One of the most-watched shows on Netflix was the Spanish production, “La casa de Papel,” or "Money Heist." However, even if we all watched the story unfold, very few of us could follow up without subtitles (duh!) But have you ever wondered why the show was so successful? Well, aside from the great story and talented actors, another good reason is that Spanish is one of the most popular languages today. And with over 600 million Spanish speakers worldwide,1 would you like to learn Spanish in Vancouver? Read on!
Why Learn Spanish in Vancouver?
If you live in Vancouver and are thinking about adding a new skill to strengthen your resume, adding a second language like Spanish is undoubtedly brilliant. However, the ability to speak a global language like Spanish gives you more than a competitive professional edge over others around you in Canada. It will also open the door to a multicultural environment and enhance your travel experience.
Cultural Diversity
According to the 2021 census data for Vancouver, the city is one of the most linguistically diverse in Canada. Indeed, 44% of Vancouverites have a non-English mother tongue, and 26% usually speak non-English languages at home. 2
According to a 2024 media report, the Spanish-speaking Latin American population in Canada nearly doubled from 2021 to 2023.
In British Columbia, it increased by almost 50% from 2016 to 2021, contributing to greater access to Spanish-language culture and institutions (such as film festivals and cultural centres). 3
The fact that Spanish is listed among the top-growing languages in the metropolitan area highlights the many opportunities you have to explore and support cultural, linguistic, and social engagement in Spanish.
Are you ready to get out of your comfort zone?
Travel Opportunities
However, the opportunity to learn Spanish in Vancouver is not limited to adventures in your local area, but also to venturing out to explore the world. According to AP News, Spain received a record 85.1 million international visitors in 2023. 4
In addition, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and the Dominican Republic welcome millions of international visitors each year, underscoring the value of Spanish for travellers exploring Latin America.
Increased employability
With about 20 countries listing Spanish as their official language, learning it opens you to a wide range of employment and career opportunities globally.
The demand for Spanish-speaking workers is rising. Additionally, with globalization and the growing Canadian economy, international trade agreements with Latin American countries offer unlimited business opportunities for companies seeking proper personnel.
Whether you're a native speaker or a Spanish learner, having a foreign language like Spanish on your resume in an English- or French-speaking work environment like Vancouver can increase your value in the job market. Learn Spanish Vancouver!
According to Statistics Canada, in 2021, one of the languages other than English and French with the most speakers was Spanish, with over 1.2 million speakers, ahead of Mandarin (987,000), Punjabi (942,000), and Arabic (838,000). 5
Where to study Spanish in Vancouver?
Seeing that Vancouver is officially a bilingual city, most people would seem comfortable learning French to blend in with the trend. But if you did the same as everyone, no one would stand out. With the growth of the Spanish language across Canada, learning Spanish puts you ahead of others in your business, career, and personal life! But where can you learn Spanish Vancouver?
UBC Extended Learning
UBC Extended Learning offers a Spanish program for beginners to advanced levels, including training in Spanish Conversation, Spanish, Practical and Business Spanish, and Spanish reading, writing, and Latin American culture. Courses are available online or in person and help students develop basic aptitudes, including vocabulary, grammar, and cultural immersion.
Contact:
🌐 Website: extendedlearning.ubc.ca/areas-study/spanish-conversation; extendedlearning.ubc.ca/areas-study/spanish-reading-writing-latin-american-culture
🏢 Address: 6200 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
📞 Telephone: 604.822.9836
Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Center
Roundhouse offers Spanish classes for adults, from Spanish Beginner For Seniors Level 1 (55+), Spanish Beginner For Seniors Level 2 (55+), to Spanish Advance for Seniors (55+). Their Spanish courses focus on improving your conversational Spanish by practicing the knowledge you already have, strengthening your grammar, and developing your mastery.
Contact:
🌐 Website: roundhouse.ca/kgrhc/language/?mc=17729
🏢 Address: Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2W3
📞 Telephone: 604.713.1800 (press 1)
Hola Spanish Center
Hola Spanish Centre also offers Spanish courses for adults, from beginner to intermediate/advanced levels, with in-person or online classes. They offer flexible weekly Spanish courses in the afternoons, intensive courses, and private lessons.
Contact:
🌐 Website: holaspanishcentre.com
📬 Mail: info@holaspanishcentre.com
🏢 Address: Vancouver: #206 – 223 West Broadway (Broadway & Columbia); North Vancouver: 208 – 1801 Welch Street.
📞 Telephone: 604-568-2530
Vancouver Community College (VCC)
VCC offers Spanish classes through its continuing education program, aimed at beginners and helping to develop basic aptitudes through its Beginning Conversation Spanish course. They also provide more specialized classes, such as Spanish for Medical Profession. Their continuing education programs offer great flexibility for those with busy schedules.
