News
Press, fairs and events.
I appear in the media, take part in literary fairs and collaborate on cultural projects.
6 September 2026
The official C1 and C2 results are out (and the phone didn't stop)
On 2 September the results of the official Catalan exams from the Direcció General de Política Lingüística came out. I'll tell you how that day went.
Read the story
6 September 2026
A letter to the editor that any of my students could have written
A letter to the editor got me thinking about what I hear in class every week: that speaking Catalan in Barcelona has become something you have to decide to do.
Read the story
6 September 2026
«Gelats d'altura»: the wordplay I came across on a walk
In Calella de Palafrugell there's an ice cream shop called l'Enxaneta that sells «gelats d'altura». Four words, and a very neat piece of wordplay inside them.
6 September 2026
A Festa Major Saturday on the Travessera, with Col·lectiu Minerva
On 27 June we had a stall up all day on Travessera de Gràcia for the Festa Major of Camp d'en Grassot i Gràcia Nova. I'm writing about it now, a while later.
5 September 2026
Joan Miró's «Dona i Ocell» sculpture
A closer look at Joan Miró's «Dona i Ocell» in Barcelona: what it represents, who commissioned it and why it stands where it does.
4 September 2026
A workshop on troubadour literature at Lluïsos de Gràcia
On Tuesday 15 September I am running a workshop on the troubadours, fin'amor and the secrets of the love poetry that changed Europe. At Lluïsos de Gràcia, 6 to 7.30 pm.
4 September 2026
See you on Travessera: a book stall at the street trade and crafts fair
On Saturday 3 October I will have a stall at the street trade and crafts fair on Travessera de Gràcia, with my books on Ramon Llull. From 10 am to 8 pm.
4 September 2026
The last September university entrance exams: from 2027, the second sitting moves to July
This week I am sitting on a PAU examination board in Barcelona, and it is a historic session: there will be no more September sittings. From 2027, the resit will take place in July.
31 August 2026
What language is worth in our society
Language runs through every human context, and it is a teaching tool that reaches far beyond the classroom.
29 August 2026
Three copies of my book, at the UAB Humanities Library
Dr Alexander Fidora asked me for a copy of Ramon Llull com mai te l'han explicat for the library of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. I took three, and I still can't quite believe it.
10 August 2026
«Cançó del pressentiment», by Clementina Arderiu, in a shop window in Roses
Walking through Roses I found a poem by Clementina Arderiu written on a shoe shop window. It is the work of students at Centre Escolar Empordà, part of the «Mes de Paraules» season.
5 August 2026
Barcelona's fountain gatherings
A fontada is a Barcelona street gathering around a fountain, to dance, drink and eat. They began around the 19th century, when the city was less centralised than it is today…
5 August 2026
Barcelona's Three Hills
A walk across Barcelona's three hills: nature, history and culture in four stages, linking viewpoints, characterful neighbourhoods and publishing history in the heart of the city.
5 August 2026
The film Thirteen Days
*Thirteen Days* is a historical thriller based on real events, directed by Roger Donaldson in 2000 and drawn from the Cuban missile crisis of the early 1960s, during the Cold War.
5 August 2026
The historical failures of the communisms
Communism, which emerged in the 19th century, created problems both for the middle and working classes, as an underdeveloped ideology, and for industrialists and factory owners, who were impoverished.
5 August 2026
The Crash of 1929
The Crash of 1929 was an economic crisis that began in the United States, lasted a decade and affected the great majority of the world's countries, from the most industrialised to the poorest.
5 August 2026
Joan Alcover's «Desolació» at the Obrador d'Històries poetry marathon
I took part in the Obrador d'Històries poetry marathon reciting «Desolació», the sonnet Joan Alcover wrote after burying his wife and two of his children.
5 August 2026
The Ramon Llull book in the Gràcia District's Women's Day programme
Barcelona City Council featured the first presentation of «Ramon Llull com mai te l'han explicat» in its 2026 International Women's Day programme, at Lluïsos de Gràcia.
2 August 2026
A philosophical essay on Hobbes and Locke
The state of nature of the human being is still debated among philosophers: we might define it as a hypothetical way of living for human beings without rules inside a community.
