Have you ever dreamed of mastering a new language while immersing yourself in a vibrant culture? That’s precisely what a language immersion programme in Barcelona aims to offer. And there’s no better place to dive deep into the Spanish language than Barcelona, Spain.
Spanish Express, a renowned division of David Game College with a presence in London and Barcelona, offers an array of Spanish immersion programmes designed to meet various needs.
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone who simply wants to learn Spanish, you’re in the right place.
With Spanish Express, you not only learn the language but also get a taste of the rich Spanish culture, making Barcelona an excellent choice for anyone looking to become fluent in Spanish quickly and effectively.
In this blog, you will learn the basics of the Language Immersion Programme in Barcelona. Our host Teacher, Mónica, helps you trace the journey of one of our prestigious students at SHIP.
Why Spanish Immersion Programmes are Effective
Spanish immersion programmes offer unparalleled efficacy compared to traditional Spanish classes. By living and interacting with native Spanish speakers, you enhance your language skills at an accelerated pace.
Intensive Spanish immersion programmes intensify this experience, allowing for rapid mastery of the language.
Furthermore, living in your teacher’s home offers continuous opportunities to practice Spanish, enriching your grasp of local culture and daily activities.
Unlike conventional foreign language schools, immersion programmes let you not just learn but live the language, delivering an unforgettable educational experience.
Why Barcelona is the Best Province for Immersive Learning
Barcelona isn’t just a vibrant city and province rich in culture; it’s a haven for language learners.
Unlike other Spanish language schools, studying Spanish at Spanish Express in Barcelona gives you the dual advantage of experiencing the language and local culture.
The city’s world-class status as an educational hub makes it ideal for students looking for experienced teachers and intensive study programmes.
What sets Barcelona apart is its unique local host teacher arrangements. Living with a host teacher provides unmatched opportunities for oral communication and practical language application.
You won’t just be a student but part of a community of fellow learners, often enhancing your language skills faster than traditional settings.
Our host teacher, Mónica, is an added advantage, with years of teaching experience, offering one-on-one sessions and closed groups. She welcomes our SHIP students and makes learning Spanish an unforgettable experience.
Language Immersion Programme in Barcelona
Spanish Express provides you the advantage of choosing the location of your choice among the three SHIP destinations inside Barcelona.
Dosrius
Dosrius offers you an enriching environment for an intensive Spanish immersion programme. The proximity to Corredor National Park makes it the perfect backdrop to learn Spanish.
Our experienced host teacher in Dosrius guides you through Spanish courses that focus on oral communication and allow you to practice Spanish in a real-world setting.
Castelldefels
Nestled between the Garraf massif and the Mediterranean, Castelldefels provides a unique setting for Spanish language schools. The locale is rich in natural beauty and makes it a great location to study Spanish.
You can expect to learn from native Spanish speakers, lending authenticity to your language immersion programme.
The blend of beautiful beaches and mountainous landscapes enriches your language skills. It also offers a slice of local culture. It’s an amazing experience that’s open to adults looking to expand their Spanish knowledge.
Barcelona, City Centre
If you’re looking to learn Spanish in the midst of bustling city life, the Barcelona City Centre is the place to be.
Apart from its world-class BCN facilities, the City Centre is also home to numerous Spanish language schools that offer a wide range of Spanish courses.
You’ll have the chance to practice Spanish with native speakers as you explore the Gothic Quarter or take a short walk to the iconic La Sagrada Familia.
With various cultural activities available, foreign students can easily immerse themselves in Spanish culture, making for an unforgettable learning experience.
Unique Aspects in Barcelona
Barcelona is not just a city; it’s a classroom for anyone eager to study Spanish. For instance, consider the below-described places.
Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter serves as more than just a scenic locale; it’s a cultural canvas for language immersion.
As you wander through its ancient, winding streets, you have the opportunity to practice Spanish with native speakers. This living classroom enriches your language studies and offers a deep dive into Spanish culture.
Park Guell
Another gem in Barcelona, Park Guell is an ideal place for outdoor Spanish classes. The park’s natural beauty and Gaudí’s artistic touch provide a unique setting where learning becomes an amazing experience.
Practising your newly acquired language skills here is not only educational but also incredibly inspiring.
World-Class BCN Facilities
Barcelona’s world-class educational institutions go beyond traditional Spanish courses. They offer cultural activities that allow foreign students to experience Spanish culture in a more intimate way.
From salsa classes to private lessons to local culinary adventures, these activities make the process of learning Spanish an unforgettable experience.
Victoria Travels from Birmingham to Barcelona: A Leaf From Mónica’s Diary
Destination: Dosrius, Barcelona
Month: July
Teacher: Mónica
Student: Victoria
Objective: Improve her level of Spanish for university and work
Introduction of the student, her background, tastes, and objectives
After studying with Spanish Express for several years to complete secondary and high school education (Spanish IGCSE and A-Level), Victoria went to university to study for a degree in journalism with Spanish.
Having a Spanish degree not only allowed her to have more opportunities within her career but also allowed her to network in areas of the industry that she would not have been able to do without it.
Victoria has always been an exemplary student, showing a great interest not only in the language, but also in culture, gastronomy, art, and Spanish fashion – she is a lover of Spanish brands!
When she finished university she rewarded herself with a stay at the professor’s house and, of course, she chose to come to my house in Dosrius, Barcelona.
We already had a great relationship after so many years and she wanted to share a week with me, where we took the opportunity to catch up in general, and see the possibilities of jobs where she could use both English and Spanish.
Victoria is currently working in a multinational company in London, where she can make use of her language skills and she is happy as a clam!
SHIP begins
A cultural morning in the streets of Mataró
In the heart of Maresme’s district, Mataró has a rich history dating back to Roman times. The marina and beaches are some of the tourist attractions offered by this beautiful coastal town.
