the Village News

There are children who spend years studying English and yet still don't dare to speak. Then something seemingly “magical” happens: after just a few days of international living together, they start to reply, to say sentences, to take part without overthinking. It’s not magic. It’s the environment.

There are decisions that, although they may seem simple, feel big. Sending your child to an English camp for the first time is usually one of them. You’re not just choosing a summer activity: you’re deciding whether they are ready to separate, to live with others, to adapt to a new environment and, moreover, to do it in an international context.

Many parents share the same feeling: their child has been studying English for years, understands quite a lot, passes exams… but when it comes time to speak, they freeze. This situation creates frustration and a recurring question: why, after so much time, do they still not use the language naturally?

For years, the same idea has been repeated: the more hours of English, the better the results. Many parents have followed that logic consistently, accumulating classes week after week, intensives, extra lessons and whole summers “in English.” And yet, the result is usually similar: the child understands more, but never quite gets comfortable speaking.

Choosing an international English camp for your child is not a minor decision. For many parents it's a mix of excitement and doubt: excitement at offering an experience that could be life-changing, and doubt about whether it will really work or if it will be "just more of the same".

The problem is that, from the outside, many camps look similar. They promise immersion, talk about native counsellors and advertise lots of hours of English. However, the results can be very different. For this reason, beyond names or destinations, it's a good idea to be clear about the criteria that truly make a difference.

When the time comes to decide how to make the most of summer to improve English, many parents ask themselves the same question: is it better to send my child to a camp abroad, or can they achieve similar results in Spain? For years, the idea has taken root that going abroad automatically guarantees better immersion, but the reality is far more nuanced.

It's one of the phrases parents repeat the most: “My child understands English, but when they have to speak, they freeze up”. They recognise words, follow instructions, even get good grades, but as soon as they have to express themselves, they go quiet or answer in monosyllables.

This behaviour is not unusual and does not indicate a lack of ability. In fact, it is much more common than it seems and has a clear explanation. Understanding a language and daring to use it are different processes, and one does not automatically guarantee the other.

Over the last few years, the term “language immersion” has become one of the most commonly used — and most confusing — expressions in the field of education and summer camps. Virtually any programme that includes activities in English is presented as an immersion experience, even though in practice the results can be very different.

For many parents, this creates a legitimate doubt:
How can you tell if a programme offers real immersion or simply activities in English?