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Best English language schools in Barcelona

An English language school in Barcelona offers general English courses, official exam preparation (Cambridge, IELTS) and corporate classes. We have ranked the schools according to real student reviews, following our methodology; when choosing, prioritise small groups, qualified teachers and a method suited to your goal (exam, conversation or work).

List of the top-rated English language schools and courses in Barcelona

Neighbourhood:
What's Up!
Leader in English teaching: in-person and online

What's Up!

4.8 (300 reviews)
Carrer de Guipúscoa, 95, Sant Martí, 08020 Barcelona
935 95 87 36

100% Living English method with start any day of the year, Face to Face classes of maximum 7 students of the same level, flexible schedules and monitoring by English philologists as Personal English Coach.

Services:

In-person courses online courses courses for companies extracurricular activities for young people preparation for official certificates
BCN Languages - Les Corts
Language courses

BCN Languages - Les Corts

4.6 (201 reviews)
Travessera de les Corts, 173, Baixos, Les Corts, 08028 Barcelona
934 90 81 73

Academy with the option to switch between class types at no additional cost and the possibility to complete courses with the Oxford Test of English certificate from the University of Oxford.

Services:

Standard English courses Intensive English courses Private English lessons English conversation classes Oxford Test of English preparation
What's Up!
Leader in English teaching: in-person and online

What's Up!

4.0 (602 reviews)
Rambla de Catalunya, 53, Eixample, 08007 Barcelona
935 95 14 14

English teaching with Living English method focused on conversation from day one. In-person, online or mixed classes with total schedule flexibility. Preparation center and examination center for official certificates.

Services:

In-person English classes Online English classes Extracurricular courses for young people aged 12 to 17 English courses for companies Preparation and examination for official certificates
What's Up!
Leader in English teaching: in-person and online

What's Up!

4.3 (335 reviews)
Avinguda Meridiana, 386, Sant Andreu, 08030 Barcelona
935 95 18 45

100% Living English method focused on conversation with Face to Face classes of maximum 7 students of the same level, total schedule flexibility and possibility to start any day of the year in Barcelona.

Services:

Face to Face classes of maximum 7 students Have Fun classes with themed activities What's Up! Connect platform with 4 interactive modules extracurricular courses for young people aged 12 to 17 preparation and examination for official certificates
Callan School of English

Callan School of English

4.7 (222 reviews)
Via Augusta, 6, Gràcia, 08006 Barcelona
934 15 54 52

Official academy applying the Callan Method since 1990, with small groups of maximum 10 students, native teachers and timetables from 10:30 to 22:00 hours on weekdays.

Services:

Group English courses Private English classes Online English courses Intensive English courses Spanish courses
Bcn Languages
Language courses

Bcn Languages

4.6 (107 reviews)
Pl. d'Urquinaona, 1, Entresol dreta B, Eixample, 08010 Barcelona
933 17 71 19

Language school with small groups averaging 6 people, option to switch between standard, semi-intensive and intensive modalities at no additional cost, and possibility of Oxford Test of English certification.

Services:

Standard English courses intensive and semi-intensive English courses private English lessons English conversation classes Cambridge preparatory courses
BCN Languages - Gràcia
Language Courses

BCN Languages - Gràcia

4.1 (203 reviews)
Plaça de Gal·la Placídia, 22, Entresòl 1ª, Gràcia, 08006 Barcelona
932 38 45 16

Language school in Gràcia where you can switch between class types whenever you need to without additional costs. Small groups averaging six students with native teachers and make-up classes for missed sessions.

Services:

Standard English courses Intensive English courses Private language lessons Conversation classes Language courses for companies
New Britannia School
School of English

New Britannia School

4.9 (38 reviews)
Pg. Maragall, 412, ent. 2ª i 4ª, Horta-Guinardó, 08031 Barcelona
934 20 29 57

Academy located in Horta with qualified native teaching staff that has achieved a 100% pass rate in official Cambridge and Trinity College examinations for the last three consecutive years.

Services:

Private in-person and online classes Cambridge University and Trinity College exam preparation English for children and young people Business English Conversation groups
Idiomarum School
English language school in the center of Barcelona

Idiomarum School

4.7 (100 reviews)
Carrer de Sepúlveda, 145, Eixample, 08011 Barcelona
934 53 94 14

English language school since 1994 in the center of Barcelona. Authorized examination center for Oxford Test of English. Small groups by age and level for children from 3 years old, young people and adults.

Services:

English courses for children from 3 to 12 years old English courses for young people from 12 to 17 years old English courses for adults Preparation for Oxford Test of English official exams English for companies
Oxford House
English and Spanish language school

Oxford House

4.6 (398 reviews)
Carrer de la Diputació, 279, Bajos, Eixample, 08007 Barcelona
931 74 00 62

Services:

No services listed

Straight answers to choose the right English language school in Barcelona

Not as much as people think. A native speaker teacher provides pronunciation and naturalness, but a good non-native teacher, who learned the language like you, sometimes explains grammar better and anticipates your mistakes. What really matters is that they are qualified to teach, not just that they speak English from home. The ideal combination is usually to have both profiles throughout the course.

Through a placement test, not by self-perception (almost everyone overestimates or underestimates themselves). Serious schools place you on the CEFR scale, from A1 to C2, with a grammar test and a brief conversation. Be wary of anyone who puts you in a group without assessing you: ending up at the wrong level is the number one reason for dropping out.

It's not the same. Learning English and preparing for a specific exam are different objectives: the exam has its format, its tricks and its timer. You can have a good level and fail by not knowing the test. If you're going for a certificate, look for specific preparation for that exam, not generic classes.

It depends on your goal, your budget and your discipline:

  • Group: cheaper and with conversation practice among peers, but at the pace of the group.
  • Private: fast and tailored progress, though more expensive.
  • Online: flexible and convenient, but requires consistency to avoid giving up.
There isn't a best option; there's one that fits you.

It depends on your goal, your budget and your discipline:

  • Group: cheaper and with conversation practice among peers, but at the pace of the group.
  • Private: fast and tailored progress, though more expensive.
  • Online: flexible and convenient, but requires consistency to avoid giving up.
There isn't a best option; there's one that fits you.