29 July 2026
Online Catalan classes: how they work and how to get the most out of them
All my classes have been online, one-to-one and tailor-made for years. Here is what they look like from the inside, who they work for, and what you should demand from any online Catalan class worth paying for.
29 July 2026
Why you make spelling mistakes in Catalan (and how to eliminate them in 4 hours)
Most spelling mistakes in Catalan do not come from not knowing the rules, but from not seeing the syllable. Here is the mechanism behind my registered method.
29 July 2026
How to prepare for the Catalan C1 exam: a guide from an official examiner
Eighteen years teaching Catalan and years examining the three official C1 tests in Catalonia have taught me what separates a pass from a fail. This is my honest guide.
27 July 2026
The Royal Castle of Collioure will adopt the Catalan guide corrected by Sara
The Pyrénées-Orientales heritage department calls it «remarkable work»: the guide for Catalan visitors will be published with Sara's corrections.
27 July 2026
Time to pause and reflect
Sara's guest opinion piece in L'Independent de Gràcia (no. 1073): in praise of the daring who think differently.
27 July 2026
Sara appointed to the September 2026 PAU exam boards
Official appointment to invigilate and mark this September's university entrance exams.
22 July 2026
«Ramon Llull com mai te l'han explicat» is coming in Spanish
Sara's essay on Ramon Llull will very soon have a Spanish edition. It is already in the shop as «coming soon».
22 July 2026
The Minerva Collective: the women creators of Gràcia backing Sara
Sara is a member of the Minerva Collective, the Women Creators of Gràcia, which has supported the promotion of «Ramon Llull com mai te l'han explicat»: book launches, author gatherings and street stalls.
17 July 2026
Sara Marugan, guest on Ràdio Gràcia's «Gracienques»
I was a guest on «Gracienques», Josefina Altés's show giving a voice to women connected to the Gràcia neighbourhood: philology, elite fencing and my Ramon Llull. Listen to the full interview here.
17 July 2026
Article in «Serra d'Or» and published language editing work
«An unpublished letter from Josep Carner to Joan Alcover», published in Serra d'Or, plus the language editing of two illustrated tales: my published philological work.
30 June 2026
The UB Faculty of Education, first in Spain
The University of Barcelona's Faculty of Education ranks first in Spain in the QS World University Rankings.
26 June 2026
How hard it is to be young today
A reflection on the challenges facing young people and on family support, published in L'Independent de Gràcia.
10 June 2026
The origins of the Sant Joan festival, with Sara Marugan
22 June, 4.30 p.m. at Lluïsos de Gràcia: the origins and traditions of Sant Joan, with Sara Marugan.
10 June 2026
Sara Marugan at the craft fair of the Lluïsos de Gràcia Festa Major
On 14 June Sara had a stall at the Lluïsos de Gràcia craft fair with «Ramon Llull com mai te l'han explicat».
22 May 2026
At Firagran 2026
The talk «Ramon Llull as you have never had him explained» at Firagran 2026 (27–29 May, L'Hospitalet).
15 May 2026
Sara Marugan takes part in the Obrador d'Històries poetry marathon
Sara joins «Pel maig cada dia poesia!», the poetry marathon run by Obrador d'Històries.
23 April 2026
Sant Jordi 2026 on Ràdio Gràcia: «Gràcia, galeria d'art»
I took part in the radio show «Gràcia, galeria d'art», hosted by Jordi Flotats, in the special devoted to the Sant Jordi festivity in the Gràcia neighbourhood. Listen here (minute 5:03).
20 April 2026
Signing my latest book on Sant Jordi 2026 at «El Cercle», in Gràcia
On 23 April, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., you will find me at «El Cercle» in Gràcia, c/ Ros de Olano, 9, Barcelona, signing my new book on Ramon Llull. Do come along!
6 March 2026
Presentation of «Ramon Llull com mai te l'han explicat» at Lluïsos de Gràcia
On 6 March I presented my book in the Main Hall of Lluïsos de Gràcia, an event hosted by the local Time Bank. Here is the write-up, the Col·lectiu Minerva review and the full video.
