Andorran Teachers' Instagram Videos Boost Everyday Catalan Use

Teachers Puri Sànchez and Marc Arencón have used short videos on the Aprèn Català Instagram account to promote everyday Catalan usage, aiming to extend the language beyond classrooms and administrative contexts.

The instructors, from the Catalan Language area and supported by the Department of Language Policy, created the series this school year. It evolved from basic posts about enrolments and exams into interactive content featuring daily vocabulary, popular expressions, colloquial terms, insults, and references to events like Sant Jordi and Constitution Day. The goal was to make the account a participatory space that encourages user comments and real-life application. "We wanted the Catalan language to be social, not just administrative," Sànchez said in an interview with Andorra's news agency.

Sànchez noted there had been no dedicated account for promoting Catalan in Andorra before this. The public response exceeded expectations, attracting both fluent speakers and learners. "There is far more interest in Catalan than we believed," the teachers said. They also reported positive experiences filming on the street, with Sànchez adding, "I don't recall anyone rejecting us because the videos were in Catalan."

The project highlights ongoing challenges in normalising Catalan outside education. Arencón said many students have sufficient skills but lack confidence for daily situations. "Catalan can't stay in the classroom," he stressed. He called on native speakers to continue in Catalan when learners start conversations, criticising automatic switches to Spanish in shops or restaurants as unhelpful.

This comes amid rising demand for classes following new language requirements. Arencón reported self-study centres have doubled or tripled their users, including those meeting obligations and others finding the language more accessible than expected.

While pleased with the progress, Sànchez and Arencón expect not to lead it next school year. They hope colleagues will take over, ensuring the videos keep bringing Catalan closer to Andorran society.