1. Intercambios
For those new to language-learning, language exchanges, known as intercambios, are a popular way to learn. Often compared to speed-dating, the idea is to meet a native speaker of your target language in a neutral location, and spend half the time speaking your own language and half speaking your new companion’s language. It’s a fun and sociable alternative to studying, and there are a number of intercambio nights on offer across the city. Every Thursday, Zafras (Girona 84) hosts a language exchange evening with free tapas; when the lights are red it’s your chance to speak Spanish, when they’re blue, English. Another option is to finish the working week with the Friday Language Exchange in the bar of the beautiful 19th-century Estació de França. Or, for an alternative language experience, sign up for the bilingual quiz held every Thursday night at The Philharmonic English pub (Mallorca 204), which attracts a good mix of local and foreign brainboxes.
2. Volunteering
With a vast selection of projects to choose from, including environmental issues, social work and animal care, volunteering is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a language, as well as make a difference. Organisations based in the city include Fundació Ana Bella, which helps women who have suffered domestic violence, Lliga per a la Protecció d’Animals i Plantes de Barcelona, which offers refuge to abandoned or mistreated animals, and Fundación de Oncología Infantil Enriqueta Villavecchia, which works to improve the quality of life of children with cancer.
3. Bookshops
Unlike learning a language through oral communication, you can take the pace at your leisure with a book. Although it takes more time and patience than speaking practice, reading allows the learner to connect the dots between grammar and vocabulary. Some good Spanish bookshops in the city include Babèlia (Villaroel 27), Laie Libreria (Pau Claris 85) and La Central (Mallorca 237). These bookshops offer a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction books, as well as in-house cafes with relaxing seating areas—perfect for finding a literary treasure. Curl up on the sofa, disconnect from the world and simply make time for yourself and a good book. You’ll be fluent in no time.
4. Radio
Boost your listening skills by tuning in to local and national radio stations. You can absorb the nuances of language whilst eating your breakfast, doing the housework, getting the kids ready for school, driving to work and even when showering. For those with little time to study, listening to Spanish or Catalan conversations and music is a simple, effective way to improve your listening and pronunciation, and build vocabulary, while keeping up-to-date on local news. Try Cadena Dial (99.4 FM) or Europa FM Barcelona (94.9 FM) for popular Spanish and Latin music, and RAC 1 (87.7 FM) or Ràdio Barcelona (96.9 FM) for a mix of discussions, music and interviews.
5. Language Hack
Barcelona-based writer and founder of the educational theatre company IPA Productions, Ian Gibbs, has recently launched a monthly language-learning blog, Language Hack, on the Metropolitan website. As a precursor to his upcoming book, Language Learning: How I managed it and how you can too, Gibbs shares his tried-and-tested tips, tricks and techniques for learning a language. He also knows a thing or two about perseverance—his last book was entitled The Sorites Principle: How to Harness the Power of Perseverance (2016)—and each post points you in the direction of fluency in simple, straightforward steps, which can easily form part of your everyday routine.