Carthusians Immersed in Castile
By roberto garcia encinas, Head of spanish
20 january 2026
charterhouse news
From morning Spanish lessons to evening tapas under Christmas lights, the Spanish Department’s annual trip to Valladolid offered Fifth Form (Year 11) pupils a fully immersive experience of Castilian life.
Each day began with language lessons at La Casa del Español, giving pupils valuable revision ahead of their mock examinations, before the city of Valladolid became their classroom.
In my opinion, the trip has been a valuable opportunity to experience the culture, people, and places behind the language we have been studying, an experience that cannot be achieved solely in the classroom nor on a screen.
jason, fifth form (year 11)
The week was filled with cultural and sporting highlights, including a guided tour of Valladolid’s historic centre, a hands-on cooking workshop, padel tennis lessons, and bowling, as well as shopping and soaking up the festive atmosphere in the Plaza Mayor.
I loved how the trip brought me closer to people I never expected to connect with, creating unforgettable memories along the way. It inspired me to improve my Spanish, sparked a real interest in Spanish culture and fashion, and made me excited to spend time in the country often in the future.
danica, fifth form (year 11)
A trip to Madrid proved a standout, with a guided city tour and a visit to the iconic Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, while an excursion to Segovia offered a glimpse of one of Spain’s most beautiful historic cities.
This trip helped me become more confident in speaking Spanish. I visited and gained historical knowledge on places I didn’t know existed.
gaetano, fifth form (year 11)
The experience was rounded off with dinner at a traditional bodega* in Fuensaldaña and a lively visit to a Real Valladolid home match, ensuring pupils returned with strengthened language skills, cultural insight, and lasting memories of life in Spain beyond the classroom.
*bodega = wine cellar
This trip was a hugely valuable experience, and I really enjoyed both the language learning and immersing myself in the beautiful city of Valladolid. I feel much more confident in my Spanish now.– Johnny, fifth form (year 11) |
 |
