​Last week, our students went on an excursion to the famous Museo de Bellas Artes in Seville. This cultural gem located in the city centre provided a unique opportunity for them to discover the history and paintings that define Sevillian art.

Getting Started

Originally the Convent of Merced Calzada, the museum's building itself is a testament to the city's past and has undergone various transformations before becoming the celebrated museum that it is today. On the ground floor, they visited some of the ancient cloisters like Patio del Aljibe (Cloister of the Aljibe) and Patio de las Conchas (the Old Sacristy of the Convent whose niches were decorated with shells). Our student Shelley found it fascinating!
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Exploring the Galleries
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After a brief pause in Patio del Aljibe where they learned more about the history of the museum, we visited the Claustro Mayor (Main Cloister) where our teacher Natalia explained what they had to do during the visit. We gave our students some questions related to the paintings they would find on the first floor, and we asked them to find the answers within 25 minutes!

As soon as the clock started ticking, we ran up the stairs to find the solutions. At first, our students found themselves lost in a maze of paintings, but they managed to overcome the difficulties and even asked the museum personnel to help them using what they have been learning in class.

While looking for the answers, Joseph, Becky and Shelley navigated through the museum's halls and galleries that housed art from different styles and periods. From the stunning works of renowned Spanish painters like Velázquez and Zurbarán to the captivating sculptures that adorned the halls, the activity took them on a journey through the history of art in Seville.
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Pedro Roldán exhibition and Murillo’s paintings

One of the highlights of the excursion was the opportunity to visit the temporary exhibition of Pedro Roldán, one of the most important representatives of Spanish Baroque sculpture. The visit to the exposition ended in the hall dedicated to Murillo, a famous painter from Seville, whose renowned paintings left an indelible impression on our students.

​​Accompanied by our amazing teacher Natalia, our students gained valuable insights into Sevillian art with these interactive sessions. Beyond the art, this excursion also allowed our students to talk with fellow museum members providing a chance to put their knowledge and skills into practice. By doing this kind of cultural visits, we intend to share our culture with our students and enrich their minds and hearts.
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We are a small language academy located in Spain dedicated to immersing people in the culture of a city we love, Seville.

Through our company Language for Life, we organize cultural programs including visits to the main monuments and museums as part of our Spanish classes. We find that seeing and doing things in the city complements the formal Spanish courses we hold in the classroom. During our programs, we conducted a series of short interviews with some participants and this is what they shared with us. 

1. Some people wonder if it is too late to start learning an additional language like Spanish when you are not so young.

It is never too late, according to Donna Seifert, 71 (Santa Fe, NM):

No, no, no! Because in adulthood, one finally has time to attend classes, knows why she wants to speak another language and has the courage and patience to listen to another language. Yes, it might be harder to remember new words and verb conjugations than when you were 20 years old. However, for young adults, studying a language is a task. In maturity, it is a new way to communicate with others and to explore different ways of seeing the world. Yes, it is more difficult for me to remember words, uses of verbs, prepositions, and aspects of grammar of a language with roots in Latin. The truth is, I don't like exercises. And I don't like to make mistakes. However, the most important thing for me is the opportunity to communicate with those who do not speak English in Santa Fe, like the market vendors, the woman who paints the plates and tiles, the Quechua woman who makes traditional baskets—and speaks Spanish as a second language too. Yes, the fight continues. And yes, I can help and support Spanish speakers in the court of justice. 

Donna volunteers in an association called Esperanza in Santa Fe in New Mexico where she supports women who have suffered domestic violence. Most of them speak Spanish as a mother tongue.

The best part is to be physically and mentally active, according to Rosemary, 73 (Newport, ME): 

The short answer is no, it is never too late to learn a language like Spanish. Learning a new language is beneficial for our health at so many levels. Being a life-long learner is a good way to avoid dementia, Alzheimer's diseases and to keep our brain and memory active. Spanish speakers contribute to the learning process, the teachers, the market and store vendors, they all make a difference. Thanks to patience and corrections, I learn new words—and most importantly I learned new aspects of life. Living and taking Spanish classes in Seville was an active processes, conversations, reading books, visiting interesting places, trying the delicious dishes at a local marketplace transformed the way I defined myself as a tourist. The best was living in a place where you can see, hear, and speak the language.

2. Tell us about your experience after visiting Spain.

Being part of the culture and not a mere spectator makes all the difference, according to Anne Williams, 74 (Portland, OR):

Taking Spanish Communication Classes at Language for Life Academy can be much more than being a passive tourist who visits the typical places and returns home. In fact, this year I’ll return to visit the city that gives me so much joy, the beautiful city of Seville.

Learning is a way of life, according to Jennifer, 68:

Thanks to my interest in the Spanish language and culture I have travelled to different countries in the world. My last trip to Seville met all the goals: explore the city on foot, exercise my memory, have good relationships, make new friends, I learned new things about myself and got to know me better. I have reached the conclusion that every time I travel, my experience improves significantly because I am able to be part of the culture and not just a mere spectator.

For those of you interested in travelling solo to Seville, here are some tips:

• Seville is a stunning city that is perfect for people over 50 who want to immerse themselves in a rich culture and history.
  
  
• Seville is known for its breathtaking architecture, stunning cathedrals, and charming streets. It's the perfect destination for a solo trip, as it's both safe and easy to navigate. Learning Spanish at Language for Life is a great way to see the city's sights and get some exercise while also learning a new language.
  
  
• As part of our field trips, we visit one of the must-see attractions in Seville, the Alcázar, a magnificent palace complex that dates back to the 14th century. The gardens alone are worth the visit, with their remarkable fountains and intricate mosaics. We also visit the Cathedral of Seville, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. The interior is just as awe-inspiring as the exterior, with ornate altarpieces and beautiful stained glass windows.
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• An important aspect of learning a language is to practice it in real contexts. To get a taste of local culture and practice ordering food in Spanish, we visit the Triana neighbourhood. Here you'll find traditional flamenco performances, delicious tapa bars and local markets, where you can find everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts.

Overall, Seville is a beautiful and vibrant city that's perfect for people over 50 who want to explore the history and culture of Spain. With its friendly locals, impressive architecture and delicious cuisine, Seville is sure to be an unforgettable trip.

Learn more about signing up for a program, or email us at [email protected] for more information.

While the conversation class will be offered once a week, we have four time slots you can choose from. Please get in touch with us to let us know which section you would like to join and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
​Please note that all times are listed in Eastern Standard Time.