How to Learn Catalan as an International Student in Barcelona

Most international students arrive in Barcelona focused on improving their Spanish, which makes complete sense. Spanish is a global language spoken by hundreds of millions of people and it opens doors far beyond Barcelona. But once you settle into the city, you start to notice something: a lot of the signs, menus, conversations and cultural life around you are in Catalan, not Spanish.

Catalan is the co-official language of Catalonia alongside Spanish. It is spoken by around 10 million people across Catalonia, Valencia, the Balearic Islands and parts of France and Italy. In Barcelona, it is the language of local government, much of the media, many schools and a significant part of everyday social life. Learning even a little goes a long way towards feeling genuinely at home in the city.

Here is how to get started.

Understand What You Are Learning

Catalan is a Romance language, closely related to Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese. If you already speak Spanish, you will find Catalan surprisingly accessible. Many words are similar or identical, the grammar follows comparable patterns and after a few weeks of exposure you will start to understand far more than you expect.

If Spanish is not yet strong, Catalan is still learnable, but most students find it easier to build basic Spanish first and then add Catalan alongside it. The two languages reinforce each other more than they compete.

Start With the Basics

You do not need to become fluent in Catalan to benefit from knowing it. Even a basic command of greetings, pleasantries and everyday phrases will immediately change how locals respond to you. Saying “bon dia” instead of “buenos días” or “gràcies” instead of “gracias” signals that you have made an effort, and in Barcelona that genuinely matters to people.

Start with the everyday essentials: greetings, numbers, ordering food, asking for directions and basic polite phrases. These alone will make a noticeable difference in your day-to-day interactions.

Take a Free Class Through the Generalitat

The Catalan government offers free Catalan language courses for adults through the Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística. These courses are available at multiple levels from complete beginner upwards and are specifically designed for people new to the language. They are completely free, well-structured and taught by qualified teachers.

Registering is straightforward and classes are available across Barcelona. This is one of the most underused resources available to international students in the city.

Use Apps and Online Resources

Duolingo has a Catalan course that is a good starting point for building vocabulary and basic grammar. Parla.cat, run by the Generalitat de Catalunya, is a free online platform specifically for learning Catalan and is particularly good for self-paced study.

For listening practice, Catalunya Ràdio and TV3 stream online and expose you to natural, everyday Catalan in a range of contexts.

Immerse Yourself in the Language

The most effective way to learn any language is to surround yourself with it. Change your phone settings to Catalan. Listen to Catalan music and podcasts. Watch Catalan television with subtitles. Read signs, menus and notices in Catalan rather than switching to Spanish automatically.

Barcelona’s neighbourhoods, particularly Gràcia, Sarrià and the Eixample, have strong Catalan-speaking communities. Spending time in local bars, markets and community events gives you regular, natural exposure to the language in real social contexts.

Find a Language Exchange Partner

Language exchange, or intercambio, is one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to improve any language. Finding a Catalan-speaking partner who wants to practise English means you each help the other in a genuinely mutual way.

You can find language exchange partners through Meetup, through Facebook groups for Barcelona expats and students, or through notice boards at ESEI and local libraries.

Be Patient and Enjoy the Process

Catalan is not the language you strictly need to survive in Barcelona, which means there is no pressure around learning it. Approach it with curiosity rather than obligation. Every word you pick up is a way of connecting more deeply with the city, its culture and the people who call it home.

Many locals will switch to Spanish the moment they hear an accent, which can make practising Catalan tricky. Persevere anyway. A simple “puc practicar el meu català?” (can I practise my Catalan?) is usually met with warmth and enthusiasm.