Choosing the Right Spanish Course for You

It’s exciting to learn Spanish, but where do you start? If you are not sure what the best course for you would be, this post will help. Here is a list of the best Spanish courses according to price, level of difficulty and method.

One of the most challenging tasks for any language learner is choosing which course or program to use. This post compares four popular programs and recommends one that may be best for you based on your goals and needs.

All of these programs are great, but depending upon your situation, you may find that one is more suited to your needs.

The School
There's a multitude of Spanish schools in Spain, with each offering a slightly different variation on the common theme. Aside from the course itself, look to see where the school is situated, whether it can sort out accommodation for you, and what kind of extra-curricular activities it organizes. For example, if you're looking to improve your language skills, you could take Spanish classes in the morning and go to salsa dancing classes in the evening, with a trip to Barcelona thrown in for good measure.

The first factor to consider when choosing a Spanish course abroad is location. Do you want to study in Spain, Latin America or another country? Spain is the birthplace of the language and therefore its people have a unique accent that can be difficult for foreigners at first.

Course Duration
The average duration of a Spanish course abroad is around 40 hours, but some schools offer shorter courses. When you go to the school, ask what length of course they teach. Some schools will give you a trial lesson which can help you decide if it's suitable for your learning needs.

Levels of difficulty
Some Spanish courses are designed for beginners whilst others are aimed at people who already have some knowledge about the language. The level of the course is usually written on a course description. Take your time to ensure you are placing yourself in the correct course. If you are having trouble deciding which level to start at, a trial lesson can help you decide what will be best for you.

The various methods that can be used in a Spanish course include traditional, audiovisual, and communicative methods. Traditional Spanish courses use lessons focused on grammar and vocabulary and may teach children or adults in the same classroom.

Course Intensity
Finally, you’ll want to consider course intensity. A high course intensity will help you push yourself at a faster pace and achieve your learning goals. A lower level of intensity will enable you to learn at a slower speed, but still in manageable chunks.

Course Emphasis
Most schools will have the same level of emphasis, with some having more to offer than others. It is important however that you find out what is a focus for the school. Are lessons focussed on grammar or lexis? Spanish pronunciation? The examples below are typical of Spanish courses in Barcelona.

A Course, Level 1: At this level, students learn Spanish in an accelerated manner, with intensive daily lessons. Students will progress through the course at their own pace and study more focused areas of grammar and vocabulary.
A Course, Level 2: At this level, students learn Spanish in an accelerated manner, with intensive daily lessons. Students will progress through the course at their own pace and study more focused areas of grammar and vocabulary.

B Course: In this course, there is a balance between grammar and vocabulary. Lessons are often small and personal due to the smaller class size. This environment is designed to help students feel comfortable to speak Spanish without feeling nervous. As students progress through the course, the class size will increase and students will spend more time in larger classes.

C Course: This course is a mixture of communicative method and traditional method. Students are taught grammar and vocabulary as well as have the opportunity to practice that knowledge in real life situations. This emphasis on communicative method helps students learn how to actually use Spanish in real life situations.

The decision of which Spanish course is best for you depends on various factors such as your learning style, previous knowledge of the language, your learning goals and whether you are a beginner or an enthusiast.

Conclusion:
There are so many Spanish courses available, and the decision of which course is best for you choice can be difficult. In order to narrow down the vast array of options available, we’ve chosen the 4 most popular Spanish courses and compared them based on price, level of difficulty and method.

I hope you found a Spanish course in your area that is suitable for your needs.

If you are unsure about which Spanish course is best for you, book a trial lesson with one of the schools listed below and have a Spanish teacher give you an honest assessment.