Languages Reviews
4.05 / 5 based on 883 reviews
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Sarah H
Languages
Language of instruction: Spanish
Was learning Spanish a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Spanish
How much did you improve your Spanish?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
Studying in Barcelona is not a typical Spanish study abroad experience. The official language is Catalan, not Spanish. Although everyone can speak Spanish, this does not mean that they do or want to. I never really had any serious problems, it was just intimidating at first. The Catalan classes offered through the UB aren't too bad; just don't expect to be fluent by the end.
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1
Fabian W
Languages
Language of instruction: Spanish
Was learning Spanish a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Spanish
How much did you improve your Spanish?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
I definitely made a lot of progress regarding my language skills, which was somehow a confirmation for myself that I went to the right country. However, I stayed in Catalunya in Spain, where locals most of the time speak catalan. If I had to go again to Spain for an exchange I would maybe choose another city/region. But in general Barcelona is one of the best places to be.
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1
rwihby
Languages
Language of instruction: Spanish
Was learning Spanish a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Spanish
How much did you improve your Spanish?
My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
I speak spanish, and here there is a conflict between Catalan and Spanish. Some Catalans are a bit snobby about it and closed minded so they won't speak back to you in Spanish even though they know how to speak it. Many signs or magazines, theater productions, television channels etc are in Catalan. If you want to learn Spanish, go to Madrid, Salamanca or Granada...
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Tiina S
Languages
Language of instruction: Spanish
Was learning Spanish a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Spanish
How much did you improve your Spanish?
My level before: Basic phrases
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
Barcelona is multinacional city meaning that I never had huge troubles in the beginning when I didn´t speak spanish because I managed with english. Anyway majority of the schools staff didn´t speak english, which was a problem especially if I wanted to ask something from the teahcher, but that´s the best way to learn a new language when you have no other choice.
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Marjolein K
Languages
Language of instruction: Spanish
Was learning Spanish a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Spanish
How much did you improve your Spanish?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
I took Spanish classes in the Netherlands, but as always, in the country itselve it is sometimes really difficult to understand someone who is speaking with an accent etc. But just that you are there and hear the people talk is a really important factor the learn the language. Also the Spanish classes where really important to me.
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silvia_81
Languages
Language of instruction: Spanish
Was learning Spanish a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Spanish
How much did you improve your Spanish?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
The only disadvantage you have to consider is that in Barcelona people speak very often Catalan,the 2nd offical language, and for example public signs are in Catalan. Even at university it can happen that the courses are held in Catalan, but normally, if international students take part, the language of instruction is castellano!
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