In Medellin, there are tons of places to practice Spanish, English, and other languages. And, it’s a great way to meet both paisas and people from all over the world!

If you’re in this city and are interested in joining a language exchange meetup, this guide is for you. Here are the best ones around town. 

Vintrash Bar – Gringo Tuesdays

‘Gringos’ is a word that’s used to refer to foreigners. Although in the past the word specifically referred to Americans, you’ll find that most Colombians use it to talk about foreigners in general. 

The Gringo Tuesdays initiative is one of the best and most modern ways to have a language exchange. 

The event takes place in Vintrash, a bar located in Provenza, which is a hotspot for tourists thanks to its great nightlife.

Gringo Tuesdays consist of meeting people from all over the world who are in Medellin and want to socialize and have fluid conversations with people who speak Spanish or other languages.

What’s great about this event is that there are no formalities here.

Just get together to chat, practice languages, and meet people from Medellin and other parts of the world. The group enjoys meetups, music, and cocktails every Tuesday from four in the afternoon until three in the morning.

On gringo Tuesdays the weekly schedule changes. The group organizes different plans such beer pong games, tropical parties, and girl power nights.

The Gringo Tuesday language exchanges are completely free, too. And, once the language learning part is over, you can enjoy the party that Vintrash and Gringo Tuesdays put on for you and your friends.

Barrio Sur – Keep Talking

Barrio Sur’s Keep Talking language exchange is an equally informal yet calmer plan for those wanting to practice a new language. 

This is a place where you can sip on a beer, eat some dinner, and enjoy good conversation without so much partying.

This restaurant-bar located in Envigado offers this program so that Spanish speakers and English speakers can share bilingual experiences.

In Barrio Sur, language exchanges are also held on Tuesdays.

Starting at seven at night, you’ll be split into groups of two to four people so that you can start chatting and learn a new language.

When you’re done with the language exchange, check out the menu and sip on some beer or share a pizza with your new friends!

Dance Free

If you neither want to go to dinner nor go to a party, why not try dancing?

Dance Free is an exchange of languages and dance steps rolled into one. Dance Free is a world-renowned dance and language academy that organizes free face-to-face or virtual language exchanges.

To attend this event, you must check the academy’s calendar and register in advance. That way, you can secure your spot and enjoy a fusion of dance and language learning in El Poblado.

Or, you can join from home or hotel by zoom.

The dance classes last one to two hours, so you’ll really get immersed in a new language. And of course, you’ll get a great workout in!

Dulce Posion

Dulce Posion is an artisan restaurant and bakery located in Laureles.

With a variety of pasta, vegetarian and vegan dishes, Colombian dishes, desserts, and coffees, this homey place offers regular language exchange meetups. Sometimes, they also host karaoke nights.

Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights are for language meetups at Dulce Posion. It’s a very calm and informal place to practice languages and meet new people!

The meetups last for four hours, starting at 8 pm and running until midnight. Admission is free, but you’re in charge of paying for any food or drink you order. 

Noah Boutique Hostel – Ondas Medellín

Noah Boutique Hostel helps you lower your inhibitions and ditch the nerves by serving up beer while you practice a new language.

On the rooftop of Noah Boutique Hostel, located in Manila, you’ll find that Fridays are for drinks and language learning.

Starting at seven at night on this rooftop, you can meet new people who speak Spanish or speak other interesting languages. And, you get to do it while enjoying the outdoors and the weather of Medellín!

Admission is free, but we don’t blame you if you want to have a drink to liven up the moment.

Virtual Platforms for Language Exchanges in Medellin

Besides the in-person language exchange meetings in Medellin, there are also platforms and websites that let you connect with people interested in practicing a language in your area.

If you hit things off, you can then take things offline and meet up in person!

Here’s a quick look at the best virtual platforms for language exchanges in Medellin.

Tandem

Tandem is something like a social network. You choose the language you want to practice, your native language, and your current location. Then, you describe your ideal language partner according to your goals and preferred topics of conversation.

It’s great because you find people in Medellin who are looking to practice or perfect their English, just as you want to exchange knowledge in the Spanish language. In other words, you can help each other out while learning something new!

Tandem is completely free, too, so you don’t have to worry about paying money you don’t want to. 

And, you can speak with multiple users at once, and develop real friendships.

Attend a Language Exchange in Medellin

Whether you want to practice a new language with food, some drinks, parties until dawn, or dance, there are exchange meetups out there.

Medellin has many different places where you can attend a language exchange. It’s the perfect way to meet new people from different parts of the world!

Have you already tried one of these language exchange meetups? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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Forget language barriers and overcome your reservations — here’s how to make friends in Medellín!

Learn to salsa

What better way to get up close and personal with people than by strutting around a dancefloor firmly pressed against their body? Salsa dancing is extremely common in Medellín, and there are plenty of bars, clubs and schools dedicated to it. If you’re a beginner, sign up for group classes – it’s a fun way to stay in shape as well as meet new people. Some of the best schools include Dancefree, Academia Santo Baile and Salsa Classes Medellín. It’s worth noting that some of these schools ask that you have a pre-organized group of people to take private classes, so try posting in some of the Medellín Facebook groups to find fellow budding salsa enthusiasts.

If you’re on a tight budget, there are a few places across Medellín that offer free salsa classes, led by professionals. In Laureles, the Wandering Paisa has group lessons for beginners every Tuesday at 8.30 pm, while Son Havana also has a free salsa workshop every Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30 pm. The Wandering Paisa Hostel equally has salsa with no cover charge on Wednesdays at 7 pm. Elsewhere, in El Centro, El Eslabón Prendido has live music and salsa on Tuesdays at 7 pm – this option has a real Paisa feel, so head here if you want to make some local friends.

Go to a language exchange

Want to improve your Spanish and broaden your social circle at the same? Language exchanges are ideal to learn another language in a relaxed setting and really bond with the people around you. There’s usually a mixture of speaking abilities at these events, so don’t worry if you’re not fluent yet! It’s also an opportunity to enjoy a beer while chatting to locals and other foreigners, plus get some insider recommendations for what to do in Medellín. Not to mention, it’s common for people to find potential dates at language exchanges, so if you’re in the market for love, dress well before arriving!

Here are a few of the most popular language exchanges:

Hostel Ondas – Wednesdays at 6.30 pm
The Wandering Paisa – Thursdays at 8 pm
Toucan Café – Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6 pm
Colombia Immersion – Fridays at 6.30 pm

Attend or organize a meet-up

More and more extranjeros in Medellín are adopting the digital nomad lifestyle and working online for companies in other countries. Unfortunately, a remote job can make it harder to meet people, as most of the time you’re plugged into your laptop by yourself. However, as the nomad community begins to expand, meet-ups are now a frequent occurrence in Medellín. These events are perfect to network, co-collaborate on future projects and create a few new friendships!

A handful of organizations and locations host meet-ups in Medellín, typically focusing on a particular element of work (user feedback, design, marketing, communication etc.) or simply an excuse to socialize with like-minded people. Selina, Naturalia Café, Barrio Central, Café Cliché and 20Mission Cerveza are all favorite spots for meet-ups – check their social media for upcoming events, or Meetup Medellín has a full agenda across the city. Medellín Living hosts meet-ups too, where readers are invited to share drinks, stories and ideas in person.

