Centro de Idiomas UTB – Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar

The Centro de Idiomas of the Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar is the academic unit responsible for bilingual and intercultural education at one of Cartagena's principal universities. It serves students, faculty, administrative staff and the wider community, positioning it as both a university-internal resource and a publicly accessible language centre.

Spanish and Caribbean culture in Manga

For international visitors and students, the centre offers a Spanish for Foreigners programme that combines virtual classroom sessions with structured in-person immersion in Cartagena de Indias, allowing participants to experience Caribbean Colombian culture alongside their language study. English-language courses are available for students at basic and intermediate levels, with entry assessed by an in-person placement examination.

Doctoral candidates at UTB are required to demonstrate a B2-level reading and writing ability in English, and the centre supports this pathway. Bespoke language courses can be commissioned on request.

Casa Lemaitre in Manga is the campus identified by the university for Spanish study. The immersion component draws on Cartagena’s food, music and history, including activities built around Bazurto market and making arepa de huevo.

The university gives local examples of cultural work, including visits to Bazurto market and learning how arepa de huevo is prepared. Participants can use the virtual component to practise questions before trying them during the in-person stay.