"I'm very pleased with our teacher. She is indeed a good fit, and is keenly interested in my progress, which I appreciate. She's extremely intelligent and a great teacher."
Wendy Hannam
Spanish course in Toronto.
Spanish Lessons in Oshawa
Do you want to improve your life in Oshawa dramatically? If your answer is yes, then the best thing you can do to make that happen is to start learning Spanish, as it’s one of the fastest ways to access better job positions in the city and enjoy a more active social life. The reason why it’s so beneficial to speak Spanish in Oshawa is due to how widespread the language is. In fact, according to the 2011 census, it’s the third most commonly used foreign language after Italian and Polish, with around 2,520 native speakers living in the city and many Canadian-born residents who choose to study it as a second language. As a result, if you become a fluent speaker, the way you experience the city will change, as you’ll start appreciating the many events and institutions around Oshawa that celebrate the many Spanish-speaking cultures, and you’ll be able to build better relationships with many members of the foreign-born community that come from the more than 21 different countries where Spanish is an official language.
Why Study Spanish in Oshawa?
Learn Spanish for Work and Travel
No matter what it is you do for a living, learning Spanish will make you more employable in Oshawa. If you’re currently in between jobs, having Spanish on your CV will allow you to apply for better-paid positions in the area such as Data Management Associate for Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bilingual Account Specialist for Randstad Canada and Bilingual Sales Advisor for Mosaic North America. Additionally, being bilingual will increase your chances of working in some of the most important sectors in the city, which include healthcare, educational services and IT, even if the position you’re interested in doesn’t require you to speak more than one language. The reason behind this is that most employers will see you as an asset to their companies or businesses since as a Spanish speaker you’ll be able to improve their communication with a larger number of potential clients and help them build better relationships with foreign companies from Europe or Latin America. On the other hand, if you have your own business in the city, speaking Spanish will allow you to take advantage of Oshawa’s proximity to the country’s most important economic hub, which is Toronto, and start doing business with the large Hispanic community who lives there. This will help your business grow outside the city and get access to unique opportunities that can change your life forever.
Learn Spanish for Social
If you’re interested in listening to Spanish and Latin American Music, you can’t miss the annual Oshawa Music Week, a week-long series of events that takes place in April at the Durham College, located at 2000 Simcoe Street, and other wonderful venues around the city. The festival, presented by students of the Music Business program of Durham College, features entertainment for music lovers, including live concerts from local and international artists, and education for aspiring and established music professionals. The most impressive event of the festival is the World Music Concert, which showcases some of the best musicians and performers from all around the world and members of the local foreign-born community who represent their culture by playing amazing songs in their native languages. By attending, you’ll get the chance to get to get to know wonderful singers and bands from Latin America and Spain, as well as enjoy the many talented artists from the local Hispanic community who deliver show-stopping performances in Spanish every year.
Learn Spanish for Culture
A great way to meet other Spanish speakers and put your skills to the test is to attend one of the events organized by the Hispanic Alliance of Durham. Located at 123 Athol Street, it provides social, cultural and educational activities for the Hispanic community and the general population in Oshawa and the whole Durham region. They hold different events in both English and Spanish that you can attend, including live music in Spanish, film screenings that highlight Latin and Spanish cinema, dancing lessons, game nights and more. These events are usually free and provide the perfect opportunity to meet members of the Hispanic community in the area, so don’t be shy and take advantage of this wonderful chance to practice your Spanish and immerse yourself in the different cultures you can find around the city.
Where to learn Spanish in and around Oshawa?
The Delpark Homes Centre Library, located at 1661 Harmony Road, is a wonderful place to study Spanish on your own or with other friends who love the language as much as you do. This library has many useful resources you can use to develop your basic Spanish skills, like writing your first sentences in the language and working on your grammar. Some of the course books you should check out are The Everything Essential Spanish Book by Julie Gutin, a quick and easy guide to get started learning the language and Countdown to Spanish by Gail Stein, which has 24 units that move quickly from a basic introduction of grammar and vocabulary to practical conversational skills for both vacation and business travellers. However, if you want to reach intermediate or advanced levels, using these kinds of materials on your own won’t be enough. Instead, why don’t you take a language course? At Listen & Learn, we have qualified Spanish native teachers that can take your skills to the next level! All you have to do to get started is send us a quick inquiry, and one of our team members will contact you as soon as possible to answer any questions you might have! After that, one of our tutors will create unique lessons that fit all of your requirements that you can enjoy at home, in your office or if you travel a lot, you can have them online using Skype, Google Meet or Zoom.
