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Student Recruitment
What are the first steps?
1) Familiarize yourself with the SPI website
2) Download promoter packet and request materials from SPI
3) Tell students and parents about the opportunity and direct them to SPI website
4) Complete the SPI Director Profile Form & let SPI know which program you would like to travel on.
What is the best language level to target?
Student maturity levels vary greatly and so do their levels. Students that participate in SPI programs range from completing their second year to advanced (certain programs can accommodate level 1 students.) The ideal participation time is between their third and fourth year of language study. By spending even two weeks immersed they become much more proficient in skills that will help them do well on the AP exam, especially listening and speaking!
What do I tell parents about the program?
You are not expected to be an expert on everything! Direct parents and students to the website or to our office email or phone for answers to their questions. It is important to first get the information out there so they can do their own research first, then it is a good idea to conduct an information meeting.
Why do SPI programs cost what they do?
It is essential to understand that SPI programs are not tours; they are immersion experiences that are highly personalized, with high quality accommodations, transportation, and very small group size. The size of the group alone affects pricing tremendously as costs for hotels, buses, classes, etc. all increase with a smaller group size. Having smaller group sizes in fundamental for carrying out SPI immersion methodology.
Do you offer financial assistance for students?
Yes, but not a lot. Please request our fundraising packet if you would like more information on helping your students participate. SPI offers several annual scholarships through various organizations and associations.
What if I can’t recruit 8 students? We ask that you follow our step-by-step guide to promoting your program to your students and their parents. Recruiting students from your classes and school is important as it creates the base for each program. Because students also learn about SPI programs through non-traveling teachers at other schools and also from the internet, it is not always required that you recruit 8 students in order to travel, if you have not recruited 8 students by March, we will notify you if your program has filled with other students and on your status of whether you will travel or not. Talk to colleagues within your department or at other district schools to help you promote the program with their students. 
Working with your School
How can I promote the program if my school or district has a policy of “no school trips”?
SPI understands that many teachers are accustomed to participating in school sponsored trips and excursions. SPI programs are 100% unconnected to any school or institution. As an on-site director you are working with SPI as an independent summer job totally unrelated to your job in the classroom (except we know students with immersion experience make your job more rewarding!) For this reason we do not encourage discussing your plans to lead an SPI program with your administrators as often your intentions get interpreted as a "tour or trip" that is directly involving the school. We pride ourselves in providing teachers with the materials you need to educate parents and students on the importance of international education without involving with the school. SPI's contract with each student clearly states that the program is not associated with any school or district.
What do I tell my principal/department head about SPI programs if they ask?
Although we do not encourage sharing your plans with your administrator due to misinterpretation of your involvement, having them on your side is a huge help! If your administrator does inquire about our programs, have them visit our website to learn more. Students of any foreign language benefit from the immersion experience, and need to know about this opportunity!
Can students of other teachers go with me?
Absolutely! We want as many students as possible to be exposed to the opportunity to study abroad. Having a team of colleagues on your side makes encouraging study abroad to more students easier!
If I can’t have meetings on school grounds, where are some other places you recommend to meet?
Nearby coffee shops, restaurants, public libraries, or even an interested student’s home are great places to meet. Another idea is to incorporate your meeting with your Language Club's monthly meeting or during your Language Honor Society Meeting. Although it is highly encouraged to host an information meeting, it is not required.
Do I have to collect applications and money from students?
NO! Students apply directly with SPI and we handle all payments directly with each student.
Travel Information for Teachers
Why does SPI not arrange a group flight? Why should I not arrange my own group flight?
SPI does not provide group flight arrangements due to constant changes in airline policies for groups, nationwide student participation, and for flexibility for parents and students in trip planning. Airlines have quit offering special or discounted fares for small groups because they know the seats will sell during peak travel season, therefore, you are holding seats they can be selling. They also charge $100 per seat deposit up front to hold a group block of seats often time non-refundable if you do not use the entire block of space.
Although it may seem like an inconvenience to not have airfare included in the program price, after years of experience we have have determined that the best method for getting teachers and students to the program site is the one listed on our Flight Info Page. Even if you are arranging a custom program with only your students, please understand that from our years of experience we know that having students purchase airfare individually is the best method. It may be something that you are not used to ( especially if you are coming from doing cattle-drive tours.) In order for your students to travel on the same flight as you we post the exact flights from your home city you will travel on. Do I travel on the same flight as my students?
