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As indicated in the introduction to this guide, the official language in Spain is Spanish, or Castilian, which is spoken by all citizens. However, certain Autonomous Communities have their own official language in addition to Spanish. Catalan is spoken in Catalonia, Galician in Galicia, and Basque in the Basque Country and part of Navarre. The Balearic Islands and Valencia also have their own official languages. To better integrate into any of these regions, you should study the local language.
The most widely used language to communicate with foreigners is, by far, English. It is followed by French and German, but at a considerable distance. The scientific community normally uses English, since it is the language used in the international forums and for the publication of research papers.
If you want to study Spanish before coming to Spain, the Cervantes Institute network is a good option. To find the center nearest you, visit the web page: www.cervantes.es. There is also an Official Language School (www.eoidiomas.com) in each province. These are public centers run by the Departments of Education in the Autonomous Communities that offer specialized language courses for adults. There are six-monthly Spanish courses for foreigners that are quite affordable.
Once in Spain, there are several private academies and institutes that teach Spanish to foreigners, and even the language of the region in which you reside. To find and compare prices of the language schools throughout Spain, access the website www.languagecourse.net/cursos-de-idiomas, where you will also find evaluations from students how have attended them. Payment is normally monthly or quarterly. The price per hour may vary greatly from one center to another. The Ministry of Education and Science website also offers Spanish courses. For more information, visit http://oasext.mec.es/Sisinfprd/plsqlprd/espaniol.
Another option is to take private classes that fit the schedule and learning needs of the student. They tend to be more expensive, but often the companies and public institutions themselves offer them to the personnel they hire, especially in the case of foreigners. The language departments at the universities are a good place to find these private teachers. In some cases, the language academy professors themselves also offer private classes.
If you need the services of a sworn translator due to the requirements of the different administrative formalities (degree recognition, driver's license, resident's card, etc.), you can find a list of professionals at:
www.mae.es/es/MenuPpal/Ministerio/Tablon+de+anuncios/Interpretes+jurados/
