The Institut d’Estudis Baleàrics (IEB) has launched the program ‘Trobades de conversa’, an initiative that seeks to promote the use of Catalan through language pairs in the autonomous community. In Ibiza, this action has the collaboration of the Institut d’Estudis Eivissencs, which will facilitate meetings between native speakers and people interested in improving their command of the language.
Practice in informal settings
According to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, this program provides a framework of guidance and accompaniment that allows learners to lose their fear of expressing themselves in Catalan in a relaxed atmosphere. At the same time, it is intended to reinforce the habit of Catalan speakers to address those who wish to learn it in their own language.
The director of the IEB, Llorenç Perelló, emphasized that the objective is to facilitate the oral practice of Catalan, improve the linguistic security of the learners and expand the spaces for social use of the language. “It is not only about learning a language, but also about strengthening social cohesion through culture,” he stressed.
Support and cultural activities
The language pairs will be formed during the first half of the year throughout the Balearic Islands, with assignments coordinated by the Network of Catalan Centers, which in Ibiza has an active headquarters. The registration process will take into account criteria such as available schedules, location and hobbies to ensure the best possible compatibility between participants.
The program offers not only conversation sessions, but also support material, such as exercise books and discussion topics. In addition, in collaboration with Obra Cultural Balear, outings and cultural activities will be organized to reinforce the participants’ linguistic immersion.
Registration and participation
Those interested in participating can sign up as conversation guides (Catalan speakers who help learners) or as trainees (people seeking to improve their fluency in Catalan). The IEB will continuously monitor each language pair to ensure the success of the program.
This initiative reinforces the IEB’s commitment to the promotion of Catalan in the Balearic Islands, facilitating its use in everyday life and bringing the language closer to those who wish to incorporate it into their daily lives.
