Conversational Spanish for Beginners

Start your Spanish journey with Berges Institute's beginner-friendly grammar-based approach.

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A woman taking a Spanish class via Zoom from her couch
"Worth every penny - Spanish skills transformed completely."
Mary Smith, NYC
32,000+ students

How Berges Institute Helps Beginning Students:

  • Grammar-based Graf Method designed specifically for adult learners
  • Start speaking Spanish from your very first class
  • Small group classes (3-8 students) with personalized attention
  • Native Spanish-speaking instructors
  • Structured curriculum that builds skills logically
  • Flexible online classes to fit your schedule
A woman taking a Spanish class via Zoom

Frequently asked questions

I've never studied Spanish before. Is this right for me?

Absolutely! Our beginner program is designed specifically for people with no prior Spanish experience. We start from the very basics and build your skills systematically. Many of our most successful students started as complete beginners.

How is the Graf Method different from apps like Duolingo?

Apps use inductive methods that make you guess patterns from pictures and examples. The Graf Method teaches grammar rules explicitly first, then you practice them. Research shows adults learn faster when they understand the rules before applying them, rather than trying to figure them out through immersion.

How long until I can have basic conversations in Spanish?

Most beginners can handle simple conversations within 10-15 months of regular study. You'll start with basic sentences and simple exchanges, then progressively build to more complex conversations as your vocabulary and grammar knowledge grows.

What if I fall behind or need extra help?

Our small class sizes ensure you get individual attention from your instructor. If you miss a class, you can often make it up with another group at your level. We also offer additional resources and practice materials to support your learning.

A man taking an online Spanish class with a laptop at a coffee shop

Reviews from our students

Oscar Marin
2023-03-08
Fun and fast moving.
Cinzia Berletti
2023-02-14
Even if I prefer in-person classes, online worked just as well. Great class!!
Jessi Berry
2023-02-13
Awesome course - the teaching style and review is very formulaic and logical, which makes it easy with practice to retain what I'm learning. I love the supplemental material as well - newsletters, blog resources, and AI chat bot.
Harper T
2023-02-04
The teaching has been quite thorough with good explanations on why the sentences are constructed they way the are. The teacher has been patient with the students which makes for a calm atmosphere for learning.
Thomas Clobes
2023-01-23
Great course. I enrolled at Berges a little over a month ago and will continue through the program!
Maximilian Paulus
2023-01-17
I really enjoyed attending the course because it was easy to follow. The teachers included all of the students to participate. The time schedule was very flexible that I could easily change the day and time if needed. I really enjoyed going to the in person classes, which was one of the main reasons why iI chosed Berges Institute. I am looking forward to attending the next courses. Best, Max
Patrick Cavanaugh
2023-01-14
I enjoyed the book, overall content, and flexibility of class times.
Bibi Alli
2023-01-12
I enjoyed the beginners course. Before starting with Berges, I had some background in Spanish but forgot a lot of the grammar and didn't have any confidence speaking. The textbook, homework, and exercises in class were well structured and I felt like I learned a lot within the 10 weeks. I also feel more confident speaking.
Gowri Menon
2023-01-07
I am so glad I found Berges Institute online when I was searching to learn Spanish. The Level 1 was placed very simply and not over bearing or over whelming, it was easy to follow (not on class day 1 yeah haha) but onwards it was simple and structured that you don't feel lost. The method actually falls into place making learning Spanish a breeze. Also helps that they have Amazing teachers here whom are really dedicated. Highly Recommend taking Spanish lessons from here.
April Cox (ACXIOM)
2023-01-06
Course was good. I wish the workbook, had more examples of each section. It was hard to catch on at first, but that is because of learning a new language. Overall loved the course.
John Leonard
2023-01-04
The beginner's class was just what I needed to get started learning Spanish. The course materials are easy to understand and are wonderfully organized so that you are always building on what you already learned. I was anxious about learning a new language but this class eased me into the learning process, making it fun and challenging at the same time.
Lucia Simone Winston
2022-12-28
The workbook is easy to follow. Explanations are clear and concise. I suggest an index in the back of the workbook, so that topics can be found more easily for review purposes. Page numbers in the table of contents would also be helpful.
Bob U.
2022-12-06
The course was a good beginning approach, stressing conversational skills, along with the necessary grammar guidelines. I liked the course book, which was less comprehensive, and less intimidating, than a typical beginning Spanish book (from what I remember from many decades ago), easing us into a practical learning mode.
Kathryn Peartree
2022-12-05
Good process through out, Andres is very helpful and gives great background on language and good context for verbs and vocabulary
Maureen O'Neill
2022-10-26
Terrific. Highly recommend. Both in class and homework were well paced with lots of opportunity to check progress.