"My daughter and wife have been attending the lessons. They are both impressed with Amaia and speak very highly of her."
Dexter Outhwaite
Spanish course in Wakefield.
Spanish Lessons in Oxford
If you’ve ever set foot in Oxford, you are probably aware of the vast variety of languages that can be heard around the city. This should not come as a surprise, given that the city has a large influx of immigrants, partly because of thei well-known university, which attracts students from all over the world, and also the many job opportunities in the area, that draw various groups of people to the city who are looking for a better life. All of these immigrants bring their customs, traditions and languages to the city, and make Oxford the multicultural city that it is. Among them, one of the most commonly used languages is Spanish. According to the 2011 census, Spanish is listed as the sixth most popular foreign language after Polish, Chinese, German, French and Portuguese. This means that, if you’re interested in learning this fascinating language, you’ll find plenty of opportunities around the city to do so, including events that celebrate Latin and Spanish cultures, institutions that keep the language alive and many chances to meet native speakers who come to study or work in Oxford. What’s more, if you become a bilingual resident in the city, you’ll enjoy a large number of benefits, including better job offers, a more active social life and many openings to visit other countries and get to know different cultures.
Why Study Spanish in Oxford?
Learn Spanish for Work and Travel
No matter what you do, learning Spanish can help you advance your career. Due to the fact that this language is so widely spread around the world, local companies are constantly looking for bilingual applicants, because they know that if they hire people who can speak Spanish, they’ll be able to improve their business relationships abroad and attract larger numbers of foreign-born clients in the UK who are part of the Hispanic community. That’s why you’ll find many great positions in the area that are exclusive to Spanish speakers, such as Spanish-speaking Customer Service Advisor for Euro London Appointments, Partner Marketing Manager for bChannels and Inside Sales Executive for Rezatec. On top of this, being able to communicate fluently in the language is the key to improving your local business, as networking with other Spanish speakers in the city and abroad can grant you access to new exciting opportunities to expand your business and even reach international markets. On the other hand, if you want to visit other countries or even work abroad, Spanish is one of the most useful languages you can learn, as you’ll be able to live in beautiful countries like Spain, Mexico or Colombia and understand the local culture, which will allow you to feel at home there and enjoy your stay much more.
Learn Spanish for Social
If you want to explore Spanish and Latin American art in the city, you should consider becoming a member of ARTES. This registered charity is dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of Iberian and Latin American visual culture by organizing different meetings, talks and art exhibitions around Oxford and other important cities in the UK. By becoming a member, you’ll be able to attend private tours at the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, located on Beaumont Street, and enjoy the many wonderful paintings, sculptures and objects made by Spanish and Latin American artists. What’s more, you’ll be able to meet art experts from all around the world and other locals who share your interest in the fascinating Hispanic cultures, so if you love art, this group is exactly what you need.
Learn Spanish for Culture
Are you eager to meet other language enthusiasts and native speakers to have conversations in Spanish? If so, you should attend the meetup organized by The Oxford Spanish Intercambio Meetup Group. They organize eight meetings a month where you can meet other Spanish speakers who can help you better your language skills and also help out native speakers who need to work on their English. Meetings always take place at a local pub called The Chequers, located at 131 High Street, and the way they work is during the first hour only Spanish is spoken and the next hour only English so that everybody can improve their conversation skills. Learners of all levels are welcome, so don’t worry if you can’t say many things in Spanish, as you’ll find many like-minded, friendly people who will make you feel comfortable. In addition to the language exchange events, this group also holds city tours in Spanish, movie nights where you can watch Spanish and Latin films and visits to local restaurants that celebrate Hispanic cultures, so don’t miss out on this amazing chance to socialise and expand your knowledge of the Spanish-speaking world!
Where to learn Spanish in and around Oxford?
