Intercat. Experience university in Catalan!

What I want to know

• What is Intercat?

  Intercat is a collection of electronic resources in a web environment: teaching material, sociolinguistic documentation, information on language volunteering, etc. aimed at providing an introduction to Catalan language and culture. It is aimed specifically at students visiting the universities in Catalonia as part of mobility programmes.

  It has three different sections:

  • I'm learning Catalan: tools for the independent study of the Catalan language (SpeakCat, university conversation guides...).
  • Sign me up!: information and activities linked to the linguistic and cultural welcome programmes for foreign students(language exchanges, language volunteers, 80 tips, Ajuda'm...).
  • I live in Catalonia: documentation with information on the Catalan identity and the Catalan university setting(Catalan in Catalonia, Catalan at University, Lingcat, Barcelona Youth).

• Is Intercat free?

  Yes. Intercat's virtual Catalan courses are totally free, except the Parla.cat. tutorial.

• Can I do an Intercat course if I'm not a university student?

  Yes. Anyone who wants to learn Catalan can do Intercat courses. The Intercat platform was designed preferably for foreign students wanting to study in Catalonia, but it is open to all.

• Can I attend Catalan classes at Catalan universities, even though I'm not a student, and get an official qualification?

  Yes. The majority of Catalan universities offer face-to-face Catalan courses and give equivalent certificates to the official ones, even if you're not a student at the university. See the section I'm learning Catalan on the Intercat platform.

  The certificates you obtain on completion of these face-to-face courses are are awarded by the Catalan universities, their processing is overseen by the Interuniversity Commission on Catalan Language Learning (CIFOLC) and they are officially recognised by the Directorate General for Language Policy of the Government of Catalonia.

• If I do a Catalan course through Intercat, will I get an official Catalan certificate?

  Intercat courses are virtual tools to learn Catalan easily and at your own pace, but they do not lead to an official certificate.

  For pathways to official Catalan certificates, see I'm learning Catalan on the Intercat site.

• Can I learn Catalan on my own and then take the exam for an official certificate?

  Yes. The Directorate General for Language Policy holds exams every year to certify knowledge of Catalan by means of a resolution published in thel Official Journal of the Government of Catalonia (DOGC), usually by the end of January.

  The exams are open to anybody over 16 years of age at the time of sitting, of any nationality, regardless of courses they may have taken previously.

• Where can I find past official Catalan exam papers?

  You can find past papers and detailed information on the registration procedure for Directorate General for Language Policy exams on the Catalan language website.

  You can also find past papers on the Interuniversity Commission on Catalan Language Learning (CIFOLC) website, in the section entitled CIFOLC certificates.

• Are the courses I have completed in Catalonia (diplomas, certificates obtained) equivalent to any official qualification in Catalan language?

  To find out whether your certificates are equivalent to any official Catalan certificates, see the list of Qualifications equivalent to the Catalan certificates issued by the Directorate General for Language Policy..

• I live outside Catalonia and want to learn Catalan. Where can I go?

  In addition to using the Intercat virtual tools, you can attend Catalan classes in many universities around the world. The Institut Ramon Llull, the body in charge of promoting the Catalan language and culture outside Catalonia, has all the information.

• I live outside Catalonia and want to take a Catalan exam to get an official certificate. Where can I go?

  The Institut Ramon Llull holds language proficiency exams periodically in various cities around the world, which lead to international Catalan certificates. The exams are for different levels.

  If you would like further information, go to the Institut Ramon Llull web.

• I want to learn Catalan and I'd like to practice speaking with native speakers. Can I take part in a language exchange programme? Can I do it even though I don't go to university?

  Yes. If you don't go to university, you take part in the Yes. If you don't go to university, you take part in the organised by the Directorate General for Language Policy as a learner.

  If you are at university, are studying or have studied at any of the Catalan universities, you can also take part in the exchange or language volunteer activities organised by each university.

• I speak Catalan and I'd like to take part in an activity to encourage newcomers to speak the language. How do I go about it? Can I take part even though I don't go to university?

  Yes. If you don't go to university, you take part in the Language Volunteering programme organised by the Directorate General for Language Policy.

  If you are at university, are studying or have studied at any of the Catalan universities, you can also take part in the language volunteer activities organised by each university.