"The class was really good. Alejandro, our Spanish teacher, was very nice and he hit the ground running with us. We were very impressed with him."
Derek Groen
Spanish course in Cambridge.
Spanish Lessons in Philadelphia
Learning Spanish is a valuable skill that can open up numerous opportunities both personally and professionally, and if you happen to live in Philadelphia, the benefits of becoming bilingual are particularly pronounced, as it will allow you to advance your career, get closer to its growing Hispanic community, and expand your horizons like never before. As you probably know, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the city, with over 200,000 speakers according to the latest census, which means that once you master it, you’ll be able to make lots of new friends, and experience a complete different side of Philly’s bustling culture scene. On top of that, learning Spanish can significantly enhance your career prospects, particularly in fields such as healthcare, education, and hospitality, so if you’ve been struggling to get a job you like, signing up for one of our completely personalized Spanish classes in Philadelphia is one of the smartest things you can do.
Want to know some other exciting reasons why you should learn Spanish this year? Then keep on reading this article, and find out all the amazing ways becoming a fluent Spanish speaker can improve your professional and social life in the city, and help you get closer to some of the most interesting cultures out there.
Why Study Spanish in Philadelphia?
Learn Spanish for Work and Travel
Spanish is the official language of 20 countries and is spoken by over 500 million people worldwide, so as you can imagine, it’s one of the best languages you can learn if you want a more successful professional life both in Philadelphia or abroad. In today’s job market, bilingualism is highly valued, especially if you want to work in retail, IT, or tourism, so if your goal is to become more employable and get access to a wider range of positions, you should put in the work to develop strong language skills that help you make an impact in any professional area that you’re interested in.
On the other hand, if your plan is to travel to Spanish-speaking countries like Mexico, Argentina, Chile or Spain, learning Spanish is a great idea, as it will make your trip more enjoyable and meaningful. As you probably know, being able to communicate with locals can enhance your travel experience, as it will allow you to truly immerse yourself in the culture and customs of the places you visit, while also helping you navigate through unfamiliar territory much more confidently.
Learn Spanish for Social
Philadelphia is a melting pot of cultures, with a rich Hispanic community that has contributed significantly to the city's art scene and traditions. Learning Spanish can help you understand and appreciate the Hispanic culture, including its food, music, art, and history, so if you’re interested in expanding your horizons without leaving the city, working on your language skills is a smart choice. Fortunately, there are many interesting cultural activities and festivals that you can attend in Philadelphia all year-round, where you’ll be able to engage with people, learn about Hispanic customs, and practice your skills. For example, during the Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place every September, you’ll be able to attend numerous events such as dance performances, music concerts, and art exhibitions all around the city. Another fabulous festival you can’t miss is the Carnaval de Puebla, which takes place every year in April, and celebrates Mexican culture with show-stopping parades where you’ll be able to witness all sorts of people wearing colorful costumes and enjoy some of the best traditional Mexican music that will make you fall in love with the language.
Learn Spanish for Culture
Learning Spanish can also be a great way to enhance your social life, so if your goal is to make new friends around the city and connect with people from all over the world who share your interests in Spanish language and culture, you should join one of the many language events that takes place in Philadelphia. One of the most well-known ones is Philly Language Mongers, which hosts language exchange events every week for various languages, including Spanish. The group typically meets at local cafés, bars, and restaurants for casual conversation and language practice and its members come from a diverse range of backgrounds and skill levels, so it’s perfect for those looking for an inclusive and welcoming community. Another great choice is the Spanglish Exchange Philadelphia, which is dedicated to promoting the Spanish language and culture in the area, and holds regular meetups where you’ll be able to enjoy fun conversations, watch Spanish and Latin films, and connect with native speakers from all around the globe.
Where to learn Spanish in and around Philadelphia?
Now that you’re aware of all the different ways learning Spanish can improve both your career and your social life, as well as expand your horizons, you probably wonder where you can find Spanish classes near you. Although there are excellent local universities and institutions that offer all sorts of courses, if you’re looking for engaging, personalized lessons taught by experienced native teachers, there’s no better place than Listen & Learn. One of the most significant advantages of studying with us is that we offer all sorts of flexible face-to-face courses that you can enjoy at the comfort of your own home in Philadelphia or even at your office any day of the week, so regardless of how busy your schedule is, contact us today, and we’ll help you reach your goals and become fluent in no time. On top of that, if you send us a quick inquiry now, we’ll help you find a native tutor from Spain or Latin America who will tailor unique lessons that are completely based on your interests, goals, and learning style, so whether you need to learn the language for work, travel, or personal enrichment, Listen & Learn is your best option.