If you can’t find a meet-up that suits your interests, why not create your own? These Facebook groups are awesome to connect with other organizers:

Medellín Expats (be sure to never spell ‘Colombia’ incorrectly in this group…)
Digital Nomads Medellín
Medellín Entrepreneurs Society

Join hiking groups

Medellín’s location in the Aburrá Valley means it’s incredibly picturesque and surrounded by lush greenery. There are a whole host of hiking routes, waterfalls, lookout points and picnic areas in and around the city – perfect for spending sunny days exploring the outdoors. Even if you’re not the most active person, it’s well worth embarking on an adventure in the Antioquian wildness. The Medellín Hiking group on Facebook is where anyone can join organized hiking trips. The length and intensity of the hikes are always different, and there are normally a few active regulars that attend each one. Alternatively, Kinkaju Hikes & Adventures works with local organizations to plan group hikes that aim to “connect visitors and residents alike that love to be outside”.

Hiking is a fantastic way to see more of Medellín than the urbanized areas, plus be introduced to a range of people from all over the world – there’s nothing quite like finding a new friend while taking in the panoramic views!

Become a volunteer

Medellín has undoubtedly undergone a transformation over the past decade, yet there are still plenty of problems in the city that require the help of volunteers. Giving back to local communities and supporting independent organizations – while finding great friends along the way – costs nothing! Offering your time to a good cause is arguably the best way to integrate within Medellín’s society, as it provides the chance to speak with locals, visit unfamiliar areas of the city and work alongside other expats hoping to make a difference.

Tons of incredible volunteer groups in Medellín need assistance on a daily basis, with responsibilities ranging from leading arts workshops to fundraising, teaching English and building homes. Nomads Giving Back is an especially great option for expats who want to make a collective positive impact. Past activities the group has put on include soccer matches with the children of Communa 13 and an ethical coffee workshop.

Do you have suggestions for how to make friends in Medellín? Let us and the community know in the comments!

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BaseLang’s background

BaseLang began in 2016 as an online-only Spanish school, initially centered in Venezuela, offering unlimited classes for a monthly fee. Since then, the school has grown substantially and in December last year, opened its first physical school in Medellín, catering to the nomadic lifestyle with its unique, non-academic structure. At BaseLang, concepts aren’t taught in the same way as other schools, instead its curriculum focuses on helping students communicate first and perfecting the small details after.

I was immediately intrigued by BaseLang for a number of reasons: not only does the company offer unlimited one-on-one classes, there’s complete flexibility with scheduling the classes too. For me, I knew I would be far more proactive with my Spanish this way because I’d want to make use of any spare time I had and book a class. Plus, having total access to Spanish resources meant if I was having trouble understanding something, I didn’t have to wait until my next lesson, I could book a class for the same day (even the same hour) and work through the issue with my teacher.

Class packages 

BaseLange offers three types of courses: Dele (for proving Spanish profiency), Grammarless (where beginners are guaranteed to become conversational in Spanish in one month), and the Real World program. I was signed up for the latter, which aims to improve fluency and confidence, and places an emphasis on talking in Spanish without having to think beforehand. The Real World program provides students with access to both in-person and online classes for $599 (roughly 1,870,560 COP) a month or $199 (621,438 COP) a week, or prospective students can sign up for a day trial for only $1.

For more information about BaseLang’s packages, Spanish Classes in Medellín has a full breakdown.

Arrange classes easily

One of the best things about BaseLang is the online portal – a place where students can book classes, track their progress, access materials and contact their teaches. The portal is the first point of contact for new students: it’s where they can enter their details and current level of Spanish, as well as view videos navigating them through everything.

The portal is very user-friendly and within a few seconds, I’d synced BaseLang with my Google calendar and had booked my first class. Each class time slot is 30 minutes, and students can book for as long as they want, either consecutively or spread throughout the day. Even better, students can literally book last minute – teachers are consistently available from 8.30 am until 5.30 pm every day.

Students can also cancel or change classes here, adding another layer of flexibility to BaseLang – there was no need for back and forth communication, simply book, modify and cancel classes as you please.

What I particularly liked about the booking process, was that I could chose my teacher. Each professor has an introductory video clip and list of strengths alongside their name, so it was easy to find someone suited to my level of Spanish and way of learning. I was also glad to see that the teachers came from a range of places throughout Venezuela and Colombia, so there was a mix of accents to practice listening to and speaking with.

In-person classes

On the morning of my first class, I arrived at the school and was greeted by a group of happy faces, welcoming me in Spanish. I immediately felt immersed, and what’s more, I immediately felt comfortable. Complete with a café (serving free artisanal coffee), a ping-pong room, breakout teaching areas and a garden, the modern and spacious building had all the elements of a co-working space, making it more of a community than a conventional place to learn.

The teacher I chose for my first class was Reinaldo; we sat in the garden on a sunny Medellín day and straight away, I was at ease speaking in only Spanish. After introducing ourselves, Reinaldo asked me a question I’d never had in any kind of school, ever – what did I think makes a good class? I really liked the question, it reassured me that the lesson really was going to be tailored to my preferences. I told Reinaldo that for me, a good class was when I was able to talk a lot and was corrected as I went along – something he clearly took onboard.

For the majority of our classes, Reinaldo would ask me questions that initiated long conversation topics: we covered everything from Paisa slang to cycling in Medellín to Venezuelan arepas. The dialogue between the two of us felt extremely natural, and I can say with complete sincerity, that after every class, I left feeling more confident in my Spanish than I have in the full year I’ve lived in Medellín.

Una familia

BaseLang is undoubtedly set apart from other Spanish schools due to its unlimited materials and flexibility. However, more than that, BaseLang clearly nurtures a community between its teachers and students. I asked Reinaldo what he liked about working at the company, and he told me that coming to work was fun, everyone was a family, not only teaching a language but also about culture and experiences. I certainly got that impression too, it wasn’t a chore going to my Spanish classes there, I actually looked forward to them.

This comradery is most evident in BaseLang’s decision to offer its employees in Venezuela (over 200 people), the opportunity to leave and earn a Colombian wage. CEO Connor Grooms explained that Venezuelans have been the backbone of the company, and in light of the country’s recent troubles, it was only natural that BaseLang extend a helping hand. Currently more than 100 teachers have made the move to Colombia, where they can continue working with BaseLang and have a more stable lifestyle.

For people traveling South America, considering moving to a Spanish-speaking country or simply looking to start a new linguistic adventure, BaseLang is both a professional, attentive school, and a place to make friends and really adapt to life in Spanish. The expertise, environment, tools and freedom of BaseLang, firmly establish it as a revolutionary place to learn Spanish and a fun way to begin, further or finesse your grasp of the language.

If you’re keen to test out any of BaseLang’s Medellín courses, enter the code “medellinliving” and receive a $200/month discount on all monthly subscriptions. Disfruta tus clases de español!

Website: https://baselang.com/

School address: Carrera 77 #39-40, Medellín

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It’s no secret that Medellin is a great place to learn Spanish. With beautiful weather, reasonable cost of living, and friendly locals who are happy to help you practice (especially in exchange for practicing English), why would you learn Spanish anywhere else? Taking Spanish classes in Medellin is a no-brainer.

However, it can be intimidating to show up in Medellin knowing little to no Spanish. Daily activities such as buying groceries, ordering in a restaurant, and taking a cab can turn into monumental tasks without basic Spanish proficiency.

Luckily, there’s hope. We’ve put together a list of the best schools for Spanish classes in Medellin. Whether you just want to get beyond Hola and No hablo español or are looking to pursue a degree in Spanish, there’s a school for you in this article.

Note: where possible, we interviewed the founders and/or staff of the school to give you the most in-depth perspective possible.

Let’s get started!

