General Considerations

• Spanish language is the mother tongue of almost 350 million people, the second language in international importance, the official language in twenty one countries and an official language of the European Union, UNESCO, GATT, Mercosur and many other international organizations.
• Spanish is one of the most frequently used business language and Latin America is becoming a very important area for business.
• There are more than 30 million Spanish speakers in the United States of America. In 50 years, Spanish will be the spoken language in the homes of half of the American population.
• Speaking and understanding Spanish will improve your employment opportunities. Most companies would choose someone with Spanish language skills because it says something about you and your willingness to accept challenges beyond just meeting your high school or University language credit requirements.
• Speaking and understanding Spanish will deepen your knowledge of the latin culture.
• Learning Spanish provides deeper insights into regions that play a vital role in economic life and into its cultural history.
• In many regions, Spanish speakers account for the largest percentage of tourists.
• Learning Spanish means getting in touch with a language with a long cultural tradition; learning Spanish will allow you to step into the world of Cervantes, Gracilazo de la Vega, Adolfo Bequer, Picasso, Diego Velásquez, Antoni Gaudí, Granados and Spanish film directors such as Carlos Saura, Julio Medem and Pedro Almodóvar.
• Spanish is no harder to learn to speak and write than other languages.
• And in day-to-day living, whether you are travelling, working or simply surfing the Net, Spanish will open new opportunities for you.

For these reasons the Spanish language is an essential skill at personal and professional level.

The objective of our courses is to help you express yourself fluently in Spanish. Our method places a strong emphasis on conversation while at the same time introducing applied Spanish grammar.

Overview of our methodology:

• Communicative Method: highly interactive methodology, proven to be effective in the development of student’s communication skills.
• Conversational Approach: in most of our courses listening & speaking skills are given precedence over reading & writing skills. Exceptions are our DELE Exam course and other Personalized Spanish Courses.
• The language of instruction is Spanish. Our special teaching methodology will make it easy to follow and take part in the lessons.
• Study Materials: carefully selected and prepared. Textbooks and additional up-to-date materials or teaching aids suitable for practice purposes, such as audio and video.
• Small classes: the average number of students per class is from 3 to 7. Since the groups are small in number, the teacher is able to deal with the specific needs of each student on a personal basis.
• Personalized, student-centered instruction based on individual interests, needs and learning style: the classes are planned depending on the students`s needs and different styles of learning. Supplementary materials are designed for each student or group based on their specific needs and interests.
• Levels & Syllabus: reliable and objective level system to measure student’s linguistic ability. Detailed syllabus for each course designed under the guidelines of the Common European Framework for Languages.
• Spanish Teachers: highly professional, experienced, trained & passionate. All hold university degrees.
• Students receive regular homework assignments to gain a deeper understanding of the course material and ensure that they keep up with the pace.

Our courses are systematically laid out, with each course building on the course material of the previous level. The levels are based on the common European reference framework for languages.

For example, a student starting out with no knowledge of Spanish can take 8 to 12 months of intensive instruction and acquire the language skills needed to enter university in Argentina or in another Spanish speaking country. You can also join a shorter intensive course at your level to pursue your individual goals.
Each class lasts 55 minutes. In the individual lessons, the time required to complete each level is reduced by approximately 30 %.
Each class lasts 55 minutes. In the individual lessons, the time required to complete each level will be reduced approximately a 30 %.

Levels in Verbum	European Framework of Reference for Languages	ACTFL	D.E.L.E.	D.I.E.	D.I.E.
–	–	Novice Low	–	–	1
Basic 60 classes	A1 Break-through	Novice Mid	A1	Elemental	2
–	–	Novice High	–	–	3
Elemental 60 classes	A2 Way-stage	Intermediate Low	A2	Basic	4
–	–	Intermediate Mid	–	–	5
Inter-mediate 90 classes	B1 Threshold	Intermediate High	Inicial	Intermediate	6
–	–	Advanced Low	–	–	7
Upper intermediate 120 classes	B2 Vantage	Advanced Mid	Basic	Advance	8
Advance 150 classes	C1 Effectiveness	Advanced High	–	–	9
Superior 150 classes	C2 Mastery	Superior	Superior	Superior	10
–	–	–	–	Business Tourism Health Care
–	–	–	–	Teacher of Spanish as a Second Language
Reference: A.C.T.F.L. – American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages D.E.L.E. – Diplomas of Spanish as a Foreign Language / Cervantes Institute D.I.E. – International Diploma of Spanish – University of Salamanca – Written and online level D.I.E. – International Diploma of Spanish – University of Salamanca – Oral levels

 

Basic User

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.

Independent User

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.

Proficient User

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 more complex situations.

International exams are the best way of documenting your Spanish language skills. Our program includes special courses to prepare you for these examinations.

Directly experiencing another culture and its people are essential for a true understanding of the language. Consequently, our cultural and leisure programs are an important part of our course program, complementing classroom activities with a personal experience of life in a Spanish-speaking environment.

To this end, we provide tours of some of the famous and affluent neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, such as: Puerto Madero and Recoleta, tours of the area around Plaza San Martin, and tours of La Boca and San Telmo (birthplace of the Tango) and other popular cultural areas. All these visits are made in groups guided by one of our teachers and are very helpful in practicing Spanish.

Some of these activities are free. They are included in the price of the courses. For others, the student may have to pay a small ticket or admission charge. Extra costs are noted where required.

All of the courses will begin on a Tuesday if the holiday falls on a Monday. All of the students can make up their lessons whatever the program is (private or group courses). It will be added an extra hour to make up for the missing holiday day. Students enrolled in private courses can make up for their classes anytime before their course finishes.