Has anyone had experience with language schools in this area. I've checked out the websites and Solexio in Playa del Carmen seems best for us on the screen but I'd love to hear if anyone has any experience with this school or others in the area.

I'm travelling with 2 children - 10 and 13 and want to spend a week at school with a homestay if possible.

Why Playa? There are many great schools in Mexico where you can be away from all of the English speaking tourists which will distract from your learning. just curious

I'm hoping to do alot of snorkeling while we're there. Perhaps it would be wiser to visit a less touristed area for school and then travel to the coast for my fix of blue water and bright fish.

Any suggestions welcome.

Cozumel is a great mix of language and beautiful blue water.

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/SpanishClasses

only my personal opinion, but having gone to 4 such schools, my experience is to totally immerse yourself in the language otherwise you only receive partial benefit from the effort. the more English speaking people you are around that aren't studying Spanish the more you will find yourself speaking English instead of Spanish. If you are in a tourist area like what you mentioned you will not have as much motivation to speak the language. just my 2 cents worth

I'd be happy to hear your specific recommendations about schools.

I have studied in Cuernavaca at SLI, Oaxaca at Becari , and Costa Rica at Intercultura. I have done the homestays. Some schools in Mexico have special programs for children. I think Cuernavaca seems to have several childrens programs in a couple of different schools. I also hear very good things about Instituto Cultural in Oaxaca. The family where I stayed had an American family staying there with 2 young children and all 4 of them were attending classes at the Istituto de cultural. Suggest you contact www.langlink.com and look at their programs.

Thank you. I'll check out these schools.

It's always hard to balance different interests and ambitions not to mention cost, travel time and outcome issues.

A homestay in many of these places is the cheapest way to go. Plus, your children get the advantage of really understanding how other cultures live. I think it is one of the most educational experiences not only for the children but also for the adults. Cuernavaca you take a bus to from Mex. City. Oaxaca you can take a bus for MEX. but probably better to fly into it because the bus ride is 6 hours. Costa Rica is a flight and they pick you up at the airport. Always a good idea to check out the references from the school. Also, once you get the choices narrowed down you can post the options (schools) on here and lots of people will advise you as to their experience at those schools.