"The course is going very well with Raquel, I am learning a lot and am becoming more confident in my use of Spanish."
James Saunderson
Spanish course in Online.
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 Entertainment
Gran Hotel - Netflix Series
If you like period dramas, then you will surely enjoy “Gran Hotel”, a superb production with plenty of romance and intrigue. The story is set in the 1910s and follows Julio, a man who arrives at the Gran Hotel to speak with his sister, head chambermaid Christina, only to find out she has disappeared. So, he decides to pose as a footman to find out what happened. This Spanish drama has more than 80 gripping episodes for you to binge-watch while improving your European Spanish. Even if the series is set in the previous century, you will certainly learn useful words and expressions for modern-day interactions! Here you can find more information about the seriesspanish Entertainment
Spanish Film Festival
Every year, London hosts the fantastic Spanish Film Festival, established in 2002, where you can find more than 50 ground-breaking Spanish and Latin American movies screened in their original language. This event features the most representative films from Spanish-speaking countries of the year, so why not attend this festival and watch classic and traditional Hispanic films without English subtitles? This way, you’ll pick up new words, improve your listening comprehension skills and learn more about Spanish and Latin American cultures. Most of the time, actors and directors also attend the festival, so you can approach them afterwards and speak to them in Spanish! Click here to know more about the festival.The House of Bernarda Alba - Play
“The House of Bernarda Alba” is a classic play written by the Spanish dramatist Federico García Lorca in 1936. It is entirely set in Bernarda’s house, where you can take a peek at her family life with her five daughters, her maid and many other servants. It explores the themes of sexual repression, inheritance and violence among three generations of women who live in the same house. You can watch this award-winning production at the Cervantes Theatre in London, where it is delivered entirely in Spanish. So, as it’s fast-paced and uses complicated grammatical structures, this play is recommended for intermediate to advanced students. Click here to learn more about this play.spanish Books
Cuentos de la Selva - Horacio Quiroga
If you are looking to unlock a whole new world of stories while improving your Spanish skills, then don’t hesitate to read “Cuentos de la Selva” by Horacio Quiroga, an Uruguayan writer who published this novel in the 1920s. The tales are set in the Argentinian jungle and the main characters are animals that take on human characteristics, serving as a metaphor for how people interact with nature. These tales were originally written for children, so they are short and use fairly simple language, making this book the perfect choice for beginners eager to know more about the Argentinian culture. Click here to find out more about the novel.spanish Books
La Sombra del Viento - Carlos Ruis Zafón
Reading a novel will help you familiarise yourself with Spanish sentence structure and grammar in real-life contexts. Forget about reading overly simple sentences and grab a novel like “La Sombra del viento”. Set in Barcelona, this is the story of 10-year-old Daniel, a boy who visits one of the biggest libraries in the city and finds a book called “La Sombra del Viento”. But, as soon as he draws it from the shelves, something strange happens and a seemingly innocent action transforms into a race to save the ones he loves. This novel by Zafón is the perfect choice for those who love mystery books and would like to know more about what happened in Spain after the civil war. Click here to find out more about the novel.El Amor en los Tiempos de Cólera - Gabriel García Márquez
Developing proficiency in reading in Spanish has a positive effect on your listening and speaking skills as well, so it’s a great option for beginners who want to build their confidence. For example, you can start reading one of the most well-known books ever written in Spanish: “El Amor en los Tiempos del Cólera” by Gabriel García Márquez. This is a multiple-character story set in the 1800s that depicts forbidden love and draws a comparison between love and illness (in this case, cholera). The novel tells a captivating story but also carries a lot of deep, potentially unanswerable questions about the human condition and love itself. Click here to find out more about the novel.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 Youtube Channels
German Garmendia
German is a wildly popular YouTuber from Chile who creates content related to video games and lifestyle in general. For example, one of his most viewed videos is called “Things that happen in job interviews”. The content is funny and the vocabulary is not overly difficult to understand. However, keep in mind that he speaks incredibly quickly, so it might be difficult for you to keep up with everything he says at first. Still, you can use subtitles or, as you watch the video on Youtube, you can pause and rewind as often as you like, with no judgment. Watch this amazing content here.spanish Youtube Channels
Clevver Teve
So, you might be taking lessons in a classroom with Listen & Learn, but it’s always a good idea to diversify your language learning with multiple sources, like YouTube. For example, Clevver Teve is a channel focused on celebrity gossip, interviews and movie trailers. As it targets all types of audiences, the videos are really short and the vocabulary is simple. So, it is suitable for beginners who want to improve their Spanish skills by watching entertaining videos. You’ll soon get used to the European Spanish accent and start reproducing some favourite phrases, like “oye, tío”, with flawless pronunciation! Click here to subscribe.Werevertumorro
Learning Spanish can be tough if you don’t have a lot of time to practise outside of your course. That is when YouTube videos come to the rescue, as they are easy to fit into even the busiest schedule and are an excellent way to take your listening skills to the next level. So, why not follow a top YouTuber like Werevertumorro and learn from his videos? This YouTuber creates cartoons and acts out videos on interesting topics, like “how to make a woman fall in love with you”, so you’ll be improving your Spanish while having some fun. Click here to subscribe.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!Testimonials
From our clients all over the world
Client case studies
Have a look at successful and satisfied clients.
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
Azucarera Ebro
Language learned: English in Peterborough.
Gyrodata
Language learned: English in Aberdeen.
