Catalan Language Programs

Wondering how to learn Catalan? Do an immersion program abroad! While learning Catalan won’t put multiple stamps in your passport, its region on the Mediterranean coast makes up for it with picturesque landscapes. Whether you’re sipping cava while overlooking the Roman ruins of Tarragona, playing with goats in the Sardinian fortress city of Alghero, or admiring Catalan’s golden age in Perpignan, Catalan language study is simply more fun on location.

Spain. With the majority of the Catalan-speaking community living in Spain, you can learn your Catalan language basics Barcelona and Valencia steal the show. Continued growth has made Barcelona an economic powerhouse, but didn’t take away from its Catalan roots. From the continuing construction of the Sagrada Familia basilica to the structures in Park Güel and other buildings sprinkled throughout the city, Gaudi’s legacy makes Barcelona a world within itself. Sunny and sophisticated, Valencia is a lively city and the birthplace of paella. Besides the mainland, the Balearic Islands are another major Catalan speaking area. These include the notorious Ibiza, with its continuous parties, DJ’s, and lobster stew.

France. The western Mediterranean coast has a small share of historic Catalonia, with the hub of the region being royal Perpignan — the perfect slice to learn the Catalan language. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Majorca, this kingdom built most of the old town that remains intact to this day. The region is also dominated by the Canigou. This mountain is one of the highest in the Pyrenees, and it is a dominant symbol in Catalan identity. Every June 23, a fire is lit at the top of the mountain. Once lit, those standing vigil light torches to light bonfires throughout Catalonia. 

Italy. Italy’s Catalan community is limited to the Sardinian city of Alghero. The Catalans arrived in the 14th century, when King Peter IV of Aragon repopulated the city with some unfavorable characters from his kingdom, such as convicts and prostitutes. Today, the city is home to Neptune’s Grotto, a two-mile long cave system inside the Capo Caccia cliffs and magical red coral found in the sea.