"Marco is an excellent teacher – thank you, Listen & Learn, for finding him for me. He has clearly done this before. I am surprised by how fast I am learning."
Angela Boehm
Spanish course in Calgary.
Spanish Lessons in Calgary
Did you know that the longest word in Spanish (esternocleidomastoiditis) has 25 letters and refers to a common medical problem? But don’t worry: if you ever suffer from it, you can just say you have “torticollis,” or stiff neck, to explain your symptoms. Becoming fluent in another language isn’t just about knowing the vocabulary and the grammar, but also knowing how the language is really used by native speakers, so you can understand and be understood? Contact us at Listen & Learn and we will prepare a personalised program for you to become fluent in no time by teaching you not just the words and phrases you want to know, but how to use them correctly!
Similarly, it is one thing to know the general rules of the language, but another to know the many exceptions. For example, Spanish has two genders: male (el) and female (la), but how these genders are assigned is often arbitrary. For instance, a chair is female (la silla) while glass is male (el vidrio). Still, it is important to know which gender is correct because getting the gender of a noun wrong can create some uncomfortable situations: El Papa is “the Pope,” while “la papa” is a potato, so don’t mix them up!
But not everything about Spanish is so tricky. As an English speaker, you will probably recognize some words instantly as you increase your Spanish vocabulary. Many words that end in “tion” in English end in “ción” in Spanish, like “station” (estación), “exaggeration” (exageración) and “confusion” (confusion). Other words are spelled identically, though they are pronounced differently, like “mosquito” or “eclipse”.
Furthermore, in Calgary, you’ll always find people with whom you can practice your new Spanish skills. With an impressive number of 30,000 residents who speak the language in Calgary, you’ll find dozens of language exchange groups you can join, such as the Calgary Spanish Language Meetup.
Just reach out to us at Listen & Learn today and begin acquiring a new language. After taking some lessons with us, you’ll not mistake el cura (a priest) for la cura (the cure) ever again!
The type of courses we offer:
Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) General Spanish
Spanish lessons of this type are broader and are aimed towards students with a variety of requirements. While all beginner level students will cover survival Spanish - needed for short visits to countries where English isn't widely spoken, or if you wish to 'go local'; those studying Spanish usually go in different directions at this point, depending on what they need. Those who have benefitted from these Spanish classes have been those investing in or buying property overseas, those married to overseas nationals, people setting off on a round-the-world trip, enthusiasts in Spanish culture, and those enthusiastic to pass a specific exam in Spanish. Inquire now about our Spanish Courses or Take A Free Spanish Level Test
Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) Business Spanish
Those who would benefit the most from these Spanish tutorials are those who feel they need to learn Spanish to help them out in their business lives. For starters, learning salutations and business etiquette is integral; once these have been practiced then reading and writing lessons can start. Typical studiers have been those involved in international import/export, negotiations and acquisitions, those in multinational companies requiring another language, and those working in any way with international governments and relevant administration. Just our simplest lesson for beginners will have students finishing the lessons with basic telephone and e-mail Spanish, as well as survival Spanish should a visit to the country be necessary. Inquire now about our Spanish Courses or Take A Free Spanish Level Test
Face-to-Face Closed (Private) Group General or Business Spanish
If there are 2 or more of you with the same level of Spanish, the same targets within the language, and be 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 do not generally recommend classes of more than 6-8 people, although Taster lessons in Spanish can run with up to 12 people. Bookings must be made for all participants at the same time. 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
Our native speaker qualified Spanish language teachers can train you and your colleagues at your office or home at a time to suit you. Classes can be any day of the week (even weekends) in the morning, afternoon or evening. In certain circumstances, if your home or office is not suitable, you can take your classes at the trainer's office. Lesson books 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
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 Entertainment
La Casa de Papel - Netflix Series
One of the most popular Netflix shows of the last few years, this suspense series will have you at the edge of your seat. “La Casa de Papel” is about El Profesor, a man who planned the most daring crime in the history of Spain: to break into la Casa de Moneda y Timbre (the Royal Mint) and steal more than 1 billion euros. Will they make it? You will have to tune in to find out. And make sure to watch the series in its original language to improve your listening skills and get used to the European Spanish accent. Beginners can make use of English subtitles, but don’t cheat if you are already speaking the language at an advanced level! Click here to learn more about the series!spanish Entertainment
Cinco de Mayo Festival
Cinco de Mayo is an annual Mexican festival that remembers the army’s victory over the French in the 18th century. Today, it is celebrated all around the USA with fantastic parties that include live mariachi music, traditional food and drinks, and a parade with elaborate costumes. Why not attend this event to meet like-minded people while getting to know more about the culture of the language you are learning? As it is attended by many native speakers living in the country, you’ll surely pick up some vocabulary along the way, like cactus or maracas. Wear a sombrero, have some margaritas and impress the people you meet with your Spanish skills. Learn more about the festival here.El Quijote - Play
An adaptation of the classic Miguel de Cervantes’ novel, this play follows the adventures of Don Quijote. Obsessed with becoming a chivalrous knight, Don Quijote decides to take his sword and, with the help of his trusty squire, Sancho Panza, embarks on an adventure to defend those in need and fight against evil. The play is performed in Spanish with English supertitles at NYC Theater, so you’ll be able to enjoy the experience even if you are just starting out with your Spanish course at Listen & Learn. Learn more about the play here.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 For Kids
Fisher-Price Videos
Are your kids learning Spanish? Do you find it difficult to have them sit down and do the homework? Then Fisher-Price videos for toddlers and children of early school age can help! The site has a huge selection of videos that range from teaching the names of animals and colors to everyday vocabulary related to school and other environments and scenarios. Each new word is displayed on screen, so these videos are great resources to teach children spelling. They’re super fun too, so you can be sure your child will be thoroughly entertained while practicing their Spanish! Click here to start playing with your kids!spanish For Kids
Spanish Kid Stuff
Textbooks and flashcards are highly recommended to learn and retain vocabulary, especially when it comes to children, as using visual reinforcement is a great way to commit terms to memory (and avoid boredom). And while these elements are certainly expensive, you can also find great resources online for free, such as at Spanish Kid Stuff. The website promotes language learning by offering hundreds of resources for children to learn Spanish. You’ll find all the materials conveniently divided into categories, like “Animals,” “Clothing,” “Time,” and so on, so it will be easy for you to find the materials you want your child to practice! Click here to start playing with your kids!Pandora
Do you remember the songs your family used to sing to you when you were a baby? Lullabies are one of the most natural and memorable ways to learn a language. So, if your child is learning Spanish, it’s a great idea to enter Pandora and listen to some lullabies (canciones de cuna) together. You’ll find a lot of options on the site, like “Estrellita donde estás.” In most cases, you can find an English counterpart (like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”), which is even better because your child will already be familiar with the soothing tune. Listen to these songs 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
From our clients all over the world
Client case studies
Have a look at successful and satisfied clients.
Karen Ahola
Finnish in Calgary
There are many language learning companies on the Internet. Listen & Learn was the only one that met my criteria
Our Clients Include
From our clients all over the world
Ellipse Communications Inc.
Language learned: English in Dallas.
Hurco Companies, Inc.
Language learned: Mandarin Chinese in Indianapolis.
