Language lessons across the UK & Ireland

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Language lessons in Bristol

Bristol is a vibrant and colourful multicultural city in the South West of England. Known for its diverse art scene, its important universities and prosperous maritime history, it attracts people from all over the world, particularly young people drawn by its eclectic culture.

With a population of 465,900 people, Bristol is one of the largest cities in the country. According to the 2020 census, 15% of Bristolians were born outside the UK with the biggest immigrant communities in the city coming from Poland, Somalia, India and Jamaica. As a result of the vast immigration, it should come as no surprise that at least 91 languages are spoken in Bristol. Among the most commonly used at home after English, we find Polish, Somali, Chinese, French and Spanish.

If you either live in Bristol or are planning to in the future, being able to speak more than one language would improve your experience in the city dramatically. In addition to helping you expand your social circle, it can allow you to reach part of the community in the city who cannot speak English very well, which accounts for 1.5% of immigrants. What’s more, it will increase your job opportunities in the area and turn you into a citizen of the world.

 

Where to study foreign languages in Bristol

If you’re currently learning languages like Polish, Albanian, Punjabi, Urdu or Portuguese, you’ll be happy to know that the Central Library, located on College Green next to Bristol Cathedral, has many course books, magazines and novels in these languages. As you know, reading in other languages will expand your vocabulary, help you become a better writer and expand your knowledge of the cultures where that language is spoken, so you should definitely consider spending time in the local library whenever you have the time.

On the other hand, if you’re interested in getting a certification, one of the most renowned learning institutions in the area, The University of Bristol, offers language courses at all levels, ranging from beginner, post-beginners, intermediate and advanced. The languages you can study here include French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Modern Standard Arabic, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Czech.

Language exchange groups in Bristol

If you’re looking to put into practice all the new vocabulary you’ve been learning this past few months, you should attend one of the events held by Bristol Language Exchange. This group of language enthusiasts meet every Wednesday at 7pm at The Ship Inn, located at 8 Lower Park Row. Some of the languages you’ll get to practise here are Spanish, Italian, Polish and Arabic, and the best thing is in addition to learning your target language, you’ll get to help people from across the globe with their English. These events are completely free, all you need to do is take a sticker from one of the tables, write your native and target language, and start chatting!

Are you interested in practising your Mandarin Chinese language skills? Then Bristol Mandarin Chinese Meetup is just what you’re looking for. They meet once a month at Watershed Cafe&Bar, located at 1 Canons Road, and it’s the perfect chance to make new friends who love the Chinese language just like you. Although they welcome learners of all levels, they recommend that you can at least hold a small conversation, as they don’t speak in English unless strictly necessary. 

Cultural institutions and events in Bristol

If you want to immerse yourself in different African cultures, then you can’t miss the AfroFest Bristol Music Festival. Held in June at Trinity Centre, located on Trinity Road, this festival showcases the best of African Culture through music, art, fashion, dance and food. It’s the perfect chance to listen to live music, enjoy amazing performances and taste some of the most delicious food African communities have to offer. What’s more, there’ll be an African Fabric Fashion Exhibition, which fashion lovers can’t miss,  African Cultural displays and many games for the whole family, including a bouncy castle.

Did you know that Bristol is home to Europe’s largest hot air balloon event? That’s right, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta attracts thousands of spectators and visitors from across the globe every year who come to either fly in a hot air balloon or witness the impressive mass ascent of more than a hundred hot air balloons. This year, the festival will take place in August at Ashton Court, located just 2 miles from the city centre. There are many activities at the festival for the whole family, like aerial displays, fairground rides, delicious food from different parts of the world and a local music stage. What’s more, you’ll get the unique chance to meet pilots and crew who come from more than 20 countries and learn all about their 

Language jobs in Bristol

Bristol is the primary economic centre in the west of England, so it comes as no surprise that
the employment rate in the city is the second-highest in the UK. It also has one of the highest qualification rates in the country, so it’s not easy to stand out in a job interview.

The best thing you can do to improve your CV is to learn a new language. This is especially true if you want to work in the tourism industry which, according to this 2019 report, accounted for over 21,650 jobs in the city. Some of the most sought-after applicants are those who can speak French, Spanish, German, Chinese or Japanese, so if you want to be more employable, you might consider learning one of those.

Get started now!!!

Are you ready to make the first step to becoming multilingual today? If so, the best place you can study languages is Listen & Learn. We offer flexible lessons that stand out from the rest because they are tailored to your particular needs! All you have to do is send us a quick enquiry and one of our team members will get in contact with you and find out what it is you’re looking for. After that, we’ll pair you up with a teacher who will create the perfect lesson just for you!

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Listen & Learn has a fantastic and flexible approach to learning. […] The option to mix face-to-face lessons and Skype, as well as weekly appointments, is perfect.