Is Diverbo (Pueblos Ingles) safe?

The program is a legitimate program and in that regard you have nothing to worry about. I have done 2 week long programs with them and it is as they describe it. On one level it does seem a bit too good to be true, but it is, they provide free room and board in exchange for conversing with native Spanish speakers. As far as how the teen program is chaperoned I have no idea, both programs I attended were strictly adults.

Yes, you are right to be worried about whether this company is worth whatever you are paying them, or whether your daughter will be used for cheap (and possibly illegal) work.
I had a quick look at the site. Phrases like "We host you for the entire week for free!" and "Thanks to our youth volunteer opportunities" ring alarm bells for me. Don't forget Spain (and all other EU countries) are very strict about illegal immigrants. Even if she is just working for bed and board, she technically needs a work permit.

On the other hand "be sold or something to someone and I will never hear from her again" is a bit excessive. This is not 1915 darkest wherever, tourists do not go missing.

I suggest you try to get search the internet for a blog from someone who has used this company before. They may be conning you out of money, but if it was anything worse than that there would have been arrests and publicity before now.

While I understand your concern for your young daughter's safety, why do you think the Canadian government would know about and have any responsibility for the legitimacy of this programme? If you allow your girl to go, and you finance the airfare, why not accompany her to reassure yourself as to her safety? At the very least you will have a little trip to Spain.

I have done a couple of weeks with Vaughantown, which is a different company, but they used to be affiliated with Diverbo. Both are first-class operations - beautiful locations, great food, and nice people. I also am not sure about the supervision aspect when dealing with teens, but the Spanish teens who are there have paid a lot for the privilege. Both companies have been in business for years and are well-known. If the Spanish government had a problem with it, I'm sure it would have come up by now. Vaughan will send a letter of invitation if you want - pretty sure Diverbo will, too. As for being "sold or something", I think you have seen too many movies. And the only thing you pay is airfare to Spain and a couple of nights' lodging on either side of the week - no money to be "conned out of".

My son is in Spain with Diverbo at the moment and he is having a great time.

Diverbo have been very thorough in their communication and we have been impressed with how professional the company has been. My son is with an 18 year old friend who attended last year and loved it.

As with Nancy, I have been associated with Vaughantown , which was originally a part of Pueblo Ingles for several years... in fact 19 programs thus far. It is excellent in the concept and in the operations....as is Diverbo. I have had friends in both and they enjoyed both. It will be an excellent experience for your daughter and she will have memories for a lifetime. GO!!!

Hi edenmek. A co-workers son has volunteered at Diverbo twice and loved it. He is in his early 20's. This summer he applied to work in a short term paid position at Diverbo; not sure if he got the job. I am interested in volunteering with the company, myself, so I asked the young man many questions. He was very positive about his experiences. He described the days as busy with a variety of planned activities with the paying Spaniard customers to converse with English speakers. As some of the locations are out in the country, I am not how reliable wi-fi or cell reception might be. Based on his feedback I believe it to be a legitimate company.

I agree with another poster, accompany your daughter to Madrid to send her off on the program.

Perhaps you could email the company and ask some questions yourself.

This is legit in that its a real organization, not a kidnapping front or something. I have acquaintances who have done it, with positive experiences. I don't have the details, but your worst case worries are not an issue!

What I'd look into is the supervision of the teens, and also your daughters maturity. I did a school based exchange trip at this age and found it a wonderful experience. I'd highly recommend some form of overseas learning, be it this or another program. A teen with a good head on her shoulders and a small amount of street smarts (ie not a totally naive kid who's never left a town of 200) can handle a good amount of independence. A less mature teen prone to trouble would obviously need a much more supervised experience. Only you can look into the details here and see if it's ok for your child.

Update

My son returned from the trip to La Salegas yesterday, full of enthusiasm. He had a great time and has made lots of friends from around the world. It is the first time that he has travelled abroad without us, but I feel that this experience has made him much more independant. He did not leave the camp in the two weeks that he was there and said that the students and volunteers were heavily chaperoned at all times.

He is already planning where he wants to go next year with Diverbo.