BaseLang

Having offered Spanish classes online since 2016, in December 2018, BaseLang opened its first physical school in Medellín. The company differs from other language schools in that it offers weekly and monthly packages with unlimited classes which can be booked either online or in person. The school also operates on an extremely flexible basis, where students can schedule, rearrange and cancel last-minute using an online portal. This flexibility is ideal for nomadic lifestyles, as participants don’t have to be rooted in Medellín to join the programs.

CEO Connor Grooms was inspired to start BaseLang after shooting a film about his experience learning Spanish. He soon realized there was a large demand from extranjeros to become conversional in Spanish in a short timeframe. As a result, BaseLang uses a non-academic structure, instead focusing on building students’ fluency and confidence. Classes are specifically tailored to each students’ preferences and tend to center on being able to communicate before perfecting all the small linguistic details.

All classes are one-on-one and students can choose from a range of teachers with a variety of accents and specializations. The school is located in Laureles, intentionally to avoid the tourist-feel of Poblado and to provide students with a more authentic Colombian feel. Inside the school, visitors can enjoy a ping pong room, cafe (serving free artisanal coffee), garden area and plenty of breakaway rooms.

Here’s everything you need to know about BaseLang:

Location: Laureles, Carrrera 77 #39-40 (and online)

Courses offered:

All students with BaseLang have the option to take classes online or in-person at the Medellín school. The school is open Monday – Friday from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, 8.30am to 12.30pm on Saturdays, and students can continue their unlimited hours online outside of this time. There are three available courses at BaseLang: the ‘Real World’ package, ‘Spanish in a Month’ and ‘Dele’.

• Dele
  As a widely-recognized language proficiency certificate, the BaseLang Dele course caters to people looking to prove their level of Spanish. Equally, the Dele course is great for students who prefer a more structured way of learning. Dele costs just $699 a month (a bargain in comparison to other DELE prep courses that exceed $1,000) or students can sign up for a test week for just $1.
  Cost: $699 per month (roughly $2,182,840.00 COP) or $229 per week ($715,122.00 COP)

• The Real World Program
  The Real World program is one of BaseLang’s most popular, appealing to anyone who not only wants to understand Spanish but apply it to everyday situations too. This course places emphasis on fluency and speaking without having to think, and ultimately, building confidence. Whether looking to date, work, make friends or simply get around, the Real World program is the link between knowing Spanish and interacting in Spanish. The course costs $599 per month for unlimited classes either in-person or online (and is the only program not available at weekly prices). Prospective students can get a test day for $1.
  Cost: $599 per month (roughly $1,870,560.00 COP)

• Grammarless
  Grammarless is targeted at beginners looking to quickly progress in a short space of time. For a full month, students work with a specific teacher to identify strong and weak points in their vocabulary, and practice in real-life situations. Students with Grammarless have four hours of class a day, five days a week (either at the school in a location they prefer), as well as access to unlimited online teaching. The course guarantees participants will be at a conversational level of Spanish upon completion. (Note – BaseLang now offers a two hour per day version of Grammarless which is done over two months, instead of one. For the two-hour version, email niall@baselang.com)
  
  Cost: $1,200 (roughly $3,747,365.00 COP)

Get a $200 per month discount with any Medellín BaseLang program – simply enter the referral code “medellinliving” when you sign up.

To learn more, visit BaseLang’s website.

Colombia Immersion

When Colombia Immersion’s founders opened the school in 2015, they were looking to provide an experience beyond the traditional classroom. As Avalon, Colombia Immersion’s marketing director, explained to me, the owners felt that there was a gap between the grammar students learn in the classroom and the Spanish that people speak in the real world. Colombia Immersion aims to close that gap.

How do they do it? As the school’s name implies, the focus is on an immersive experience. Classes are small, ranging from 4-6 students. This allows students and teachers to get to know each other and build a rapport that isn’t possible in a large class.

The classroom, however, is just the beginning. Where Colombia Immersion excels is in the opportunities it provides students outside the classroom. In addition to a weekly language exchange in Envigado, Colombia Immersion also organizes a field trip each week to a different location around Medellin.

These aren’t traditional tours, either. These are real encounters with locals, and they give students a chance to practice what they learn in the classroom. Furthermore, Colombia Immersion also holds weekly activities such as salsa and chocolate-making classes, giving additional opportunities for cultural immersion.

Here’s a breakdown of the details:

Location: Envigado and Laureles

Courses Offered:

• Intensive Group Classes
  • The intensive group classes consist of four levels: Beginner, Functional, Conversation 1, and Conversation 2.
  • Each class focuses on getting you to speak the language and communicate with people, covering the grammar necessary to get you there.
  • Intensive group classes are offered 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday 9am – 1pm.
  • Each level consists of 60 hours of intensive class time.
  • The cost is 550,000 COP/week or 1,980,000 COP/month

•  
• Night Classes
  • These classes follow the same curriculum as the intensive group classes, but at a more relaxed pace. They’re perfect for digital nomads or other people who work during the day but still want to study Spanish.
  • Night classes take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9 pm in Laureles.
  • The cost for night classes is 110,000 COP/week.
• Full Immersion Program
  • The Full Immersion Program gets you everything in the intensive group classes, plus a weekly educational field trip and 5 hours of language coaching (practice with a native speaker) per week.
  • The cost is 650,000 COP/week with a minimum commitment of 4 weeks, and a homestay is available for an additional 300,000 COP/week.
• Private Classes
  • If you want to study one-on-one, Colombia Immersion offers private classes. They follow the same curriculum as the group classes and are available in packages of 5, 10, or 20 hours per week.
  • The cost for private classes is 550,000 COP for 10 hours.
• Coaching
  • If you just want to practice conversation or want to supplement your classroom learning, then Colombia Immersion offers coaching.
  • Coaching is not a private class, but rather one-on-one language practice with a local.
  • The cost is 35,000 COP/hour.

No matter what course you take, the school will work to place you in the class that best fits your current Spanish level. Each week of each level is designed to stand alone, presenting new material and reviewing past topics. So it’s no problem to start in the middle of a course if you place past the first couple weeks.

To learn more, visit the school’s website.

OLSA (Official Language School of the Americas)

Next up on our list is the Official Language School of the Americas (OLSA). With over 20 years’ experience as a teacher and administrator back in the US, the school’s founder, Shane, has seen all sides of the education system. He founded OLSA to offer students a curriculum that has all the official cachet of an American university without neglecting the speaking practice and immersion that are so essential to fluency.

So what does student life look like at OLSA? As Shane explained, the goal is to engage students and teach them just as much about the culture as the language. He’s taken an American university Spanish curriculum and adapted it to be both more rigorous and more immersive. The ultimate goal is to partner with a Medellin university to offer students the credentials of a degree with the benefits of immersion.

Shane is adamant about keeping his classes engaging. The classes at OLSA use audio and interactive teaching, as well as a weekly language exchange and extensive trips around Medellin and the surrounding pueblos. Furthermore, OLSA is located in the authentic Colombian neighborhood of Estadio, away from the tourists while still being safe. The school is also connected to an authentic Mexican restaurant, ensuring that students won’t go hungry.

Finally, OLSA also offers English classes. In fact, they’re the official English school of the Colombian National Police and are working with a local military base to teach English to officers. This means that as a Spanish student you’ll have plenty of chances to interact with locals and practice conversation while hanging around the school.

