Beginners Level: Spanish for Absolute Beginners

4.8 (608 reviews)

An adult woman over a yellow background

Master essential Spanish conversation skills through our logical, building-block approach that develops sentence-building abilities from day one. 

This ten-unit course covers core grammar (ser/estar, regular verbs, time expressions) and practical vocabulary, enabling you to introduce yourself, discuss preferences, and handle everyday situations with confidence. 

By completion, you'll speak basic Spanish with the solid grammatical foundation that distinguishes serious learners from casual app users.

  • Difficulty: Easy
  • 10 classes (90 min. each)
  • Via Zoom

Course Content

Lesson 1: Spanish basics: Alphabet, pronouns, and family vocabulary

In this class, you will learn the alphabet, the verbs ser and estar, definite and indefinite articles, and vocabulary related to family members in Spanish. You will start building very simple sentences using this material.

By the end of this first class, you'll construct basic Spanish sentences—your first step toward real conversation.

Lesson 2: Spanish basics: Adjectives, prepositions, and adverbs

In this class, you will learn common adjectives, prepositions, adverbs, conjunctions, and possessive adjectives. You'll also learn some basic words and expressions, numbers 1 through 5, and how to introduce yourself and ask questions in Spanish. We'll also explore how to talk about your favorite things.

Lesson 3: Spanish basics: Verbs tener, ir, and hacer

In this class, you'll learn how to conjugate and use the verbs tener (to have), ir (to go), and hacer (to do/make) in the present tense. You'll also learn some nouns related to time, the days of the week, and numbers 6 through 10. Lastly, we'll explore vocabulary for places (lugares) and prepositions like a (to), while practicing how to talk about going to places in Spanish.

Lesson 4: Spanish regular verbs ending in -ar

In this class, you'll learn vocabulary related to la casa (the house), practice using hay (there is/there are), and master the conjugation and use of regular Spanish verbs ending in -ar.

Lesson 5: Spanish regular verbs ending in -er and -ir

In this class, you'll learn regular verbs ending in -er and -ir and explore essential nouns that pair with these verbs. We'll cover key concepts like subjects and objects, the Spanish personal a, and the prepositions con (with) and sin (without). You'll also work with the adverbs mucho and poco, habit-related time expressions, and the basic use of the present tense. Finally, you'll refine your understanding of bueno, malo, bien, and mal.

Lesson 6: Body parts, numbers, age, and time

In this class, you'll learn how to identify and name las partes del cuerpo (body parts) in Spanish and master numbers from 0 to 100. You'll also practice saying your age and telling time.

Lesson 7: Spanish reflexive verbs

In this class, you'll learn how to talk about doing things at specific times in Spanish and dive into Spanish reflexive verbs, understanding how they work and when to use them in everyday conversations.

Lesson 8: Clothes, por & para, and the verb gustar

In this class, you'll learn vocabulary related to la ropa (clothes) and explore the prepositions por and para. We’ll cover the pronouns mí and ti and introduce the verb gustar (to please), so you can express likes and preferences.

Lesson 9: Present tense review

In this class, we'll review the present tense, covering basic irregular verbs, regular verbs ending in -ar, -er, and -ir, as well as numbers, basic vocabulary, reflexive verbs, and gustar. You'll also write a short essay about yourself, entirely in Spanish!

Lesson 10: Food & drinks

In this class, you'll learn vocabulary related to food and drinks, as well as how to order food at a restaurant. You’ll also review the present tense, including reflexive verbs and gustar.

A woman taking a Spanish class via Zoom

Reviews from our students

Anonymous
2026-01-07
This is an easy on line class that moves quickly into using the words in Spanish from the first class. I am just in the beginner class but the lessons are well planned to give a structure to the grammar and my instructor is very supportive. I am enjoying the on line class very much.
Paula Cerdas
2026-01-07
This has been an excellent class. At least for me it moves at the perfect pace. We cover a lot of material, but not so quickly that I would fall behind. I had taken a bit of spanish in middle school about 20 years ago, and having that foundation was helpful, but this class was mostly new material anyway. The teacher was very friendly and helpful, and I liked the other class members I was learning with. It's been great struggling, succeeding, and improving alongside a group.
Samuel B.
2025-12-24
This has been a excellent course. I enjoy the instruction from Claudia Montoya. She very knowledgeable, engaging and friendly. I wish I had done this sooner.
Hardwick Johnson
2025-12-19
This course was exactly the right one for my level. The pacing and breadth of instructional content was very good for helping me build basic skills to continue learning. The instructors that I have experienced have all been very knowledgeable, patient and helpful.
Alexandra Anderson
2025-12-17
Overall I found the structure of the introductory course to be very good. The topics and vocabulary seemed well matched. However, I do wish that the text book provided more in-class exercises that are separate from the homework exercises. More is always better when learning a language. Completing weekly homework that is a duplicate of what is done is class is not the most effective way of learning a language. Variety and repetition are the keys.
Susan E.
2025-12-15
I was hesitant to take classes online but have thrilled with the Berges classes. I moved to Madrid at 56 with zero Spanish. I appreciate that this program started at the very beginning and met me where I'm at. I feel supported and encouraged. I find them to be small and much more personal than I expected. I have taken classes with several different teaches and without exception, they are positive, organized and effective. I find the program clear and supportive. I especially like the corresponding workbooks and homework assignments. I plan to continue with the program as I see it as a great value.
Martha Hao
2025-12-14
The Beginners class is perfect! The classes are small-size, so it allows the teacher to focus on the students one-on-one. I like how there's enough homework in-between (it forces you to study), so that you're held accountable in reviewing the answers the next class. I highly recommend Gloria Alveal! She is very professional, knowledgeable, and patient. Whenever I reschedule a class, I always try to reschedule to another one of her classes!
Lehra Samadhi
2025-12-10
I originally skipped level 1 and started with level 2 because I already had the bacis down, but since the monthly membership allows me to take any class I want, whenever I want, I decide to try some level 1 classes for extra practice and thought they were great. I ended up learning something new in each class.
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