Author: Thea Demetriou
Being in Barcelona for your Erasmus studies can be an amazing experience! A vibrant, liberal, cultured city, that will undoubtedly captivate you whether you are a lover of art, culture, music, nature, or intense nightlife, since it combines them all! At the same time, it is important - if not essential - to know the basics of the Spanish language. As you explore the vibrant city, you'll find countless ways to improve your Spanish skills while experiencing the life of a local.
You are now thinking that the best way is to take some lessons before, to learn the basics of Spanish. Don’t rush! Attending some classes would be helpful. But, in this article, we will examine what is immersive language learning and its benefits, and I will give you some tips to make the most of your studies and have a great time!
What is immersive language learning and its Benefits in Barcelona’s Vibrant Culture
A great way to learn the Spanish language is through immersion. That means, to completely surround yourself with the language you are learning. Think of it as “living the language in everyday life”. You will have intensive and continuous exposure to the foreign language, making it the main tool in all interactions, from the simplest to the most complex. Let’s start with some of the benefits that you will get:
1. Real-World Practice
Unlike traditional classroom learning, living in Barcelona and having everyday exposure to the Spanish language, will help you learn the language faster than just taking lessons. You will hear Spanish everywhere - from the streets to public transportation and shops. This allows you to use and practice the Spanish you’re learning in everyday situations like ordering food and coffee, asking for directions, or engaging in casual conversations in bars and shops. Your brain will absorb everything you hear - from a random conversation on the street, in the supermarket, etc. This hands-on experience makes you begin to think in Spanish and you will acclimate more quickly and easily to the environment. You will feel like a native.
2. Cultural Context
As we said before, Barcelona is a city rich in culture, history, and art. Immerse language learning will help you feel, connect, and better understand the customs and traditions here. Whether you’re visiting Gaudi’s masterpieces, experiencing the famous La Rambla, enjoying tapas and paella with locals, or attending festivals and flamenco shows, you’ll learn how language connects to local habits and social norms.
3. Confidence Boost & Personal Growth
Learning a new language is a powerful personal development skill. You will notice that as you experience the Spanish language and culture on a daily basis, your confidence will increase as you will be able to understand what you hear in a random conversation with locals on the street, order your favorite food and drink, and even participate in a conversation with Spanish speakers.
4. Authentic Pronunciation and Listening Skills
Hearing native speakers daily, helps you adapt to different accents and speech patterns. You constantly hear Spanish, in the bus, on the metro, on TV and radio and your pronunciation improves as you mimic locals, and your listening comprehension becomes sharper, making conversations easier to follow.
5. Increased Motivation and Engagement
Immersion keeps you engaged because learning happens naturally. Every single interaction is a unique learning opportunity, making the learning process more enjoyable. The excitement of discovering new places and meeting people keeps you motivated to improve.
Practical Tips for Learning Spanish Daily
To truly master Spanish, consistency is key. Let’s see some practical tips for integrating the language into your everyday life in Barcelona:
● Local Language Exchanges: Participating in language exchange meetups is one of the best ways to practice speaking Spanish. These events are held regularly in cafes and bars throughout the city. You can find people who are eager to practice their English while helping you with your Spanish. Websites like Tandem, Speaky, and Conversation Exchange can help you connect with locals who want to exchange languages.
● Applications: Another easy and entertaining way to practice your Spanish is to download language-learning applications! “Duolingo” is an app that makes learning fun since it feels like a game. It doesn't take more than 3 minutes of your day and helps you stay consistent since it makes you want to come back every day to do your lesson to avoid missing your day streak. Other similar applications such as Memrise and Babbel are good for building vocabulary, learning grammar, and improving your speaking skills. Additionally, platforms like Anki and Quizlet are great for creating flashcards to help retain new words.
● Spanish Classes: It’s a tested and successful practice since you will have consistent lessons some times per week and you will see your progress increasing continuously. You can find very good opportunities and at very reasonable prices for students. You can have a look and enroll in the courses offered by Camino Barcelona, Speakeasy Language School, and BCN Language School.
