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Published August 30th 2018
Hablas español?
Penélope Cruz, another happy Spanish speaker (by Chrisa Hickey / CC BY 3.0)
Spain draw millions of tourists each year for its beaches, masterpieces by Picasso and Gaudi, passionate salsa and flamenco, and the fiery seafood and cocktails.
Millions more visit South America, alive with the legacy of ancient civilisations, including Machu Picchu in Peru, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, and Stone figures of Easter Island. For natural wonders, the Amazon rainforest and isolated Galapagos Islands teem with exotic wildlife, as water bursts from the Iguazu Falls in Argentina.
As Spanish and Latin American culture adds fiery energy to the nightlife of Sydney. there are plenty of options, including non-profit community colleges, cultural institutes, private training colleges, and university short courses.
Choose from these top picks to fast-track to learn to speak, read and write in Spanish.
Don't panic Pablo, learning Spanish is easy with these options (by teadrinker / CC BY-ND 2.0)
Sydney CBD – Spanish Blackboard Academy Spanish Blackboard Academy courses are led by University qualified teachers with a Master's Degree in teaching Spanish as a Second Language.
Held in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere, the dynamic classes are conducted with a maximum of 6 students per group, ensuring a personalised experience.
As the course progresses weekly, students will develop the ability and confidence to speak, read, write and comprehend in Spanish. At the end of the term, students are invited to enjoy Spanish Fiestas and Meetups with fellow students.
Sydney CBD – Instituto Cervantes Sydney The Spanish Embassy may be a piece of Spain in Australia, but the Instituto Cervantes Sydney is the spiritual home of Spanish culture in Sydney.
Promoting Spanish-Australian relations for decades, including via the annual Spanish Film Festival, the centre has options for adults and children include general and conversation classes. To complete the standard 30 hours of learning, there are morning and evening sessions on weekdays or Saturday mornings for a multilingual start to the weekend.
The 90min or 3hr/week courses have regular intakes year-round, with prices starting at $500 for the beginner course. You can also try a free info class or grab a spot on "Spanish classes for busy lives" for $395, designed for the hectic 21st century.
Indulge your fascination with Spanish culture during artistic and social events and try the authentic Spanish cuisine in the cafe.
Camperdown - University of Sydney: Centre for Continuing Education The CCE has many compelling options, including standard courses to master Spanish and themed conversation classes.
Other Sydney universities offer language short courses but the CCE has perhaps the most comprehensive range and most exciting learning outcomes.
The standard courses are a series of 10 sessions of 2 to 2.5-hours, to see you progress from level 0/beginner to level 12/Pablo Picasso status.
Handouts are provided and there are discounts to purchase the prescribed textbooks and audio aids. Courses start at each semester on weekday evenings or Saturday afternoon. Fast-track options and longer session times are available. Prices start at $323.
CBD – Sydney Community College
The SCC has a Spanish Level 1 course on Monday evenings for 2.5 hours, delivered over 8 weeks. You'll be tutored by a native Chilean, Ana Cruz. The course cost hasn't changed in over 2 years - great value at $359.
Brookvale – Northern Beaches Community College
The NBCC has 2 course streams, each on weeknights for 16 hours of tuition at the conversational and beginner stage 1 or 2 levels.
You'll learn conversation starters and be able to ask basic questions to make travel amongst friendly Spaniards a breeze.
Parramatta Community College
The College has a stage 1 course of 8 x 2-hour sessions at Arthur Phillip High School. The course costs $260, tutored by Javiera Fernández.
Katoomba – Nepean Community College
The NCC has beginner and conversation language 8-week courses at the Katoomba Centre. Sessions are 2 hours, costing $179.
CBD, Inner West – Meetup
The Sydney Spanish Language Group brings Spanish lovers to social and networking events at local hotels and conference centres. You'll practise your Spanish in a casual environment with friendly locals and Spanish and South American natives.
Enjoy the challenge of explaining your passions in a second language without getting lost in translation.
LCF Fun Languages
LCF Fun Languages operates pre-school, childcare centre, kinder, Montessori, before and after-school language learning centres across Australia. They've been teaching in centres worldwide since 1985, focused on innovative language teaching for children.
LCF are currently teaching at schools in Surry Hills and Randwick.
Throughout Sydney – Local Libraries
Most local libraries have an excellent language learning section, including books, CDs, DVDs and audiobooks. Use the resources for self-study courses at home at your own pace.
Membership to your library is free, simply provide a form of identification and you can begin borrowing these resources to speak Spanish.
I hope you enjoy mastering Spanish with one of these options. They are also much easier than Ellen's attempts:
As you reward yourself with a sweet churro, we'd love you hear your success stories.