Contact:
🌐 Website: continuingstudies.vcc.ca
📬 Mail: continuingstudies@vcc.ca
🏢 Address: Continuing Studies Registration Office, 250 West Pender Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B1S9
📞 Telephone: 604.443.8484
| Institution | Course Levels & Focus | Formats Offered | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| UBC Extended Learning | Beginner → Advanced; Spanish Conversation; Practical & Business Spanish; Reading, Writing & Latin American Culture | Online & In-person | University-level instruction; strong cultural immersion; clear learning pathways |
| Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre | Spanish Beginner Level 1 & 2 (55+); Spanish Advanced (55+); conversational focus for adults | In-person | Affordable community programs; ideal for seniors or casual learners; conversation-driven environment |
| Hola Spanish Centre | Beginner → Intermediate/Advanced; private lessons; intensive courses | In-person & Online | Native-speaking instructors; small class sizes; flexible weekly schedules |
| Vancouver Community College (VCC) | Beginner conversation; Spanish for Medical Professionals; continuing studies options | In-person & Hybrid | Flexible scheduling for working adults; practical, purpose-focused Spanish instruction |
Tips for Choosing the Right Spanish Course
Finding the right Spanish course can have a significant impact on the speed and efficiency of your learning. Here are some essential things to consider before enrolling, whether you are studying Spanish for work, travel, or personal development.
Assess your level
You must know your current level before signing up for a course. This will benefit you by preventing you from falling behind in your classes or failing to progress, as your proficiency will be higher.
Take a test to determine your level 🧠
Many schools offer free level tests, either online or in person.
Use the CEFR self-assessment tables 📊
To get a more objective perspective, compare your writing, reading, speaking, and listening with the CEFR levels (A1-C2).
Consider previous learning experiences 🌍
If you have learned Spanish in school or have studied or traveled abroad, your level is likely to be above beginner.
Set your learning objectives
The Spanish course that benefits you most should be based on your objectives. Ask yourself:
- Why am I studying Spanish? Is it for travel, to advance my career, for personal interest, to connect with my family, or to optimize communication with Spanish-speaking clients?
- What do I want to learn? Mastery of grammar, writing, pronunciation, business Spanish, or knowledge of Latin American culture?
- How fast do I want to progress? Intensive courses are fast-paced, but part-time classes are better suited for long-term continuity.
- Do I prefer Spanish from Spain or Latin American variants? The city has teachers and programs specializing in diverse variants of Spanish.
Choose your class format
Spanish courses are offered in a variety of formats, each with its own benefits depending on your schedule and how you prefer to learn.
Face-to-face lessons 🧑🏫
Ideal for students who require structure and appreciate face-to-face interaction.
Virtual courses 💻
Ideal for students with a busy schedule or who value flexibility. They are ideal if you want to study from home or combine work with classes.
Group classes 👥
Perfect for practicing conversation with multiple students and saving money.
Additional Resources for Spanish Learners in Vancouver
To quickly get ahead, then, we suggest you start now boosting your Spanish, and by the time everyone else tries to get in on it, you will be miles ahead. For better immersion and progress, we recommend the following:
☑️ Language exchange groups
Vancouver's multicultural environment makes it easy to find groups where you can practice your Spanish in a relaxed, conversational setting. If you are a student of Spanish and are interested in meeting Spanish speakers either online or in person, join:
- Vancouver Spanish Language Exchange Group
- Tandem Language Exchange Vancouver
- Conversation circles at community centers or public libraries.
☑️ Spanish cultural events
Spanish and Latin American cultures are becoming increasingly popular in the city. Because of this, attending events to explore Latin American and Spanish cultures is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the language. If you want to take part in concerts, art exhibitions, films, workshops, and book presentations, don't miss:
- Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre (VLACC)
- Vancouver Latin American Film Festival (VLAFF)
- Hispanic Heritage Month (September)
Attending these events will give you a deeper cultural understanding!
☑️ Libraries and bookstores
The city offers a variety of places to access resources and teaching materials for practice, where you can find everything from books and audio resources to movies in Spanish:
- Vancouver Public Library (VPL)
- UBC Library
- Massy Books
- Book Warehouse
These resources will help you boost your vocabulary, explore Hispanic literature, and even find a place to practice in-person listening comprehension. However, if you prefer face-to-face instruction, discover the best private tutors to learn Spanish in Montreal.
Learn Spanish with Superprof
Superprof is an online community of a million tutors teaching over 1000 subjects and skills ranging from music to sewing, AutoCAD, organic chemistry, chess, math, and even guitar. Over a million students from across the world use Superprof and have never regretted it.
Superprof provides the opportunity to learn anything and everything from experienced, certified tutors at affordable prices. All that is required is to research the profiles of Spanish tutors in your area; for example, you can find Spanish tutors in Ottawa, contact them, and set your learning plan. You’re good to go!
Visit Superprof and get started on your Spanish classes with a qualified tutor in your own time. What are you waiting for? You can also hire a Spanish teacher in Toronto.
References
- Spanish to exceed 600M speakers this year. (2025, September 18). Language Magazine. https://languagemagazine.com/2025/09/06/spanish-to-exceed-600m-speakers-this-year/
- Levitt, K., Mochrie, P., City of Vancouver, Singh, S., & O’Donnell, T. (2022). 2021 Census – Indigenous Peoples and language.
- Web, P. (2024, May 25). Exploring Vancouver’s Latin American culture - The Peak. The Peak. https://the-peak.ca/2024/05/exploring-vancouvers-latin-american-culture/
- Spain’s 85.1 million foreign visitors last year set a tourism record | AP News. (2024, February 2). AP News. https://apnews.com/article/spain-tourism-record-visitors-pandemic-4df133fc8646d272582bf71298cea98d
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2025, January 22). The Daily — Linguistic diversity in Canada: Shedding light on 2021 Census data on non-official languages. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/250122/dq250122b-eng.htm
Did you like this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