The type of courses we offer:
Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) General Spanish
These Spanish lessons fit a broader spectrum, and can be useful for those who need different things from the language. Most beginner students will have a handle of survival Spanish by the end of their lesson, which will provide them with enough Spanish to communicate at least at a basic level during short trips to the country, but those who require more would benefit greatly from these sessions. Typical students have been those eager to travel all over the world, those buying overseas property, those with foreign spouses, aficionados of Spanish culture and those who just wish to pass a particular Spanish exam. Inquire now about our Spanish Courses or Take A Free Spanish Level Test
Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) Business Spanish
These lessons in Spanish are meant for those that feel that learning Spanish would make a change in their work. For starters, it is expedient to learn how to say hello/goodbye, as well as basic business protocol; once the basics have been mastered, reading and writing come to the fore. Students who have greatly benefitted have been involved in import/export, international negotiations and acquisitions, jobseekers in multinational companies where another language is required, and those working in the international academia and government circuits. Even on our most fundamental beginner's lesson, students can anticipate ending the lesson with basic telephone Spanish and e-mail Spanish skills for communicating, as well as survival Spanish if a short visit to the country is needed. Inquire now about our Spanish Courses or Take A Free Spanish Level Test
Face-to-Face Closed (Private) Group General or Business Spanish
Those wishing to learn Spanish in groups of 2 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, must have the same needs from the language, and must be able to study at the same time and place as the others. Bookings must be made for all students simultaneously. Listen & Learn do not propose group sizes or more than 6-8 people, but In-Company Taster Spanish Lessons can occur with 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
Your colleagues and yourself can be trained by our native-speaking fully-qualified Spanish tutors at a time and location to suit you. Classes can take place any day, even weekends, and can happen in the morning, afternoon or evening. If the case may be that your home or office is not convenient, there is always the option to take your classes at the office of your teacher. Study books for the lesson are provided. 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
The Spanish lessons are also available for 2 or more people studying together (Two-to-One Spanish Lesson or Small Group In-Company Spanish Lesson). All participants must have the same level, the same business or general language needs and be able to study at the same time in the same location. The booking must be made for all participants at the same time. Listen & Learn do not recommend group classes of more than 6-8 people although In-Company Taster Spanish Lessons can be run with up to 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 Sports
Learn Vocabulary Watching Soccer
Learning Spanish is much simpler and more motivational when you use materials about topics that really interest you. Some of the most famous soccer teams in the world, like Barcelona or Real Madrid, are from Spain and the Spanish are huge fans of the sport as a result. So, if you are looking to connect with Spanish speakers, what could be better than talking to them about football? Gather together with Spanish speakers and watch some matches on TV networks, like Univision, and soon you’ll soon start to pick up important soccer vocabulary, like how the referee is called árbitro or that a forward (like Messi) is called delantero. Learn more about Spanish teams here!spanish Sports
Use Ligas to learn Spanish
If you ever go to Spain, you’ll see that the most popular sport in the country is soccer. Every weekend, fans put on their teams’ shirts and sit in front of the TV or attend the local stadium to watch football matches of La Liga, la Liga de Campeones o la Liga del Rey. Watching soccer matches is the perfect way not only to learn some new vocabulary (polivalente, for example, is a player that can take different positions in the field) but also to engage in interesting discussions with your Spanish friends. All of them will have heard about Messi or Suárez, so ask them their opinions on the players with your Spanish skills. Click here to know when the Liga starts!Watch the World Cup in Spanish
The soccer World Cup is one of the most prestigious sporting tournaments in the world. It takes place every 4 years and attracts millions of attending fans and excited TV viewers, ready to cheer on their nation’s team. But did you know that, for decades, the World Cup has been transmitted inboth English and Spanish in the USA? This is a great chance for Spanish learners to enjoy a world-class sports event while increasing their Spanish vocabulary. Plus, you’ll have an exciting topic to discuss with your Latin American or Spanish friends! Learn more about the World Cup here.spanish News
Univision
Univision is an American Spanish-language television network where you can watch the daily news, telenovelas (Spanish-speaking soap operas), and more. It also has a free-access website where you can read articles written in Spanish about Mexico, Latin America in general, and American politics. This is the country's largest provider of Spanish-language content, so you’ll find a lot of diverse information about Mexican celebrities, news and politics which impact the Spanish-speaking community, and updates about your favorite Spanish shows, for example. The website is recommended for intermediate to advanced students as the language can be quite complex. Get started with news in Spanish here!spanish News
Estrella TV
Estrella TV is an American television network that broadcasts programs and news in European Spanish. You can tune into one of their shows and learn more about local and international news, current reality shows, and sports. The vocabulary they use is a bit formal, which will come in handy if you plan to use your Spanish skills at work or to apply for a new job. Also, you can visit Estrella TV’s website to read the news instead of just listening. The articles are very short and use simple words and sentences, which is perfect for beginner-level students who want to start reading in Spanish. Get started with news in Spanish here!Telemundo
Telemundo is the second-largest provider of Spanish content in the USA and is owned by Comcast. This television network broadcasts programs (telenovelas, sports, reality shows, etc.) and news either imported or Spanish dubbed. And if you want to improve your reading skills while learning more about what’s going on in Latin America, you can access Telemundo Digital Media’s website, where you can find articles about celebrities, politics, the economy, and sports. They are usually quite short and written using simple language, so beginner and intermediate-level students can read these real-life materials and take their Spanish to the next level. Get started with news in Spanish here!Testimonials
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Nick Alcock
French in Amsterdam
Going from not being able to create basic sentences to being able to hold conversations. It’s been great to notice the progress month by month
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dunnhumby
Language learned: Portuguese in Toronto.
Marian
Language learned: Mandarin Chinese in Indianapolis.
