When Aaron arrived at Barcelona airport in early summer, he was excited to continue his Spanish immersion after Sevilla. He had already visited cities in Spain before, but now he wanted to truly visit Barcelona as a learner, not just as a tourist. Castelldefels, a peaceful seaside town near the city, became his home base.
Barcelona is one of Europe’s most visited cities and a cosmopolitan city that attracts tourists year-round thanks to its pleasant weather, famous architecture, museums, and vibrant street life. Living near the sea while having easy access to the city allowed Aaron to combine relaxation with learning in a natural way.
Meet Aaron – A Learner with Clear Goals
Aaron works as a manager on a ranch in California and has many Spanish-speaking colleagues. His main goal was to improve communication at work and with his children, two of whom are of Colombian origin. He is also involved in charitable projects connected to childhood and travels frequently to South America.
He is passionate about healthy living, so discovering traditional Catalan dishes and Mediterranean cooking was especially meaningful. Helping with cooking classes at home and talking about ingredients created excellent speaking practice. He also loves swimming in the sea, and Castelldefels’ beautiful beaches quickly became one of his favorite learning environments.
Aaron’s Academic Background and Progress
Aaron arrived with an A2–B1 level. He understood basic grammar but needed more fluency and confidence. Our private tours through daily life became his classroom. We focused on past tenses, storytelling, and conversation, always orally.
Aaron requested no books and no written exercises. Instead, we used guided tours of daily situations: meals, walks, shopping, and visits. Public transport, ordering food, and casual conversations became real lessons. By the end of his stay, he was forming longer sentences, reacting more quickly, and speaking with noticeably more confidence.
Visiting Barcelona: Modernism, History, and City Life
We often took regional trains from Castelldefels to the Barcelona city center. Barcelona is famous for Catalan modernism, contemporary art, and world-class museums. Walking along Passeig de Gràcia, Aaron admired Casa Batlló, Casa Amatller, Casa Milà, and La Pedrera.
We explored the Gothic Quarter several times, walking through narrow streets in Ciutat Vella, the old city and old town of Barcelona. Passing Barcelona Cathedral, we discussed how the city developed over centuries. Aaron also learned how popular attractions manage long lines, audio guides, and tourist tax systems.
Art, Music, and Cultural Barcelona
Barcelona is home to outstanding museums, including the Picasso Museum and the National Art Museum. We spoke about contemporary art, classical painting, and how museums shape a city’s cultural identity.
We passed near Palau de la Música Catalana and discussed Catalan music, de la música catalana, and the city’s musical traditions. We also talked about Gran Teatre del Liceu and its role in opera history. Aaron learned how Barcelona blends art, music, and architecture into everyday life, expanding his vocabulary around culture and emotions.
Discovering El Born, La Ribera, and Historic Barcelona
El Born and La Ribera became two of Aaron’s favorite neighborhoods. These historic districts combine medieval streets, small plazas, trendy cafés, and local shops.
We walked near Parc de la Ciutadella, Arc de Triomf, and Castell dels Tres Dragons, learning vocabulary about parks, monuments, and spectacular views. Aaron practiced describing buildings, comparing neighborhoods, and expressing preferences. Talking about tourists, traveler reviews, and differences between neighborhoods helped him gain confidence using descriptive language naturally.
Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and Iconic Sights
No visit to Barcelona is complete without seeing the Sagrada Família and Park Güell. Aaron was fascinated by how these famous landmarks combine art, religion, and engineering.
We discussed how some sites are UNESCO World Heritage Site landmarks and why millions of tourists visit every year. Talking about long lines, single ticket options, guided tours, and audio guides gave Aaron practical vocabulary. Describing colors, shapes, and spectacular views helped him improve descriptive Spanish while enjoying Barcelona’s most famous symbols.
Tasting Barcelona: Tapas and Traditional Catalan Cuisine
Food became a daily language lesson. We visited traditional tapas spots and small local restaurants away from tourist traps. Ending some walks at La Boqueria and the Boqueria Market allowed Aaron to practice ordering, asking prices, and naming ingredients.