How to Make Spanish-Speaking Friends and Practice in Real-Life Situations
I’m sure you are now thinking “Okay, nice, about the language, but I’m alone here and it’s difficult to make friends”. Trust me, I got you! It is not as difficult as you think! Let’s see some ways and opportunities to meet new people and practice your Spanish:
1. Social Media Groups & Communities: The first and easy step, is to check and connect on Whatsapp groups about Erasmus and Facebook communities. There, you will find other people who study in Barcelona, live the same life as you, and wait to meet a buddy who matches their interests! You must also check and follow the “Erasmus Student Network (ESN)” on social media!
2. Join Social Events and Meetups: Barcelona is home to a large community of international students, and there are countless meetups and social events where you can connect with Spanish speakers. Meetup.com is a great platform for finding language exchange events, cultural gatherings, or even sports clubs that allow you to practice Spanish while having fun.
3. Participate in Local Activities: Join clubs, sports teams, or volunteer opportunities where you’ll have the chance to speak Spanish naturally. Whether it’s a dance class, a cooking workshop, or a weekend hiking group, these activities offer perfect chances to use your Spanish in informal settings.
The best cafés, libraries, and coworking spaces for studying
Barcelona is filled with cozy cafés, peaceful libraries, and inspiring coworking spaces that are perfect for studying and improving your Spanish:
1. Cafés:
● Café de la Opera: A charming café in the center of La Rambla street, perfect for studying with a coffee while observing the local life.
● Satan's Coffee Corner: A trendy spot for students and locals alike, offering a quiet environment for working.
● 365 Café: A coffee spot with delicious snacks. It’s a nice option for those who want to combine coffee with work/study as it provides space and enough tables. You can also find it in many locations in Barcelona!
2. Libraries:
● Biblioteca de Catalunya: Located in the heart of the city, this library provides a quiet space for studying/working.
● Biblioteca Sagrada Família: This peaceful library is a great place to study or work on your assignments. It’s a public library, which means you can enter without having a card! You only need to get a card if you want to take a book. It’s open every day, and on weekends until noon.
3. Coworking Spaces:
● Betahaus Barcelona: A stylish coworking space that fosters creativity and collaboration—perfect for meeting fellow students and entrepreneurs. It offers high-speed internet, ergonomic chairs, meeting rooms, a terrace, table tennis, and many more. Also, they offer day and hourly passes, depending on your needs.
● La Vaca Coworking Barcelona: It is located in an area with tons of restaurants and shopping centers which are great for after-work rewards, but it also provides a lot of services. The main space is very light and bright and has soundproofed rooms for video calls and video call equipment. You can also choose the coworking membership you want, schedule a visit, or book a day pass.
Cultural Activities that Improve Language Skills
As we mentioned above, learning Spanish involves more than just memorizing grammar—it's also about experiencing the culture. There are numerous options in Barcelona to improve your language proficiency through cultural activities:
● Theater and Performances: Barcelona’s theater scene is vibrant, and attending performances in Spanish will enhance your listening and understanding abilities. To experience local theater and get better in Spanish, look for shows at venues like Teatro Español or Teatro Goya.
● Spanish-language Guided Tours: Barcelona is home to some of the most famous sites in the world, such as Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia. Take guided tours in Spanish to learn more about the city’s history while practicing your language skills.
● Cooking and Art Workshops: Learn Spanish through hands-on experiences! Many places in Barcelona offer cooking classes where you can learn how to make traditional Spanish dishes while chatting in Spanish. Similarly, attending art workshops, joining painting classes, or dancing lessons will not only help you improve your Spanish but also introduce you to the city's artistic culture.
Conclusion
To sum up, by immersing yourself in the local culture of Barcelona, taking advantage of daily language learning opportunities, and participating in social events, you’ll find out that your Spanish improves rapidly. Every minute in Barcelona is an opportunity to practice, whether it's by engaging in cultural activities or having informal discussions in cafés. Make the most of your Erasmus experience and let the city be your classroom! Buena suerte y disfruta de tu aventura! = Good Luck & Enjoy your adventure!
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