The Spanish Language Learning Retreat with Inspiration
Built into the Experience
Your classroom is sits above the sea, in our breezy poolside in the jungle space
languageloftofroatan
Join us July 5-14, 2026 on Roatan!
This transformational retreat has been designed for burnt-out teachers serving Spanish Heritage Speakers in their schools. Are you interested in studying Spanish, taking part in cultural tours for a more informed educational practice, relaxing and soaking up a bit of sun on Roatan? You’re in the right place! The retreat is designed not only for teachers to gain essential language skills and cultural information required to effectively help their students, the retreat is a respite space where educators can unplug, connect with like minded souls, and take a much needed breather. We are hoping you’ll even try something new.
While the motivation for this retreat in response to the need for Spanish Language Courses for ELL Teachers, after having done a few, we decided to create something a little more life-changing, practice-informing, and transformational for the amazing teachers out there.
The 9-day retreat will take place July 5th-14th, 2026 on Roatan!
You will earn 4 graduate credits for your work through California Dominican University! But the goal is not necessarily just to earn graduate credits. It’s just a perk of the experience meant to help you fulfill your requirements. Central to the retreat experience is learning transformation language skills, foundation basics, and new ways to relate to students. Each educator will make language learning breakthroughs and focus on resetting their personal and professional focus.
What to Expect from the Coursework:
Morning classes
Students will attend 20 hours of classroom instruction in Spanish, and complete a final journal about the ways this instruction has informed their teaching practices. Each student will set out goals for improved communication, and work within the curriculum to improve those goals. Coupled with afternoon excursions, and while pursuing individualized personal goals, students will have the opportunity to use their Spanish in real life.
Emphasis will be on everyday language of Central America, rather than textbook Spanish. Students will learn 10-20 go-to phrases per day and learn how to replace elements of structure in order to create their own meaning. Some groups choose to cook together in the evenings or schedule dinners on the town.
Classes will be held at the Language Loft from 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., with some consideration for cultural tours. *See syllabus. Breakfast and lunch will be catered and served on-site at the Language Loft.
General Course Features:
- personalized vocabulary and instruction for each retreat member
- structure building in L2
- guided conversation practice
- Spanish book and English instructional materials for new English learners (Spanish language based)
- Individual login and annual access to all Courses in our LMS Platform.
- Immersion style activities combined with grammar instruction
- meetings and tours with Spanish speakers and seasoned educators
Retreat structure and personalized activities
As the United States and Canada receive students from the Central American 4 Countries of Guatemala, Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua at unprecedented rates, ESL teachers often become the liasion between schools, local organizations, and families. They provide language support, emotional and cultural support, among other accommodations for their students. While they must be sensitive to the cultural backgrounds of learners from all over the world, they may struggle to recognize the uniquenesses of students from Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, and El Salvador, among other Central American countries. Serving this underrepresented community comes with additional stresses, and can lead to teacher burn-out. The retreat includes a full course in order for teachers to earn their needed CE credits, but we would like you to spend the afternoons and evenings getting back to yourself. This may mean something different for each individual.
The retreat experience has been designed to allow time for your explorations and specialized activities.
While language is the main focus of this retreat, gaining new experiences is essential to get the most out of your time on Roatan. We sincerely hope you’ll take the retreat as an opportunity to pursue an interest or to try something new. Maybe you want to try snorkeling or underwater photography. Many teachers will schedule work on their unique experience or excursion either in the afternoons, or from July 11-13th, depending on what they choose to do. Most activities will involve 3-5 afternoons, or a few days on excursion. Teachers will leave with a renewed sense of their practice, passion for teaching, and learning.
Some ideas include: Scuba or Freediving, a submarine adventure, a Caribbean cooking or gardening course, a river rafting excursion, committing to those long-term fitness with a personal trainer or yoga instructor, just to name a few examples of unique experiences included in the retreat experience.
Some educators might choose an activity directly related to their subject area, such as a submarine adventure for Science teachers, be a dolphin trainer for a day, or take a course on reef exploration or pursue a coral restoration activity. Others may feel that trying something completely outside of their typical realm of practice would be a great way to indirectly inform their teaching practice, or help them refresh and practice self-care and recharge their batteries. There are so many options! Just ask us!
The Language Loft caters to the unique language learning needs of students, adults, and businesses in a bilingual community. In 2018 many teachers started to sign up while on vacation with their families, just to steal a few hours away to learn a little something new so they could better communicate with students, parents, and members of their Spanish speaking communities. After providing a few intense and specialized coaching weeks with teachers, I realize the demands on teachers and healthcare workers had grown and they were struggling to serve their communities in the way they once had. Teachers were extremely frustrated and searching to connect with others. They told me tales of exhaustion and so many were feeling stuck in a profession. that had changed so drastically, or one that placed incredible demands on them that they never expected. They had lost the inspiration and the motivation that drove them to become teachers and educators.