Here’s the breakdown of what OLSA offers Spanish students:

Location: Estadio

Courses Offered:

• • Accredited University Program
    • For students looking for the rigor of a university program with the immersion of an abroad experience, this program is perfect.
    • It includes accredited Spanish grammar classes based on Facetas and Vistas, two systems that are used by more than 100 universities across the United States for Spanish 101, 102, 201 and 202. These classes meet four days per week for two hours each day. As Shane explained, “Students can complete one three-credit semester of Spanish in one quarter (ten weeks). This gives our students the opportunity to complete two full years of university Spanish in just one year abroad at OLSA.”
    • Additionally, the Accredited University Program includes Spanish Daily, “a Spanish conversation curriculum designed to help foreign students, expats and/or full-time students learn, understand and speak colloquial Spanish.” Spanish Daily has 3 levels that take students from the very basics of communication all the way up to advanced conversations.
    • Finally, the program includes South American Cultural Immersion, which involves a different excursion in and around the city each Wednesday. The theme of the trips varies with the semester, but past themes have included “Medellín, Past Present and Future” and “Medellín, the Land of Adventure”. It also includes two 60-80 minute Salsa classes each week for eight weeks taught at OLSA by professional dance teachers.
    • This series of excursions culminates in a week-long trip to the Caribbean coast of Colombia, where students will get to put their skills into practice exploring the beaches of Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Santa Marta.
    • Cost: The full Accredited University Program costs 14,000,000 COP, though each component of the program is also available individually. The tuition also includes placement with a homestay.
  • Edu-Cation Immersion Program
    • OLSA’s other flagship program offers travelers the chance to get the fun of a Colombian vacation with the personal and professional development of studying Spanish.
    • This all-inclusive cultural immersion vacation includes 4 days of conversational classes, 4 days of salsa dance lessons with a dance partner of the opposite sex, and local excursions on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
    • It also includes a 7-night stay at a nearby hostel and provided lunch and breakfast.
    • You also get Monday and Friday off to go explore the city and surrounding pueblos.
• Cost: The Edu-Cation Immersion Program costs 2,000,000 COP for 1 week, 3,000,000 COP for two weeks, and 4,500,000 COP for 3 weeks.
• • Spanish Daily Classes
    • If you just want to focus on learning conversation and aren’t concerned about university credit, then OLSA’s Spanish Daily classes are a great option.
    • As OLSA’s site explains, “These interactive conversation classes are an excellent choice for travelers, expats living in Medellín, and/or full-time university students looking to gain Spanish fluency in an immersive environment.”
    • These classes will teach you the Spanish that you’ll hear and use on the street, taking taxis, buying groceries, and going out salsa dancing. They’re available in 3 levels, and you can start at whatever level fits your needs, taking as many classes as you want.

• Cost: Spanish Daily Classes cost 180,000 COP for 1 week, 345,000 COP for 2 weeks, 487,000 COP for 3 weeks, and 600,000 COP for four weeks. Each week includes five classes with a native speaker.

To learn more, visit OLSA’s website.

Toucan

Toucan describe themselves as “the original Spanish language school in Medellin with over 7 years of history”. They have small classes and offer a variety of cultural activities, including salsa lessons, welcome lunches, language exchanges, soccer matches, and volunteering opportunities.

In addition, Toucan is also the home of a cafe that hosts weekly language exchanges. And through Toucan Tours, you can see the graffiti of Medellin, tour a coffee farm, and experience a guided coffee tasting.

Here are the details:

Location: El Poblado

Classes Offered:

• • Intensive Group Classes
    • These classes are designed to get you speaking quickly so that you can get out and experience all that Medellin and Colombia have to offer.
    • Classes are no more than 7 students and are 20 hours per week starting each Monday. You can book as many weeks as you like.
    • Since Toucan is the largest Spanish school in Medellin, they can offer classes to all levels at once, making sure there will be a space for you.
    • These classes also include a free welcome lunch, a free salsa class, free tropical fruit tastings, free language exchanges, and other free activities.
    • Cost: Intensive classes are 625,000 COP/week, with a progressive discount for booking additional weeks in advance.
  • Private Classes
    • Toucan offers 3 types of private classes:
      • Private 1-2-1 Classes. These classes are just you and the teacher, allowing the teacher to tailor the course to your needs. The cost is 650,000 COP for 10 hours or 1,300,000 COP for 20 hours.
      • Private “Closed Group” Classes. If you want to study with a friend, partner, or family members, these classes are perfect. They feature the same benefits of a 1-2-1 class at a reduced per-person price. The cost is 450,000 COP per person for 10 hours, 675,000 COP per person for 15 hours, and 900,000 COP per person for 20 hours.

• Skype Classes. If you want to continue your classes after you’ve left Medellin, Skype classes will let you do so. Skype classes are 65,000 COP per hour, 600,000 COP for 10 hours, or 1,100,000 COP for 20 hours.

To learn more about Toucan, visit their website.

UPB – Centro de Lenguas

All the schools we’ve covered so far are excellent, but they won’t be able to help you get a student visa. If you need that and/or are looking to study at an accredited Colombian university, then UPB’s Centro de Lenguas is an option to consider.

If you’re planning to study at UPB for less than 6 months, then they will require you to get a PIP-2 visa (unless you are from the Schengen area). You apply for this visa on arrival in Colombia by presenting an invitation letter from UPB to Migración Colombia. To receive a letter, you will need to complete UPB’s registration process. For stays longer than 6 months, you need to apply for a TP-3 visa prior to arrival in Colombia. More info on the visa process for prospective UPB students is available here.

When it comes to the courses, UPB offers a lot more structure than the other schools on this list. If you prefer learning in a traditional classroom setting, it will be perfect.

Here’s a breakdown of the school info:

Location: Laureles

Classes Offered:

• Group Classes. These classes have five levels: Beginner, High Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Proficient. Each level corresponds to a level of the Common European Framework of Reference (A1-C1). As UPB’s website explains, “Each level includes class hours, academic tutoring hours with our pre-service teachers, and independent work. You can take 10 hours per week (semi-intensive course) or 20 hours per week (intensive course).” Group classes are 28,000 COP per hour with a minimum commitment of 20 hours and range from 3 to 10 students in size.
• Semi-Private Classes. Offering a more intimate experience, semi-private classes are made up of 2 students and the teacher. The cost is 42,000 COP per hour with a minimum commitment of 20 hours.
• Private Classes. These 1 on 1 classes cost 63,000 COP per hour with no minimum commitment.

UPB also allows you to combine the above types of classes to meet your needs, and they have a placement test for students who already know some Spanish. If you need official proof of your Spanish level for work or immigration purposes, they offer a (paid) test to receive an official certificate of your Spanish competency.

For more info, visit UPB’s website.

Universidad EAFIT – Centro de Idiomas

Last on our list, we have another Medellin university. EAFIT’s Centro de Idiomas offers students the chance to study Spanish on a vibrant university campus in the south of the El Poblado neighborhood. Like UPB, they’re a good option if you’re looking for formal Spanish studies with an accredited Colombian university.

To study at EAFIT, you’ll need a TP-3 visa. Other than that, their visa process is much the same as for UPB. More info on the process is available here.

Here are the key details on EAFIT:

Location: El Poblado

Courses Offered:

• Semi-Intensive Course. This 38-hour course lasts 4 weeks. Classes meet M – F from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Classes are offered from June – October as of this writing, though you should refer to the official schedule for more info. There are 15 total classes offered, starting at complete beginner (A1) and going all the way to advanced topics such as Business Spanish. The cost is 1,600,000 COP per person for a course of 2 students, 1,198,000 COP per person for a course of 3 to 8 students, and 2,425,000 COP for a private class.
• Intensive Course. This 38-hour course lasts two weeks, with courses available in the same subjects as the semi-intensive courses. Classes take place M – F from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.​ or 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., and the costs are the same as for the semi-intensive courses.
• DELE Preparation Classes. If you’re working to pass the DELE (the official diploma of Spanish proficiency), EAFIT also offers preparatory classes upon request. The prices for these classes are the same as for above, though the schedule is more limited. You can also take the DELE exam at EAFIT. More information on test dates is available here (the page is in Spanish, but presumably that’s not a problem if you’re taking the DELE).

