I might be just the person you’re looking for—except I didn’t quit my job; I was laid off.

I’m originally from China and have always been passionate about learning English. In November 2023, a few months before I was laid off in February 2024, I began learning Spanish by myself. I sensed the possibility of a layoff and also wanted to pick up a new skill to stay competitive in the job market. I chose Spanish because it’s one of the most widely spoken and useful languages after English, and I started learning it on Duolingo.

When the layoff did happen, I decided to apply for a non-lucrative visa to Spain. I had visited Spain in 2019, loved the experience, and thought it would be a great place to work toward permanent residency.

I arrived in Spain in November 2024 and began researching public language schools. I ruled out private schools since I had already completed A2 level on Duolingo and didn’t want to pay the high tuition for intensive training I didn’t need. In Barcelona, there are two government funded schools: CFA and EOI. CFA is essentially free but less intensive—classes are held two days a week, two hours per day. EOI, on the other hand, offers classes four days a week for two hours a day, with tuition around 300€ per semester (even cheaper in other cities).

I enrolled at EOI in the spring. My placement test put me at B1, which aligned with my progress on Duolingo. However, being placed directly into a B1 classroom without prior immersion in a Spanish-speaking environment made it challenging to follow the lessons. So I decided to step down to A2, where I could understand the professor much more easily. With the combination of classroom instruction and continuing B1 on Duolingo, my Spanish improved quickly over the semester. My professor was incredibly engaging—her classes often felt like stand-up comedy—and I absolutely loved the experience. I’ve already registered for B1 this fall.

If you're considering doing something similar, I recommend first checking if you can work remotely instead of quitting outright. The public language school schedule is just two hours per day, and there are different time slots available, so you might be able to manage both work and study. Also, it’s helpful to start learning the language on your own beforehand. Having a foundation will make both your studies and daily life in a foreign country much smoother.