Learn Spanish your way with a TakeLessons expert

By Tyler S. - Minneapolis Spanish Teacher

Did you know that Saint Paul and Minneapolis area is a hub for cultural diversity where more than twenty languages are spoken in the community? And of all these languages, Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language. I frequently have the opportunity to speak Spanish almost anywhere I go in the city, and the people here are delighted to converse when they find out you want to practice. The Saint Paul and the Minneapolis area is the home of many useful resources for improving your Spanish such as conversation groups, Spanish classes, Spanish immersion schools for your children grades K-8th, and small businesses that belong to our vibrant Latino community. If you are someone who is ready to get out there and practice your Spanish, Saint Paul is full of opportunity for you!

Here are my top five favorite locations in for practicing after your Spanish Lessons in Saint Paul and Minneapolis:

1. Midtown Global Market 920 E Lake St #G10, Minneapolis, MN 55407 http://www.midtownglobalmarket.org/ If you are in the mood to go shopping and pick up some useful Spanish expressions, visiting the Midtown Global Market is a must. I have frequently taken my students to this marketplace where they can sample authentic food from Central and South American culture, and likewise browse hundreds of other items labeled only in Spanish. This location is great for reading practice and most of the store clerks love to speak Spanish with me and my students. I always have the feeling that I’m traveling to a foreign country when I visit the Global Market, minus the costly expenses and hours of travel. This marketplace is ideal for entertainment and local language submersion!

2. Teatro del Puelbo 209 Page St W #208, St Paul, MN 55107 http://teatrodelpueblo.org/ This area is a national hotspot for the arts, and the Teatro del Pueblo is one of its unique resources for finding Spanish-speakers as well as theatrical entertainment. Although the organization is situated in Saint Paul, many of its performances take place in Minneapolis. Teatro del Pueblo works to promote Latino culture by providing artistic performance in Spanish as an educational opportunity, and by supporting local Latino artists. It is a great pleasure experiencing theater performed in Spanish, and then discussing the performance with other audience members in both Spanish and English afterwards. I learn something new and valuable every time I attend a performance by Teatro del Pueblo.

3. Lake Street District E. Lake Street Minneapolis, MN Only a short drive from Saint Paul, you can walk up and down East Lake Street in South Minneapolis where you will encounter dozens of stores, restaurants, and music venues where Spanish is the main language spoken. These establishments are owned by members of the Latino community and are often where many native Spanish speakers do their shopping. This becomes quickly apparent as most everything is label in Spanish, which is a great chance for learning new vocabulary. Some of my favorite pastimes for learning more Spanish here include conversing with the owner of the taquería (taco shop), ordering in Spanish over the counter at the panadería (bakery), and listening to live authentic mariachi bands. If you are serious about practicing Spanish, please take the time to visit the vibrant Lake Street district. ¡Es muy interesante!

4. Conga Latin Bistro 501 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55414 http://www.congalatinbistro.com/ If you are ready to dive headfirst into the nightlife of Latino culture, look no further than Conga Latin Bistro. For any of my Latino friends who live in Saint Paul or Minneapolis, Conga is the #1 restaurant in the area that offers live music, conversation with native Spanish-speakers, and great salsa dancing! Two of the greatest things about this location are the fun, easy-going atmosphere, and the diversity of Spanish speakers. Not only will you pick up some common standardized Spanish, but people can teach you about the dialect of Spanish they speak (such as Ecuadorian Spanish). I have yet to find a more diverse group of Spanish speakers in Minneapolis than the fun people who go to Conga.

5. Hennepin County Library 300 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55401 http://www.hclib.org/ In the entire city of Minneapolis, The Hennepin County Library is the greatest free resource for reading practice in Spanish. This is the first resource I think of when I need a quick reference about Spanish grammar, or to find an interesting Spanish film to watch. The library is made of a large system totaling 16 libraries, and you can request books to be sent from any of these libraries to the nearest one to your location. I have yet to find a better collection of children’s books written in Spanish, films, dictionaries, and hundreds of novels for students at the intermediate or advanced level.

You now have the resources to learn as much Spanish as your heart desires in the Saint Paul and Minneapolis metro areas. These are not the only resources in Saint Paul, so I encourage you to do more web-searching for events or conversation groups if you’re up to the challenge. It’s important to surround yourself with a language if you want to gain fluency, and taking advantage of local language resources is a way to avoid the costs of expensive travel. The more you surround yourself with those who share your interest in Spanish, the more your language skills will improve. This is a friendly, supportive community, so sign up for Spanish lessons in Saint Paul and find an instructor who can help you succeed in your desire to learn the language!