessons very helpful, and felt I was challenged with the speaking and listening practice, which is what I wanted.
The excursions were great, we saw Valencia and the surrounding areas, and enjoyed paella at a traditional Spanish restaurant!
The food prepared every day was delicious, and the house is large with lovely big gardens. You have time to yourself to relax as well. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone considering it.

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.