📚 Studying in Catalonia, Spain: Catalan Language Requirements and Coping Strategies | 留学西班牙加泰罗尼亚地区：加泰语要求与应对策略
For many international students, Spain evokes images of sunny plazas and rapid-fire Castilian Spanish. However, choosing to study in the Catalonia region introduces a unique linguistic dimension: Catalan, a co-official language deeply embedded in academic and daily life. Understanding the Catalan language requirements and preparing strategically is essential to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
对许多国际学生而言，西班牙让人联想到阳光明媚的广场和快节奏的卡斯蒂利亚西班牙语。然而，选择在加泰罗尼亚地区留学，就会触及独特的语言维度：加泰语作为当地的共同官方语言，深深植根于学术和日常生活之中。透彻了解加泰语要求并有策略地进行准备，是在课堂内外蓬勃发展的关键。
1. The Linguistic Landscape of Catalonia | 加泰罗尼亚语言环境概览
Catalonia has two official languages: Catalan and Spanish. Catalan is not a dialect of Spanish but a distinct Romance language with its own grammar and lexicon. In the education system, Catalan serves as the principal language of instruction from primary school through upper secondary education. Spanish is also taught and used, but the default academic environment is predominantly Catalan-speaking.
加泰罗尼亚拥有两种官方语言：加泰语和西班牙语。加泰语并非西班牙语的方言，而是一门拥有独立语法和词汇的罗曼语族语言。在教育体系中，从小学到高中，加泰语都是主要的教学语言。西班牙语也会教授和使用，但默认的学术环境以加泰语为主导。
Public universities, such as the University of Barcelona (UB) and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), follow this linguistic model. While many courses offer Spanish or English groups, a significant portion of undergraduate teaching is delivered in Catalan. International students must therefore navigate a bilingual, if not trilingual, setting from the first day.
公立大学，如巴塞罗那大学（UB）和巴塞罗那自治大学（UAB），都遵循这一语言模式。尽管许多课程提供西班牙语或英语小组，但相当一部分本科教学仍用加泰语进行。因此，国际学生从入学第一天起就需要应对双语乃至三语环境。
2. Language of Instruction at Catalan Universities | 加泰罗尼亚高校的教学语言
Each university publishes a language policy for every degree programme. In practice, many compulsory modules in humanities, social sciences, law and education are taught in Catalan. For example, at the University of Girona or Pompeu Fabra University, you will find that around 60-80% of undergraduate subjects use Catalan as the primary medium. English and Spanish are more common in STEM and business master's programmes, but even there, seminar groups may default to Catalan.
每所大学都会公布各学位课程的语言政策。实际上，人文、社科、法律和教育领域的许多必修课都用加泰语授课。例如，在赫罗纳大学或庞培法布拉大学，约60%-80%的本科科目以加泰语为主要教学语言。英语和西班牙语在STEM和商科硕士项目中更为常见，但即使如此，研讨小组也可能默认使用加泰语。
Before applying, check the 'language of instruction' tab on the degree page. Look for explicit labels such as 'Taught in Catalan and Spanish' or 'Group A: Catalan; Group B: Spanish'. If the information is vague, contact the faculty coordinator. Never assume that 'Spanish language degree' means no Catalan will be used, because administrative communications, campus activities and student services routinely operate in Catalan.
申请前，请查看学位页面上的“教学语言”标签。寻找明确的标注，如“加泰语和西班牙语授课”或“A组：加泰语；B组：西班牙语”。如果信息含糊，可联系系部协调员。切勿以为“西班牙语授课的学位”就意味着完全不用加泰语，因为行政沟通、校园活动和学生服务通常都用加泰语进行。
3. Catalan Requirements for Degree Programmes | 学位课程中的加泰语要求
Unlike Spanish, there is often no formal B2 or C1 Catalan certificate demanded at admission for international students, especially in English-taught programmes. However, the reality differs by level and faculty. For undergraduate degrees taught mainly in Catalan, some universities expect at least a B1 level by the end of the first year, and a B2 level to progress into the second year. This is often assessed through coursework performance rather than a dedicated language exam.
不同于西班牙语，国际学生在入学时通常不需要提供正式的B2或C1级别加泰语证书，尤其是在英语授课项目中。但实际情况因阶段和学院而异。对于主要以加泰语授课的本科学位，一些大学期望学生在第一学年结束时至少达到B1水平，在升入第二学年时达到B2水平。这通常通过课程作业的表现来评估，而非通过专门的语言考试。
For master's and doctoral studies, the requirements are more flexible. Many research groups operate in English, but the ability to read Catalan sources and interact with local colleagues is highly valued. Some doctoral programmes require a short Catalan language course as part of the training. Always verify the 'normativa lingüística' (linguistic regulations) of your specific programme.
