The URV offers a variety of free services that support different ways of developing language skills

Learning a language means a lot more than just sitting in a classroom and learning grammatical rules; it is also a way to connect socially with others. Although the rules of a language are obviously important, the key to achieving fluency and confidence is to practising conversation and natural speech. That is why the URV offers the Language Learning Space (EAL), a free service that allows any member of the university community to practise languages in ways that are more relevant to real-life communication situations.

Gianella González, who participates in the English conversation groups, highlights the importance of this service for maintaining contact with the language: “Personally, it helps me to practise English at least once a week and to refresh my memory, because in my daily life I speak Spanish or Catalan.”

Language learning is not only beneficial academically; it also enhances communicative experiences and helps build confidence when speaking, as explained by Montse Martínez, head of the Languages and EAL Subunit of the URV’s Language and Publications Service. The Language Learning Space uses different formats such as conversation groups, language tandems, and online resources to help make languages accessible in a manner that is adapted to different learning paces.

Conversations Groups

Conversation groups are one-hour sessions with small groups of up to five people and are designed to encourage active participation and spontaneous use of the language. This programme is aimed at people who want to improve their fluency in languages such as Catalan, English, Italian, or French.

Cristina Basora, a member of the CRAI staff who participates in the Italian and French conversation groups, particularly values the session format because it facilitates learning: “The teacher introduces a topic, and we discuss it from our own perspectives, which makes the classes engaging and excellent for learning.”

TandemsURV

TandemsURV is a more flexible learning system in which the university connects people interested in practising different languages. In addition to being a language exchange, it is also an opportunity to learn about other cultures and to share your own.

Each participant fills out a form indicating the languages they want to learn and those they can speak. This information is then used to match them with another suitable participant. The idea is for the participants to meet up and start to create a space for completely flexible two-way language exchange. The format does not follow a set programme; instead, the participants are free to adapt it to their own needs, thus creating an environment that promotes more everyday and autonomous communication.