2 March 2026
Feministes de Gràcia and the Llull book, on La Trobadeta at Ràdio Gràcia
On 2 March I was invited onto La Trobadeta, Enric Bautista's programme on Ràdio Gràcia, to talk about the book. You can listen to it in full.
30 October 2019
A mother's birthday
Today, my first birthday as a mother! A different sort of birthday, too. The first year of my baby's life, who has gone from embryo to foetus to baby to child.
30 October 2018
A very special birthday
Today is my birthday, but not only that: I am also celebrating new motherhood, only just begun. A new life my body watched grow day after day.
30 October 2017
Today I turn 36 and… 10 years teaching in secondary school!
Another year, another birthday. Today I turn 36. On a day like today, ten years ago, I started teaching in secondary school.
10 August 2017
Dicció-Nari!
Would you like to book a private Catalan lesson in advance with a teacher?
30 October 2016
I'm 35 now!
Hello everyone! A birthday post. I don't tend to write many others through the year. I was born on a day like today, and thanks to my parents I am here.
30 October 2015
One more birthday!
We started classes at 8 this morning. The sixth-form group came in fancy dress, as did every other group I taught today.
12 December 2014
Who am I?
I am someone in love with words, with nature, with animals and with sport. I like my work — teaching — above all when I have students who…
30 October 2014
Another birthday of mine
Dear all: this year I am celebrating another birthday. I have turned 33! And I am celebrating it at work (today from 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.). This year I teach Catalan, Spanish and Spanish history.
5 August 2014
The blog now has 132 documents!
I have been adding to the blog, and it now holds 132 documents — with more to come before long.
30 October 2013
On my 32nd birthday
Another year. Another birthday. I always think a birthday is your one day to be special — and so far none of mine has failed to be. This year I spent it working.
28 July 2013
Set phrases: the difference between Spanish and Catalan speakers
A language is far more than a code for passing on facts and thoughts. Languages are an intrinsic part of our culture, and every one of them has its own turns of phrase.
23 February 2013
Taking part in the «VII Premio Espiral de Edublogs 2013»
Dear readers: I am glad to tell you that this blog will be taking part in the «VII Premio Espiral de Edublogs 2013», in the individual category for blogs written by teachers.
25 December 2012
When teaching is always a vocation
Christmas has arrived and, happily, one more pause in the busy lives we all lead. A hard term for everyone, students and teachers alike.
30 October 2012
On my birthday
Today, 30 October 2012, is my birthday — and the curious part is that I share it with a twin sister, who is also a secondary-school teacher, though of art rather than Catalan.
6 September 2012
A new school year begins!
After a well-earned holiday, a new school year starts. But don't think I did nothing this summer! Besides resting, I have prepared more material that I will soon add to the blog.
21 June 2012
A grant to study in Belgium and improve the blog
I have been awarded a Comenius grant for secondary-school teachers, to learn every technique I can for improving the blog — and to improve my English along the way, since the course is taught entirely in English.
23 March 2012
Catalan Blog Awards 2012
This year I entered the Premis Bloc Catalunya 2012 for the first time, organised by the STIC.
20 December 2011
La Viquilletra: teaching and learning to read in Catalan (for secondary teachers)
My Year 9 students at Institut Vila de Gràcia have won an award in the 2011-2012 Viquilletra for «the activity that went deepest into the character».
11 December 2011
Catalan exercise book
I have uploaded quite a few documents today, but I would single one out: the «Catalan exercise book».
23 November 2011
Catalan exercises to practise with
There are plenty of exercises in the «Exercises» section to practise and work through.
5 October 2011
A summary of «In the Sea There Are Crocodiles», by Ennatu Domingo Soler
Today I have added to the «My students» section a very fine piece of work by a Year 9 student, Ennatu Domingo Soler: a summary of Fabio Geda's book «In the Sea There Are Crocodiles».
Sara's archive: Catalan exercises since 2011
Fifteen years of exercises, notes, exam models and materials on Sara's historic blog. Everything is still available and new posts keep coming.
Online classes
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One-to-one online classes with Sara: extra materials, adapted theory, official exam models and personalised corrections.
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with Sara Marugan · pick a time that suits you
September 2026