Catalan welcome packs are now being distributed to new arrivals in Barcelona as part of a major linguistic integration initiative.
The Department of Linguistic Policy has launched the campaign to orient newcomers about Catalonia’s linguistic reality and the importance of learning Catalan.
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Consequently, the materials aim to strengthen linguistic welcome from the very moment immigrants arrive and register in the region.
Catalan Welcome Packs Emphasise Integration
A welcome letter, available in a dozen languages, explains the central role of the Catalan language. In the letter, Councillor Francesc Xavier Vila states that Catalan is Catalonia’s own language, born over a thousand years ago. He notes that most Catalans speak at least two languages. Furthermore, he invites newcomers to learn Catalan, describing it as very convenient and often indispensable for full integration into Catalan society.
The material details all available pathways to learn Catalan. These include free courses, both in-person and virtual, access to online resources, and an interactive map showing all course offering points. The campaign will reach key citizen service points through territorially deployed language normalisation centres. Therefore, packs will be available at Citizen Attention Offices, first reception services, registration offices, and Barcelona’s Orientation and Support Services for Immigrants (SOAPI).
Distribution has already reached 21 municipalities across Catalonia, including Badalona, Girona, Vic, L’Hospitalet, Mataró, Reus, and Tarragona. Additionally, there are 31 distribution points, 11 of which are in Barcelona. The welcome lot includes the councillor’s letter, an illustrated basic vocabulary guide, information about Catalan courses, a bag, a notebook, and a pen. This initiative reflects broader regional efforts to support new residents, similar to discussions held at the recent World Metropolitan Summit for Housing and Climate hosted in Barcelona.
The letter concretely states that Catalan is widely used in administration, work, schools, universities, culture, and all sectors of social life. It is particularly important for public-facing jobs. Accordingly, the material stresses that Catalan society highly values when people who come to live here take the step to learn and use Catalan. The campaign, as reported by Ara Cat, represents a significant investment in social cohesion from the outset.
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