Spanish Express

Program Reviews

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Natalia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

¡Gracias Mónica!

This trip was amazing and so informative, thank you Mónica for such an unforgettable experience. I was looking for a way to prepare me for my Masters programme in Spain and this was perfect. I need to be confident B1 to attend university and Mónica even built in specific vocabulary around psychology for me to prepare better for my programme. The reviews don’t lie, the course is intense but Mónica always asked if the pace was too fast or if we needed to review any of the lessons. I really enjoyed the cultural activities too and can’t wait to visit Dosrius again.

Pros
  • 100% tailored
  • Beautiful setting
  • Mix of cities and villages
Cons
  • Intense but manageable with Monica’s support!
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Alasdair
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Dosrius, Barcelona

The week of immersion in Barcelona at Monica's house has been incredible.
I have loved all the activities, especially the football club, the visit to Barcelona city and the visit to Rukimon, a donkey reserve in the Montnegre i Corredor Natural Park, where Mónica lives with her parents and Rumba and Samba, two Goldens very nice who always want to play and eat. I have learned a lot about the culture of Spain and I am very happy because my listening comprehension has improved a lot and I feel more confident speaking Spanish.

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Megan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Highly recommended!

In October 2022 I spent a week in Barcelona on the homestay programme with Monica to help me with my A Level Spanish. I had a wonderful time. Monica and her parents were incredibly welcoming, as were the gorgeous dogs! I enjoyed my daily lessons with Monica and learned so much (language and literature). In the afternoons we went on lots of fun trips which Monica organised to suit my interests. Monica introduced me to the daughter of a friend who I have stayed in touch with. I would recommend this experience to anyone!

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Clare
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Highly recommended!

My 16 year old daughter spent a week on the Spanish home immersion programme with Monica in October 2022. She had THE most wonderful time and her confidence in her Spanish speaking just blossomed. It was her first long stay away from home so we were all a little anxious but she felt instantly at home with Monica, her gorgeous dogs and her lovely parents who live upstairs. She had her own bedroom and bathroom which she loved. She enjoyed her daily language lessons and also studying Volver. Excursions included a trip to the Noucamp, a day in Barcelona and the donkey sanctuary (of course!) as well as more local trips including eg to the supermarket for valuable language practice! Monica introduced her to the daughter of a friend she is still in touch with. It was a fantastic experience all round. Highly recommended.

Pros
  • Total language immersion
  • Total cultural immersion
  • Amazing food
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Jay
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The push I needed to start learning Spanish

I can't thank Mónica and her kind family enough for their hospitality during my stay. Having decided in 2022 that I was going to learn Spanish, and approaching 2023 without a single word under my belt... I decided to jump in at the deep end with an immersion course. I had the best time, and Mónica made sure the lessons were challenging but not too difficult, and of course, fun!

Sitting in a classroom reading books for hours is my idea of hell, so Mónica made sure the learning was engaging and interactive. My highlight was visiting a local nature reserve with a Donkey sanctuary. I felt super impressed that I could ask a donkey what it's favourite colour was... and if they liked carrots (and yes, they do!). I loved seeing Barcelona, but also having the opportunity to see the little towns like Argentona which are full of local culture. Before the trip, I had a zoom call with Mónica which broke the ice, and Mónica asked me lots of questions about my interests and hobbies. This really helped me to feel comfortable and that my experience was going to be tailored for me.

Pros
  • Fully tailored experience
  • Lessons at your pace
  • Animal sanctuaries!!!
Cons
  • I wish I booked a longer trip!
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Renee
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

VISITING VIBRANT VALENCIA!

I had a fabulous time staying with Pilar. When you start to use in a real context, in a Spanish environment, what you have learnt in the classroom or online, it brings it to life and it is such fun.
We had lessons on the beautiful terrace of Pilar's house at the foot of the hills in the mornings. Then off to one of many wonderful places to put our learning into practice.
Valencia is a beautiful city with so much history but also some spectacular modern locations.
The food was absolutely fantastic, everyone should try Horchata and local fish Paella.
The old market is a great place to buy local delicacies and souvenirs.
Pilar's house is very spacious, comfortable and close to Segunto, an ancient town with a lot of Roman history.

Pros
  • Good mix of class time and external activities.
  • Great excursions to fascinating places, lovely food and time for shopping.
  • Pilar is a great host as well as an inspiring teacher.
Cons
  • House is too far to walk to nearby town, bus timetable or a taxi number would be useful.
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David
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Next time I visit my future in-laws I want to impress them with my Spanish skills 😉

I can't express how fantastic my experience with Spanish Express was. I spent about a week each with two separate teachers: Mónica in Barcelona and Pilar in Valencia. I noticed a significant improvement in my Spanish, and I now have greater faith in my language skills. They gave me delicious local cuisine and were accommodating, courteous, and patient.

My girlfriend is from Galicia so next time I visit my Spanish family (future in-laws, etc.), I can absolutely use this experience to my advantage. When I next see them in summer, I really want to impress them with my Spanish. Looking forward to seeing their faces!

I'm very glad I found this programme since I could not have produced such an experience on my own with a conventional language school. The exposure to culture, history, and language I gained was beyond my expectations.

Pros
  • Great staff
  • Great accommodation
  • Great experience
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Laura
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing cultural experience and stress-free SIELE exam preparation

My stay with Mónica was wonderful. The food was superb. Mónica's Dad, who lives upstairs with her Mum, is an amazing chef. The accommodation is lovely – you have your own room and bathroom. Dosrius has many popular attractions, including the picturesque town itself, the Parc del Montnegre i el Corredor, the Enchanted forest and the port and beach within a 20-minute drive, making it well worth a visit.
Mónica is a fantastic teacher, and I believe that throughout the week I spent with her, my Spanish really improved. Until I'm prepared to take the remote exam with Mónica, I'll continue taking classes with her online. The fact that Spanish Express is an accredited SIELE centre makes everything stress-free and l absolutely love the opportunity to be able to take the SIELE exam remotely.

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Claire
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Spanish Inmersion Course in Valencia-Spain

I stayed with my 2 daughters in Gilet, in a lovely small town near the city Valencia.

Pilar Martinez, our teacher and host in the 10 days we stayed in Spain gave as an excellent experience to learn Spanish, to have the opportunity to practice the language and get to know the way of Spanish life.

Besides the lessons, Pilar took us to different excursions to get to know the city of Valencia, the coast, eat local food and we even went to the famous Tomatina, which is a yearly festival in the town of Buñol where we had a blast.

Pros
  • It's a great way to learn and practice Spanish being in the Country
  • It's a completely great and direct way to learn the language in a natural enviroment
  • you get the opportunity to do tourism
Cons
  • It's an intensive course
  • It's far from home
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Laura
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best, funniest way of learning Spanish

I had a fantastic time in Dosrius, in the province of Barcelona, with Mónica, her parents and her 2 Golden Retrievers: Rumba and Samba. Mónica is warm, fun, kind, and generous, and I had a great time with her! She went out of her way to ensure that I was taken care of and had a good time there.

She also worked hard to make sure my lessons were relevant to my needs. I am preparing for the SIELE exam this month.. I am going to take the remote exam with Spanish Express as they are an accredited centre. Mónica is a great teacher-examiner. I feelI am more than ready to take up the SIELE exam now.

Mónica’s house is in the Parc del Montnegre i el Corredor, the First Urban Quiet Park in Spain. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had this opportunity! It was the ideal opportunity to meet a lovely lady and her family, practise my Spanish, and see so many beautiful places around the area. Absolutely an amazing experience, highly recommended!