Language Programs

An Excellent Experience with Spanish Express I have had a wonderful experience with Spanish Express, and I would highly recommend the program, particularly to people in a similar situation to mine. I am 58 years old, recently partially retired, and an English speaker. Before joining the program, I had spent about a year studying Spanish by myself, mainly through self-study, but had virtually no experience speaking the language with other people. When I first arrived in Barcelona, I could barely speak any Spanish at all. It was literally my first experience having real conversations in Spanish. After four weeks with Spanish Express, however, I was genuinely surprised by how much progress I had made. I was able to have simple conversations with my Spanish hosts and, more importantly, with ordinary Spanish people in everyday situations. In Barcelona, I had formal lessons with Monica and Laura, both of whom were excellent. Laura helped me enormously with my pronunciation, correcting some of the habits I had developed from speaking English, while also strengthening my understanding of the basics. Monica introduced me to Barcelona’s culture through various excursions and visits, including a wonderful flamenco experience. These activities made learning Spanish much more enjoyable and gave me a deeper appreciation of Spanish culture. I then continued my experience in Valencia, where I stayed with my teacher, Pilar. She was absolutely amazing. Not only did we have plenty of formal lessons, but we also went on numerous excursions and spent a lot of time talking together in Spanish. This was particularly valuable because I was able to learn so many practical, everyday words and expressions that you simply don’t get from textbooks. Pilar was incredibly kind, patient and accommodating throughout my stay. She went out of her way to make sure all my needs were taken care of, and I always felt very welcome in her home. Her children were also lovely and a pleasure to spend time with. The whole homestay experience was genuinely special. Looking back, I feel that the combination of formal lessons, everyday conversations, cultural activities and living with Spanish-speaking teachers has made a tremendous difference. My grammar has improved considerably, and I have gone from being almost unable to speak to being able to hold simple conversations in Spanish. For someone starting from a very basic level later in life, this has been an extremely rewarding experience. It has given me both practical skills and, importantly, the confidence to continue learning and speaking Spanish. A big thank you to Monica, Laura and especially Pilar for making this such a memorable experience. I am very glad I chose Spanish Express!

I had the best week studying at Maximo Nivel in Cusco! My teacher was very patient, had a great method of teaching and I learned a lot during my time! Staying with a family allowed me to practice what I was studying in class

I had a really great experience studying Chinese with LTL Language School in Kunming. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and would definitely recommend the school to anyone looking to learn Chinese while also experiencing Chinese culture and everyday life in China. One of the things I appreciated most was the structure of the course. It struck a really good balance between the essential foundations of learning Chinese, such as Pinyin, grammar and vocabulary, and practical lessons that you can immediately apply in everyday situations. We learned how to communicate in shops, give directions to taxi drivers, order food and ask for the bill in restaurants, as well as understand basic signs and expressions you encounter in daily life. I found this particularly valuable because it allowed me to put what I was learning into practice straight away. I also really liked the flexibility of the teachers. They were happy to adapt lessons to the topics and situations that were most relevant to us, which made the classes feel engaging and useful. The relatively small class size was another big plus, as it gave us plenty of opportunities to ask questions and explore topics in more depth. Another highlight was the excellent communication from the LTL team. A special shout-out to Savannah and Alex, who were both fantastic. Communication was consistently quick, helpful and reassuring, both before the course and throughout my stay. The introductory meeting before the course was also a great way to get everything organised and know what to expect. Finally, I really appreciated the social side of the experience. Having lunch together and the opportunity to participate in after-class activities were great ways to connect with other students and learn more about Chinese culture beyond the classroom. Overall, I had a fantastic time in Kunming. I not only improved my Chinese but also learned a lot about Chinese culture and everyday life in China. It was a very rewarding experience, and I am really glad I chose LTL for my time in Kunming!

Japan hit me hard and the culture shock was real! But I took twice the bullet and kicked off with my Nihongo skills I equipped myself in the past two years. The classes very intense but very rewarding and it really paid off well. I can only say I wouldn't have seen not even half the things if I haven't done this studies with Meiji. They took us all out on different trips and the activities were one of the best I've ever had. Can only recommend for anybody!

