FAQ

It depends on you! Everyone learns language at their own pace, though the more classes you take and the more time you practice speaking in and out of class the quicker you’ll learn. Our courses are designed to get you speaking Spanish from day 1 though most students choose to sign up for at least 2 to 3 weeks of our Small Group Intensive Course.

Our courses are divided into 9 sub-levels, Beginner 1, 2, 3, Intermediate 1, 2, 3, and Advanced 1, 2, 3. On average it takes students 3 weeks (60 hours of group class or 45 hours of private class) to advance from one sub-level to another. Though some students advance much faster and others take a bit longer. Like anything, the more dedication and work you put in the quicker you’ll see results.

Each week your teacher along with our Academic Director will assess your progress to ensure you are in the right group according to your level. Students who start at the same level of Spanish might end up in different groups the next week as one progresses faster than the other. We have the smallest class sizes in Panama so there will never be more than 3 other students in your group.

You will likely be able to have basic conversations, order food and a restaurant, talk about your work and family and give or get directions after just a week or two though to move from a Intermediate to Advanced level, where you’ll be constructing more advanced sentences and working with past and future tenses can take a bit longer. No matter what your current level you’ll notice a difference in your Spanish after just a week of group classes or equivalent hours in private lessons and even more so for 2 and 3+ weeks of classes.

These aren’t the Spanish classes you remember from high school. We use a fully immersive, “gamified” approach to learning Spanish in Casco Viejo.

What does that mean? You’re in a learning environment that’s active, fun, cultural, and social. We don’t bore you to death with obscure vocabulary you’ll never use. We incorporate games, walking tours, adventures, and conversations with classmates and locals into your experience.

That might mean a trip to “souvenir alley” to haggle with vendors and shop for trinkets, a bike ride on Panama’s ocean strip, or a Dominos game where you finally nail those conjugations…and have fun while doing it.

It depends on your goals and flexibility of schedule.

Most students prefer group classes as they’re more casual, social, and (dare we say?) a bit more fun. They also tend to be less intense, as the attention isn’t only on you the whole duration of class. Even those more on the quiet side tend to find group classes less intense than private.

It’s also encouraging being around other students who are learning at the same pace. We make sure your in a group with other students at your same level. You’re less likely to get frustrated when you don’t understand something if the rest don’t quite get it, either. We find frustration quickly turns to laughter in group settings!

On the other hand, you may prefer private lessons if you’re on a fixed schedule, need to advance quickly, or have specific areas you wish to address (for example, “I want to give a presentation in Spanish,” or “I have a special event to attend.”) You’ll have more flexibility when scheduling private lessons, which may be necessary if you’re working or have other time constraints.

All students take a placement exam upon signing up for classes. This exam helps us place you in the right group or with the private instructor.

After the first class, we’ll talk to you about your experience, ask you to fill out a quick feedback form, and talk to your instructor about your demonstrated level of experience. If you or your instructor feel you’re in the wrong level, we’ll know from the first day and can switch you into the right class.

Email us to take your placement exam.

While most our teachers do speak English, we adhere to a Spanish-only rule in class as to fully immerse you in the language and help you pick up an “ear” for Spanish. Students often tell us they gain as much from the Spanish-language instructions or chit-chat as they do from the actual lessons. Though it can more difficult at first, we find you learn faster and better when the teachers only speak to you in Spanish.

If you’re really stuck on something, our instructors may explain in English, but overall you’ll be hearing, speaking, and eventually thinking in full Spanish!

Absolutely! Many of our students are only here for a week, or even an afternoon. You’d be amazed at how much you can learn in that timespan. Just a week’s worth of group classes or a few days of private lessons is enough to get a sturdy foundation or build on what you already have.

If you’re like most travelers, you’ll find traveling without the ability to communicate is way more stressful than traveling on a tight schedule or budget.

You never know who you’ll meet in our group classes. Fresh college grads boosting their resumes. Travelers backpacking through Latin America. Expats living in Panama. Parents and teens having a unique summer break. Retired couples exploring abroad. Such diversity is what keeps our classes so interesting. Conversations are never stale amongst people with so many backgrounds, interests, and vocations!

While we can’t say who will be in your class, we can say this: You’ll never have more than 3 other students in a class, as we want to make sure everyone gets the attention they need. Plus, everyone in your class will be roughly the same level as you, which we determine at the start with our free placement test.

Plenty! Since we’re located in Casco Viejo, students are in the heart of Panama’s #2 tourist destination (after the Panama Canal) and some of the city’s best sight-seeing, museums, coffee shops, nightlife, cultural, and dining experiences.

In addition to the many things to do in Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo Spanish School offers free weekly activities for our students and anyone who wants to drop in. Between our sunset bike rides, local brewery tours, salsa dancing lessons, volleyball, and dinner & movie night, our weekly activities provide the perfect opportunity for experiencing Panama culture and meeting some great people along the way.

In the mornings or afternoons students often hop of the Central America’s only Metro or take the new Metro Buses to explore and visit our list of 7 must see attractions in Panama City. Other students take advantage of Casco Viejo’s cafes and restaurants to get some work done or practice their Spanish. Students learning Spanish for a couple weeks or longer often choose to volunteer at one of the local non-profit organizations or after school programs located nearby.

See the full list of our weekly activities.

When you look at a photo of Panama City, the first thing you’ll notice is a massive skyline– as impressive as Miami or any other cosmopolitan city. It may look good on a postcard, but it’s not exactly pleasant to be in. It’s loud, messy, and chaotic– with constant traffic and construction. A good place to live and do business, it’s far from pedestrian- or tourist-friendly.

Casco Viejo, while technically part of Panama City, feels like a different universe. In this charming colonial neighborhood, people walk around just for the sake of walking around. Most of Panama City’s best sightseeing, accommodations, restaurants, and nightlife are in Casco Viejo, and, more recently, a series of funky independent shops.

It’s the second biggest attraction in Panama (after the canal) for a reason, and it doesn’t take long to figure that reason out.