Catalan for Russian speakers

Our Catalan courses are aimed at Russian-speaking children who have settled in Barcelona or the surrounding area and need to learn the language to integrate into the Catalan school system.

In Catalonia, Catalan is the working language of education: textbooks, explanations and exams are in Catalan from primary school. The fact that a newly arrived child does not understand it is not a question of ability — it is a matter of time and support. Our aim is to make that time as short as possible.

Bilingual teaching staff

At Sodruzhestvo, classes are taught by bilingual teachers who are fluent in both Russian and Catalan, and are experienced in teaching Catalan as a foreign language.

In the early stages, this changes everything. A child who doesn't understand anything they're told makes slow progress and gets discouraged. Being able to explain a rule to them in Russian, clear up a doubt straight away and support them as they gain independence means that learning doesn't stop — and settling into school is much more manageable.

How do we work?

Very small groups

Individual classes or in groups of two or three students. Family groups also available.

Grammar and vocabulary

Systematic work on structures and progressive vocabulary expansion

Writing

Spelling, copy-writing, dictation and essay writing.

Conversation from day one

The classes are set up as a game: the children memorise effortlessly and rehearse real-life situations.

Help with homework

Help with school Catalan homework.

In-person or online

We offer face-to-face or online classes.

We use teaching materials approved by the Consortium for Linguistic Normalisation for newly arrived pupils to the country.

The courses

Annual course

Basic and initial level.
Groups of 3-4 pupils.
45 hours per module · 4 months.

Intensive one-to-one course

40 hours a month.
Individual or in a very small group.

One-to-one semi-intensive

20 hours a month.
Individual or in a very small group.

Summer intensive courses

Intensive and semi-intensive courses in July and August.
Individual and in small groups.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need to know Catalan to live in Barcelona?

You can live without it, but it is quite limiting. It is the language of the school, the regional administration and a large part of the working environment. Learning it opens doors that remain closed without it.

My son goes to a Catalan-medium school and is struggling to keep up. Can you help him?

Yes, it's one of the most frequent reasons families come to our classes. We work on both the language and the comprehension of the academic vocabulary used in the subjects.

Can I study Catalan without knowing Spanish?

Yes. It is not a requirement. We work from scratch and teachers can use Russian for support at the beginner levels.

Can it be done online?

Yes. The online course follows the same syllabus and is taught by the same teaching staff as the face-to-face course, and you can combine the two throughout the academic year.

At what age can my child start?

We work with children and adults in separate groups, with materials and a pace tailored to each age. For children starting school in Barcelona, the classes also serve as support to keep up with the school year normally.

When can I start?

Enrolment is open all year round. You can join at any point during the course: we’ll carry out a placement test beforehand to place you in the appropriate group.

Are the lessons in groups or one-to-one?

We offer both formats. The groups are small, which allows for plenty of speaking practice. Individual lessons are an option if you are looking for a very specific schedule or want to progress at a different pace.