Spanish-language study program Expanish plans to open a new school in Barcelona, specifically for students aged 30 or older, it has been announced.
“We are marketing the school as a mature learning space, where more mature language students can have a Spanish immersion program with others of a similar mindset,” said Expanish commercial manager Murphy Scott.
Expanish has had a language school in Barcelona for several years, the original location will only be for 16–29-year-olds, but the course prices will remain the same between the two schools.
According to Scott, 30% of Expanish’s student population are aged 30 or older. Generally, older students are more mature and therefore have different life experiences than those aged between 16-29, he said.
The 30+ school will allow for a more personal experience based on each age groups interests and goals, rather than having the more mature students participate in the same activities as the younger ones, he suggested.
Examples of activities for the 30+ school include wine tastings, Spanish history workshops, and architecture tours.
“This is the first Spanish 30+ centre of its kind”
Expanish director and co-founder, Agustin Vignale, said, “Having a separate school for those aged 30+ will allow our students in Barcelona to learn Spanish in a more mature study environment alongside people with similar life experience.
“We think this will ensure a more rewarding immersive experience for all our students,” he added.
In regard to other language learning programs edtech providers like Duolingo, Babbel or Busuu, Scott is confident that while technology has made leaps in language education, nothing can beat an immersive experience like the one Expanish offers.
“Two weeks in an immersion program can teach you more than you can learn in a year with Duolingo,” Scott said.
Expanish doesn’t view the edtech options as competitors because the types of language education they each offer are vastly different. The main competitors are the 50+ Spanish language programs in and around Spain.
“This is the first Spanish 30+ centre of its kind, showing that Expanish continues to grow as a leader in Spanish language centres,” said Vignale.
The new Expanish 30+ school is located in Barcelona in the Eixample neighbourhood. All current students who are 30 or older will automatically move to the new centre.