For more info on studying Spanish at EAFIT, visit their website.

Conclusion

Thanks for reading our guide to studying Spanish in Medellin. We hope that you’ve found a school that fits your needs, and we invite you to share your favorite Medellin Spanish schools in the comments.

¡Buena suerte en tus estudios!

About Ransom

Ransom Patterson is a freelance writer and content marketer from Nashville, TN. When he’s not writing or studying Spanish, you’ll find him hanging out in cafes or taking walks around the city. You can learn more about his work on his website.

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Greetings

Hola – Hello/hi

Buenos días – Good morning

Buenas tardes – Good afternoon

Buenas noches – Good evening

Tenga un buen día – Have a good day

Que estés muy bien – Take care (use at the end of a conversion/transaction)

Chao – Bye

Hasta luego – See you later

Adios – Goodbye (more formal or final)

Cual es tu nombre?/Como te llamas? – What is your name?

De donde eres? – Where are you from?

En qué trabajas? – What do you work as?

Cuántos años tienes? – How old are you?

Como estás?/Que tal?/Como te vas? – How are you?

Basics

Sí – Yes

No – No

Tal vez/Quizás/De pronto – Maybe

Bueno – OK/good

Listo – OK/ready

Claro que sí – Of course

Perdón – Sorry/excuse me

Lo siento – Sorry (stronger than ‘perdón’)

(Con) permiso – excuse me (used to move past someone)

Con (mucho) gusto – You’re (very) welcome

Bien pueda – Go ahead

Muchas/muchísimas/mil gracias – thank you (very much/so much)

No hay problema – no problem

Tranquila/o – Don’t worry/relax

Acá/Aquí – Here

Allí, Allá – There

Derecha – Right

Izquierda – Left

Derecho – Straight

Pare – Stop

Salud – Cheers

Extranjera/o – A foreigner (gender specific)

Tengo una pregunta – I have a question

Lindo/linda – sweet, cute, pretty (used to describe people and objects/experiences)

Amiga/o – Friend/mate

Talking about yourself

Soy de… – I am from…

               Estados Unidos – USA

               El Reino Unido – UK

               Alemania – Germany

               Holanda – Holland

               Italia – Italy

               Francia – France

               España – Spain

Mi nombre es/Me llamo – My name is

Tengo… años – I am… years old

Soy una/un… – I am a… (used for profession, the article is normally dependent on your gender)

Estoy viajando en Colombia por… días/semanas/meses – I am traveling in Colombia for… days/weeks/months

No hablo español – I don’t speak Spanish

Mi español no es bueno – My Spanish isn’t very good

Hablo un poco español – I speak a little Spanish

Ya la/lo conozco – I have already been to …/I already know… (use only for places and people)

Quiero conocer… – I want to visit…

Me encanta… – I love… (for places or things, not people)

No me gusta – I don’t like

Estoy… – I am (use for feelings, temporary states)

               Muy bien – Very well

               Feliz – Happy

               Triste – Sad

               Cansada/o – Tired

               Enojada/o – Angry

               Emocianada/o – Excited

               Confundida/o – Confused

Tengo hambre – I am hungry

No entiendo – I don’t understand

Tengo guayabo – I am hungover

Estoy perdida/o – I am lost

No tengo dinero/plata – I don’t have money

Voy a… – I am going to… (can be used for physical locations as well as actions)

Vamos a… – We are going to…

Vámonos – Let’s go/hurry up

In a restaurant/café/bar

Me regalas – Can I have? (literally translates to ‘you gift me’, only used in Colombia)

Me gustaría – I would like

(Yo) quiero – I want (use with ‘por favor’ to be polite)

Tienes…? – Do you have?

Dos cervezas por favor – Two beers please

Disculpe – excuse me (use to get a member of staff’s attention)

Podemos ver la carta? – Can we see the menu?

Una mesa para cuatro personas por favor – A table for four people please

Necesitamos cinco minutos mas – We need five more minutes

Hay platos sin… – Are there dishes without…?

Tienes opciones para vegetarianos? – Do you have vegetarian options?

Soy alérgica/o a… – I am allergic to…

Donde están los baños? – Where are the bathrooms?

La comida es muy picante? – Is the food spicy?

Que rico/delicioso – Very tasty/delicious (‘rico’ is also used to describe things other than food as good or cool)

Puedo pagar con tarjeta/efectivo? – Can I pay with card/cash?

La cuenta por favor – The bill please

Questions

Me entiendes? – Do you understand me?

Donde está… – Where is…?

El hostel/hotel/apartmento – The hostel/hotel/apartment

El aeropuerto – The airport

El terminal de transporte – The bus station

Cual es la dirección? – What is the address?

Como llegamos allá? – How do we get there?

Cuánto vale/Cuánto cobra/Cuánta cuesta? – How much? (use for asking the price of something)

Qué significa? – What does it mean?

Cómo se dice…? – How do you say…?

Por favor, otra vez? – Again, please (use when asking someone to repeat something)

Tienes recomendaciones por acá? – Do you have recommendations for here?

A cuántos minutos es? – How far away is it?

Estamos cerca de…? – Are we close to..?

A qué hora? – At what time?

Conoces a…? – Do you know…? (use only for places and people)

Sabes si hay…? – Do you know if there is… (use only for information)

En serio? – Really?

Quieres una bebida? – Do you want a drink?

Tienes una novia/un novio? – Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?

Paisa slang (used in Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda and Quindío)

Parce/Parcera/o – Hommie

De una – OK/let’s do it

Dale – OK

Bien o qué?/Bien o no? – How are you?

Vos – You (informal and singular, essentially a whole other conjugation meaning ‘tú’)

Hágale pues – Go ahead/do it

Pues – Well (is often a meaningless addition, use it at the end of any sentence and it’ll make sense)

Qué pena – sorry

Qué más? – What’s up?/How are you? (use informally as a greeting)

Manejas…? – Do you have? (the verb ‘manejar’ literally means to drive but can be used in this context with paisas)

Bacano – cool/good (normally expressed as ‘que bacano’)

M’ija/o – friend/mate (literally translates to ‘my daughter/son’ but can be used among friends in a light-hearted way)

No des papaya – Don’t give papaya (papaya is a Colombian fruit but the expression is a warning not to be taken advantage of. For example, leaving your phone on a table in a busy nightclub is giving papaya because it’s likely to be stolen)

Hacer una vaca – an expression for a group to split/share the costs (literally means to ‘make a cow’ but is essentially like ‘going Dutch’ for more than two people)

Mona/o – a blond person

Mañé – tacky

Paila – bad luck/out of options (said with an action where people tap the side of their neck with a straight hand)

When speaking Spanish, don’t be afraid to make mistakes and remember to be patient with yourself. Colombians will appreciate any effort you make to interact, so don’t be shy asking for help or how to pronounce things. Buena suerte!

Something missing from this list? Let us know in the comments!

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Spanish schools and language learning are popular among those looking to immerse in the culture. While Language Exchanges are wonderful ways of getting your foot in the door in the city, meeting new people, and socializing, I feel that they lack something when it comes to actual language learning.

