Reviews from our students
Elena Naskova
Despite previous attempts to learn Spanish, my current progress is significantly better due to the well-structured curriculum and exceptional instruction.
Robert L.
This course is great for a beginner. Gloria is an amazing teacher that is patient with her students while also being demanding enough of us to make us learn.
Lisa Terry
After years of trying to learn languages on my own, I decided to devote some time to a course. My good friend said that the Berges Institute had very good pedagogy, so I gave it a try. I was very stimulated by and engaged with the lesson material and feel like I'm off to a good start! The ease of picking a class time that suited me was really good, and the ability to schedule makeups or finding class videos to watch helped me with the two times I couldn't make a class.
Christine Dasco
I can't say enough positive things about the Berges program and about my wonderful professora, Gloria.
The sequence of the course flows in a way that is logical and accessible. I am genuinely learning and making breakthroughs with my speaking and comprehension that I hadn't been able to attain with language learning apps. I love how easy it is to reschedule classes. That works so well for my sporadic schedule.
And Gloria is amazing. She is patient, positive, encouraging, and has a warmth and authenticity that makes it truly a joy to learn from her.
Abraham Proffitt
This is a very well organized and effective course! The beginner course was more than an introduction - it actually got me closer to real conversational Spanish. I used Duolingo and other apps for years with little progress, but this course actually helped me form conversations and built my confidence speaking Spanish!
For beginners like me, I recommend taking the course until the end. From my experience, this helped me a lot starting from the basics of Spanish and how to use it. It is fast paced and requires a significant time investment for necessary memorization and the book and written exercises work well for retention.
I only wish it was more than 1 day/week!
Yuanyi Xing
I like it that the curriculum is well structured and contains solid basic knowledge
Jeff Whetzel
This level has been very helpful for me. I tried a foreign language app, but I find the interactive classes from Berges to be much more conducive to learning the language.
I will definitely take more classes from Berges in the future!
Shelley Kaufhold
Although this course is supposedly for complete beginners, the course content does not match the level. I have an extendí e language background, so I have not had any trouble, but there has been no information about basic language concepts like what a conjugation. I am taking it with an absolute language beginner, and I am filling in a lot of gaps.
Deannea Ylinen
From the very first class, I learned valuable rules regarding grammar that I never learned in my many attempts to learn Spanish and they have helped remarkably. The lessons are challenging without being overwhelming. I am amazed at how far I've come in this short amount of time. Great program!
Carolyn Quinn
Excellent materials and instructor. Small class size is conducive to conversations in Spanish. Zoom format optimizes convenience.
Marlene Wright
I think it is an excellent course. It allows you to get questions answered right away.
Monica Kirschner
I am really enjoying this class and I have learned so much!!
Shelley Eckvahl
Very helpful way to begin your learn Spanish. Nice instructors. Very convenient to be able to reschedule classes when schedule conflicts arise. I look forward to continuing my studies here. Also the homework is very helpful.
Anonymous
For those beginners like me, I recommend that you should take this course until the end. For my experience, this helped me a lot starting from the basics of Spanish and how to use it. Teachers were very nice and approachable.
Mary Bird
This is a very well organized and effective course. It is fast paced and requires a significant time investment for necessary memorization. The book and written exercises work well for retention and seeing what you don’t know. Our instructor, Rolando, was excellent. He kept our attention and explained things well. Highly recommend.
Helene Ciappetta
This beginner course was better than an introduction. I feel ready for my vacation with an overview of basic language. The instructor was so prepared and patient. Thank you for this opportunity at such a reasonable price.
Nicole Maher
I am loving the class and am learning so much! And the teacher is really fun! I have tried online apps before but that format is helping me truly learn. Finally!
Bruce Karmazin
The content and pace of the class feels about right.
Mekeba Sutton
The classes are amazing. As well as the instructors. I wish it was more than once a week. The lessons are very thorough and it helps work with a native Spanish speaking instructor.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to learn Spanish with this method?
Most students become conversational after completing 5 levels (about 12-15 months of regular classes).
I've never studied Spanish before. Is this right for me?
Yes! Most of our students are complete beginners. We designed our Beginners classes specifically for people with zero Spanish experience.
Will I be embarrassed in class as a beginner?
No. All Beginners students start at zero. Our teachers create a supportive environment where making mistakes is part of learning.
How is this different from Spanish apps?
We teach grammar rules first, then practice. Apps make you guess patterns. Our method is faster for adults.
Do you teach Castilian or Latin American Spanish?
Spanish is one language with regional differences, mostly accent and a handful of everyday words, just like any other language. We teach standard Spanish, so what you learn works wherever it's spoken.
Are classes recorded?
No. Classes are live and not recorded, for student privacy and to keep speaking practice pressure-free.
How old do I need to be to enroll?
Our classes are for adults. The one exception: if you're 16 or 17, you can enroll as long as a parent or legal guardian accepts our terms on your behalf.
Can I change levels?
Yes! Just send us a message through our Help Center.
