The question is usually not whether to learn Spanish with classes or on your own. The real question is what course you need and how much time you'll need . That's where most people go wrong: they enroll in the level they think they have and in a format that doesn't fit their goal.
This guide gives you the approximate hours for each level, the formats available, and what to look for in a center before paying anything.
How much time do you need for each level?
The Spanish levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), from A1 to C2. The Cervantes Institute organizes its courses with this teaching load per level:
| Level | Hours | What can you do |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 60 h | Introduce yourself, ask for basic things, use simple phrases |
| A2 | 60 h | To handle yourself in everyday situations |
| B1 | 120 h | Continue a normal conversation and explain yourself fluently |
| B2 | 120 h | Study or work in Spanish independently |
| C1 | 180 h | Using language accurately in demanding contexts |
| C2 | 180 h | Domain equivalent to that of an educated speaker |
These figures are a reference point, not a guarantee: everyone progresses at a different pace, and practice outside the classroom greatly affects the outcome. But they are useful for making calculations.
The most important calculation: going from zero to a B2 level takes about 360 hours . If your goal is to study at a Spanish university and you're starting from scratch, that's what you have to work towards. Knowing this from the beginning avoids the frustration of waiting three months for results.
Before choosing a level, measure the one you have
Almost no one accurately estimates their own level. It's common to overestimate comprehension and underestimate expression. If you've been studying on your own for a while, take a Spanish level test before enrolling. Joining a group that's not right for you is the fastest way to waste a term.
Which format suits you best
The format doesn't depend on your level, but on your goal and the time you have.
- Annual course. For those who live here and want to make sustained progress without Spanish taking up their entire day.
- Intensive course. For those who have a deadline: an exam, a university registration, a job start date.
- Semi-intensive course. The middle ground, when you combine Spanish with something else but need to progress faster than in a year-long course.
- Tutorials. For very specific objectives or to reinforce a specific part, usually oral expression.
A practical guideline: if you have an exam or registration deadline, count down from it. If the hours you need don't fit into the remaining time, the problem isn't solved by studying harder, but by choosing a different format.
There's a problem that choosing the right course won't solve, and it's worth understanding separately: many people learn quite a bit but still can't speak. Why this happens, and how to overcome it, lies in speaking Spanish: why you understand but can't speak.
What to look for in a center before enrolling
Four things, in order of importance:
1. If it is accredited
The Cervantes Institute accredits centers that teach Spanish as a foreign language and verifies that they meet certain quality criteria. It's not just a decorative seal: it's the difference between a center evaluated externally and one that evaluates itself. Academia Guiu is an accredited center.
2. How you are assigned to the group
Ask if they do placement tests and how they form groups. A center that puts you wherever there's space, instead of where you're best suited, is going to waste your time.
3. The size of the group
In a language, speaking is half the battle. In a large group, your speaking time is reduced proportionally. Ask about the maximum number of students per class, not the usual number.
4. What happens when you finish the level
A single course won't get you anywhere. Check that the center offers continuity to the next level and, if you're interested in certification, that they prepare students for the official exams.
What you learn outside the classroom
Class time is the scaffolding, not the building. Those who learn Spanish quickly in Barcelona are those who use it outside of class, and that's not just because you live here: in a city with so many foreigners, it's perfectly possible to spend months speaking English.
What really works is quite simple:
- Do some regular activity in Spanish that has nothing to do with Spanish: sports, cooking, volunteering, a book club.
- Change the language of the things you already do every day, starting with your mobile phone.
- Look for conversation exchanges, which are easy to find and free in Barcelona.
One thing to know about Catalonia beforehand: both Spanish and Catalan are spoken here. You don't need Catalan to study Spanish or for everyday life, but you will hear it, and knowing this will prevent you from feeling like you don't understand anything when you are actually making progress.
If your goal is a Spanish university
So Spanish isn't the goal, it's a requirement. The complete itinerary has three parts:
- Language level, which to pursue university studies is usually at a B2 level.
- The documentationDepending on your educational system of origin, you may need to have your high school diploma validated, or you may not.
- Entrance exams, which in the international route are the Specific Competency Tests (PCE) of the UNED.
These three things overlap in time, so it's best to plan them together, not one after the other. You can look at Spanish courses for foreigners and, if your goal is university, the Pathway courses , which prepare you for the PCE exams.
FAQ
How long does it take to learn Spanish from scratch?
As a reference, reaching a B2 level from scratch takes about 360 hours of instruction. The actual pace depends on how much you practice outside of class.
What level do I need to study at a Spanish university?
The usual level is B2, which is the level that allows you to follow classes and write papers independently.
What does it mean for a center to be accredited by the Cervantes Institute?
That it has been externally evaluated and meets the quality criteria that the Cervantes Institute requires of centers that teach Spanish as a foreign language.
How do I know what level I am?
With a placement test. Estimating it on your own usually doesn't go well, especially if you've studied without a teacher.
Is an intensive course better than a year-long course?
It depends on whether you have a deadline. If you have an exam or registration coming up, the intensive course is the way to go. If you live here and want to progress without it taking up your whole day, the annual course is the way to go.
Do I need to know Catalan to live in Barcelona?
Not for everyday life or for studying Spanish. It's good to know that you'll hear it, and some university courses are indeed taught in Catalan.
