Top 5 Cities in Europe to Study a Foreign Language
By Charles Jackson
The best way to learn a language is undoubtedly to be completely immersed in it. After all, this is how children learn their native language. Far more effective than any book or a one-on-one lesson, nothing beats actually going to spend some time in a foreign country when taking a course in the local language. Not only does it give you an excellent opportunity to learn a foreign language; it also allows you to experience a new culture and have a lot of fun in the process. It will make for a valuable life experience all round. Here are some of the best places to learn five of the world's major languages.
Learn Spanish in Salamanca
Salamanca is a university city right in the heart of Spain. Boasting no shortage of fine architecture, fantastic nightlife and warm hospitality, this city is one of the most underrated in Spain. If you have decided to learn Spanish, one of the most prolific languages in the world, then Salamanca is the ultimate option for a place to study. There are many language schools there and the city is only a couple of hours away by bus from Madrid. Salamanca also provides the benefit of being home almost entirely to Spanish speakers, unlike another popular destination, Barcelona, where the primary language spoken is actually Catalan.
Learn German in Heidelberg
Known for its beautifully preserved baroque old centre, Heidelberg is the epitome of a Germanic town. It boasts a particularly picturesque and romantic cityscape and pleasant surroundings of rolling forested hills. Heidelberg is also a university town and home to a thriving student community and a lively nightlife scene. When looking for a place to learn German abroad, this destination will often come out on top and German language courses are widely available here. It is a small and manageable city with a population of around 150,000.
Learn Italian in Florence
If Italian is your choice when it comes to taking up a foreign language, then you can expect excellent food and wine, exceptional hospitality and civilization at its very finest. Florence is one of Italy's prime destinations for students who want to learn Italian and it's easy to see why. Known for its colourful history and stunning cityscape, the Tuscan capital presents a world of opportunity. It won't be cheap, but it will certainly make for a memorable experience while learning Italian.
Learn Russian in Saint Petersburg
The language of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy has a romantic appeal to many, and Russian is also one of the world's major languages and by far the most prolific Slavic language. Saint Petersburg, established by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703 as Russia's Window to the West, is now the second-largest city in Russia after Moscow. Home to many world-famous landmarks such as the Winter Palace and the Hermitage, Saint Petersburg is a cultural and historical gem and a perfect place to learn Russian. Learning Russian also opens up a whole range of possibilities when it comes to learning other Slavic languages, many of which are quite similar.
Learn Portuguese in Lisbon
The language of Portugal, Brazil and many other countries around the world, Portuguese is spoken by more than two-hundred million native speakers and what better place to learn it than in the country of its birth? Portugal's capital city, Lisbon, boasts some three-thousand years of history. If being in a warmer part of Europe right on the coast appeals to you, then Lisbon is a great place to study Portuguese. The city boasts an eclectic nightlife and cultural scene as well as a nearly year-round café culture.