A few years passed, and COVID happened, so I began programming courses and my own LMS platform, spending all my time creating something that I loved, while learning a whole new programming language, not to mention the ins and outs of instructional design. I burnt myself out for nothing in return. I hired a programmer and held weekend retreats for teachers in a hotel I ran so we could all train together and share our experiences in the new classrooms, our tech knowledge, layouts and discoveries together. Those retreats were some of the best times because I connected with teachers as we had a united goal in mind. We also took each afternoon to do something we may never have done if times were different and we were in our classrooms managing the ins and outs of the kids in a brick and mortar classroom. Many of the friendships cultivated during those impromptu retreats make special appearances in this one. The events of COVID definitely started to plant the seeds for this specialized retreat, which aims to serve the teachers who have lost their inspiration.
So, I began to think. . . What if I could help teachers to reconnect with one another and feel less lonely and more connected within the profession?
Would I be able to incorporate my background as a Spanish Teacher and experience teaching and working on Roatan to help teachers renew their passion for life? What if I could show them the community I have come to know since 2008? What if I could serve as a bridge to understanding the cultural differences, and help them deal better with families, all while offering them a chance to embrace a new experience or two. . . and find their inspiration again? What if I could coach teachers in effective Spanish language skills while providing the platform, venue, and setting for them to design and realize their own personal growth?
This retreat is in many ways the culmination of my years of work facilitating learning experiences and serving as an educational consultant to new teachers on Roatan. From years of experience working in marginalized communities, overcoming major challenges, and reigniting my passions is the impetus of this retreat for teachers. We hope you will share your experiences, make deep connections, and get inspired for your coming years in the profession.
Educators will have the opportunity to take part in planned tours and activities. Tours include school tours, visits to Maya Key, home visits, medicinals plant walk, a historical tour of the cultural history of the islands and Central America’s Northern Triangle, music lessons, and more!
What’s included:
- land transportation to and from the airport and other excursions (school, Maya Key etc.)
- sea transportation to Cayos Cochinos
- exposure to the diverse cultures of the Caribbean and Honduran mainland
- school visit and typical home visit
- Q&A session with local school administrators
- visit to Maya Key, and Wild Medicinals Plant Walk, Cayos Cochinos Excursion, school visit, intro dinner, farewell dinner
- optional: 4 hours graduate credit through Dominican University of California
- personalized Instruction and Review of Project Plans (second reader support)
All destination retreat participants will stay on the island’s West End at Maitri of Roatan, located between the vibrant West End Village and the internationally renowned beaches of West Bay. Our location the best of both worlds: touristic conveniences and authenticity.
Teachers will be housed at the unique Maitri Hotel and Retreat Space, a space with luxury accommodations, where they will gain exposure to many other parts of the island. Both English and Spanish are widely spoken on the West End of Roatan. Retreat participants will have the option of a private room, or sharing a full or queen bed in a private cabin, geodome, or traditional island home. All spaces are modern and on-site with all the amenities. Shared accommodation may include a private bath in a small condominium, or individual bathrooms. What’s Included in your matriculation fees:
- Transportation to an from airport, on scheduled arrival and departure days (We will try to accommodate other arrivals dates as well, not guaranteed)
- Breakfast and lunch daily, welcome and farewell dinners
- Accommodation with air-conditioning ($3650/shared lodging, $4426/pp private room)
- Fabulous sunrises & sunsets!
- 4 graduate credit hours; you may add two additional hours if you would like to extend your study with self-research or continued online language courses after the retreat!
- 4 hours of Spanish daily, with scheduled brain breaks, pool plunges, and enjoyable activities throughout!
- Around the clock support and service
- Several scheduled excursions to schools and cultural heritage sites
Prior to arrival students are provided access to all study materials. If you are not a beginner, you may be placed with another instructor for individual instruction at your level. Each participant’s communication level and knowledge of basics is assessed prior to arrival. We will meet you at your level!
- Personalized Spanish instruction and coaching aligned to your goals
- Individual review of Project Plans (second reader support)
- 1 year access to our LMS for your current and next step Spanish level
Continued Support:
- Online Interactive Book and Workbook
- Printable ELL learner text for beginners
- Optional +2 hour add on live online continuation course
- Assistance in booking your personalized dream event