19 Best Intensive Spanish Immersion Programs in 2024
Do you want to learn to speak, think, even dream in Spanish? Forget those boring grammar translation classes you were forced to take in middle or high school. To quickly gain a command of the language, one of the best things you can do is to sign up for an intensive Spanish immersion program in a Spanish-speaking country (ideally one of the best—our top destinations report can help you out with that).
Where will intensive Spanish immersion programs take you?
Spanish immersion programs are awesome because you’re continuously exposed to the language. Any amount of time spent on immersion Spanish counts because it makes you listen carefully to the rhythms, patterns, and nuances of the language and also encourages you to communicate with it. Like a child learns language, you learn as you go from native speakers.
Why learn Spanish through immersion?
Language immersion is one of the best ways to pick up a language because you don’t learn by rote, but how to use it in a practical and meaningful way. So what is it? It’s when the target language is used exclusively in the classroom or learning environment. This may include non-traditional learning opportunities like family homestays or conversation exchanges with locals.
Myth: you don’t immediately learn a language because you’re in a country that speaks it. Language immersion only works if you study the language intensively and practice it constantly IRL. Another great thing about learning language through immersion is that you learn the most current version of a language, stuff that may not even exist in textbooks. Most importantly, to learn effectively, you have to have the right attitude. A crippling fear of making mistakes will only hold you back and fluency will only develop if you try to communicate, warts and all.
Ready to appreciate a new way of seeing a whole new world (cue Aladdin soundtrack)? Here are the best intensive Spanish immersion programs and schools for 2024.
This list is broken down by popular locations (Spain, Mexico, and more!), common timelines (we LOVE summer Spanish immersion programs), as well as a few awesome Spanish immersion schools for adults (why do the kids get to have all the fun?!).
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19 Spanish immersion programs around the world
1. Best Overall: Face to Face Spanish Lessons with Valley Spanish School in Colombia
Head to Medellin with Valley Spanish School! You'll fall in love with the city and culture, and lose your fear of speaking to native Spanish speakers thanks to your experienced tutor. Plus, Colombians are known for their "clear" Spanish accent, so you'll quickly build your knowledge and confidence. Both in the classroom and outside, you'll have plenty of opportunities to gain and practice your skills from day one!
Read Reviews for Valley Spanish School | Visit Their Site
Order your cafe like a freaking pro.
2. Best in Valencia: Study Immersion Spanish with Euroace
Euroace is based in Valencia, a walkable city with lots of green spaces and beaches. Intensive Spanish immersion programs are fully customizable and can be one-on-one or in a group. Classes are also affordable, starting at 4 euros an hour!
Read Reviews for Euroace Programs | Visit Their Site
3. Best in Multiple Cities: Many Cities: Study Spanish with Centro Mundolengua
This international language school offers a host of immersion Spanish language and culture courses for students and teachers. It has been called the best Spanish program because since 2006, it’s also been the only accredited Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture and Advanced Placement Spanish Literature and Culture workshops for teachers outside of the United States. It also offers year-long intensive Spanish immersion programs.
Read Reviews for Centro Mundolengua Programs | Visit Their Site
4. Best in Latin America: Learn Spanish in Latin America with Maximo Nivel
Maximo Nivel offers to opportunity to live in either Guatemala, Costa Rica, or Peru to immerse in Spanish and soak up local culture. And don't worry about leaving your program without learning anything—this expertly built experience places an emphasis on oral communication and includes free conversational practice. You'll leave Maximo Nivel feeling more confident in your Spanish skills than ever before!
Read Reviews for Maximo Nivel | Visit Their Site
5. Best in Andalucia: Spanish Immersion Programs with Escuela Entrelenguas
Learn Spanish in Spanish at Escuela Entrelenguas. This school promises a fun space where travelers, locals, and Spanish students come together to learn the language and culture outside the box of mass tourism. The school is based in culture-rich Ronda, Andalucia, and offers students the chance to learn Spanish outside the classroom. Chat with locals and visitors in the school’s organic garden or in the city’s museums or vineyards.
Read Reviews for Escuela Entrelenguas Programs | Visit Their Site
Spanish immersion programs in Mexico
6. Best in Yucatán: Learn Spanish with Na'atik Language and Culture Institute
This non-profit Spanish immersion school offers high-quality Spanish courses with a homestay experience. Get a local introduction to the real Zona Maya, apart from the ruins that most other tourists see. Help to pay it forward as the school reinvests 10 percent of all revenue from their study abroad program into subsidizing the cost of English classes for locals.
Read Reviews for Na'atik Language and Culture Institute Programs | Learn More
Views like these make practicing conjugations a little more bareable.
7. Best in Guadalajara: Learn Spanish with Projects Abroad
Learn Spanish in Spanish in Guadalajara, one of Mexico’s oldest cities. Programs can be changed to suit your individual needs. If your Spanish is intermediate or advanced, you can sign up for university classes with other Mexican students. You'll receive 15 hours of one-on-one tutoring a week.
Read Reviews for Projects Abroad | Learn More
Spanish immersion in Costa Rica
8. Best in Liberia: Learn Spanish with Universidad Veritas
Learn conversational Spanish with the best Spanish program in Liberia, a traditional Costa Rican town that’s off the beaten tourist track. Study the language in a place where you’re least likely to meet many other English speakers. Also, if you want to meet the locals in a more relaxed environment, there are lots of beaches, volcanoes, and hot springs nearby to practicar el español.
Read Reviews for Universidad Veritas | Visit Their Site
9. Best in Heredia: Study Spanish with Intercultura Costa Rica
Intercultura Costa Rica Spanish Schools provide one of the best Spanish programs in the country. It is the only language school in Costa Rica that’s recognized by the United Nation’s Global Compact. It offers high quality language and cultural immersion programs to all ages and Spanish proficiency levels. The school has campuses at two locations: Samara, a quiet beach town, and Heredia, a historic university city.