对于硕士和博士阶段，要求则更为灵活。许多研究小组以英语工作，但能够阅读加泰语资料并与当地同事交流的能力备受重视。部分博士项目要求将短期加泰语课程作为培训的一部分。务必核实所申请项目的“语言规范”（normativa lingüística）。
4. Key Challenges for International Students | 国际学生面临的关键挑战
The first challenge is the shock of a language that looks like a mix of Spanish, French and Italian but follows its own logic. Students often report that understanding lectures is harder than expected because local professors switch effortlessly between Catalan and Spanish, and class discussions frequently drift into Catalan. Even when slides are in English, the spoken commentary may be in Catalan.
首要挑战是一种看上去像西班牙语、法语和意大利语混合体但又自有逻辑的语言所带来的冲击。学生常反馈听懂讲座比预期困难得多，因为当地教授在加泰语和西班牙语之间轻松切换，而课堂讨论经常滑向加泰语。即使幻灯片是英文的，口头讲解也可能使用加泰语。
Another hurdle is the limited availability of basic-level Catalan learning materials compared with Spanish. Many apps lack quality Catalan courses, and finding structured grammar resources in English can be difficult. Social integration also poses a challenge: local students tend to form Catalan-speaking friend groups, and without passive comprehension, feelings of isolation can grow.
另一个障碍是与西班牙语相比，基础级别的加泰语学习材料非常有限。许多应用程序缺乏优质的加泰语课程，而要用英语找到结构化的语法资源也有难度。社交融入同样构成挑战：当地学生倾向于形成说加泰语的圈子，如果没有被动理解能力，孤立感可能会加剧。
5. Pre-Departure Language Preparation | 行前语言准备策略
Start learning Catalan at least three months before arrival. Focus on passive skills first: listening and reading. The Catalan government provides the free 'Parla.cat' platform, which offers structured courses from beginner to advanced levels with English interface support. Supplement this with the 'Duolingo' Catalan course for basic vocabulary, though its grammar explanations are limited.
至少在抵达前三个月开始学习加泰语。优先练习被动技能：听力和阅读。加泰罗尼亚政府提供免费的“Parla.cat”平台，该平台提供从初级到高级的结构化课程，并支持英语界面。可辅以“Duolingo”加泰语课程掌握基础词汇，尽管其语法解释有限。
Immerse your ear through Catalan music channels like Ràdio Flaixbac or TV3's online news broadcasts. Even 15 minutes a day of passive listening helps train your brain to distinguish the distinct phonetic features, such as the neutral vowel and unique consonant clusters. Keep a specific vocabulary notebook for academic terminology you are likely to encounter in your field, such as 'avaluació' (assessment) or 'recerca' (research).
通过加泰语音乐频道如Ràdio Flaixbac或TV3的在线新闻广播来沉浸耳朵。每天哪怕15分钟的被动听力都有助于训练大脑识别其独特的语音特征，如中性元音和特殊的辅音组合。准备一个专门的词汇本，记录你可能在专业领域遇到的学术术语，如“avaluació”（评估）或“recerca”（研究）。
6. Immersive Learning Techniques | 沉浸式学习方法
Upon arrival, shift to active immersion. Attend university orientation events delivered in Catalan and take part in tandem language exchanges ('intercanvi lingüístic'). These exchanges pair you with a local student who wants to practice English or Spanish, creating a low-pressure environment to practice speaking. Aim for at least two hours of Catalan conversation per week.
抵达后，转为积极沉浸。参加以加泰语讲授的大学迎新活动，并参与语言交换活动（intercanvi lingüístic）。这类交换让你与想练习英语或西班牙语的当地学生结对，从而在低压环境中练习口语。目标是每周至少进行两小时的加泰语对话。
Label household items with their Catalan names and set your phone and social media to Catalan. Reading student union emails and administrative messages in the original Catalan, rather than relying on translation, accelerates acquisition of formal registers. Use browser extensions to double-click and instantly translate Catalan words without breaking your reading flow.
给家居物品贴上加泰语名称标签，并将手机和社交媒体设置为加泰语。阅读学生会邮件和行政信息时坚持阅读加泰语原文，而非依赖翻译，可以加速对正式语体的习得。使用浏览器扩展程序双击即可即时翻译加泰语单词，而不打断阅读节奏。
7. University Language Support Services | 大学语言支持服务
Most Catalan universities have a Servei de Llengües (Language Service) that offers free Catalan courses for international students. These range from intensive summer schools to semester-long modules carrying ECTS credits. The University of Barcelona, for instance, runs the 'Aula de Català' with levels aligned to the Common European Framework.
大多数加泰罗尼亚大学设有语言服务中心（Servei de Llengües），为国际学生提供免费的加泰语课程。形式从暑期强化班到可获得ECTS学分的学期课程不等。例如，巴塞罗那大学开设了“加泰语课堂”（Aula de Català），其级别与欧洲共同语言参考标准相对应。
Additionally, many faculties appoint a language mentor or 'padrí lingüístic'. This is a voluntary local student who helps you review lecture notes, understand key vocabulary and prepare oral presentations. Do not hesitate to ask professors if you can submit written assignments in Spanish or English during the first semester while you build Catalan proficiency; most are accommodating within reason.