After reading about the many advantages of learning Spanish in Oxford, you probably wonder how you can get started learning this wonderful language. If you’ve never spoken a word of Spanish and are feeling too self-conscious to attend a language exchange event, you could start by paying a local visit to the Oxfordshire Public Library, located on Queen Street, which has many interesting language materials for beginners like Get Started in Latin American Spanish by Juan Kattan-Ibarra and Essential Spanish Vocabulary by Mike Zollo. On the other hand, if you can already speak some Spanish and want to become a Spanish professional, you could check out the many courses at Oxford University, perfect for those who want to become translators or work as Spanish teachers. Lastly, if you are looking for a special Spanish course that is completely tailored to your unique needs and requirements, your best option in the city is Listen & Learn. Send us a quick enquiry now and we’ll have one of our qualified native Spanish teachers build a one-of-kind language course based on your interests, skill level and language goals that will make the process of learning much more enjoyable! So what are you waiting for? Get started now!
The type of courses we offer:
Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) General Spanish
Spanish lessons of this type are broader and are aimed towards students with a variety of requirements. While all beginner level students will cover survival Spanish—needed for short visits to countries where English isn't widely spoken, or if you wish to 'go local'—those studying Spanish usually go in different directions at this point, depending on what they need. Those who have benefited from these Spanish classes have been those investing in or buying property overseas, those married to overseas nationals, people setting off on a round-the-world trip, enthusiasts for Spanish culture and those hoping to pass a specific exam in Spanish. Enquire now about our Spanish Courses or Take A Free Spanish Level Test
Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) Business Spanish
These Spanish Lessons are intended for people who really need to learn Spanish to help make that difference in their work. For beginners, it will be useful to learn greetings and basic business etiquette; at higher levels, reading and then writing become more important. Typical students include those involved in import/export, international negotiations and acquisitions, jobseekers in multinational companies where an additional language is required, and those working with international colleagues, academia and government. Even in our most basic lesson for Beginners, students should expect to end the lesson with basic telephone Spanish and Spanish e-mail skills for communication as well as survival Spanish required for short visits to a country. Enquire now about our Spanish Courses or Take A Free Spanish Level Test
Face-to-Face Closed (Private) Group General or Business Spanish
Lessons in Spanish are also accessible for 2 or more studying in tandem (Two-to-One Spanish Lessons or Small Group In-Company Spanish Lessons). All those involved must have around the same experience of the language, similar needs for areas of proficiency, and must be able to work at the same time and place. Bookings must be made for all students at the same time. Listen & Learn does not advise classes of more than 6-8 people, although In-Company Taster Spanish sessions can be run with as many as 12 people. Enquire now about our Spanish Courses or Take A Free Spanish Level Test
Skype, Google Meet or Zoom Online 1-to-1 (Individual) General or Business Spanish
Our native speaker qualified Spanish language teachers can train you and your colleagues at your office or home at a time to suit you. Classes can be any day of the week (even weekends) in the morning, afternoon or evening. In certain circumstances, if your home or office is not available, you can take your classes at the trainer's office. Course books are provided. Enquire now about our Spanish Courses or Take A Free Spanish Level Test
Skype, Google Meet or Zoom Online Group (Closed or Open) General or Business Spanish
Those wishing to learn Spanish in groups of two or more together (Two-to-One Spanish Lessons or Small Group In-Company Spanish Lessons) can sign up for our group classes. All students must be at nearly the same level of Spanish proficiency, have the same needs from the language and be able to study at the same time and place as the others. Bookings must be made for all students simultaneously. Listen & Learn does not propose group sizes of more than 6-8 people, but In-Company Taster Spanish Lessons can occur with up to 12 people. Enquire now about our Spanish Courses or Take A Free Spanish Level Test
Top Tips For…
spanish Songs
Me Voy - Julieta Venegas