The centre of the old town is surrounded by 16th century walls. Here is the Basílica of Santa María, with a mediaeval and neo-Romanesque facade added in the 19th century.
Today, the Riera and the Ramblas are the main commercial arteries of the city. Famous buildings, such as the 17th century town hall, have remained standing despite later architectural additions.
Victoria enjoyed seeing each and every one of the buildings that told us their story and she wanted to immortalize several of them with a series of photos and videos to share with her family and friends back home.
During the SHIP
The “menu of the day”, a Spanish invention!
The menú del día is a reliable institution in Spain that leaves no one behind. Not the model who has eliminated dairy from her diet, not the worker in the suburban industrial estate.
Not even the ones who follow every trend in fashion recognize that there is more sin in a stew than in a sushi platter, not even the lawyers and bankers who place the cloth napkin where ties used to be tied.
The menu of the day was developed in the 1960s to offer tourists a variety of traditional dishes at a fixed price.
Tourists sign up for the menu of the day, and our students are no exception. We take each and every one of our students at least one day to participate in this experience along with the locals.
The average price of the daily menu in Spain is 12.8 euros. In some cities such as Valencia, Zaragoza, Seville, Murcia, Malaga, Palma or Bilbao the menu is already over 13 euros, and in Madrid or Barcelona, it reaches 14 euros or more.
That is the amount we paid per person, fourteen euros, but we ate very well; in fact, Victoria had never eaten so much.
For first course Victoria ordered gazpacho, for main, a seafood paella and for dessert, crema catalana. I ordered a salad instead of the gazpacho, the rest was just like her, everything was delicious, we had a wonderful time!
An afternoon of shopping in Mataró
Shopping while strolling through city centres full of history, emblematic buildings, charming streets, and dynamic avenues is possible in Mataró.
The capital of Maresme is a city overlooking the sea, with other places of tourist interest nearby. Its wide promenade runs parallel to the beach and is equipped with excellent services to enjoy bathing and water sports during summer.
Mataró’s long seafaring tradition is reflected in the active marina, considered the most important in the region. It is home to many stores and restaurants, making it a great commercial and leisure centre.
Mataró’s commercial tradition, which dates back to Roman times, is still alive and kicking, making it an ideal shopping destination.
With small family-run stores selling local products, regular and weekly markets, the commercial centre is full of stores, bars, and restaurants, which liven the streets and squares of the historic centre, where activity is constant.
Victoria could not resist the temptation to swipe her card at some of the stores in ancient Iluro (now Mataró) which was one of the main Roman cities around 80 BC.
Finalising the SHIP
Farewell lunch: seafood casserole with rice
My father cooked one of his specialities, seafood casserole with rice, to say goodbye to Victoria after having spent a pleasant week with us.
Seafood casserole is a main dish typical of Spain, Colombia, and other Latin American countries. As most seafood is low in fat and rich in protein, seafood casserole is a healthy dish.
Catalan seafood casserole is distinguished by the flavour of saffron. In some regions of Spain, it is a very traditional fish casserole, which is prepared with diverse types of fish and potatoes, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and parsley.
Have you ever tasted seafood fideuá? We invite you to try it during your stay with our host teachers!
Visit Dosrius, Barcelona, and live an experience like Victoria’s!
If you want to live an exciting adventure like Victoria’s in Dosrius, Barcelona, join our SHIP! 😃
You will be able to discover beautiful cities like Barcelona, Burgos, Valencia and Palma de Mallorca while learning and practising Spanish in the homes of our teachers. ✏️
Here you can read about the experiences of our students in Dosrius, Barcelona. 📖
Join us and become the protagonist of our next diaries. 😁
At Spanish Express you will learn Spanish in a unique way!
Mónica Romero
Mónica Romero is a chartered linguist, teacher-examiner, teacher trainer, translator, content writer and copy editor with over 20 years of management experience within the education and travel & tourism sectors.
FAQs
What is an Intensive Spanish Immersion Programme?
An Intensive Spanish Immersion Programme offers an in-depth exploration of the Spanish language and culture. The aim is to make you fluent in Spanish in a short span of time, often through immersing you in the local culture and activities that require Spanish communication.
How Can I Learn Spanish at These Locations?
You can learn Spanish by joining a SHIP programme at Spanish Express. These include standard Spanish classes, private lessons, and cultural activities that help you practise Spanish in realistic settings.
Are These Locations Certified Spanish Language Schools?
Yes, these locations are certified Spanish language schools, offering a structured setting to study Spanish. They employ native speakers and provide multiple levels of Spanish courses.
Why Choose a Language School in Spain Over Latin America?
Both regions offer enriching experiences, but a language school in Spain gives you a European perspective on the Spanish language and culture. Learning in Latin America will provide different dialects and cultural experiences.
What Does Spanish Immersion Mean?
Spanish immersion is a teaching approach in which you are placed in an environment where you must use Spanish in real-life situations. This is deemed one of the most effective ways to learn a foreign language.
What are the Benefits of a Language Immersion Programme?
A language immersion programme offers benefits like improved oral communication and a better understanding of local culture. You aren’t merely learning the Spanish language; you are also absorbing the cultural context in which it is spoken.
Can I Practise Spanish Outside of Language School?
Absolutely. These locations are in Spanish-speaking regions, offering ample opportunities to practise Spanish with native speakers in daily settings outside of any language school.
What Language Skills Will I Acquire?
You will improve all facets of language skills, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking Spanish. Some programmes even offer salsa classes to merge language learning with cultural experiences.
Do You Offer Private Lessons for Learning Spanish?
Yes, private lessons are available. These one-to-one sessions with experienced teachers offer personalised attention and are tailored to your learning needs, allowing you to learn Spanish more rapidly.
