The Costa del Sol was a pioneer among tourist destinations in the development of a system to learn Spanish as a foreign language for both residents in Spain and tourists on a short stay. Málaga has thus become a favourite destination with Spanish language learners, who can supplement learning with cultural activities, outings and all kinds of tours.
What sets the Costa del Sol apart is that most language schools offer not only Spanish language courses but also side activities, from outings and excursions to culinary workhops to sporting or cultural activities (flamenco).
Learning Spanish while going tapas
Besides official language courses, the Costa del Sol offers a thousand and one other options to learn Spanish while having fun. Many cultural centres and bars organise language exchange programmes.
Tandem is one of them. Implemented a few years ago, it encourages exchanges between people speaking different languages. They can meet at any time: for a coffee or a beer at weekends, at a concert, or in the activities held at the organising institutions.
A growing number of groups are using Tandem on the Costa del Sol. There is even a Málaga Tandem Club, formed by a group of Spanish students. They organise all kinds of free language exchange activities (mainly Spanish-English). They also give tourist information to foreign visitors.
On Wednesday, they meet at the Room Mate Larios Hotel, and they organise tapas tours on a regular basis to taste traditional bite-size dishes and beer in the most iconic bars in Málaga and the Costa del Sol. This way, participants can learn the language and get familiar with local gastronomy at once.
Many language schools have their own language exchange programmes too, which include side activities like wine tasting, cycle touring in regions like Axarquía or dancing lessons (salsa). Artechange combines language exchange with cultural activities for groups: concerts, exhibitions, theatre shows, etc. After the event, participants go to a bar for a chat.
As you can see, learning Spanish on the Costa del Sol is something you can do in a classroom or outside. You can pair your language learning experience with any hobbies you have. Just check out the activities offered by Málaga's language schools and be ready to meet people from all over the world with one interest in common: speaking the language of Don Quixote.
