Why learn Catalan as a beginner?
Catalan is a living language spoken by roughly 10 million people across Catalonia, Valencia, the Balearic Islands, Andorra, and parts of France and Italy. If you travel, study, or work in these regions, even A1 phrases open doors to local culture, menus, shops, and friendly conversations.
For English beginners, Catalan is approachable: it is a Romance language with lots of familiar vocabulary and clear spelling rules. Learning Catalan can also boost your Spanish or French later on, since you will recognize many roots. Best of all, you can learn online, free, with a routine that fits busy days.
- Culture: understand music, TV3 content, and festivals from the inside.
- Travel: order food, ask directions, and read signs with confidence.
- Career: language skills stand out on a CV in tech, tourism, and education.
- Momentum: a friendly stepping stone to other Romance languages.
Your free online starter plan (A1–A2)
You do not need long sessions to learn. Aim for 20–30 minutes daily. Consistency beats intensity, especially for a beginner. Use a mix of structured lessons, vocab practice, and listening to build all skills together.
Follow this weekly rhythm from English: learn new words on two days, practice sentences on two days, listen and repeat on two days, and keep one light review day. Track progress with a simple checklist: new phrases learned, minutes listened, and one short message written.
- Day 1–2: Core lessons (alphabet, greetings, numbers, basic verbs like ser, tenir).
- Day 3–4: Vocab and phrases with spaced repetition (family, food, directions).
- Day 5: Listening and shadowing with slow videos or podcasts.
- Day 6: Short writing: 5–8 sentences about your day; get feedback online.
- Day 7: Review: quick quiz, revise a tricky sound, and celebrate small wins.
Best free resources to learn Catalan from English
Combine one structured course with light practice apps and real content. This keeps your brain engaged and your motivation high. Everything below is free or has a solid free tier.
Note on Duolingo: the Catalan course currently exists from Spanish, not from English. If you know basic Spanish or do not mind using a Spanish base, it is a playful supplement. If not, focus on the options made for English beginners.
- Parla.cat: the official platform with guided A1–A2 modules, exercises, and audio. Great for structure.
- Memrise community courses: bite-size decks for beginners built from English; good for vocab and phrases.
- Clozemaster: sentence-based practice to reinforce grammar in context; start with easy mode.
- Easy Catalan (YouTube): street interviews with subtitles; perfect for real voices and common phrases.
- Institut Ramon Llull materials: free grammar sheets, readers, and culture notes for learners.
- Softcatalà and Diccionari.cat: reliable dictionaries and tools for checking spelling and meanings.
Pronunciation and spelling: quick wins
Catalan spelling is consistent. Learn a few patterns early and everything gets easier. Listen while you read, then repeat aloud. Short daily shadowing will boost your A1–A2 speed and confidence.
Focus on these high‑impact sounds. Do not worry about perfection; aim for clear, friendly speech that people understand.
- ç = s (braç, plaça).
- ll = palatal sound, similar to million in English (vella).
- ny = ny as in canyon (Catalunya).
- l·l = geminated l; hold the l slightly longer (col·legi).
- tx / ig (final) = ch sound (cotxe, maig).
- Accent marks show stress and open/closed vowels (é/è, ó/ò); copy what you hear.
Practice speaking and writing online (free)
Active use turns passive knowledge into real language skills. Even at A1, you can speak and write short messages. Use friendly communities to get feedback and keep your streak alive.
When motivation dips, shrink the task: one greeting, one sentence, one mini voice note. Small steps add up fast for beginners.
- Language exchange apps (Tandem, HelloTalk): swap English for Catalan; send 30‑second voice notes.
- Discord or Reddit r/Catalan: post short texts; ask for corrections; read others’ tips.
- Shadowing: repeat 1–2 lines from Easy Catalan videos; record yourself and compare.
- Micro-journaling: write 5 sentences about your day; reuse patterns tomorrow.
- Phrase swaps: learn 3 ways to say thanks, sorry, and please; practice in chats.
FAQ
- Is Catalan hard for English beginners?
- It is very learnable. Catalan shares lots of vocabulary with other Romance languages, has clear spelling, and plenty of free online help. If you keep sessions short and regular, A1 comes quickly for a beginner.
- Can I learn Catalan free online?
- Yes. Use Parla.cat for structure, Memrise or Clozemaster for vocab, Easy Catalan for listening, and community spaces for feedback. You can build a complete A1–A2 path without paying.
- Should I start with Duolingo?
- Duolingo’s Catalan course is currently from Spanish, not from English. If you know basic Spanish, it is a fun supplement. If not, start with Parla.cat and English‑based materials, then add Duolingo later if you like.
- How long to reach A2 from zero?
- With 20–30 minutes daily, many learners reach solid A1 in 6–8 weeks and early A2 in 3–4 months. Your pace varies, but steady practice and real listening make the biggest difference.
- Are Catalan and Spanish the same language?
- No. They are related but distinct languages with different grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Many people in Catalonia speak both, but using Catalan shows respect and helps you connect.