Avalanche of registrations for IEB's Catalan courses for newcomers

PalmThe introductory Catalan courses for newcomers, organized by the Balearic Institute of Studies (IEB), have exceeded expectations with 98 registered participants and 50 on the waiting list. This was announced on Friday by the Director General of Culture, Llorenç Perelló, at a press conference, where he explained that the four courses offered, with 25 places each, have surpassed attendance expectations compared to previous years. Perelló indicated that this model of Catalan courses, which began in September 2015, was initially aimed at families, but this year has been opened to a wider audience. This new course, which began on March 9th and will run until June, is being held at the Casal de Asociaciones de Inmigrantes y ONGD (Community Center for Immigrant Associations and NGOs) and has a predominantly foreign student body, according to the director. The courses last 40 hours and are designed to provide students with basic Catalan language training. Sources at the IEB (Institute of Catalan Studies) also indicate that the intention is for these courses, which are currently offered on an ad hoc basis, to become a "regular and structural" offering.