Spain Offers Support for Antigua and Barbuda’s Spanish Language Initiative

Antigua and Barbuda is seeking technical assistance from Spain as it advances plans to make Spanish the country’s second language, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing.

Merchant said Cabinet received an update on recent discussions between Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Spain’s ambassador to Jamaica on expanding cooperation in language education and cultural exchange.

According to Merchant, Spain has expressed a willingness to assist Antigua and Barbuda through the provision of lecturers, teaching materials, teacher-training programmes, software and other educational tools aimed at strengthening Spanish-language instruction across the country.

He said the initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to deepen engagement with Latin America and position citizens to take advantage of opportunities in tourism, trade and international business.

Merchant told reporters that discussions also focused on specialized language training for workers in tourism, hospitality, airport services, seaport operations, security and customs.

Cabinet was also informed of proposals to establish a Spanish Language and Cultural Institute in Antigua and Barbuda. The facility would serve as a centre for language instruction, cultural exchange and educational cooperation between the two countries.

Other areas under consideration include student exchange programmes, opportunities for Antiguan and Barbudan teachers to travel to Spain to teach English, and scholarship programmes designed to build national capacity in language education.

Merchant said Cabinet views the initiative as an important step toward improving language proficiency and expanding opportunities for citizens in an increasingly interconnected region.

He noted that several senior government officials, including Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene, Cabinet Secretary, Maria Browne and Sports Minister Dwayne George, are already fluent Spanish speakers.

The government believes increased Spanish-language competency will strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s competitiveness in tourism, commerce, diplomacy and regional integration.

Cabinet welcomed the discussions and expressed support for continued engagement with Spain and other international partners as the initiative moves forward.