Learn Spanish your way with a TakeLessons expert

With more than a quarter of the population Hispanic, Orlando is an excellent place to practice your Spanish. If you have only just started taking Spanish lessons in Orlando, or you are feeling shy about approaching someone to strike up a conversation, the best way to enhance your skills outside of class is to attend one of Orlando’s annual events or head out with some friends to a Latino-themed bar or restaurant. This will not only improve your knowledge of the language, you will also gain a better understanding of Latin culture.

Here are a few of our top choices for supplementing Spanish lessons in Orlando.

Festivals

1. Hispanic Parade & Outdoor Festival Florida Hispanic Festival Inc. organizes events all year round, but the most important of all is the Hispanic Parade & Saludo a las Americas Festival, which takes place every year on the last week of September or first week of October. The main event is a colorful parade with music and costumes representing every Hispanic nation. http://www.flhf-inc.org/hispanic-parade--festival.html

2. The festival is intended to teach people of all ages about Hispanic culture and customs in a friendly environment. By attending, you will have the chance to meet people from a variety of backgrounds, see a display of crafts, try traditional food, and take part in a range of activities.

3. Latin Food & Wine Festival The Latin Food & Wine Festival is your opportunity to experience top Latin cuisine, wine, beer, and spirits, all from restaurants and distributors based in Central Florida. The free event takes place in October and includes music, entertainment, a chef stage with cooking demonstrations, and a VIP area. http://www.latinfoodandwine.com/

4. Viva la Música Every Saturday in May, SeaWorld Orlando holds the Viva la Música festival, celebrating Latin culture with live music and delectable dishes. Entry is free with a SeaWorld admission ticket, or you can purchase a VIP pass for floor seats to the concerts. http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/events/viva-la-musica/

Venues

1. Cuba Libre This restaurant and rum bar serves Cuban food accompanied by Latin nightlife and entertainment. Every Friday and Saturday, you can dance to merengue, salsa, bachata, and Latin open-format music, or, better still, turn up on a day when Cuba Libre is hosting a performance from a professional dancer, percussionist, or special DJ. http://www.cubalibrerestaurant.com/en/orlando/about/

2. Oh! Que Bueno Oh! Que Bueno offers authentic Colombian plates along with classic grilled steaks for lunch and dinner along with a fully-stocked bar, open every day of the week. The menu is in Spanish with English translations — a perfect opportunity to see how much vocabulary you remember from your Spanish lessons in Orlando. http://www.ohquebueno.com/home.html

If you were feeling hesitant about taking Spanish lessons in Orlando before, the above should inspire to you begin. Find a private teacher who can support you to take your language skills to the next level.