Julieta Venegas is a praised Spanish artist and “Me Voy” is the perfect example of her singing skills. This song follows the story of a woman who leaves her partner and says goodbye to him because of personal reasons, though she does not want to abandon him. It is very slow and uses simple vocabulary, which makes it perfect for Spanish learners who have just started their course. Furthermore, “Me Voy” is mostly sung in the present tense, so you won’t have problems understanding the grammar. Your brain will remember this catchy song and soon you’ll be saying “qué lástima” with flawless pronunciation! Check out the song here!spanish Songs
Nada Valgo Sin tu Amor - Juanes
Listening to songs in Spanish can massively improve your vocabulary and grammar. You can avoid the monotony of learning with a textbook, and you will probably remember words more easily if you learn them in a song rather than by memorising a long list. So, if you are looking for a jazz-inspired song to take your Spanish to the next level, “Nada valgo sin tu amor” is a great choice. This is the beautiful confession of a man who sings about how much he loves his partner and does not want to lose her. It uses a lot of complex grammatical structures (including the subjunctive mood), so it’s more suitable for intermediate students. Check out the song here!Vivir mi Vida - Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony is one of the most famous Latin American singers and “Vivir mi vida” is one of his most famous songs. In the last few years, it has become an anthem that celebrates life and talks about the importance of staying positive, no matter how many hardships we face. The lyrics are simple and powerful and include a lot of repetition, so you’ll surely be able to follow the song, even if you are not very familiar with Spanish yet. You will also find a few interesting expressions and slang like “pa’ que?”, so make sure you read the lyrics closely to practise later! Check out the song here!spanish Sports
Local Football Teams Can Help You Learn
If you are looking to improve your command of the language, watching football matches in Spanish can be a great idea. This is a hugely popular sport in Spanish-speaking countries, so if you want to learn the language to interact with locals, it’s a good idea to know about football. You’ll be able to chat about this fascinating sport for hours! And if you are a fan of Spanish football teams (like the famous Barcelona or Real Madrid from Spain, or Boca Juniors from Argentina), you could try following these teams’ social media pages to learn new vocabulary and stay up-to-date about their achievements. Learn more about soccer teams here!spanish Sports
Newspapers: Great Tools to Enhance Vocabulary
Watching football matches in Spanish is not the only way to learn about this fascinating sport. In can be challenging to understand what commenters are saying, as they speak very quickly and use slang frequently. Instead, why not try to read the sports news instead of just watching events? Most newspapers, including El Pais, El Mundo and ABC, have a sports section where you can read about your favourite football teams. Furthermore, you can visit their websites and access an array of articles about the players, teams, gossip and curious football facts that interest you the most. Soon, you’ll understand what marcar un golazo or hacer un gol de chilena mean! Read El Pais' sports section here!Spanish Commentary to Increase Listening Comprehension
When learning Spanish, it’s important to surround yourself with different contexts from where you can absorb vocabulary and phrases. Plus, doing so will help you to improve your listening comprehension skills. So, if you are a sports lover and your Spanish level is at least intermediate, you can try and watch the exciting matches of La Liga Española with Spanish commentary. The commentators speak really quickly and use a lot of slang, but you’ll surely be able to pick up some words and expressions, like pintalo de amarillo (“the yellow card”). CLick here to know when the Liga starts.spanish For Kids
Whistlefritz Spanish for Kids
Spanish videos for kids are a fabulous learning resource. The videos are fun, memorable and keep children engaged. Furthermore, watching videos like Whistlefritz Spanish for Kids is an excellent way to expose your child to a variety of Spanish accents. Whistlefritz products are themed and teach contextual Spanish words to kids. The videos are intended for children ages 2-7 and introduce basic vocabulary related to the seasons, birthday parties, animals and other topics interesting to young kids. The presentation is clear with plenty of repetition, so the kids will never feel overwhelmed. Check out their website to know more.spanish For Kids
Juegos Arcoiris
If your children enjoy short, interactive games, why not take advantage of this and encourage them to play games in Spanish? For example, Juegos Arcoiris is an excellent resource for kids to acquire new vocabulary and reinforce what they learn in their Spanish course. It hosts a variety of puzzle games, short stories and even colouring activities that will keep your children amused for hours. These games are perfect to practise vocabulary: the colouring activities display the names of object and colours and all the instructions are in Spanish; and the short stories are written and read in Spanish, too! Check out their website to know more.La Ratita Presumida