There’s a strange paradox when it comes to language exchanges and language schools where each have what the other lacks. While language exchanges are great outings with drinks, lots of other people, and a social climate, they lack the structure that actually creates improvement in language, found only in language schools and classes.

This is the gap that Co-Aprender, a new language exchange program in the city, is filling with their twice-per-month events.

Co-Aprender Language Exchange

The Co-Aprender language exchange is pretty new. It takes place the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at Siembra Coworking. They have a very specific methodology, so it’s not exactly a booming social event. On the contrary, it’s a calculated exchange between pairs, partners placed together depending on their level of the foreign language they’re looking to learn.

At this time, they’re exchanging English and Spanish only, as it’s hard enough to get the pairs necessary as it is. It is led by an English and Spanish teacher and attended by many looking to take their language level up a notch.

The Dynamic of Co-Aprender

Basically, you do a pre-sign up, so that they can prepare for a number of people coming. They’re used to working with anywhere from 6 to 14 people, as the program continues to grow. Then you show up on the day of the event, pay the 15,000 COP ($5.20) event cost and get paired up with a partner who can best suit your language needs.

After this, you will take turns being both student and teacher for an hour and a half. You will practice your pronunciation and compare it to your partners’ all while discussing a chosen topic. One of the topics in the past has been Netflix, which led to animated conversations that allow people to share whether they’re fans of the streaming site, what their favorite series were, etc., all, while expanding their vocabulary and going beyond the “my name, is..” or “I’m in Colombia because” etc. that regular language exchanges demand from their attendees.

Instead, language learners explore words that they’d rarely had to employ before, all in a no-pressure setting where your partner is in the same position of simultaneous knowledge and vulnerability.

The Future of Language Exchange

As these events continue to gain traction, it’s interesting to see these types of hybrids that are created out of the necessity to improve the experience, learning, and other factors of the exchange. Sure, the traditional exchange works great for a wide variety of people, but something tells me this is likely one of many experiments to come in this and many other areas of tourism and relocation that Medellin backdrops.

Have you attended this or other language exchanges in the city? Let us know about your experience in the comments below!

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My first direct interaction with Colombians and Spanish was in 2012 when I went to the U.S. for a summer job and to sightsee. During that summer, all the people I lived with, worked with, and hung out with were Colombians and even though we communicated in English, there were many moments when I felt like becoming invisible when they would start speaking Spanish to each other.

But since I was the only “extranjero” among them, they were always trying to teach me Spanish words and short sentences with great interest. And, of course, most of the first words taught were slang words and curses in Colombian dialect. Such as… Or let’s pass for now.

Language Learning and Internalizing

Whichever language you are beginning to learn, it is said that the first things that your language-speaking friends will teach are curse words.

At first, even though this seems funny and maybe even useless, as your language learning process progresses and your speaking abilities become more fluid; knowing some words that some very well-meaning friends warned you that “you should never learn!” builds an important basis for internalizing the language and having a richer understanding and speaking ability.

Especially if you are living in the country where that language is spoken.

Coming to Colombia and Adjusting My Spanish

I came to Colombia for a month in 2013 after having taken Spanish lessons in Turkey for a few months, and in 2014 I met many Spanish people with whom I practiced the language while I was an Erasmus exchange student in Portugal.

However, because I had learned Castilian Spanish, I spoke using ¨vosotros¨ and with Castilian pronunciation and so the first reaction of many Colombian people when they heard me was the same: “What’s up with this guy?”

Although it was not perfect, I spoke considerably fluent Spanish when I arrived in Colombia but due to its many slang and idiosyncratic expressions, I’ve spent two years trying to get used to Colombian and especially Paisa Spanish.

I’ve gone through quite a few painful times asking questions that sometimes make people laugh or asking questions like “what does this mean?”, “Doesn’t that word mean something else?” or, eventually, just pretending to understand what people say.

However, I feel much better now that the effect of having learned so many slang words and idioms is that I can almost converse like a local, and can even pretend to be a Colombian sometimes.

It is a great feeling to be able to speak some Spanish, and to communicate with the people of Colombia who live their everyday lives as usual.

It was one of the greatest reasons that I fell in love with Colombia: the feeling you get among the people and their lives: “You are in Latin America! And this is Colombia!” Instead of living like a witness to a play and only sometimes getting in and interacting with its characters, by learning their colloquial language, you can truly become one of the characters in the play.

If you want to fully get to know the Paisas, and be able to better empathize when they are happy, sad, angry or excited; learning their dialect, even just a little bit is crucial.

Finding the Right Methodology

At this point, it’s incredible to find a methodology that admits that there is no need for proper Spanish all the time and that Spanish can vary a lot according to the country or even the city. For me, the turning point was when I found El Dorado Cultural Center by chance and registered to take a few lessons at the end of my first year in Medellín.

In addition to teaching Spanish as grammar and usage as it should be taught, Spanish teachers added a great deal of flexibility to the use of Spanish by dissolving the Colombian Spanish, and especially the Paisa Spanish, in their lesson plan without ever overlooking their differences in slang and accents.

Moreover, it’s great to find new materials to be helpful both in and out of the classroom. The Facebook page Spanish Lessons Medellin is one of them. The page posts Paisa slang words and idioms daily that you can use in your everyday life.

Do you think the taste of Colombian dream can be fully enjoyed without learning a few little words that come out of the heart of Medellin? ¡Oigan a este!

This is a sponsored post written in collaboration with El Dorado Cultural Center.

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This includes big gatherings in trendy bars to smaller get-togethers in cafés.  There are all kinds of language exchange nights in Medellín where you can practice your Spanish.

Skybar

[Note: shortly before this article was published, Medellin English – Spanish Events stopped running language exchange nights at Skybar. However, the organizer has been holding events at other locations. Readers can stay up to date by following the Medellin English – Spanish Events Facebook page. Skybar has continued to run language exchange nights on Wednesday nights. Their announcements can be found on the Skybar Facebook page.]

First of all, let’s jump right in midweek. There’s no need to wait for the weekend! Skybar in El Poblado brings in a consistent crowd every Wednesday night.

Boasting over 13,000 social media subscribers, Medellin English – Spanish Events organizer James Varriale, originally from New York City, has built up a substantial base of followers over the past couple of years. He estimates the attendance to be about 100 each week.

“It’s about 50-50 Paisas and foreigners,” James says, in between “holas” and “bienvenidos” as the crowd starts to roll in around 6:30 p.m. “The foreigners are from everywhere: the U.S., from Europe, from Asia, from Australia,” he adds. And what about the locals? “The Paisas that come are usually bright, curious people.

It’s an opportunity to mix it up with local people and with foreigners, and there’s no rules; there’s no formal situation,” Jim says, emphasizing the relaxed, informal nature of the Skybar language exchange night.

“I think Skybar is good because there’s a nice mix of Colombians to gringos in general,” says Shane, an ESL teacher and private tour guide from Tacoma, Washington. “There’s a lot of people with good levels and there’s people with low levels,” he adds.

For those looking to network with other expats, I think the Skybar language exchange is a good place to make contacts. Every time I go, I see plenty of new faces among the foreigners in attendance. And many of them are expats living in Medellin, not just travelers passing through.

Richard, from London, England, is taking six months off to learn Spanish in Medellin. He tells me he finds  the people at the Skybar language exchange to be “very friendly, and it’s a very welcoming crowd.”

James, the organizer, echoes that sentiment: “It’s not an intense bar crowd. People are actually coming for a reason. A lot of guys, a lot of girls, have met their partners at these events.”

Skybar is a spacious venue, with plenty of seating available. For the language exchange nights, they offer a few food and drink specials, such as free sangria to the first 50 attendees.

