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Spanish Lessons in Canberra

Spanish, the native language of more than 20 countries, is a Romance language while English is a Germanic one. As both belong to different branches of languages, it is tempting to assume the similarities between them are very few, right? Well, that’s not the case! Due to close historical and geographical contact between England and Spain, and recent globalisation, 30% to 40% of all words in English have a similar sound, appearance and meaning in Spanish. So, cognates like familia, televisión or globalización give your vocabulary a huge boost when learning Spanish.

Thus, being an English speaker gives you a head start if you decide to learn Spanish with us at Listen & Learn. Contact us today and we will prepare a personalised course for you to learn at your own pace and rhythm. Our native-speaking instructors will give you tips and tricks, so you understand all the nuances of the language in a short time. For example, Spanish, unlike most other languages, uses two exclamation points or question marks: one at the beginning and upside down, and one at the end (¿adónde vas? Instead of where are you going?). Also, adjectives are used differently in Spanish: they usually come after the noun (el gato negro) and not before (the black cat).

And if you would like to put your skills into play in real-life settings and get to know like-minded people, you’ll find many instances for doing so in Canberra. With more than 4,000 Spanish speakers living in the city, it will be easy for you to test your skills against other learners and native speakers. One of the best ways to do so is to join a language exchange group, like the Canberra Spanish Language Meetup.

Contact us at Listen & Learn today and soon you’ll be able to distinguish cognates from false friends (like knowing that “embarazada” does not mean embarrased but pregnant!).

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. 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

You and your colleagues 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. 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

If there are two or more of you with the same level of Spanish, the same targets within the language and are able to study at the same time and location, then you'll be happy to know that these Spanish lessons can also be made available for Two-to-One Spanish Lessons or Small Group In-Company Spanish Lessons. Listen & Learn does not generally recommend classes of more than 6-8 people, though Taster lessons in Spanish can run with up to 12 people. Bookings must be made for all participants at the same time. Enquire now about our Spanish Courses or Take A Free Spanish Level Test

Top Tips For…

spanish Entertainment

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El Patrón del Mal - Netflix Series

This engaging series about drug dealer Pablo Escobar will have you at the edge of your seat for hours: you’ll never be bored throughout its almost 80 episodes! Based on the true story of this Colombian drug lord, “El Patrón del Mal” depicts Pablo Escobar’s story, from his days as a petty thief until he became the head of a drug-trafficking empire. This polemic production shows all the atrocities committed by Escobar during his life. If you are looking to improve your listening skills and pick up the Colombian accent, this is the ideal show for you. Read more about the series here

spanish Entertainment

El Secreto de sus Ojos - Movie

The award-winning film “El Secreto de sus Ojos” will leave you speechless. This gripping Argentinian crime drama is a tale of obsession, vengeance and, ultimately, love. The movie depicts a judiciary employee, portrayed by the talented Ricardo Darin, as he investigates a case of rape and murder. If you are looking to improve your Spanish listening comprehension skills, pick up some slang and even learn some Argentinian hand gestures, then this is the movie for you. You can give it a try, even if you are just starting with your Listen & Learn course, and watch it with English subtitles. Read more about the movie here.

Vida Latin Summer Festival

This is a free annual event that celebrates Australia’s Latino heritage in different cities, such as Melbourne or Brisbane. You will find live music, tango, batucada, cumbia, samba and salsa performances, food stalls with dishes from Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Perú and Colombia, and workshops dictated in Spanish. Also, more than 20 DJs perform throughout the entire event. Why not attend and have a great time with your friends and family while learning more about Latin American cultures and traditions? Furthermore, you can get to know others who love the Spanish language as much as you. Find out more about the festival here.

spanish Books

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Como Agua para Chocolate - Laura Esquivel

Reading a novel will certainly be more interesting than a glossy textbook, and it will help accelerate your learning by providing you with rich vocabulary. Thus, a novel like “Como Agua para Chocolate”, for example, will greatly appeal, especially if you would like to know more about one of the most important aspects of Mexican culture: its food. Each chapter is titled for a month of the year and starts with a Mexican recipe, like tacos or burritos. This is a coming-of-age story that follows Tita, a woman who wants to become independent from her traditional family. Read this novel if you’re looking for a story of love and self-discovery while learning a lot of Spanish! Read more about the book here!

spanish Books

Nada - Carmen Laforet

If you are looking to improve your Spanish vocabulary and reading skills, there’s nothing better than to grab a cosy blanket, a drink and lose yourself in “Nada” by Carmen Laforet (the writer’s first novel!). This classic Spanish novel was published in 1945 and takes place in post-civil war Madrid, exploring the hardships and poverty faced by most people living in the city at the time through the eyes of Andrea, who leaves the Canary Islands to live with her grandmother in Barcelona. Read “Nada” and you will learn a lot about Spanish history and culture while improving your language skills, including your vocabulary and grammar. Read more about the book here!

