Language lessons across the USA and Canada

Call us! 1-877-566-9299 / 1-416-800-9242

SPANISH classes near you: at home, at work, or online

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

Image

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 Books

Image

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

Image

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 Sports

Image

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 Comedy

Image

El Chavo del 8

Who ever said that learning a new language is boring? One of the biggest mistakes that students make is to just use textbooks to learn. Of course, flashcards and books are very useful but watching comedy in Spanish is a great method to improve your vocabulary and grammar while having a laugh. For instance, El Chavo del 8 is a Mexican show that follows the adventures of a poor orphan boy called el Chavo and other low-income characters who live in the same housing complex (la vecindad). Put away the books and turn on the TV to pick up some Mexican slang! Click here to learn more about this Mexican series!

spanish Comedy

La Casa de las Flores

Watching movies and series is a great strategy to improve your Spanish. Even if you are just starting with your course, try not to watch dubbed series but the original Spanish and use English subtitles instead. This will help develop your ear for the language, and once you become more proficient, you can use Spanish subtitles or none at all! If you like comedy, we recommend trying The House of Flowers. This is a very popular black-Mexican comedy television series you can watch on Netflix. You’ll develop a greater awareness of contemporary Mexican society and culture while having some fun and improving your Spanish. Click here to learn more about this series.

Allí Abajo

Allí Abajo is a comedy that playfully depicts the cultural differences between one of the northernmost regions in Spain, el País Vasco, and Andalucía in the south. It follows Iñaki, a man from the north, who falls in love with Carmen, a nurse from the south. This is a great series that can help you understand the cultural differences between Spanish regions and will serve to increase your awareness and understanding of dialects in terms of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. This series is great for any level of proficiency and will help you to pick up some slang and expressions from Andalucía and País Vasco! Wanna know more about the movie? Click here.

Testimonials

From our clients all over the world

"My first Spanish lesson went splendidly and I LOVED my teacher! We already worked on a lot of material, and I have plenty of studying to do, but plan to make a great effort at it, and hopefully make her proud!"
Camille jim

Spanish course in Calgary.

"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.

"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 excellent ..."
Ann Parente

Spanish course in Online.

"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.

"Short and sweet...two thumbs up!"
Ruth Jordan

Spanish course in San Diego.

Client case studies

Have a look at successful and satisfied clients.

Client photo
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

Brioni
Language learned: Italian in New York.

LKS
Language learned: Hindi in Washington, D.C.

Silver Creek Sport Horses
Language learned: German in Broken Arrow.