What could go wrong when spending six weeks in Kyoto? Not a lot with Meiji! Got so much quality time I spent with my new homies, explored Japan's wonderful crafts and kickstarted my Japanese language journey.

Omeida is the best place to study Chinese. Teachers are great, organization is minucious. The program include language partners and volunteers that make the experience complete. A beautiful place to study

Zunächst möchte ich mich ganz herzlich für die hervorragende Organisation meiner Reise nach Beihai bedanken. Alles war perfekt geplant und verlief reibungslos, sodass ich mich vom ersten Moment an sehr wohl gefühlt habe. Mein besonderer Dank gilt Savannah, dem Herzstück der Beihai-Schule, die maßgeblich zu meiner wunderbaren Reise beigetragen hat. Ebenso möchte ich meiner Lehrerin, Frau Yang, danken, die mir geduldig meinen ersten chinesischen Satz beigebracht hat. Zu guter Letzt möchte ich mich ganz herzlich bei meiner Gastfamilie, Tina und ihrem Mann, für die komfortable Unterkunft und die köstlichen Mahlzeiten bedanken. Sylvia aus Hamburg

LTL Language School responded to this reviewNovember 13, 2026

Der erste chinesische Satz ist immer ein ganz besonderer Moment, und wir freuen uns sehr, dass Frau Yang ihn dir beigebracht hat, liebe Sylvia! Savannah und deine Gastfamilie werden sich über deine Worte riesig freuen. Vielen Dank, dass du dir die Zeit genommen hast, und weiterhin viel Erfolg beim Chinesischlernen. Wir hoffen, dich bald wieder bei LTL zu sehen! LTL Team

The school is centrally located within walking distance of Shijo downtown Kyoto and nestled within Omiya which is a student neighborhood of Kyoto. My studies were fulfilling with a variety of cultural events I scheduled with the school. If you are looking for something special and community driven I think this school is the right choice.

This Autumn was my first time to travel to Japan. I planned this trip in advance and I was thrilled to hear about this new school campus and all the things they offer. Lessons were entertaining and very informative. I had a wonderful time with extracurricular activities and my homestay was also great.

I stayed at BLAU for 8 days and honestly had such a great time! I originally chose it for the location and facilities, especially the gym, cinema room and games area. The Spanish classes were a bonus, but I ended up getting so much more out of the experience than I expected. The accommodation was great, the atmosphere was super welcoming and the staff were always lovely and helpful. Having someone available 24/7 was also a huge plus and made everything feel easier and more comfortable. I attended B1 Spanish classes with two amazing teachers who made everyone feel at ease. The classes were super relaxed and friendly, and I never felt embarrassed to speak up or make mistakes. There was always something fun happening too! Yoga, a ping-pong tournament, a Halloween party, a Squid Game-themed party and even tarot readings with friends. It was so easy to meet people and feel part of the community. But my favourite part was definitely the people. In just 8 days, I made friendships that have lasted well beyond Barcelona. Some of my friends have already visited me in Portugal, and we've made so many more plans together, some already turned into memories and others still to come! Leaving didn't really feel like goodbye because I knew we'd see each other again, and that I'd be back too. I chose BLAU for the location and facilities, but I'd go back for the people. ❤️

My partner and I attended 3 days of private language classes before traveling across Guatemala, and I'm so glad we did. My teacher was really kind, patient, and thorough, and the whole team were very professional. Joining the cooking class was an unexpected extra and a really lovely thing to participate in.

It was a wonderful experience to learn at 'thats mandarin' and thank you for the nice teacher and nice classmates and good memories. I learned not only Chinese, but also culture here. I can now get along with Chinese people understanding each other. Thanks a lot!!