La Ciudad de las Bestias - Isabel Allende

“La Ciudad de las Bestias” is a gripping book of more than 400 pages that tells the story of Alexander Cold, a teenager who travels across the Amazon rainforest looking for his ancestors. During his trip, he encounters a magical beast that helps him to achieve his objectives while learning valuable lessons. Read this novel and you’ll not only broaden your knowledge of the language but also you will expand your mind and challenge your comprehension skills. Just consider that “La Ciudad de las Bestias” is not an easy read, as it includes quite complex grammatical structures and vocabulary, so the book is best suited for upper-intermediate students. Read more about the book here!

spanish News

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SBS Español

SBS Español is one of the most popular Australian multicultural and multilingual broadcasters. You can watch the news, sports and entertainment programmes, documentaries and film, all in Spanish! You can watch their daily “telediarios” to train your listening skills, as presenters speak in a very clear, articulate manner. Some of the shows even have subtitles, which is great for students still training their ear. The channel focuses on delivering news about Australia, which is especially useful as you will be familiar with the events and places covered while attempting to understand what the presenters and reporters are saying. Check out the channel here.

spanish News

TeleSur

TeleSUR is one of the leading news outlets in Latin America which focuses mostly on the political situation of different countries throughout the region. You can expect to find a lot of coverage about the governments from Mexico to Argentina and everywhere in between, and sharp criticism of right-wing policies. Watching TeleSUR’s telediarios can be a great opportunity to acquire political and economic vocabulary if you are an upper-intermediate or advanced level student. You will not find these programmes on TV but you can live stream them in Australia and New Zealand for free. Check out this website for the best news in Spanish.

BBC Mundo

This news outlet provides content in Spanish from a European point of view. The content is more suitable for advanced students, as the hosts and reporters speak very quickly and use complex vocabulary. Also, they provide quite in-depth analyses of what is happening around the world. Though the website does not offer 24-hour streaming, it does upload free-to-watch video clips regularly. Also, the site publishes written articles for free, so you can combine hearing the day’s headlines with reading the details develop both sets of skills at the same time. Check out the channel here.

spanish Apps

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Argentina Salud

If you are planning to travel to Argentina, there are many aspects you should consider before departing. One of them is healthcare and knowing where to go and how to get there if you have an issue. Luckily, Argentina Salud makes this easy! You can download it for free to find the healthcare centres nearest to your location, find out what types of services they offer and their contact information. Also, you can access emergency numbers in Argentina and information about first-aid and required/recommended vaccinations. The app is only available in Spanish, so this is a great time to put your skills into practice while taking care of your health! You can check out the app here!

spanish Apps

Wisuki

Wisuki is the perfect app for people who love sports and outdoor activities, such as surfing. If that’s the case for you, you will find forecasts for tides, wind and weather in general, so you know if the conditions will be favourable to carry out your favourite activities, like kitesurfing or sailing. Every user can use the app to collaborate and confirm whether the information it displays is correct. The app also includes a forum where you can contact other users and discuss your favourite topics, which is a great way to put your Spanish skills to use and meet like-minded people! Learn more about the app here!

Mosalingua

Are you a visual learner who wants to improve their Spanish? If so, Mosalingua app can be of help! It has a built-in list of beautiful flashcards which are categorised into various topics (like Food, Furniture, the City, and more) you can choose from to test your vocabulary and increase your retention. In addition to the stylish drawings, you can also listen to audio recordings by native speakers to make sure you don’t mispronounce the new words you encounter. And, if you need more explanations, you can browse the app and look for the Spanish grammar rules section, which is very well crafted! Download the app by clicking here.

spanish Lifestyle

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Eat Some Tapas with Friends - Spain

In the past, Spanish tapas referred to a specific type of food, eaten before dinner. But today, anything can be tapas: croquettes, cheese on toast, chips with bacon. The only thing that matters is that it’s a small portion that can be served with beer or wine. At some bars, tapas may be free of charge after you buy drinks. However, watch out: others might offer you tapas without saying that you will be charged later (especially in touristic destinations). Go for some tapas with your friends, drink some beer and enjoy the night like a true Spaniard! Want to know more about tapas? Click here!

spanish Lifestyle

Celebrate el Dia de los Muertos - Mexico

If you ever go to Mexico, you’ll see that on the 1st and 2nd of November, people visit cemeteries with food, candles, flowers, photographs and other elements to remember them. This happens because they celebrate a special date called El Dia de los Muertos, when they honour family members and loved ones who passed away. Mexicans believe they have to keep their memories alive, otherwise their spirits would fade away and never reach paradise. So, el Dia de los Muertos is a day of remembrance and prayer so people’s loved ones are able to get to Heaven. Click here to know more about Dia de los Muertos

Take a Siesta - Spain

If you ever travel to Spain or would like to emulate the Spanish lifestyle at home, you should definitely take a “siesta” (nap) after lunch! As the hours between 2pm and 5pm are hot throughout the country, most shops close and people go home to nap. Of course, the duration of each siesta varies according to each shop and the local climate. Either way, siestas are sacred, especially in the centre of Spain during the summer, so don’t be surprised if you ever come for a visit and find all the shops closed in the afternoon! Want to know more about the siesta? Read here!

Testimonials

From our clients all over the world

"I chose Listen & Learn after researching the best way to learn a language. The approach fits with my lifestyle and offers a unique one-on-one experience."
Jenna Wade

Spanish course in Online.

"I have really enjoyed the lessons and could not recommend my teacher more. Patricia is amazing!"
Niki Lambrou

Spanish course in Online.

"My lessons are wonderful! Thanks ..."
Niki Lambrou

Spanish course in Online.

"The course is going great. Nitzi is an excellent teacher."
Luke McGrane

Spanish course in Cork.

"The lessons have been going very well so far as I am becoming more familiar with a variety of words, phrases and numbers along with gaining an understanding of sentence structure. My instructor is doing an ..."
Ann Parente

Spanish course in Online, Avangrid.

Client case studies

Have a look at successful and satisfied clients.

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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

Chester Reeve Limescapes P/L
Language learned: French in Perth.

DKM Group
Language learned: English in Brisbane.

Valoriza Water Australia
Language learned: English in Perth.