Speaking English in Spain in exchange for free four-star everything

So this is how I found myself living luxuriously, swimming laps in a pool facing the mountains in rural Spain, alongside a new friend from Australia.

   
I've been studying Spanish for about five years now and love to practice any chance I get. In a somewhat confused moment, I decided to go to Spain to spend a week conversing in English only.

The Deal:

The deal was this. I would stay in a private room, with jacuzzi tub, in a four-star hotel in Barco de Avila outside Madrid. With three meals a day provided, at the  aforementioned four-star hotel. All for free. Just for being willing to speak in English with Spanish people all day.

I happen to be very good at speaking English. This seemed like a very, very fair deal. No, a great deal! Off I went. Never even thought to contact friends to see if they wanted to go. They'd just get in the way.

The company:

A company called Vaughantown "hires" English speakers to spend a week at one of several locations where Spanish students and businessmen go to improve their English skills.

We create an English cocoon where the Spaniards can safely try out their faltering "Please pass the  salt's" and "I work in the telecommunications industry's" on us without the stress of a real business encounter. Their companies pay for the privilege. We live off the fat of their expense accounts.     

The week I went there were 17 Spaniards and 17 "Anglos," a mix of Americans (only three), Aussies, Brits and Canadians. The best part was that I got to spend a week getting to know Spanish people I would never have talked to any other way.

 

 

   
I've been studying Spanish for about five years now and love to practice any chance I get. In a somewhat confused moment, I decided to go to Spain to spend a week conversing in English only.

The Deal:

The deal was this. I would stay in a private room, with jacuzzi tub, in a four-star hotel in Barco de Avila outside Madrid. With three meals a day provided, at the  aforementioned four-star hotel. All for free. Just for being willing to speak in English with Spanish people all day.

I happen to be very good at speaking English. This seemed like a very, very fair deal. No, a great deal! Off I went. Never even thought to contact friends to see if they wanted to go. They'd just get in the way.

The company:

A company called Vaughantown "hires" English speakers to spend a week at one of several locations where Spanish students and businessmen go to improve their English skills.

We create an English cocoon where the Spaniards can safely try out their faltering "Please pass the  salt's" and "I work in the telecommunications industry's" on us without the stress of a real business encounter. Their companies pay for the privilege. We live off the fat of their expense accounts.     

The week I went there were 17 Spaniards and 17 "Anglos," a mix of Americans (only three), Aussies, Brits and Canadians. The best part was that I got to spend a week getting to know Spanish people I would never have talked to any other way.

And I got to ask the important cultural questions. Like, how exactly how does one "siesta?" Do you get in your jammies and sleep for a couple of hours at home? Take a power nap at your desk? We got a siesta each afternoon at Vaughantown, which is when I would either nap or head to the indoor pool with the picture windows.

I would love to do this again.

The original fantasy included hitting it off with a Spaniard so I'd have someone to visit. Someone I could practice Spanish with. Preferably someone with a large villa. Didn't happen. But the people were lively and the days had purpose.

There's another company called Pueblo Ingles that runs what seems to be a similar program.

*This post ran originally in 2007.

Photos: Ellen Perlman

1. Spanish students doing an Irish jig they learned from an "Anglo" from Ireland.

2. The view from my window at the hotel in Barco de Avila, Spain.

Comments

[Jocelyne Marchand]

I have done this twice - I think the Teaching English headline is misleading - it should read Speaking English in exchange. You really are not there to teach they've done lots of "learning" the Spaniards are there to practice and you are there to help them do it.

Ciao

[Ellen]

Jocelyne,

You make a good point. It is all about speaking in English and helping Spaniards practice their English.
It can feel like teaching when they ask grammar questions and such, but there are no formal lessons.