Saturday mornings in Barcelona
Saturday-morning reading and writing classes for children who speak English at home and go to school in Catalan or Spanish. Small groups, taught by two qualified UK primary teachers, at Iberia Language Academy near Sagrada Família. First session Saturday 7 November 2026.
The club
Many international families in Barcelona send their children to local schools. The children learn to read and write in Catalan and Spanish, and they speak English at home, but nobody teaches them to read and write it. By the age of 7 or 8 the gap is obvious: a child who chats happily in English cannot read an English book at their age level.
The club is for those children. One hour a week of structured reading and writing, taught the way it is taught in UK primary schools.
Method
We use systematic synthetic phonics, the method used in UK primary schools. Children learn the sounds that letters and groups of letters make, then blend them to read words and break them apart to spell. Once they can decode, the focus moves to reading fluently, understanding what they read, and writing.
A typical Saturday: a new sound or spelling pattern, practice through games, a short book read together, and a piece of writing. Children take home a note of what was covered so you can practise during the week.
Groups
Children are grouped by age first, then by reading stage. We confirm the group after you sign up, and we move children if the group does not suit them.
For children who are starting to read or know some letter sounds. Letter sounds, blending simple words, first books, and the pencil control needed to start writing. Lots of games and movement, which is what this age needs.
For children who speak English well but read it slowly or spell it badly. Reading fluency and comprehension, English spelling patterns and common irregular words, and writing: stories, letters, instructions.
Two groups open on 7 November. When a group is full we start a waiting list, and open a second group at the same time once there are enough children.
Teachers
Claire is a qualified primary teacher with years of experience in UK schools. She lives in Barcelona with her family. Her son goes to a local school, which is where the idea for the club came from.
Emma is a qualified primary teacher with experience teaching phonics and early reading in UK classrooms. She lives in Barcelona.
Parents
The club meets at Iberia Language Academy, a Spanish school on Carrer d'Aragó. There is a common room where parents can wait, work or have a coffee during the class. Many of the families who come will be in the same position as you, so it is also a way to meet other international parents.
Fees
Second child from the same family: 72 € a month.
Questions
Yes. The club teaches reading and writing to children who already understand and speak English, usually because one or both parents speak it with them at home. It is not an English course for beginners.
A way of teaching reading in which children learn the sounds that letters make and blend them into words. It is how children learn to read in UK schools. It works well alongside learning to read in Catalan and Spanish, because the children already know what reading is; they need to learn how English spells its sounds.
Tell us on the form. Age is the starting point, but we place children by reading stage and move them if the first group is not right.
Yes, if they need extra help with reading. Most children at international schools learn to read in English at school, so it is worth asking their teacher first.
Yes. There is a common room at the school where you can wait, and the class is a good place to meet other parents.
The monthly fee covers the four Saturdays of the month. We cannot offer make-up classes, but we will send you a note of what was covered so you can go over it at home.
Once we confirm a place we send you a secure card payment link for the month. There is nothing to pay before that.
Iberia Language Academy, Carrer d'Aragó 405, entresuelo 1, 08013 Barcelona. Five minutes from Sagrada Família. Metro: Sagrada Família (L2, L5) or Monumental (L2).
Sign up
Fill in the form. Claire will reply within two working days to confirm the group and send you the payment link. Places are limited to 10 per group.
Prefer WhatsApp? Message us on +34 622 573 264.