"The lessons are going great. Carla is an awesome teacher – we're having fun and learning a lot. Very enjoyable!!"
Katie Trueman
Spanish course in Chicago, Senior Account Executive, Queue Marketing Communications Group.
Spanish in Chicago
While the United States does not have an official language, everybody accepts English as the de facto language to communicate in every context. However, this does not mean there are no other languages widely spoken across the country. For example, did you know that almost 40 million people in the USA speak Spanish as their first or second language? And almost 500,000 of them live in the city of Chicago.
This means you will never run out of opportunities to practice your Spanish with native speakers! And this also means that learning Spanish is a great idea if you wish to learn about a different culture, give your resume a competitive edge, or simply expand your social circle. For instance, you can join the Chicago Spanish Meetup Group, where you’ll meet friendly people who are also interested in languages while having a good time.
And the best part is that you won’t have to study Spanish for endless years before being able to hold a conversation fluently. The American Foreign Service Institute has categorized languages according to their difficulty for English speakers, and Spanish is in level one, the easiest. Therefore, it is estimated that it will take you approximately 600 hours of study to reach a conversational level because Spanish is closely related to English.
Are you ready to take the leap? Contact us today and get to know more about our face-to-face or online, individual or group courses. We only partner with native-speaking, professional tutors who will teach you everything you need to know to communicate effectively in Spanish in a wide variety of contexts. You can take your course from the comfort of your home, office, or even a public place if that suits you best. Start today and soon you’ll find yourself expressing your ideas in Spanish without any problems!
The type of courses we offer:
Face-to-Face 1-to-1 (Individual) General Spanish
These Spanish lessons are more general in nature and are targeted at students with a whole range of different needs. While all beginners level students can expect to cover Survival Spanish - required for short visits to a country where English may not be spoken and/or the intention is to make good contacts with the local population, students then generally progress in different directions depending on their needs. Typical students include those buying property overseas, spouses of overseas nationals, people about to set off on that long-awaited world trip, Spanish culture enthusiasts and those who are keen to pass a particular Spanish examination. 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
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
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 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 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!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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Client case studies
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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
Our Clients Include
From our clients all over the world
HOPE International
Language learned: French in Nashville.
Value Part
Language learned: English in Dallas.