The type of courses we offer:
Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) General Spanish
These lessons in Spanish are wider-ranging in their nature, and are driven towards students who have a variety of differing needs. All beginner students will expect to study enough survival Spanish to get them through a short visit to the country, those staying on with the lesson can progress differently, depending on their individual requests and requirements. Whether you are buying property in a foreign country, married to a foreign national, planning a round-the-world trip, interested in Spanish history and culture, or if you simply want to attain a particular level of Spanish, this is the choice for you. Inquire 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 on our most basic lesson for Beginners, students should expect to end the lesson with basic Telephone Spanish and e-mail Spanish skills for communications as well as Survival Spanish required for short visits to a country. Inquire now about our Spanish Courses or Take A Free Spanish Level Test
Face-to-Face Closed (Private) Group General or Business Spanish
2 or more people can benefit studying Spanish together as these Spanish lessons are also offered to groups (Two-to-One Spanish Lesson or Small Group In-Company Spanish Lesson). Every student must have the same degree of knowledge of the language, the same business or language needs and the ability to study at the same time and place as everybody else. The booking has to be made for all students at the same time. Listen & Learn do not advocate group sessions of more than 6-8 people, though Taster Spanish Lessons can be experienced by up to 12 people. Inquire 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
You and your group can be trained by our native speaker qualified Spanish teachers, and can meet at your place of work or home at a time convenient to you. Tutorials can take place any day of the week, including weekends, and can be scheduled for the morning, afternoon or evening. If your home or office is not suitable for you, you can attend the lesson at the teacher's offices. You will be provided with all relevant lesson materials. Inquire 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
Lessons in Spanish are also accessible for 2 or more studying in tandem (Two-to-One Spanish Lesson or Small Group In-Company Spanish Lesson). All those involved must have around the same experience of the language, similar needs of 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 do not advise classes of more than 6-8 people, although In-Company Taster Spanish sessions can be run with as many as 12 people. Inquire now about our Spanish Courses or Take A Free Spanish Level Test
Top Tips For…
spanish Books
Cien años de soledad - Gabriel García Márquez
Are you looking for a new book to sink your teeth into while learning Spanish? Then Márquez’s most well-known novel is the best choice for you. “Cien años de soledad” tells the story of the Buendia family in a town called Macondo and follows its members for seven generations. The novel blends magical realism and Colombian political history, making the book one of the most original works of fiction of the century. “Cien años de soledad” is recommended for upper-intermediate students due to the complexity of its vocabulary and complicated narrative. Learn more about the book here.spanish Books
Mandrágora - Laura Gallego
Are you tired of staring at your Spanish textbook when trying to acquire vocabulary? Then, reading a novel can be a great idea. Laura Gallego’s “Mandrágora,” for example, contains lots of everyday words and expressions that will help you get by if you ever visit a Spanish-speaking country. Read this novel and get to know the story of Miriam, a woman who has just started a new life as a servant to the king. While living at court, a series of strange events take place and she tries to solve a mystery with the help of new friends and colleagues. Learn more about the book here.El Entenado- Juan José Saer
“El Entenado” is the perfect choice for people looking to know more about Spanish grammar. Saer uses a great variety of tenses and irregular verbs when writing, so reading his novel can help you recognize how and when to use these conjugations appropriately. This is the story of a young man who ventures into the New World back in the 15th century. Learn more about his encounter with the natives and discover how the clash between two worlds affected both the conquerors and the conquered. By reading this masterpiece by Juan José Baer, you will not only improve your comprehension of Spanish but also expand your mind with a trip into the unknown. Learn more about the book here.spanish Songs
Macarena - Los del Río
Have you ever danced to the rhythm of Macarena? This was a massive hit in the 1990s and it’s still heard today in many bars and nightclubs across Latin America. The song is very simple: it talks about Macarena and her moves on the dancefloor. The song is extremely catchy and will surely get stuck in your head, which you can use in your favor to improve your language skills. Research shows that music activates the auditory cortex part of our brains, helping us repeat the song over and over while learning new vocabulary and structures. Dance to the rhythm of this catchy song!spanish Songs
Livin La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin
It can be very useful to listen to familiar songs dubbed in the language you want to learn. Luckily for language students, there are many singers who sing both in English and their native language, like Ricky Martin. So, why not try and listen to “Living la Vida Loca” in Spanish? Released in 1999, the song topped the charts and is still very popular today. It talks about the “crazy life” lived in Puerto Rico and there is a lot of vocabulary repetition and very few tenses, so it’s very easy to understand, even for beginner-level students. Click here to listen to the song!La Tortura - Shakira
“The Torture” is a song that follows the story of a man who cheats on his partner and wants to win her back. Shakira describes her tortured feelings and how hard it is for her to say no to him, knowing he will never change. Apart from being really catchy, the song tells an interesting story, so it’s worth the effort to understand it. Plus, it’s a very powerful way to get some Colombian words and expressions like “no te rajes” or “yo se que no he sido un santo” to stay in your mind long-term. Click here to listen to the song!spanish Youtube Channels
