People living in Ibiza who want to improve their spoken Catalan have an opportunity to practise through a community-based volunteer programme organised by the Institut d’Estudis Eivissencs. The initiative brings together regular Catalan speakers and people learning the language, creating opportunities for conversation in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Known as Voluntariat Lingüístic, the programme aims to help learners become more confident expressing themselves in Catalan while encouraging the language’s everyday use across the island. It also gives volunteers an opportunity to contribute to the local community by sharing their language and helping others practise.

The initiative is coordinated by Eva Tur and Fanny Planells and forms part of the institute’s wider work to promote Catalan and strengthen its use in daily life.

How Does the Linguistic Volunteering Programme Work?

The programme centres on linguistic pairs: one participant who speaks Catalan regularly is matched with someone who wants to improve their spoken ability.

They meet to talk in Catalan about everyday subjects, helping learners gain fluency and confidence through practical conversation rather than classroom exercises.

The atmosphere is intended to be informal and welcoming. By practising with another person, learners can become more comfortable speaking, overcome nervousness and gradually incorporate Catalan into more everyday situations.

The programme is not a formal language course and does not replace structured lessons. Instead, it offers an additional way to practise what participants already know and develop their ability to hold natural conversations.

Who Can Take Part?

The initiative welcomes people who want to practise Catalan and already have some basic knowledge of the language, as well as Catalan speakers willing to volunteer their time.

It can therefore be useful for residents who have started learning Catalan but need more opportunities to speak it outside a classroom. Regular speakers can also participate by helping learners build confidence and become more accustomed to using the language in daily life.

The institute uses information provided during registration to match participants according to their availability, interests and preferences.

Once a pair has been formed, the participants can agree on a suitable place and schedule for their meetings. The institute coordinates the programme and provides follow-up support.

More Than Language Practice

The programme also has a wider community purpose. By bringing together people with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, it aims to encourage social interaction, mutual understanding and a stronger sense of belonging.

For people who are new to Ibiza, informal conversation can offer an opportunity to meet others and become more familiar with the language used on the island. For volunteers, it is a practical way to support Catalan and help make it easier for other residents to use the language with confidence.

The institute’s approach reflects the idea that language learning continues beyond the classroom, particularly when learners have regular opportunities to speak with others in real-life situations.

How to Join the Programme in Ibiza

People interested in taking part can consult the Institut d’Estudis Eivissencs’ official Voluntariat Lingüístic page and complete its registration form. Applicants are asked to provide their details, availability and language background so that suitable pairs can be arranged.

The programme’s presentation was scheduled for Wednesday, 14 October 2026, at the institute’s headquarters on Via Púnica, 29, in Ibiza Town. As that date has passed, anyone interested in joining should contact the institute or use its current registration page for information about participation.

The initiative offers a practical way for Catalan learners to build speaking confidence and for regular speakers to help strengthen the everyday use of the language in Ibiza.

By connecting people through conversation, the Voluntariat Lingüístic programme turns language practice into a shared community activity, encouraging residents to learn from one another and use Catalan more naturally in daily life.