We offer a large variety of Spanish courses in Costa Rica and Panama which range from a classic standard Spanish course to specialized courses for specific industries such as Spanish for Construction Work. If you can’t find the course you require just contact us and we’ll do everything we can to create a Spanish course tailored to your specific requirements.
Due to the popularity of travelling whilst doing volunteer work we offer a specific course which prepares students for travelling or doing volunteer work in Costa Rica
or Panama. Our Spanish for Travel and Volunteer course can be combined with any or our opportunities for you to volunteer abroad for free.
Our Standard Spanish Course and Intensive Spanish Course are based on the internationally recognized Common European Framework (CEFR) for learning, teaching and assessment which is also the basis of DELE-Diplomas.
To begin any of our specialized Spanish courses you need to be at the very least an A2 level understanding of Spanish.
Our group classes only go up as far as level B2. Once past this level you will need to take private classes to fully maximise your learning potential.
Here is what the CEFR describes a learner is supposed to be able to do in reading, listening, speaking and writing at each level:
| level | description |
|---|---|
| A1 | Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. |
| A2 | Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need. |
| B1 | Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. |
| B2 | Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. |
| C1 | Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. |
| C2 | Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. |
To teach these levels we use a methodology based on the communicative approach along with workbooks and CD-ROMs from the “En Acción” collection which are included in the price of your Spanish course. Click here to learn more about our methodology. To establish your level before you begin your Spanish course you will take a placement test, either online with your registration or once you arrive.
