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Date Published: 24/04/2024

Torrevieja opens more spaces in Spanish classes for foreigners

More than half the current population of the Costa Blanca city are from outside Spain

Torrevieja officials have responded to the pressing demand for Spanish lessons targeting foreign residents, led by Councillor of International Residents, Gitte Lund. Hoping to bridge the gap left by the potential withdrawal of course slots at the Official Language School (Escuela Oficial de Idiomas or EOI), the City Council has promised to make more Spanish classes available, although no specifics have yet been given.

Preference for registration will go to locals and the lessons will be suited to those looking to brush up on their conversational Spanish rather than individuals who need an official qualification in the language, which will of course help to keep costs down.

According to Lund, given that Torrevieja currently has more than 100,000 registered inhabitants, half of whom are foreign, there is a clear need for accessible language education.

The new courses will be added to those already on offer, which have proven especially popular with retirees from northern Europe and refugees from Ukraine.

With news of cut-backs at EOI centres, several local parties including PSOE and Sueña Torrevieja have expressed concern that the city risks losing a good part of its Spanish, minor language and lesser-used dialect groups if the reduction of classes goes ahead.

Also of interest: Top English pronunciation struggles for Spanish speakers

Image: Sueña Torrevieja

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