Hand Tailored Language Learning Experiences

Every Language & Luxury™ experience is a custom tailored private journey to learn a foreign language, with a Personal Language Instructor, one on one, in some of the world’s greatest cities and towns. Creating the customized language learning experience will be a collaborative process between you and your personal Language & Luxury™ Destination Specialist.

Tthe Language & Luxury™ learning system comes from years of doing it the wrong way. One of our Founders said it best; the first foreign language I studied was German, taking four years in High School, four years in University, and I even took group study abroad programs in each of High School and College. But after eight years of study and even a degree in German, I still couldn’t speak the language.

I could read and write OK and understood quite a bit, but I hadn’t had enough direct contact with German speakers and just hadn’t gotten comfortable enough with the conversation. While working in the travel business a few years later, I was sent to work in Germany for two summers, where I interacted with the locals on a daily basis and after those two summers I FINALLY was able to speak the language well. Thus it took me roughly nine years to learn to speak German and ONLY after I lived and worked there (immersion).

Fast forward a couple years and I meet a woman from Mexico City who later became my wife. Now motivated and having the German experience under my belt, I moved to Mexico City and learned to speak better Spanish in nine MONTHS than I ever spoke German after nine years.

Why? One on one language instruction from a local, experienced Spanish teacher plus cultural immersion…I lived alone in a flat in a neighborhood, took care of myself with respect to daily activities, and spent hours with my future wife’s family and friends.

This is definitely the formula that works plus you get the added bonus of long lasting moments and life-changing experiences that come with being immersed in the foreign culture!

Richard Phelps

Founder of Language & Luxury™

Listen to Richard Phelps talk about the importance of immersion in language learning, and his own journey with immersive learning.

The Finest Accommodations

The Language & Luxury™ team has conducted extensive searches and handpicked only four- and five-star equivalent accommodations comprised of flats and villas in the best locations for exploring and in the best neighborhoods for cultural immersion.

In person check-in will take place on the premises and a local Concierge service is always available for help with any needs that arise, including optional assistance with shopping, restaurant reservations, travel plans, etc. Of course fresh linens and toiletries, professional cleaning, and free wifi are always included.

Only where noted, for example in Oaxaca, Mexico, other accommodations, such as intimate boutique hotels, will be offered but with the same level of concierge service as for the flats and villas.

What’s Included

Every Language & Luxury™ vacation is a fully custom private journey to learn a foreign language, with a Personal Language Instructor, one on one, in some of the world’s greatest cities and towns.

Core Immersion Program

• Luxury accommodations (several options to choose from will be provided)
– Handpicked and inspected luxury properties
– Typically, two to three options to choose from
• Personal language instructor (10 hours of personalized language instruction per week)
– Also, handpicked and professional
– Instructors will tailor instruction to each client based on needs and interests
• Local Cultural Activities (to help immerse you in the culture so that you practice speaking the language)
– 2 or 3 per week, typically “off the beaten path” walking tour, dining where only locals go, museum tour, etc., with your Personal Language Instructor
• Private airport transfers
• Dedicated concierge service
– 24/7 for any emergency needs
– Booking reservations, tours, optional activities, shopping

What Kind Of Information Is Required

The Language & Luxury team begins every custom journey by collecting some basic information. The following are some of the questions we typically start with:

• Will you need a Travel advisor, Yes or No?
• Your First name, last name
• Your Email address
• Your Telephone
• The Language You Would Like To Learn
• The Destination Of Interest
• Number Of Travelers
• The Minimum Number Of Rooms
• Arrival & Departure Dates (to and from destination)

Once the basic package is confirmed, we will offer other optional local activities to enhance your experience, some of which may need to be booked and paid for in advance.

Optional Activities

Sightseeing cycling tour
Wellness activities (spa treatments, yoga, meditation, etc.)
Personal trainer
Personal chef
Private tastings of foods or wine, champagne, tequila, mezcal (based on the destination)
The local grocery shopping experience
Private tour in a castle or winery, led by the owner, followed by a multi-course dinner and wine pairings!
Private cooking classes
Where applicable: yacht cruises, fishing, kite surfing, other water sports

The Key Elements

There are three key elements in the Language & Luxury™ experience that are helping Americans to finally fulfill their dream to learn a foreign language:

1) one on one personal language instruction in some of the world’s greatest cities and towns,

2) living in an actual neighborhood and not in a group tour environment, plus,

3) cultural immersion, which comes both from neighborhood living as well as from activities designed to get you involved in the lifestyle, like walking tours of an open market, cooking lessons and wine tasting but with a local host or hostess, dining with a local, etc. And we’ve made it an upscale experience, with luxury accommodations and myriad activities and options.

Cultural Locations

Destinations offered are selected based on their relative attractiveness as historical and cultural centers as well as the best locations in which to study the language.

Handpicked Accommodations

The Language & Luxury™ team has conducted extensive searches and handpicked accommodations comprised of flats and villas in the best locations for cultural immersion.

Language Instructors

Handpicked are the very highest caliber language instructors, all with a great deal of experience in teaching adults and teaching methods that lend themselves to adult learning.

One On One

One on one language learning in some of the world’s greatest cities and towns.

Living In A Neighborhood

Living in an actual neighborhood and not in a group tour environment.

Cultural Immersion

Cultural immersion, which comes both from neighborhood living as well as from activities designed to get you involved in the lifestyle.

One On One Instruction Plus Immersion Is What Really Works

Why Other Language Learning Methods Fail

We struggle in our school system to teach foreign languages but as adults it’s even more challenging. Why? We just don’t do it right.

Language learning through audio recordings only is just not enough

Group study in North America is very slow and difficult to practice conversation

Group study abroad is better, but traveling and studying in a group means that you speak English 98% of the time

Our Language Instructors

Also handpicked are the very highest caliber language instructors, all with a great deal of experience in teaching adults and teaching methods that lend themselves to adult learning. Also available is language instruction for families with children and we will customize the schedule to accommodate all family members as much as possible.

Typically instruction is held in a convenient location such as in a cozy café or even in your flat or villa for two hours per day, Monday through Friday, although there is certainly flexibility as to the schedule and hours that can be addressed on site.