They recently added a beginner’s salsa class to the program, which starts at 8:45 p.m. each Wednesday. Many people participated both times I was there around late January. And those who chose not to work on their salsa steps continued with their conversations.

Skybar is located in the heart of El Poblado at Carrera 38 #8-83, just half a block from nightlife hotspot Parque Lleras. It’s about a 15-20 minute walk or a short taxi ride from metro Poblado. Photo courtesy of Skybar.

Wandering Paisa

On the opposite end of the spectrum (and the other side of town), The Wandering Paisa hostel in Laureles offers language learners a very different option. Every Thursday night at 8 p.m., they host a language exchange night in their cozy hostel bar.

This venue has a more intimate vibe for a few reasons. For starters, the space is physically much smaller than an expansive bar like Skybar. But there’s also a familiarity among the attendees which contributes to the vibe.

Being located in a hostel, the language exchange is heavily influenced by the guests who happen to be staying there on a given Thursday night.

As with many hostels, there’s usually a camaraderie among guests who are either traveling together or have gotten to know each other during their stay in Medellin.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the coin, I’ve found that a number of Colombians attend the Wandering Paisa language exchange on a regular basis. This also contributes to the familiar, relaxed atmosphere. Many of the Colombians already know each other, so it’s not just one big group of strangers every week.

On the other hand, many of the hostel guests may well leave before the next language exchange, which does add to the turnover among the foreigners who attend.

Seattle native Brent Knowles founded the hostel and language exchange night seven years ago. For him, the “whole idea of the hostel was basically to have a cultural event center where people could really change their perceptions of each other.”

He observes that the language exchange night “always has a steady new crowd of people. With the Colombians, there are people who aren’t looking for a party scene, some people who are looking for something a bit more serious. So we get people kind of in the middle.”

Brent describes the nights as starting off more casual and relaxed: “It’s very informal. You can kind of just come in and listen to a conversation, you can have a beer, there’s no pressure.” But he notes the transformation as the night goes on: “After about 10 p.m. it descends into more of a party vibe.”

In my experience, even after the “party vibe” sets in, the atmosphere at the Wandering Paisa language exchange still remains very chilled and relaxed. Many attendees break off into smaller groups or pairs and move out to the back patio or the front porch area to continue their conversations.

There’s a very hospitable, welcoming feel about The Wandering Paisa, and that’s conducive to meeting people and getting into conversations with them.

“There was a good mix of foreigners and locals, a great relaxed and social atmosphere,” said Kuli Singh, a Londoner whom I met at a recent Wandering Paisa language exchange night.

He’s trying to improve his Spanish while on vacation in Colombia. He also said, “I was able to talk in my stilted Spanish and get help from the Colombians as they were very patient!”

The Wandering Paisa hostel is located at Calle 44A #68A-76. That’s just a block north of the major intersection at Avenida San Juan and Carrera 70. It’s only about a 5-7 minute walk from the Estadio metro station (Line B).

The location is very convenient for going out after the language exchange, with the busy nightlife of Carrera 70 only a couple of blocks away. Salsa lovers will find plenty of venues to choose from in this area. These include popular clubs like El Tibiri  and Son Havana. The photo above is courtesy of The Wandering Paisa.

Colombia Immersion

Down in Envigado, another language exchange night has quickly built up a big following over the past year or so, largely from word of mouth. The Colombia Immersion Spanish School offers an alternative to its counterparts in Medellin every Friday night from 6:30-10:30 p.m.

“Envigado is different because it’s a little out of the way,” notes Colombia Immersion’s marketing and communications manager Avalon Bauman.

Her description of the typical crowd at their language exchange nights makes it clear why theirs are different from the ones in Medellin: “We have our [Spanish language] students; we have our neighbors and friends and we have English teachers that bring their classes here.”

The goal, Avalon says, is “to create a community of locals and foreigners that want to have that exchange of culture and language. And it creates a really nice, friendly environment.”

Adam Bones, a digital nomad from the London area, elaborates on what it is that sets the Colombia Immersion language exchange apart from others in the area: “Colombia Immersion is quite different in that it’s nestled into Paisa suburbia–more like a public house [pub] than your typical bar in Poblado.”

He goes on to illustrate the success of Colombia Immersion’s outreach to the Paisa community: “It’s well known all over Envigado, and I’ve met Colombians from all over the valley who travel there to practice speaking with foreigners.”

This high Colombian turnout, estimated at 60-70% of attendees by Colombia Immersion’s Avalon Bauman, affords foreigners an opportunity to meet many locals and practice their Spanish with them.

In general everybody mixes and mingles at the Colombia Immersion language exchange without any formal structure. However, the organizers do arrange some icebreaker games like human bingo and speed meeting about halfway through the night to facilitate contact with new people.

In my experience, this is very effective in getting attendees to broaden their circle of acquaintances at the meetups.

Many of the foreigners who attend the Colombia Immersion language exchange are students studying Spanish there at the school. “You really want to learn Spanish if you’re studying here because we do an intensive course,” says Bauman.

She also points out that they attract the kind of student who’s interested in the types of field trips they organize. These involve visiting neighborhoods where tourists don’t usually go, such as Moravia, Manrique and 13 de noviembre.

The Colombia Immersion Spanish School is located in a converted two-story house in a residential neighborhood. Visitors will find a small bar on the second floor and balcony and patio areas for outdoor mingling.

I’ve gone to the language exchange several times over the past nine months, and the place has almost always been packed.

Many attendees migrate to the bustling Envigado nightlife areas after the language exchange shuts down at 10:30 p.m. Popular bars like El Callejón are just a few minutes’ walk away.

The Colombia Immersion Spanish School is located at Carrera 40 #40D Sur – 49, kitty-corner from the Iglesia San Rafael, in the El Dorado neighborhood. It’s about a 10-minute taxi ride from the Envigado metro station. Photos provided by Colombia Immersion Spanish School.

Toucan Café

Back up in Poblado, some language exchangers have found another Spanish school which offers a different take on the language exchange experience.

The Toucan Café, part of the Toucan Spanish School, brings together foreigners and Colombian locals every Thursday night from 6-8 p.m. And they’ve just recently expanded, adding another language exchange on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m.

The organizers at Toucan take a decidedly more learning-focused approach than the other language exchanges featured in this article. “The language exchange is directed by one of the teachers [from the Toucan Spanish School] because the idea is for it to be something academic.

It’s social too, but the focus is more academic, which is why it’s not held in a bar or disco,” Carolina Alvarez, Toucan’s student coordinator, tells me. “The teacher is there in case anybody has technical questions,” she explains.

Michelle McNaughton, a fifth grade teacher from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, clearly appreciates Toucan’s approach. She came to Medellin for a few weeks to improve her Spanish and says: “I like that there is some structure to it.

Teachers from the school often join attendees at tables. While they join, they do not take over nor do they go into ‘teacher mode’ or whip out a whiteboard to correct mistakes.”

Toucan seems to strike a good balance between serious learning and having fun and socializing at the same time. Furthermore, Michelle adds: “[The teachers] listen a lot and may offer a word or help facilitate if there is a lull in the conversation.”

Referring to one of the language-learning games, Christine Yeh from Taiwan said, “I like the second part of the activity where we need to guess who we are so we have chances to ask questions in English or Spanish, and it involved a lot of interaction and it’s fun.”

In addition, she noted the organized structure of the meetup: “We had around 4-5 people [at] each table and the staff rotated to different tables from time to time.”

The Toucan Café is located at Calle 10 #41-32. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk or a short taxi ride from the Poblado metro station. Photos courtesy of Toucan Spanish School.