Mis Pastelitos
To achieve fluency in Spanish, it’s important to constantly absorb information via different mediums. And what better way than to listen to native Spanish speakers talk about topics you are passionate about? For example, if you like cooking, then watching Mis Pastelitos’ videos can be a great choice. This YouTube channel is run by Griz Verduzco, a Mexican woman who loves sharing recipes about delicious desserts from her home country. You’ll soon pick up words and phrases related to cooking, like “olla,” “freír” and “qué delicioso”. But don’t watch it if you are on a diet: you’ll soon be craving sugar! Subscribe here to the channel!spanish Youtube Channels
ElSmosh
If you love anime and games and are looking to improve your Spanish, why not follow ElSmosh’s Youtube channel? This Youtuber makes comedy videos aimed at pop culture and Pokémon fans in English, which is then dubbed into Spanish by a Chilean man. So, if you are interested in watching videos about how Pikachu won his first battle or curious facts about Disney princesses, this is the channel for you. Plus, as the channel is available in both English and Spanish, so you can cross-reference both versions if you are a beginner and would like to improve your comprehension skills and vocabulary. Subscribe to the channel here!Daniela Bos
Learning Spanish on YouTube is convenient. Since you can watch the platform from any device with an internet connection, you can use it to learn Spanish anytime, anywhere. For example, you can start watching the content uploaded by Daniela Bos, a YouTuber who shares facts about Mexican lifestyle and current events. This channel is recommended for everyone learning Spanish, even beginners, as she speaks in a very clear way, making it easy to understand what she’s saying. Soon, you’ll develop a fluid vocabulary and learn some of the phrases she always uses, like “Hola, bebé!” Subscribe here to the channel!spanish Apps
Memrise
Are you looking to increase your Spanish vocabulary outside your lessons? Then, you should consider Memrise, an app with a wide variety of lessons and resources that will help you learn new words in meaningful ways. For example, you can find videos featuring native speakers uttering phrases and words so you to learn how to pronounce them. Then, you can complete different exercises to help you remember those terms and understand their context of usage. Download Memrise and you can choose what to learn and decide when and where you want to practice, all while staying entertained and motivated. You can check out the app here!spanish Apps
Tuenti
This is a mobile operator based in Spain that offers messaging and social media services too. Created in 2006, between 2009 and 2015 it was known as the “Spanish Facebook,” with over 15 million active users. Today, Tuenti offers mobile telephone services within Spain and Latin America as well. Its plans are affordable and easy to use, and they offer instant messaging through the app. If Spain is on your bucket list, you might want to download the Tuenti app to your phone to stay connected with old friends back home and new friends while you are traveling. Download the app here!Arbor
Arbor is a new app in the fintech field that helps people save and optimize their expenses. It has several tools, with its expenses planner being the most useful of them. You can upload invoices to keep track of all your expenses and divide them into categories (like taxes, transportation, food, leisure, and so on) to understand where you spend your money. You can even set financial goals per week or month, and you’ll receive congratulations once you attain them. All you need is a mobile phone and some reading knowledge of Spanish. Click here to find out more about the app.spanish Lifestyle
Sunday Football - Argentina
Argentina is known as the country of tango, asado (barbecue), and, of course, football, one of the most important traditions for men (and women, too!). The passion people hold for this sport extends to all corners of the country. Those who live in Buenos Aires have the privilege of going to “la cancha” (football stadiums) to watch the most exciting matches live, while those who live elsewhere frequently get together with their friends and family on the weekends to watch their favorite teams, like River Plate, Boca, San Lorenzo, and more! Learn more about Argentinian football here!spanish Lifestyle
Take a Siesta - Spain
Have you ever listened to “La Isla Bonita” by Madonna? Then, you’ll probably know that, after lunch, Spanish people take their siestas. Throughout the country, almost every shop closes during the hottest part of the day so people can rest and take naps. The period traditionally occurs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., but it can be longer or shorter, depending on the region of Spain. Spanish people take this habit very seriously, even holding sleeping competitions, so don’t be surprised if you ever go to Spain and find all the shops closed in the afternoon! Click here to know more about the "siesta"!Go for Beer at Tapas Bars - Spain
A tapa is an appetizer in Spanish cuisine that is eaten before dinner. From chips (papas fritas) to chicken fingers or croquettes (croquetas de papa o acelga). And though they are served in small portions, you’ll soon discover they are more than enough to be a complete meal on their own. Combine a few tapas with some beers with friends and taste the best Spanish cuisine on offer. You’ll even find that most regions have their own specialties! For example, Madrid bars use a lot of potato in their tapas, while Barcelona bars use more fish. Want to know more about tapas? Click here!Testimonials
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Jared Crampton
Dutch in Regina
My teacher was excellent - the course was one-to-one so it was perfectly tailored to what I was looking for
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IPsoft, Inc
Language learned: German in New York.
Retarus
Language learned: German in Washington, D.C.
