Learning Spanish when you arrive: schools and resources in Alicante

You can live on the Costa Blanca without speaking Spanish — there are areas where English covers 80 % of situations. But not being able to communicate in Spanish limits you more than you think: at A&E, at the town hall, with your owners' community, with the plumber, at the municipal market. And it isolates you from the culture you supposedly came to enjoy. The good news: learning Spanish in Alicante is affordable, accessible and there are options for every level and budget.

What level do you actually need?

• A1 (beginner): greet, order in a restaurant, understand basic signs. Enough to survive as a tourist.
• A2 (elementary): hold simple conversations on everyday topics, handle basic paperwork. This is the level required for Spanish nationality (DELE A2 exam).
• B1 (intermediate): participate in normal conversations, understand news, handle complex paperwork without an interpreter. The level where life becomes truly comfortable.
• B2 (upper intermediate): work in Spanish, attend meetings, read contracts unaided.
• C1-C2 (advanced): near-native command. Rarely needed unless you work in a Spanish professional environment.

For daily life on the Costa Blanca, a solid B1 is where you stop feeling limited.

Learning options: from free to premium

1. Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (EOI) — The public option

The EOI in Alicante is a public institution offering Spanish courses for foreigners from A1 to C2. The cheapest and most academically rigorous option.

• Format: in-person classes 2-3 days/week (4-6 hours/week) + online work via Aules platform.
• Duration: full academic year (September to June).
• Price: ~€100-200/year. Significantly cheaper than any private academy.
• Certification: official qualifications recognised across Spain and Europe (CEFR-aligned).
• Requirements: aged 16+. No visa or NIE needed — passport suffices.

EOIs exist in Alicante, Benidorm, Dénia, Elche, Torrevieja and other municipalities. Demand is high — places fill fast in September. Apply in June-July.

2. Accredited private academies

For more intensive and flexible learning. Instituto Cervantes-accredited schools guarantee quality standards.

Notable academies in Alicante: Proyecto Español (from ~€180/week), Escuela Elcano (from ~€160/week), Don Quijote (from ~€200/week), Academia Zador.

Standard course prices (20 h/week): 1 week €160-250, 4 weeks €500-800, 12 weeks €1 200-2 000.

3. Municipal courses and associations

Many Costa Blanca town halls offer free or very cheap Spanish courses for registered residents. Alicante, Torrevieja, Alfaz del Pi and Jávea have regular programmes. Price: €0-50/term.

Immigrant associations and NGOs (Red Cross, Cáritas) also offer free classes.

4. Language exchange (free)

The most effective and free way to practise. You teach your language, your partner teaches you Spanish. Where to find partners: Meetup.com groups, Tandem/HelloTalk apps, weekly exchange meetups at bars in central Alicante.

5. Apps and online resources (supplement)

Apps do not replace classes but are an excellent complement: Duolingo (free, good for A1-A2 vocabulary), Babbel (~€7/month, better grammar), SpanishPod101 (audio lessons), Anki (free flashcards), RTVE Play (Spanish TV with subtitles, free).

6. Private tutors

For personalised learning: Italki/Preply (online, from €8-15/hour), local ads (in-person, €15-30/hour).

The trick that works: social immersion

No class replaces real life. The expats who learn fastest: shop at the municipal market (not the British supermarket), go to the neighbourhood bar and order in Spanish, join local sports clubs, read the local newspaper, watch Spanish TV with Spanish subtitles (not their own language). The difference between living in Spain and living in Spanish in Spain is enormous.

DELE A2 preparation (nationality)

For Spanish nationality (after 10 years' residence, or 2 for Ibero-Americans), you need the DELE A2 + CCSE exam (constitutional and sociocultural knowledge).

• DELE A2: reading, listening, writing and speaking. ~2.5 hours. Fee: ~€130.
• CCSE: 25 multiple-choice questions on Spain's constitution, government, history and culture. 45 minutes. Fee: ~€85. Free study material on the Instituto Cervantes website.

With a genuine A2 level, both exams are passable with 2-3 months of specific preparation.

Frequently asked questions

How long to reach B1?

With regular classes (4-6 hours/week) + daily informal practice, a motivated adult starting from zero reaches B1 in 9-12 months. With total immersion (living in Spanish, intensive classes), it can shrink to 6 months.

Can you live on the Costa Blanca with English only?

In Torrevieja, Jávea, Calpe, Orihuela Costa and Benidorm, yes — complete English infrastructure exists. But English keeps you in the 'expat bubble'. For procedures with the town hall, Social Security, DGT or owners' community, Spanish is needed or you need someone to translate.

Is the EOI really good?

Yes. Teaching quality is high — teachers are civil servants with competitive-exam qualifications. The downside: fixed schedules, group pace and limited places. For flexibility, private wins. For value, EOI is unbeatable.

Do my children need separate Spanish classes?

Generally no. Children under 10 in a Spanish state school acquire fluency in 6-12 months through natural immersion. Teenagers (12+) may benefit from extra classes during the first year.

Is Valencian a problem?

On the Costa Blanca, Castilian Spanish is the dominant language. Valencian (a Catalan variant) is taught in state schools and appears on bilingual signage, but you do not need to learn it to live here. Some northern areas (Dénia, Jávea, Altea) are more Valencian-speaking, but Castilian is understood everywhere.

If you are planning your new life on the Costa Blanca, explore our available properties or contact us for a personalised consultation.