Keen to practise your Spanish or English in Asunción, but unsure where to start? Spanglish Social events are thoughtfully crafted to ensure everyone feels right at home, in a welcoming setting for language enthusiasts of all levels. Monthly meetups in rotating coffee shops occur on Saturdays in Paraguay’s capital. Offering a great opportunity to mingle, chat, and boost your bilingual skills in a fun, relaxed setting.
“We realised that people who wanted to practise their English or Spanish did not have a space where they felt comfortable practising the language,” recalls Mariana Santiviago, 30 years old, bilingual teacher and co-founder of Spanglish Social together with her colleague and friend Dalila Almazán, 33.
“Many of our students are still in the process of learning these languages and do not feel fluent enough to attend events to test their language skills.” That feeling of “not being fluent enough” is something many of us have experienced: the ideas are there, but the words struggle to come out. Spanglish Social was born precisely to break down that invisible barrier: the fear of making mistakes.
Bilingual games, and conversation exercises
Every Spanglish Social event, payment made per meeting, begins with a brief welcome, followed by icebreaker activities: bilingual games, conversation exercises, and challenges that encourage mixing languages in a fun way. Groups are formed randomly to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to meet new people. If someone is nervous, the founders step in with simple phrases and questions to help break the ice.
Dalila was born in the United States, the daughter of Latin parents, and moved to Paraguay during her adolescence. Mariana learned English from a young age and always kept it alive through local and international friendships. Both understand what it is like to live between two languages and how it feels not to have a safe place to practise them.
The joy of speaking freely
“The wonderful thing is that everyone can speak in the language they prefer at any given moment,” says Mariana with a smile. “It is not necessary to speak only one language during the session. There is always someone willing to practise with you, whether in English or Spanish.”
This flexibility is the essence of the project. Here, there is no need to choose between English or Spanish; one can switch from one language to the other and back again, all in the same conversation.
In a world where perfection often seems to be the goal, here the important thing is to have the courage to try. Mistakes are not corrected with a serious face, but with a shared laugh and a new word learned. This generates something magical: empathy. Those learning Spanish can recognise the challenges faced by those learning English. And when empathy exists, communication flows naturally.
A welcoming environment
The sessions are not like a formal class. “The idea is that it is a social space before an academic one, but that learning occurs naturally,” explains Mariana. The space is often filled with laughter, overlapping conversations and a bilingual hum that invites relaxation.
The gathering does not end when the organisers leave. “We notice that by the end of the session, people stay talking for a long time, even after we have gone,” says Mariana. This is a sign that the connection is genuine.
Friendships that cross borders
The impact goes beyond language. One of Mariana’s favourite stories is about a foreign participant who was invited by Paraguayan attendees to dance classes. “This shows us that there is a genuine interest in maintaining contact after the event,” she affirms.
At Spanglish Social, the cultural barrier collapses as quickly as the linguistic one. What begins as a conversation in “Spanglish” can end in a friendship, a new hobby, or even professional opportunities.
Spanglish Social: A cultural exchange
Both Mariana and Dalila understand that the value of these sessions is deeper. It not only improves fluency, but also reduces the anxiety of speaking another language and increases motivation. Above all, it brings together people who are going through the same learning process.
“We would like Paraguayans to open a space for foreigners, and for foreigners to feel more welcomed in the country,” dreams Mariana. In her words, there is an invitation to build a community where languages serve as bridges, not walls.
VIP Card benefits
As a VIP member of The Asuncion Times, you get a 25% discount at Spanglish Social, just by showing your VIP Member card – one of many VIP Member Benefits. Spanglish Social sessions take place once a month on Saturdays, with payment made per meeting. Locations can vary per meeting and are announced on their social media accounts.
Spanglish Social is not just a place to practise English or Spanish. It is a space where stories intersect, where laughter sounds in two languages, and where no one feels left out for not speaking “perfectly.”
In a country that welcomes an increasing number of visitors and migrants, projects like this are an opportunity to build connections. While Mariana and Dalila dream of expanding the community, those who have already attended know that they will return. When a language is learned with friends, it is always learned better.
For more information, next locations, and current pricing, find Spanglish Social on Instagram.