And the Winner Is…

So which language exchange night is the best? The answer of course will vary from person to person.

For those who are very focused on improving their Spanish (or only have a short time in which to do so), the Toucan language exchange might well be the best bet. And for the young, single expat looking to meet lots of new people, Skybar could be the best choice.

Wandering Paisa and Colombia Immersion probably lie somewhere in between. With Wandering Paisa you get the unpredictability and adventurous spirit that comes with hostelers.

Meanwhile, Colombia Immersion attracts many foreigners who are serious about learning Spanish and also want to make a difference in the community where they learn it. Plus there’s the added bonus of enthusiastic participation from the local Envigado community.

However there’s nothing to stop you from trying them all! Just don’t forget to report back to us about your experiences in the comments section below.

Looking for more language exchange nights? Check here for up-to-date listings.

Do you have a favorite Medellin language exchange that we didn’t include in this article? Please let us know about it in the comments and we’ll try to cover it in a future article.

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One can only imagine how the conquistadores’ minds went wild thinking of the possibilities. But the joke was on them. No such city was ever found. In fact, it’s said that at least one civilization used the story to persuade the explorers to go elsewhere and leave them alone.

“We have no gold, El Dorado is that way.”

Little did the conquistadores know, El Dorado wasn’t a place, the gold wasn’t at the destination, it was the journey itself- the knowledge they acquired from their travels.

This is the foundation of El Dorado Spanish School. They know where the gold is: Language, Knowledge and best of all, sharing these riches.

About El Dorado Spanish School

El Dorado is a language school was founded by a Colombian-Polish couple, Robinson and Ewa, both language educators. Their schools focus on English and Spanish for foreigners and have been open in Envigado for about three years and in Poland for about eight.

They’re located in Envigado at Calle 30sur, 43a-51 right next to great restaurants and cafes and easy to get to right between Avenida Poblado and Avenida Las Vegas. If you’re coming on the metro like I did, buy an Integrado Envigado to Estación Ayurá and take the metro bus that goes to Pavezgo, it will drop you off right at the door!

Ewa and Robinson chose Envigado because they felt it was more true to the local culture. Though Poblado is more central, and more densely populated by foreigners, Envigado is a better representation of local culture and dynamic.

Nevertheless, there will be a Poblado campus of El Dorado Spanish soon, stay tuned.

El Dorado has a variety of approaches to Spanish education, and they’re ready for the kind of public that needs their services. Whether you’re traveling through with limited time, staying for a long time, here for business, or with family, they can design a program that will work best for you. However, no matter what program you choose, they lead you into Spanish speaking in a fun and entertaining way, with highly qualified Colombian teachers and a professional approach.

Spanish for Travelers

El Dorado provides Spanish for Travelers because many foreigners that come to Medellín aren’t planning on staying, but rather are passing through. Seeing as Colombia’s Spanish has notoriously one of the clearest accents to learn, it makes sense that while these travelers are here, they want to absorb as much Spanish as possible.

El Dorado is prepared to teach these kinds of foreigners the “most usable” Spanish that will be useful to them while they’re here and as they continue their travels, what they call “survival Spanish” to get you out of a bind.

You can partake in:

• group classes
• online classes
• private classes

Prices per program are as follows.

Intensive Program 240,000 COP per week (aprox. $76) includes:

• 3 Daily Classes
• Speaking Clubs
• Salsa Lessons
• Envigado Walking Tour

The Semi-Private programs (Small groups) for  680,000 COP ($215.00) and 1250,000 COP ($396.50) depending on the package you choose both include:

• 12 classes a week
• Salsa lessons
• Speaking clubs
• Envigado walking tour

Or private programs for 770,000 ($244.00) and 1450,000 ($460) depending on the package which all include the same.

Spanish for Families

Ask about El Dorado’s courses for children and teenagers and learn Spanish as a family!

Spanish for Business

The Spanish for Business Courses provide an introduction into the Latin American market, by that they mean they’re teaching you a culture that comes with doing business here. Culture is such an important part of language learning that at times it can be a bigger communication barrier than vocabulary.

El Dorado teaches you to understand business and business culture in Colombia to improve communication with your clients and future partners. Their goal is to take professionals to peak skills in speaking, writing, reading and listening.  

The methods used in class have been tested in the European school and place the student face-to-face with real life situations.

Prices for programs are the same as Spanish for Travelers.

El Dorado’s Methodology

El Dorado uses what they call a “direct” or “natural” methodology. While, sure, in Medellín you’re supposed to be immersed in the language, you’re probably getting less Spanish than you originally planned on in your daily life. That’s why El Dorado’s methodology is to always keep the class in Spanish, to get your ear used to what you’re hearing every day and get that much closer to a larger vocabulary and a higher language level.

Other Activities

El Dorado has conversation clubs twice per week (Wednesdays and Fridays), salsa classes, and walking tours around beautiful Envigado!

Contact El Dorado

Stop by El Dorado in Envigado, look at their Facebook,  website, check out their YouTube Channel, or email them at contacto@eldorado.cc

This post was written in collaboration with El Dorado Cultural Center. 

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No one wants to sound like a gringo when speaking Spanish.

Sounding less gringo means less hassle, lower prices and a more satisfactory travel/living experience.

The following are five common gringo Spanish pitfalls and how to avoid them:

1. Puedo tener

This is the holy grail of gringo Spanish errors. You will never, ever hear a native speaker say this when ordering something.

“¿Puedo tener una hamburguesa con queso?” in Spanish, for example, would be like saying in English, “Am I able to have a cheeseburger? Am I physically able?”

When ordering in Spanish you have many options, and these two are the best:

a) Quiero

It’s not rude. It’s fine. Just add “por favor” at the end.

b) ¿Me da…?

While in Colombia ¿Me regala…? might be more common, the good thing about ¿Me da…? is that it works throughout all of Spanish-speaking Latin America (go to Peru and say ¿Me regala…? and they’ll think you want something for free).

These constructions are also comfortable for gringos because they’re questions – they feel like the “Can I have…?” “Can I get…” we’re so used to.

2. Quisiera/Me gustaría

This is textbook Spanish. I’ve heard native speakers use “quisiera” before when ordering, but maybe one in a thousand times.

And “me gustaría” doesn’t really work unless you put a verb after it. When ordering, refer to the suggestions above.

3. “Un otro”

This sounds horrible to my ears, so I imagine to a native speaker’s ears it must sound like a house-cat dragging its claws across a 15-foot chalkboard.

“Un otro” simply doesn’t exist in Spanish. If you want to say “another” or “another one”, just say “otro/a”.

4. Por/para

“Por” and “para” are tough. I still have nightmares about them. Two of the most common errors associated with these prepositions are “gracias para” (use “por” because it’s an exchange), and “estoy esperando por/para ti”.

“Estoy esperando por ti” is actually technically OK, but it’s better to say, “Te estoy esperando” or “Estoy esperándote”.

And “estoy esperando para ti” is just wrong.

5. ¿Es posible…?

Ahhhhhh, how gringos love the “¿Es posible….?”. They use it for everything. “¿Es posible tener un BigMac? Es posible usar el teléfono? Es posible entregar la tarea tarde?”

Using this construction isn’t wrong, it just makes you sound like a middle-aged school teacher from Indiana on vacation in Cartagena.

If you want to know if it’s OK to do something, say, “¿Se puede…?” or “¿Está bien si….?”

Again, grammatically “Es posible” is OK, it just makes you sound like a huge gringo. Which is exactly what we’re trying to avoid.

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