Learning a new language is to open the door to a world full of rewarding experiences: traveling to other countries with the peace of mind of being able to communicate if necessary, making contacts of different nationalities, watching films by foreign directors in original versionand many others with which fantasizing is inevitable (more job opportunities, living in that dream city…).
The streets of Madrid, luckily, hide places where learning languages goes far beyond theoretical classes in aseptic rooms. From restaurants to bookstores to nightclubs where it’s forbidden not to practice a little speakingspeaking. We reveal the most fun ones in this tour that will (at the very least) encourage us to take that rusty language to the next level.
For British talks, Secret Kingdoms
Walking through the Antón Martín area, we came across Secret Kingdoms, a must for lovers of reading and British. It is a bookstore with novels and essays in English in which we find perfect copies for all levels. Whether you are a native speaker or a beginnerbeginner, this is the place for you.
David Price, owner of Secret Kingdoms, hosts talks with writersand book presentationsevery month. In addition, he runs a book clubwhere cult works such asThe Talented Mr. Ripley or best sellers in the style of My sister, the serial killerare read each week. There are also philosophical talkson the last Friday of each month and writers’ meetings almost every Tuesday. There are activities even for the little ones, who have storytellingon Saturday mornings.
📍Calle Moratín, 7 (metro Antón Martín).
For a language exchange with cocktail in hand, Lola09
Lola09, of the Moby Dick Group, is not only a cocktail bar with scandalous dishes. It is also the cradle of a renowned language exchange: Hello Lola, the casual evening that brings together people from all over the world eager to practice a new language and, above all, to meet people from different cultures. It is organized every Wednesday from 20:00 to 23:00 and the entrance is completely free. In addition, there is a special offer for attendees: two drinks for 6€.
📍Calle San Mateo, 28 (metro Tribunal).
For conversation and Italian-style dining, Just Italia
Sometimes you need a little sweet (or savory) pick-me-up to learn a new language, and Just Italia knows this. The restaurant organizes group and individual Italian lessons at breakfast time (11:30 am to 1:00 pm), afternoon snack (5:30 pm to 6:30 pm) and dinner (from 9:00 pm). Each morning session includes an excellent coffee with a choice of pastry or focaccia. In the evening, the menu changes: sometimes pizza, sometimes pasta, cold meats, risotto… .
The restaurant’s teachers are the founders of Caffè di Parole, a project that aims to change the way people learn Italian in Spain. They propose dynamic classes, with games adapted to the level of the students and more fun activities..
Through Caffè di Parole’s website all the sessions of the week are announced and you can contact the teachers to be included in one group or another according to your budget, level and availability.
📍Glorieta de Ruiz Giménez, 3 (metro San Bernardo).
For non-stop English speaking, The Irish Rover
The Irish Rover is another must-try from the Moby Dick Group to jump into speaking English. This tavern has created Afterwork English Club, an activity designed for those who, after work, feel like practicing the language. It includes discussions on conversation topics of your choice, games and practical exercises. Joining the club is free and there is no maximum number of students. Sessions are usually organized on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8:00 pm.
📍Avenida de Brasil, 7 (Santiago Bernabéu subway station).
To meet people in a mythical place, La Fontana de Oro
Practicing a new language in an emblematic tavern is possible thanks to Lenguage Exchange Madrid, the exchange organized every Thursday at La Fontana de Oro. Some of the most famous politicians and artists of the 19th century used to meet in this cafe. Among the intellectuals who used to pass through here we find none other than Benito Pérez Galdós.
Normally the schedule of the exchange is from 20:00 to 22:30 hours. To sign up, just join the Whatsapp group managed by the event organizers through the Meetup app. After 10:30 p.m., there is usually a tour of four clubs in Sol: an ideal plan if you’re looking to make friends from other countries.
📍Calle de la Victoria, 1 (metro Sol).
To buy books in other languages, these bookstores
Pasajes
It is impossible to talk about places to learn languages in Madrid without remembering Pasajes, the international bookstore that has been offering books in different languages to its visitors for 25 years. Russian, Italian, English, French, German, Japanese… there is no language that can resist it. Its rooms are full of carefully selected editions. The design of the covers decorating the walls invites you to browse the store for hours.
📍Calle Génova, 3 (metro Alonso Martínez).
Auryn
Many Madrilenians do not know that in the Chamartín district there was a German colony. The Auryn bookstore is located at the end of Príncipe de Vergara street, right in the area where the Colegio Alemán used to stand: an establishment more than a hundred years old where immigrants from the former colony used to go. Today, the school is in ruins, but the bookstore is still as lively as it was forty years ago.
Auryn is noted for its method books for learning German. It is also known for its children’s literature, ideal for the little ones in the house to have a fun first contact with the language.
📍Calle Príncipe de Vergara, 207 (metro Concha Espina).
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