Reviews from our students
Anonymous
The beginner-level classes seem to cover a lot of material in a short period of time. For students who genuinely want to do well but also have demanding jobs, some weeks can feel quite challenging. I think slowing the pace slightly would be very beneficial.
In my class, it seems that many students already have some prior exposure to Spanish. As someone with very limited background in the language, I sometimes feel that I am expected to complete the same exercises and demonstrate a similar level of competency, which may not be sustainable for all beginner students. A slightly slower pace and more reinforcement of foundational material would help students like me build confidence and keep up more effectively.
Phillip Crannick
The level is beginner, and they start at the very beginning. With alphabet sounds the into verbs, nouns, and all the rest to get someone started. Very good class
Melissa G.
I find this to be very helpful. I am so glad that I tried it and I'm actually learning and improving in Spanish! I hope to keep going.
Dominic Gates
Rolando González has a wonderful teaching manner. He's terrific.
Mary Seib
The Level one Spanish course is thorough and a great start to learning the Spanish language and how to speak it. I have learned so much from Gaston, our teacher. He is excellent. I highly recommend this course if you are interested in leaning to speak Spanish.
robert wyatt
I would not mind a more intensive immersion. I think it would help learn, and I understand there may not be much of a market for that, though.
Ravindra Patil
I highly recommend this beginner's Spanish class!
Nelson Navarrete is a wonderful, highly interactive instructor, and my classmates were great to learn alongside. Level 1 involves a lot of Q&A sessions, and tell me about yourself, focused on proper verb conjugation and grammar.
I actually took an in-person Level 1 course at my local adult education center around 10 years back, but I felt much more motivated in this online class. If you put in some self-study effort, you will definitely see progress. I'm not fluent yet, but I'm on the right path and look forward to taking the next levels to keep getting better!
Caroline Hewitt
I’m halfway through and have very much enjoyed the language sessions so far and really do feel as though I am getting a grip on the grammar etc. The course is pretty full on and there is quite a lot to get through in terms of the homework - but it’s worth it. Teaching has been very supportive and encouraging - and fun.
Mary Anne Sherry
I’m learning Spanish from a strong foundation and each week my comfort increases. My instructor is very knowledgeable, patient and makes the students feel secure even if we make mistakes we are corrected respectfully!
Chester George
Level one is for students who want to learn Spanish. You need to put study time in between classes otherwise you will not get the full benefit of each class. You will cover a lot of material in the 10 weeks and at the end really feel that you have a great start on your Spanish journey.
Steve N.
The course is helping to make my (poor) grasp of Spanish more systematic and to give me an overall sense of the various areas studied.
Jamie Thompson
Class is great. The only thing as it just goes so fast. So much information to digest before we're moving onto the next.
Chintamani Kansas
My teacher, Mónica Negron, is absolutely wonderful. She is quick, encouraging and kind. The class is well paced and not boring. Now that we are approaching the end, I am noticing that I am not absorbing as much as I had hoped. Now I feel overwhelmed by the amount of vocabulary. There are so many irregular verbs and things that I have to memorize. Which is fine. But I am fairly certain I'm going to flunk the test.
I think the lesson plans are great, the homework is great. It's just a lot of memorizing at a quick pace (for me). I wouldn't want you to slow things down too much, though. I think the classes are energizing and not boring.
Serenity Simpson
I’m enjoying the course and appreciate how much I’m learning. However, I sometimes feel that a lot of new material is introduced in a single class, making it challenging to fully absorb and practice each concept before moving on. A little more time for review and application would help me build confidence and retain what I’m learning.
Kelly M.
Gloria is a great teacher! This is my second time around (only made it to class three last time), but Gloria is really good at motivating and never makes me feel silly for not knowing something straight away.
Barbara Schultz
Gaston is an excellent teacher. He is patient and knowledgable. The course is comprehensive, thorough, and well organized Having the hard copy of the book makes homework easier. I’ve learned so much in just 6 classes! Highly recommend.
Renee Irlanda
Great beginner’s course!
Ian Hosein
Excellent course. Specifically:
-Clear explanations
-Repetition of ideas that can be confusing
-Emphasis on participation
Only issue I found was the class duration. Sitting for 1 1/2 h is too long .
I think the homework sections can be shortened and the classes can be 1 1/4h.
I find myself waiting for the end after 1h.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to learn Spanish with Berges?
Most students become conversational after completing five levels (about 12-15 months of regular classes).
I've never studied Spanish before. Is this right for me?
Yes! We designed our Beginners level specifically for people with zero Spanish experience.
Will I be embarrassed in class as a beginner?
No. All Beginners students start at zero. Our instructors 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). We teach standard Spanish, so what you learn works wherever Spanish is spoken.
Are classes recorded?
No. Classes are live only, which protects everyone's privacy and keeps students comfortable speaking up.
Do I need to keep my camera on?
Yes. Classes are live and interactive. Your instructor and classmates need to see you, just as you see them.
How old do I need to be to enroll?
Our classes are for adults. If you're 16 or 17, you can enroll as long as a parent or legal guardian accepts our terms on your behalf.