La Ratita Presumida is a popular folk tale that follows a mouse who wants to get married. She welcomes different suitors to her home, like a pig, a dog and a cat. To decide whom she wants to marry, she always asks them “¿Y por las noches, que me dirás?” (What will you say to me at night?), but never likes their answers. This is a great story to learn some phrases and vocabulary about animals, as it’s repetitive but fun. Your child can even watch the story on YouTube and then act it out. Check out this website to read the story.spanish Apps
Green Line
Green Line is a Spanish app that is currently available in more than 300 municipalities throughout the country. It aims to improve the quality of life of Spanish citizens by solving incidents on public roads, promote communication with public officers and more. So, using the app, users can let the town hall know about broken street benches, defective street lamps or traffic lights, etc. If you decide to collaborate, you will even get a notification when the problem is resolved. And the best part is that you don’t need to be an advanced-level Spanish speaker to operate it and the app is intuitive and easy to use; so, it is handy for Spanish learners as well as native speakers. Download the app here!spanish Apps
Busuu
Spanish grammar can be a bit tricky sometimes and requires a lot of practise. Fortunately, you can download an array of apps that can help you take your grammar to the next level with very useful exercises and resources, such as Busuu. Regardless of your level, you can take advantage of their audio files, pictures and multiple-choice exercises to improve your skills. Furthermore, it has a forum that gives you the chance to connect with other students. So, you’ll be able to share experiences, talk about the exercises and even practise your speaking skills via the sharing of audio files. Click here to find out more about the app.Mi No Dieta
If you are looking for help to start more healthily, Mi No-Dieta (My no diet) is here to help! Designed by expert nutritionists, the app guides the user to create a 30-day eating plan depending on their needs and preferences. If you don’t like fish, for example, the app will recommend vegetables and eggs instead. And not only will you get a list of recommended meals but you can contact specialists any time via the app. This is a great way to practise your foreign language vocabulary and learn more about food and meals in Spanish while staying healthy! Learn more about the app here!spanish Lifestyle
Drink Some Mate - Argentina
Argentinians are known for carrying their mates everywhere they go, but what are these exactly? A mate is a drink made up of yerba, hot water, a straw and sugar. But mate is much more than just a drink: it’s a tradition. Although you can drink mate on your own, most people share it with friends, family or even strangers. Also, you should consider that some people prefer to drink mate dulce (with sweetener or sugar) or mate amargo (without sugar). Have a taste of both and decide which one you like best! Click here to learn more about mate!spanish Lifestyle
Dance Flamenco - Spain
Flamenco is a highly expressive dance form originally from Spain, characterised by clapping, percussion and movements of the body, arms and hands. Most of the time, the dancer is a woman, who dances to the rhythm of a song and guitar. If you plan to learn it, there are some terms associated with flamenco that you should learn, like “corto” (a singer skilled only in some styles but not in others) or “braceo” (the movement of the dancer’s arms). Improve your mind-body coordination and build your confidence while embracing this cornerstone of Spanish culture! Learn more about Flamenco here!Celebrate el Dia de los Muertos - Mexico
El Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican traditional celebration that honours those who have passed away. It’s celebrated every year on the 1st and 2nd November. In Mexico, it is believed that those who are not remembered by their families will just fade away and never reach paradise. So, during these days, people pray for the ones who died to be welcomed into Heaven. Some other traditions include visiting the graves of family and loved ones and preparing altars at the cemetery with food, candles, flowers and photographs to remember them. Learn more about the Day of the Death here.Testimonials
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Client case studies
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Sara McCullum
Spanish in Peterborough
Listen & Learn seemed to be the most professional, and when I began to enquire, very much lived up to my expectations
Our Clients Include
From our clients all over the world
BGL Group Ltd
Language learned: French in Peterborough.
Chambers of Lucy Stone QC
Language learned: French in London.