He loved discovering traditional Catalan dishes and comparing Spanish olive oil with Californian olive oil in Spanish. These relaxed conversations encouraged spontaneous speaking and made vocabulary stick naturally.
Las Ramblas and the Heart of the City
Walking along Las Ramblas, one of Barcelona’s most famous streets, was a lively experience. Street performers, flower stalls, cafés, and crowds of tourists created constant opportunities for observation and conversation.
We talked about cruise terminals, luxury hotels, and landmarks such as the Columbus Monument. Aaron practiced describing what he saw, expressing opinions, and asking questions. Being surrounded by movement, sound, and energy helped him improve listening skills in real urban situations.
Verbena de San Juan: A Local Public Holiday
Aaron’s second night in Castelldefels coincided with the Verbena de San Juan, one of Spain’s most important public holidays in summer.
We celebrated at friends’ home with salads, cheeses, cured meats, and coca de San Juan. Later, we walked by the sea to watch fireworks. Talking about traditions, food, and celebrations helped Aaron understand cultural vocabulary while practicing natural conversation in a relaxed social environment.
Classes at the Chiringuito: Learning by the Sea
Many mornings began with beach walks and coffee at a chiringuito. Evenings often included swimming and watching the sunset.
Castelldefels’ seaside town atmosphere, pleasant weather, and beautiful beaches made learning feel effortless. Casual conversation about weather, plans, and daily routines helped Aaron speak more naturally. He especially enjoyed hearing how public transportation works, including metro stations, metro lines, night buses, and regional trains into Barcelona.
Visiting the Castle and the Ermita de Brugués
We visited Castelldefels Castle from the outside and admired the spectacular views. Talking about pirate history and coastal defense expanded Aaron’s historical vocabulary.
Later, we visited the Ermita de Brugués in the Garraf mountains. Aaron learned the meaning of “virgen encontrada” and discussed rural traditions. Describing landscapes and nature helped him practice adjectives and prepositions naturally.
Exploring Garraf: Mediterranean Simplicity
We also visited Garraf, a small fishing village along the Mediterranean Sea. Colorful houses, the quiet harbor, and relaxed atmosphere showed Aaron another side of Catalonia.
He tried wine sangria and described flavors, scenery, and atmosphere in Spanish. These simple moments strengthened his ability to express opinions and talk comfortably about what he sees and feels.
Discovering Sitges: Art, History, and Beaches
Sitges became one of Aaron’s favorite other destinations. We talked about Cau Ferrat, the town’s artistic past, and its strong cultural identity.
Walking along the beach, discussing history, and enjoying a vermouth at the first chiringuito in Spain allowed Aaron to practice narration and descriptive language. He loved Sitges’ energy and promised to return someday.
Games, Magic, and a Warm Farewell
At home, I taught Aaron to play dominoes, while he taught us poker. These games created fun speaking opportunities and new vocabulary.
We were lucky to attend Castelldefels Màgica, enjoying a live magic show in the main square. On his final night, we had dinner at an Argentine chiringuito. The conversation flowed easily, showing how much his Spanish had improved.
Final Reflections
Aaron’s stay in Castelldefels, Barcelona, was full of cultural discovery, meaningful conversations, and steady progress.
He learned that choosing Barcelona means choosing a city where language, culture, food, and daily life naturally blend. Living with his teacher, using public transport, exploring famous sites, and relaxing by the sea turned Spanish into a living language.
Hosting Aaron was a joy, and I truly hope to welcome him back again.
Ready to Live Your Own Spanish Story in Barcelona?
If you want to visit Barcelona, explore Spain, and improve your Spanish naturally, choose Barcelona and join the Spanish Homestay Immersion Program (SHIP).
Speak Spanish. Live the culture. Feel at home in Spain.
You can explore more real immersion experiences here:
👉 SHIP Stories of Our Previous Students
For personalised guidance and programme details, you can contact our founder directly:
Mónica Romero
Founder and Director, Spanish Express
📞 Phone / WhatsApp: +44 7903 867 894
📧 Email: monicaromero@spanishexpress.co.uk
