How To Stay Free At Resorts In Rural Spain

Wanted: English speakers to stay for free at resorts in the Spanish countryside.

TRAVEL ADVISORY | Are you friendly, flexible and fluent in English? Then for the price of a plane ticket to Madrid, you can spend eight days but zero money at a four-star resort in rural Spain. Pueblo Ingles, meaning English Village, is an organization in Spain that allows Spanish speakers to interact with English speakers. Instead of cash, you exchange your life experience, stories and patience with learners for luxurious accommodation, exquisite meals and a lounge chair by a pool. The Spanish speakers get to practise speaking real or “raw” English, as the program likes to call it, in a totally English environment; not even a “hola” allowed.

Lynda Wrigley, a West Vancouverite who volunteered twice in one year, says that “The people are really interesting, and I don’t have to do anything but cut loose.” Though the food, accommodation and programming cost you nothing, Wrigley warns against expecting a totally free ride. English speakers must be constantly open and engaging from the second they are picked up by bus in Madrid until they are dropped off eight days later in the same spot. She explains that this program is great for outgoing, solo travellers who love meeting people and don’t want to think about the details of their trip. “If you plan on going with a friend or partner, don’t expect any bonding time with them,” she cautions. In fact, the Pueblo Ingles website says you will almost never see your significant others, but you probably won’t even miss them because the schedule is so jammed-packed full of one-on-one conversation time, role play activities and larger group events.

In the summer, there are teen programs too. Teens also stay and eat for free but are at a resort exclusively for 13-18-year-olds. Wrigley’s daughter, Saralyn, went to Pueblo Ingles Teen. She had a lot of fun, and made some great international friendships and lifelong memories, though she lamented that “The counsellors were so strict, we couldn’t get away with a thing.” The program is nearly identical to the adult one minus the alcohol and with more age-appropriate activities. Teens can stay for a week like the adults or for the entire summer. For each week in the program, teens and adults get a volunteer certificate that students can use towards service hours, but “Volunteer ESL Teacher in Spain” looks pretty exotic on any résumé. —Natasha Irvine

For more information on The Pueblo Ingles Volunteer Program, visit their website: www.vaughanvillage.com

Photo: Gail/Barbara Hicks