The Language of Barcelona.
Learn Catalan online with expert tutors from Barcelona, Valencia, and beyond. One-on-one lessons from A1 to C2, tailored to your goals.
Why Learn Catalan?
Barcelona & Catalan Business
Catalonia is Spain's largest regional economy, home to Barcelona's booming tech and startup scene. Catalan is the language of the boardroom, institutions, and street life in the region.
10 Million Speakers
Catalan has more native speakers than Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, or Slovak. It's a fully living language — not a minority curiosity — with active literature, media, cinema, and music.
Easy for Romance Language Speakers
If you speak Spanish, French, Italian, or Portuguese, Catalan has the highest shared vocabulary of any language on your list. Spanish speakers often achieve conversational Catalan in just 2–3 months.
Cultural & Identity Access
Catalan culture — from Gaudí to Dalí, from the Barça football club to the Sardana dance — is expressed most richly in Catalan. Language unlocks meaning that translation cannot carry.
Catalan Vocabulary Similarity — Romance Language Advantage
Already speak a Romance language? Here's how much of Catalan vocabulary you already know.
| Language Pair | Shared Vocabulary | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Catalan vs Spanish | ~85% | Highest vocabulary overlap — Spanish speakers often reach A2 in weeks |
| Catalan vs Italian | ~82% | Very close structurally and lexically |
| Catalan vs French | ~75% | Strong overlap especially in written forms |
| Catalan vs Portuguese | ~78% | Significant shared Romance core |
| Catalan vs English | ~20% | Shared Latin/French borrowings help somewhat |
4 Learning Paths
Barcelona Expat
Practical Catalan for daily life in Barcelona — navigating the city, work environments, and social life where Catalan is the first language.
A1 – B2Business Catalan
Professional Catalan for companies, institutions, and public sector roles based in Catalonia. Formal register and official communication.
B1 – C1Spanish & French Speakers Fast Track
Leveraging shared Romance vocabulary to reach B1 in Catalan faster than other learner groups. Structured around your existing knowledge.
A2 – B2Heritage & Identity
For Catalans abroad and descendants reconnecting with Catalan language, culture, and identity.
A1 – C2Meet Our Catalan Tutors
Marta P.
Barcelona
Conversational Catalan & Barcelona Life
Univ. Autònoma de Barcelona, Filologia Catalana · 9 yrs
from $18/hr
Jordi F.
Valencia
Valencian Dialect & Catalan Language Variants
Univ. de València, Lingüística · 8 yrs
from $17/hr
Núria R.
London
Heritage Catalan & Diaspora Connection
UCL, Hispanic & Catalan Studies · 7 yrs
from $22/hr
Certificat de Nivell de Català (CNdC)
The official Catalan language certification — recognized for employment, residency, and public sector roles in Catalonia.
| CNdC Level | CEFR Equivalent | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Bàsic (A2) | A2 | Basic comprehension and interaction in everyday situations |
| Elemental (B1) | B1 | Manage familiar topics and routine tasks in Catalan |
| Intermedi (B2) | B2 | Complex texts, abstract topics, professional contexts |
| Suficiència (C1) | C1 | Fluent, flexible use — required for public sector jobs in Catalonia |
| Superior (C2) | C2 | Near-native mastery, academic and official register |
4-Week Catalan Starter Plan
Sounds & Greetings
Catalan vowel sounds, pronunciation differences from Spanish/French, standard greetings (Hola, Bon dia, Gràcies), basic introductions.
Core Vocabulary
Present tense verbs (ser vs. estar in Catalan), gender and number agreement, 200 high-frequency words, daily life vocabulary.
Sentence Building
Object pronouns, clitic clusters (a tricky Catalan feature), past tense, shopping and restaurant practice.
First Real Conversations
5-minute directed dialogues, Barcelona expat scenarios, consolidation and CNdC Bàsic target-setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Catalan a dialect of Spanish?
No. Catalan is an independent Romance language with its own grammar, phonology, and literary tradition dating back to the 12th century. It is as distinct from Spanish as Italian or French. Spanish and Catalan share a common ancestor in Latin but evolved separately.
If I already speak Spanish, should I learn Catalan?
Yes — and you'll learn it faster than most. Spanish speakers can leverage ~85% shared vocabulary to reach conversational Catalan in 2–3 months. Your tutor will focus on the phonological differences (Catalan vowel reduction, final obstruent devoicing) and grammatical features that differ from Spanish.
Is Catalan an official language?
Yes. Catalan is co-official with Spanish in Catalonia, Valencia (as Valencian), and the Balearic Islands, and the sole official language of Andorra. It has approximately 10 million speakers and active use in government, education, and media.
What is Valencian — is it different from Catalan?
Valencian (Valencià) is a dialect of Catalan spoken in the Valencia region. Linguists classify it as part of the same language; politically, it is recognized as a separate co-official language in Valencia. For learners, Valencian and standard Catalan are mutually intelligible — if you learn one, you can understand the other.
What is the CNdC and do I need it?
The Certificat de Nivell de Català (CNdC) is the official proficiency certification system managed by the Catalan government (Generalitat). Levels B1, B2, C1, and C2 are recognized for employment, public administration, and residency purposes in Catalonia. Your tutor can help you prepare for any level.
Start Speaking Catalan This Week
$1 trial lesson. Expert tutors from Barcelona to London. Bon dia — let's get started.
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