Read Reviews for Intercultura Costa Rica | Visit Their Site
10. Best in San Pedro: Spanish program with ILISA Instituto de Idiomas
Located in San Pedro, this language school has been established since 1987 and helps students learn the language inside and outside the classroom. ILISA welcomes students of all ages and levels and teach Spanish according to your individual needs, whether it be for work, school, or pleasure. Bonus: it also provides speech therapy for students with different needs.
Read Reviews for ILISA Instituto de Idiomas | Visit Their Site
Public transportation: once your biggest challenge, now your greatest triumph!
Other awesome Spanish schools in Latin America
11. Best in Argentina: Intensive Spanish Immersion Program with Mente Argentina
If you’re really serious about learning Spanish in Spanish, Mente Argentina offers an Intensive Spanish Program for students who want to learn quickly while living in the capital, Buenos Aires. Choose from super-specific Spanish language courses that focus on legal language and terminology, medical language and terminology, Latin American history, and Spanish literature. Classes have flexible hours and include individual lessons.
Read Reviews for Mente Argentina programs | Visit Their Site
12. Best Country-Hopper: South America Semester with Carpe Diem Education in Ecuador and Peru
Carpe Diem Education has been providing experiential education semesters since 1998, offering students alternative ways to learn about the world. This program combines intensive Spanish language study and homestays with local families with environmental conservation projects, trekking, volunteering, and spiritual retreats. It also offers aid and scholarships to students that need financial help to study abroad.
Read Reviews for Carpe Diem Education programs | Visit Their Site
13. Best in Panama: Learn Spanish with Habla Ya
Habla Ya offers Spanish immersion programs in Panama, Central America. The program is highly rated because you can live with a local host family near the beach (Bocas del Toro), in the mountains (Boquete), or in the city (Panama City) or spend several weeks at each location. It’s perfect for the adventurous student as the school also offers active programs like Spanish and Surf, Spanish and Scuba Diving, even Spanish and Yoga!
Read Reviews for Habla Ya programs | Visit Their Site
[Our free Online Advisor can match you to your perfect program!]
Intensive Spanish immersion means immersion. In everything— daily life, art, food, music, you name it.
Spanish immersion summer programs
14. Best in Seville: Spanish Immersion Summer Program with Spanish Studies Abroad
Since 1969, this program provider has been providing unique Spanish language learning opportunities for students and Spanish teachers. It offers intensive summer Spanish programs in several locations including Seville and Alicante in Spain and Havana, Cuba. Programs are designed to give students a rich immersive experience through homestays, study visits, and cultural activities.
Read Reviews for Spanish Studies Abroad Programs | Visit Their Site
15. Best in Colombia: Study Spanish Over Summer in Barranquilla with ISA
Experience eternal summer in port city Barranquilla aka “the golden gate to Colombia.” Rub shoulders with locals who share a birthplace with Shakira and Sofia Vergara. Students study at the Universidad del Norte, one of Colombia’s top higher education institutions.
Read Reviews for ISA Programs | Visit Their Site
16. Best in Barcelona: Spanish Immersion Summer Program with IES Abroad
Immerse yourself in Spain over the summer with IES Abroad. IES Abroad’s summer program in Madrid is open to all majors and also offers courses in environmental studies, film studies, history, and many other subjects.You need to have at least two semesters of college-level Spanish before being admitted to this program.
Read Reviews for IES Abroad Programs | Visit Their Site
Learning a new language can feel like quite the climb, but it’s always worth it.
17. Best in Costa Rica: Summer Language Camp with Greenheart Travel
Learn the true meaning of pura vida in Costa Rica while learning Spanish at a summer camp hosted by Greenheart Travel. Learn the language during the day and at night, get to know your host family better, roller skate, get your salsa on, sing karaoke, or have an authentic Costa Rican BBQ.
Read Reviews for Greenheart Travel Programs | Visit Their Site
Best Spanish immersion programs for adults
18. Best in Cuba: Intern, Volunteer, Study Spanish or Salsa
Cuba seems to be on every traveler’s radar these days so why not learn Spanish in this fascinating Spanish-speaking country? BEST Programs offer a different approach to understanding Cuban history and culture through cultural and language immersion. The program provides Salsa classes, volunteer opportunities, and even internships so you can become fluent in no time!
Read Reviews for BEST Programs | Visit Their Site
19. Best in Multiple Countries: Spanish Immersion Programs with InterExchange in Guatemala, Costa Rica, or Peru
This non-profit encourages intercultural awareness through work and volunteer exchange programs. In particular, InterExchange offers Spanish immersion programs in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Peru. The provider offers group or private courses and host family accommodation in all three locations. It also offers a free tandem conversation program with a native speaker to practice your Spanish.
Read Reviews for InterExchange Programs | Visit Their Site
Como se llama? (See what we did there? You would if you signed up for intensive Spanish immersion programs…)
Immersion Spanish learning: Your calling?
Going abroad is one of the ten best ways to learn a new language. However, it’s not always as simple as buying a plane ticket, showing up, and hoping to absorb the language. To really take advantage of a language immersion program, you have to have the right mindset. Forget perfectionism! Embrace your inner child and make mistakes. Remember, when it comes to speaking a language, fluency is always better than accuracy.
Once you adopt this attitude, you’ll be well on your way to learning a new way of seeing the world, appreciating another culture, making new friends, and opening up more job opportunities and career paths than you ever imagined. !Buena Suerte (good luck)!
Find more Spanish language programs abroad here
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