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Yakkety yak to Spain and back

By Ursula Maxwell-Lewis

Anyone for a free yak in Spain? No, not that weird looking dude in the smelly Tibetan fur coat, I mean an all-expenses-paid, good old-fashioned talk, chat, and yakkety yak for a week in the land of Don Quixote.  If so, Englishtown - an English language program for Spaniards - might just be the unique week you've been hunting for in central Spain.

The brainchild of Richard Vaughan, a Cloverdale Texas entrepreneur/communications expert, the Englishtown project comprises three language school properties in towns located within driving distance of Madrid. Vaughan, who lives in Spain and operates Vaughan Systems, the largest in-company language training firm in Spain, plus a an English language radio station, tuned in to the desire for conversational English
practice among Spanish upper management business people and students in the region.
 
Launched in 2001 from the tiny village of Valdelavilla near the wine region of The Rioja the English language project gave life to this formerly abandoned village only a few hours drive from Madrid.  Vaughan offered selected 'Anglos' the opportunity to live in the village for a week all expenses paid - if they talked English, virtually non-stop, to his
Spanish-speaking students.

Success encouraged him to expand to two other villages - Gredos and La Alberca - over the next couple of years.  Each village contrasts geographically and historically and features assorted amenities.  Exploring the local countryside, playing board games and generally socializing - in English - mixes the program up and provides a varied experience for student and 'teachers' alike.
 
A good sense of humour, patience, enthusiasm and an ability to converse on a variety of topics are among the requirements for applicants hoping to join this Anglo/Spanish fraternity.  No teaching experience is required since the emphasis is on expanding conversational scenarios.  The only negative I've managed to unearth is that smoking - as in most of Europe - is acceptable and can, therefore, bother some people.  Independent travelers have told me they enjoyed the experience and have considered re-applying.  Based on my research, combined with lengthy communiqués with Englishtown staff in Madrid via email, I've decided to sally forth (courtesy of every scroungeable airmile) in September to accept this Englishtown verbal marathon challenge.

So - in plain English - if you have spare time, a ticket to ride, a wide range of interests, and the lung capacity of a yak to keep you conversing for seven days, check out the Englishtown website at www.vaughanvillage.com This tourism with a twist may be just your glass of sangria. 

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