"SPANISH CORNER"
Project's topics: Bridging intercultural, intergenerational and social divide; Creativity, arts and culture; Community development
Local European Solidarity Corps (ESC) project
From August 2024 to February 2025, a group of young people in Tallinn came together to create a project called Spanish Corner. Its main goal was to create an open, inclusive space where youth could practice the Spanish language, learn about Hispanic cultures, and meet others through interactive, non-formal activities. It began with a shared experience: learning Spanish in Estonia is becoming more common, especially after it was added to the national curriculum. But outside of the classroom, opportunities to practice the language, meet others who are learning, or connect with Spanish-speaking cultures were hard to find. That’s where the idea came from: to create a space where Spanish is spoken, explored, and brought to life, not just studied.
Integration and Inclusion
One of the key strengths of Spanish Corner was its focus on bringing people together from different backgrounds. The project involved young people from both Estonian- and Russian-speaking communities, as well as participants with roots in Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and China.
We used Spanish as a shared interest, but our main goal was to promote intercultural dialogue and social inclusion. Activities were open to everyone, regardless of Spanish level or cultural background. Facilitation was provided in Estonian, Russian, and English when needed to make sure all participants felt comfortable and included.
What activities we had?
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Language learning games and group conversation tasks
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Cultural workshops on Spanish holidays, traditions, and everyday life
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Guest speakers from different regions of Spain (Galicia etc.)
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Cooking sessions with
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Dancing class of bachata
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Movie night and group discussions
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Outdoor city games, such as scavenger hunt
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Soft skills sessions on public speaking, and Erasmus+ opportunities
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A study visit to Tallinn University and Centro Picasso
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The creation of a Spanish-language youth dictionary made by participants
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Impro theater on daily life situations
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Youthpass ceremony
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Childhood games to learn some basic vocabulary
Each session was designed using non-formal education methods, and participants were actively involved in shaping the program throughout the project.
Results and Impact
The project helped participants improve their Spanish skills in a relaxed and supportive environment. Many gained more confidence in speaking, developed new friendships, and discovered new learning opportunities, such as Erasmus+ and volunteering abroad.
Beyond language learning, Spanish Corner helped promote integration within the local youth community. Participants from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds had a chance to collaborate, learn from each other, and build mutual understanding. The organizing team also developed their skills in project coordination, facilitation, teamwork, and communication.
Why Spanish?
Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world by native speakers and one of the most studied languages across Europe. In Estonia, more and more young people are choosing Spanish as their second or third foreign language, especially since it was officially added to the national school curriculum. But learning a language takes more than just grammar books and school exams. It takes real interaction, cultural context, and motivation. Spanish Corner offered all of that in one place - a way to connect learning with people, stories, and everyday practice.
We didn’t only speak Spanish. We listened to music, watched films, cooked, shared memories from Erasmus+ exchanges, and compared how young people live in Spain and Estonia. That gave the language meaning and made it more accessible for everyone.
Way of responding to that need
This project wasn’t created by professionals or external experts, it was designed by young people who understood the gap because they were living it. Many of us had studied Spanish in school or taken part in Erasmus+ exchanges in Spain or Latin America. We knew how hard it was to find a place to actually use the language in Estonia, especially outside of class, and especially in a way that’s open to everyone.
Spanish Corner was our way of responding to that need. We didn’t just invite people to come to a session, we invited them to help shape it. That made it more flexible, more responsive, and more honest. The result was a project that reflected the real interests and realities of the young people who joined.
For me it was very warm, and I had the feeling of the community! We even celebrated Christmas together in an informal way which was amazing! The whole experience I believe helped to dive into Spanish culture and learn some things that wouldn't be possible to learn on my own.