此外，许多系部会指定一位语言导师或“语言教父”（padrí lingüístic）。这是一名志愿当地学生，可帮助你复习课堂笔记、理解关键词汇并准备口头报告。当你在第一学期提升加泰语水平期间，可以毫不犹豫地向教授询问能否用西班牙语或英语提交书面作业；大多数教授在合理范围内会给予通融。
8. Balancing Catalan and Spanish Learning | 平衡加泰语与西班牙语学习
A common dilemma is whether to invest more time in Catalan or improve Spanish. The pragmatic answer is to develop functional competence in both. Spanish is indispensable for daily life in Barcelona and other urban areas, while Catalan unlocks deeper academic integration and is crucial if you plan to stay and work in Catalonia after graduation.
一个常见的困境是，应该投入更多时间学习加泰语还是提升西班牙语。实用的做法是培养两种语言的功能性能力。西班牙语在巴塞罗那等都市地区的日常生活中不可或缺，而加泰语则能开启更深层的学术融入，并且在你毕业后打算留在加泰罗尼亚工作时至关重要。
A practical weekly plan could allocate 60% of language study time to Catalan during the first term, gradually reducing to 40% as you gain confidence, with the remaining time devoted to polishing Spanish. Avoid mixing languages in the same study session, as this leads to interference. Use different coloured notebooks for each language to create mental boundaries.
一个可行的每周计划是，在第一学期将60%的语言学习时间分配给加泰语，随着信心增强逐步降至40%，其余时间用于精进西班牙语。避免在同一学习时段混淆两种语言，否则会产生干扰。使用不同颜色的笔记本区分两种语言，以建立心理边界。
9. Academic Writing and Oral Presentation Tips | 学术写作与口头报告技巧
Writing an academic essay in Catalan requires awareness of formal connectors such as 'tanmateix' (however), 'així doncs' (therefore) and 'sens dubte' (undoubtedly). Use the online dictionary 'Optimot' and the terminology database 'Cercaterm' to check specialised terms. When writing, draft key sentences in simple Catalan first, then enrich them with subordinate clauses.
用加泰语撰写学术论文需要掌握正式连词，如“tanmateix”（然而）、“així doncs”（因此）和“sens dubte”（毫无疑问）。使用在线词典“Optimot”和术语数据库“Cercaterm”核对专业词汇。写作时，先用简单加泰语草拟关键句，然后再用从句扩充润色。
For presentations, prepare a bilingual script: full sentences in Catalan on one side and English or Spanish notes on the other. Practice reading aloud with a Catalan speaker to correct vowel reduction and 'l' sounds. Record yourself and compare with podcasts from Catalunya Ràdio. Even a three-minute academic presentation delivered in competent Catalan makes a strong impression on faculty.
对于口头报告，准备一份双语脚本：一面是完整的加泰语句子，另一面是英语或西班牙语注释。请加泰语母语者帮忙纠正元音弱化和“l”音，并反复朗读。给自己录音，然后与来自加泰罗尼亚广播电台的播客进行对比。即使只是一个三分钟的加泰语学术报告，只要表达得当，也能给院系留下深刻印象。
10. Long-Term Integration and Career Benefits | 长期融入与职业优势
Mastering Catalan at an academic level is not merely a survival strategy; it is a career asset. Catalonia is a major economic hub, and many multinational companies headquartered in Barcelona value employees who can communicate with local clients and public administrations in their own language. Fields such as healthcare, law, public policy and education often legally require a certain level of Catalan.
在学术层面掌握加泰语不只是生存策略，更是一项职业优势。加泰罗尼亚是重要的经济中心，许多总部设在巴塞罗那的跨国公司看重能够用当地语言与客户和公共行政部门沟通的员工。医疗、法律、公共政策和教育等领域通常依法要求具备一定水平的加泰语。
On a personal level, speaking Catalan opens doors to authentic cultural experiences, from 'castells' (human towers) to local literature like Mercè Rodoreda's novels. It signals respect for the region's identity and transforms your status from a temporary visitor into a valued community member. By embracing the linguistic challenge, you lay the groundwork for a truly transformative study abroad experience.
在个人层面上，会说加泰语能为你打开通往真正文化体验的大门，从“叠人塔”（castells）到梅尔塞·罗多雷达等人的当地文学作品。这体现了对该地区身份的尊重，并将你的身份从一名短暂访客转变为受重视的社群成员。通过拥抱语言挑战，你将为真正具有变革意义的留学经历奠定基础。
Published by TutorHao | Study Abroad Revision Series | aleveler.com
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