That's Mandarin is a great institute to learn Mandarin as they have immersive classes and activities! I highly recommend That's Mandarin. All the teachers and course consultants are very caring, and I've made many friends here too.

the lessons was really useful, teachers are kind and real professionals and website is really convenient to review . i improve my chinese really fast!! at home, so learning process becomes easier And also i have met a lot of good people on this course

I've been studying Chinese at That's Mandarin in Shanghai for several months now, and I can honestly say it's been a fantastic experience from start to finish. The marketing staff were incredibly friendly and took the time to outline all the course options clearly, so I never felt confused or pressured. From the very first day, every member of staff gave a welcoming approach and was always willing to answer my questions-whether about lessons, schedules, or life in Shanghai. The teachers are hardworking, patient, and diligent. Lessons are always prepared in advance, and I really appreciate that review materials are available shortly after each class, which helps me keep track of my progress. The small class sizes mean get plenty of chance to practise speaking and listening in a safe, supportive environment. Materials are provided both in book form and online, making it easy to follow along in class and review in my own time. On top of all that, the school organises extra fun events that help students understand Chinese culture in a relaxed and enjoyable way. I'd highly recommend That's Mandarin to any foreigner wanting to learn Chinese in Shanghai. I've been studying Chinese at That's Mandarin in Shanghai for several months now, and I can honestly say it's been a fantastic experience from start to finish. The marketing staff were incredibly friendly and took the time to outline all the course options clearly, so I never felt confused or pressured. From the very first day, every member of staff gave a welcoming approach and was always willing to answer my questions-whether about lessons, schedules, or life in Shanghai. The teachers are hardworking, patient, and diligent. Lessons are always prepared in advance, and I really appreciate that review materials are available shortly after each class, which helps me keep track of my progress. The small class sizes mean get plenty of chance to practise speaking and listening in a safe, supportive environment. Materials are provided both in book form and online, making it easy to follow along in class and review in my own time. On top of all that, the school organises extra fun events that help students understand Chinese culture in a relaxed and enjoyable way. I'd highly recommend That's Mandarin to any foreigner wanting to learn Chinese in Shanghai.

amazing start to the class with a fast progressive pace. the class was amazing and the community is what really sets thatmandarin apart from any other language school. everyone is eager to learn and eager to explore whats unfamiliar and being around people that want to challenge themselves towarrds growth while the staff and the support comunity supports well to allow that growth to come to life makes this the ideal place to learn the language.

I did a four week intermediate Spanish course at the Maximo Nivel school in Quepos/Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica and loved it! The facility is beautiful and the instructors were amazing...smart, curious, patient and they knew how to teach. I learned so much, and my confidence in speaking Spanish has grown immensely. And yes, the facility really does have a pool.

I had the time of my life at Omeida in Yangshuo. Not only the place is breathtaking, also the people I met, both fellow laowai and Chinese (from here and from all the country) were the best people I ever met: I made so many new meaningful friends, I can't believe I was so fortunate. They asked me what were my goal in learning Chinese, and provided a personal program just for me, meeting all my expectations and beyond. The teachers were not only prepared and competent, but also very passionate and fun. My only regret is not have chosen a longer time to spend here.

I heard about Iguana Abroad through a friend a few years ago who couldn't recommend the experience highly enough. Life got in the way for a while, but this year me and my partner finally had the opportunity to join. And it was truly amazing. The team made us feel so so welcome from the very beginning, and there was an honest perfect balance of learning, the cultural experiences, excursions and time spent together as a group, and also time to relax and take it all in. We came away with wonderful memories, new long lasting friendships and an even greater appreciation for Mexican culture. Thank you for such a special experience guys - hopefully we can join you again sometime in the future!

I’ve always been so fascinated with other cultures and especially with Day of the Dead and Mexico, ever since I was young, and it’s always been a bit of a dream of mine to experience it one year… and that year was this year! And I’m so happy and grateful that I did. It honestly exceeded all my craziest expectations - the amazing colors and sounds and smells and flavors - it has to be one of the most unique festivals in the world. There’s something incredibly special about experiencing Day of the Dead in Mexico, where it isn't only a festival or a just some tourist attraction, but actually deeply rooted in the culture, history and everyday lives of the people. Seeing the ofrendas, the decorations, the cemeteries, the flowers and the celebrations everywhere was honestly just wonderful. And, I should also so, it made it even more special experiencing it through Iguana Abroad. Rather than just seeing things as a visitor, we had the opportunity to learn about the traditions, understand their significance and really immerse ourselves in the culture. Every activity, every experience and every little detail added something to the experience. It was one of those experiences that I'll remember for the rest of my life, and I'm incredibly grateful to everyone at Iguana Abroad for making a lifelong dream come true. I couldn't have asked for a better way to experience such a beautiful and fascinating part of Mexican culture.