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We inform you of the best and most innovative language and cultural products and services out there. And Language Adventures is one of the most unusual ways to learn Spanish.

Our special feature looks at how Georgina Howard of Language Adventures dreamt up the idea for the ultimate in immersion language courses and Simon Jeffery, a writer for The Guardian, gives a first hand account of his first days on a language adventure in Spain.

Language Adventures breathes life back into language learning by adopting a slightly untraditional approach to the subject of language learning. In fact, it is an approach so unique, that it has featured on Spanish TV for the past three years.

Georgina Howard, the mastermind behind Language Adventures, explains: "We have exchanged the classroom for a 17th century farmhouse in the Basque Pyrenees. The activity books have been replaced by a range of fresh air activities - walks through the valleys of the Baztan river and visits to the local artisans and fiestas. Even the conventional 'coffee break' is more likely to be a bocadillo by a mountain stream or a glass of claret on the balcony. Our classroom extends to hill tops and tapas bars."

She is quick to reinforce the educational value of her Language Adventures: "One thing we have not changed is our total commitment to the teaching of languages. Every course is hosted by a professional Spanish teacher who participates in all activities and is on hand at any moment to give guests individual help and tuition. This informal teaching style is then consolidated every afternoon by a series of formal lessons at the farmhouse. There is also a library of Spanish books, magazines and videos for those who want a leafy spot on the terrace to study alone."

A Language Adventures holiday is a cross-pollination of an intensive language course, an outdoor holiday and house party. The farmhouse accommodates up to 12 guests which operates an 'open-house'. There is unlimited food and wine, to which guests are free to help themselves whenever they want. Guests are encouraged to enter into culinary adventures too, by lending a hand with the evening supper.

While the beginners' courses are held entirely in Spanish, the intermediate and advanced courses have yet another ingenious twist. The group will be both English-speakers learning Spanish and Spanish-speakers learning English. And the language of the day alternates for every day of the holiday. So you'll learn 'real' language from 'real' people. One day you're the the student, the next day you're the teacher. The added bonus is that you get an amazing cultural insight into each other's worlds and a network of friends in your target country that will prove invaluable for the rest of your life.

A recent visitor to the farmhouse was Simon Jeffery, a writer for the award-winning English daily newspaper, The Guardian. Simon recalls his first days there.

"The first day was conducted in English. So far, so good. The course director collected me, along with three of the other participants, from Biarritz airport and drove us to the course venue - a large farmhouse in the Baztan valley, a quiet and beautiful tranche of the Spanish province of Navarre, steeped in Basque culture. One of the others, a retired doctor from Glasgow, had been on the course before and had evidently enjoyed it enough to make a return trip, which I took as a good sign. The remaining two, a university student and marketing manager, were enthusiastic about improving their already acceptable Spanish.

As we pulled into the driveway, the course director reminded us of the golden rule: on Spanish days we were to speak no English, and on English days we were to speak no Spanish.

The first afternoon and evening were straightforward enough. Wine and olives were taken around an outdoor swimming pool and, as darkness fell, we moved inside to eat regional dishes made in the town below: stuffed peppers and cuajada, a soft cheese made by throwing burnt stones into milk. Aside from this it was a xenophobe's dream. Everyone spoke the Queen's language, even those tired Spaniards who'd driven up from Madrid after a day's work and looked as if they really didn't want to.

Inevitably, as day follows night, the tables were turned. The following morning was our first Spanish day. Jars of lemon curd and Marmite were scattered over the breakfast table to provoke cross-cultural interest, but no one knew the Spanish for "it's made from the crap you get left over from brewing", so the most frequently heard phrases were requests for the jam or offers of coffee. When everyone had finished and washed up, we put on our walking boots."

Over the past years our farmhouse has welcomed guests from all over the world. Among previous participants there have been actresses, doctors, lawyers, housing inspectors and ecologists. Sharing a holiday with people from such varied cultures and backgrounds is perhaps the greatest 'adventure' of all.

Beginners – Elementary Spanish Course (7 days):

The beginners' course is aimed at people with a little or no knowledge of the Spanish language. The mornings are spent rambling through the foothills of the Pyrenees, exploring the beauty spots and cultural idiosyncrasies of the Baztan valley. In the afternoon you have 2 hours of formal Spanish tuition; however, daily contact with the local villagers also provides ample opportunity to practice your language skills. A native Spanish teacher joins in all activities, and is ready to give help and advice at all times. There is relaxed conversation all day, and into the night.

Intermediate – Advanced Spanish Course (10 days):

These are bi-cultural, uniting native Spanish and English speakers to join in a mutual exchange of language and culture. The pivot of Language Adventures' teaching method is the strict adherence to the 'language of the day'. This alternates daily between Spanish and English, and is reflected in the house culture; the food, music and a number of informal evening talks.

As in the beginners language course, the mornings are spent together exploring the valleys and villages of the Basque Pyrenees. Inevitably, it is during these shared activities that the most dynamic language learning occurs as the group consists of native English and Spanish speakers. In the afternoon we also offer two hours of formal Spanish tuition tailored to the specific needs of the students. In all, the course provides the opportunity of over 60 hours' Spanish conversation practice in addition to 20 hours of formal tuition. However, there is always space to unwind – have a swim – read a book (so long as it is in the 'language of the day'!).

To benefit most from this course, participants should already be able to hold everyday conversations in Spanish. Due to the presence of native Spanish speakers, this course has no upper language limit.

General information

The walks may take up to 3 hours, and although they are not strenuous, and are taken at a leisurely pace, they are designed for people who are reasonably fit with a genuine love of the outdoors. A good pair of walking boots is essential.

There are only a limited number of language and walking courses running at each level. The programme includes living and teaching support and prices range from £450 for a week to £660 for 10 days. Visitors do have to plan their own travel arrangements, but there is a free pick-up service from Biarritz airport.

Georgina Howard is founder of Language Adventures, one of the most innovative ways to learn Spanish.

Simon Jeffery is a writer for the award-winning English daily newspaper The Guardian. You can see his full article on www.guardian.co.uk which first appeared on 27 November 2001.

 

more information

For more information about Language Adventures, please contact us or take a look at our Language Advantage Courses Abroad.

To read more about Spain in The Guardian

To read more about Education in The Guardian

For more information on other innovative ways to learn a language, take a look at our Language Advantage Courses.

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