“Learn Spanish While Living with a Chilean Family: My Homestay Experience”
octubre 8, 2025Living with a Chilean family is one of the most authentic ways to learn Spanish and experience local culture. From daily conversations to shared meals, you’ll gain insights that no classroom could ever teach. But a successful homestay takes more than packing your bags — it requires openness, curiosity, and a few smart strategies.
Here are the top tips to make the most of your Spanish homestay experience in Chile.
1. Speak Spanish as Much as Possible
Even if you make mistakes, use Spanish all the time. The more you speak, the faster you’ll improve. Avoid switching to English when you get stuck — your host family will appreciate your effort, and you’ll be surprised how quickly your confidence grows.
Tip: Keep a small notebook to write down new words or expressions you hear each day, such as “po”, “cachái?”, and “bacán” — classic Chilean slang you’ll hear everywhere.
2. Be Curious About Daily Life
Ask questions about everything — food, traditions, or how things work in the house. Chileans are warm and patient, and they’ll love explaining their customs to you.
Show interest in local dishes like porotos granados or pastel de choclo, and participate in routines like once (the traditional evening snack). Small interactions create real learning moments.
3. Learn to Understand Chilean Spanish
Chilean Spanish is famous for being fast, full of slang, and often shortened. Don’t get discouraged — it’s part of the adventure!
Tip: Watch Chilean TV shows, listen to local music, or follow Chilean YouTubers to get used to the accent. Over time, you’ll start catching words and rhythm automatically.
4. Be Part of the Family
Treat your hosts like real family members. Help set the table, offer to wash dishes, or join family outings. These gestures show respect and help build stronger relationships.
Chileans value kindness and participation more than perfection. The more you integrate, the more natural your Spanish will become.
5. Embrace Cultural Differences
Things might not work the same way they do at home — meal times, schedules, or even how people greet each other. Stay flexible and open-minded.
Remember that in Chile, time is often more relaxed, and social interactions are personal. If someone asks about your life, it’s not being nosy — it’s being friendly.
6. Take Advantage of Every Conversation
Your host family is your best language resource. Talk to them during breakfast, on the way to the metro, or while watching TV. Ask them to correct you — gently but often.
Tip: Focus on listening as much as speaking. Understanding natural Chilean Spanish will take you much further than memorizing textbook phrases.
7. Explore Beyond the House
Use weekends to travel or explore your city. Visit local markets, take short trips to places like Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, or Cajón del Maipo, and talk to locals wherever you go.
Real immersion happens when you connect classroom learning with real-life experiences.
8. Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes
Every error is part of the process. Laugh at yourself, learn from your host family’s corrections, and keep going. Chileans appreciate effort more than perfection, and a good sense of humor will take you far.
9. Stay in Touch After You Leave
Many students keep lifelong friendships with their Chilean families. Send messages, share updates, and stay connected. Those relationships are not only heartwarming — they’re a perfect way to keep practicing Spanish long after your stay ends.
Final Thoughts
A homestay in Chile is more than accommodation — it’s an invitation into real life, culture, and language. You’ll leave with improved Spanish, unforgettable memories, and a second family waiting to welcome you back.
Living with Chileans will teach you something no textbook can: that learning a language isn’t just about speaking — it’s about belonging.