SPI provides a chaperone on the designated international flight (Asst. Director or Staff), although students are expected to travel independently to the international arrival city (i.e. Madrid.) Upon arrival, all students will be met at the airport by SPI Directors and Staff. Since directors will often arrive at the program site in advance, we cannot guarantee that a particular teacher will travel on the same flight as students. For your student's convenience, we will post on our flight information page the exact flights you are on from your home city so that they may travel with you on all segments. Can I meet up with people (friends, my spouse or other family members) when the program is over or travel with them before the program starts?
Absolutely! Take advantage of the fact that you are already abroad. We ask that you please book any transportation or flights departing several hours after the designated international flight for the students departs. Can my spouse and/or children come along? While this is not advised, SPI is flexible and can often work with you to accommodate family members when necessary. We want directors committed to serving the needs of students in the program group. The immersion experience is not just a tour!
The SPI Experience for Teachers
How do SPI trips differ from traditional tours?
Students study at an accredited foreign university or academically challenging language institute where they receive an official transcript which they can petition to receive college credit. Students live with a caring homestay family in a small, manageable city where they are required to use their developing language skills as they safely explore and live in the local community. The on-site program directors are mature, experienced teachers who serve as a mentor, caregiver, motivator, model immersion student, and conduct the entire program in the language of study. Our programs have one element in common with traditional tours: in the afternoons or on weekends, students participate in high quality excursions to sites of cultural and historic importance with teacher-guides that understand their level of comprehension, their U.S. based curriculum and their interests.
Where do I stay once we are in the host city?
Directors stay in local homestays, just like students! This is a great opportunity for you to keep up your language skills, learn more about the culture, make new friends, and create memories that make great classroom anecdotes!
Can I stay in an apartment or hotel?
We DO NOT ENCOURAGE this! Staying in an accommodation other than a homestay family provided by SPI is more expensive and you will be charged the difference. Staying in an apartment or hotel also adds an extra inconvenience for directors as they must search for their own food, bring their own linens often times, and in general are not partaking in the same experience as students. The additional cost to the teacher is normally $400-600 extra per week not including food.
What is a typical day like?
Directors are expected to check in with students each morning (Monday-Friday) before class begins and/or at the midday break. (if there is more than one director, you may decide to have one person check in with students before class and the other person checks in with them at midday) Directors are free to explore or check email when students are in class, but should participate in all planned afternoon activities/excursions. Each afternoon will be different but as a rule of thumb, SPI organizes 3 activities per week and then 1 full day excursion on the weekends.
What do I do when students are in class?
While students are in class and when no afternoon activities are planned…you are FREE TO EXPLORE!
• Sit in open-air cafes or go to the beach and soak up the sunshine every day that the weather offers it!
• Walk and converse with interesting people. Shop all over town!
• Write postcards to your colleagues to make them jealous.
• Sample all the local specialties. Send us a list of your favorite spots to share with next year's directors.
• Collect regalia and teaching aids for your classroom.
Am I responsible for organizing afternoon activities? How do I choose afternoon activities for students?
Depending on the size of your group and program site, the local school in most cities will arrange afternoon activities. Some programs are totally operated by the foreign school (Costa Rica, Mexico, San Sebastian, Cadiz) and others are organized by the program director or resident director (Santander, Biarritz, Siena.) The first few days of the trip (or beforehand!), get to know students and ask them about their level of interest in different things. Once you arrive, ask members of your host family or anyone at the language school if they have heard of interesting special events going on around town such as a festival, theater, art exhibit, etc. Stopping by the local tourist office is a great idea!
You may want to organize a group excursion to a movie, take a boat trip, head to a nearby town for the afternoon, see a bullfight or go to a concert as an ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY. Inform the students 12-24 hours before the activity. Let the students know the cost of the activity and make arrangements to gather interested students at a meeting point. Make a flyer to announce the activity if possible (SPI provides you with these supplies!) The cost for these activities is not included for students or teachers.
What do I do if students aren’t interested in planned afternoon activities?
You may want to make one afternoon activity mandatory each week. Otherwise, enjoy exploring, and don’t worry about the level of student participation; keep activities optional. Students are encouraged to make local friends and immerse themselves in the culture.
How much am I expected to know about the homestay city before departure?
The more you know, the more you can share with students, but you are not expected to be an expert in the history and culture of the host city before you arrive! This is a learning experience for you, too! SPI provides all directors (and students!) with a small amount of information in the orientation materials, but you are invited and encouraged to do some of your own research. SPI also provides a list of resources to help you begin.
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