How to find Spanish lessons

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with 600 million people speaking it and more than 20 countries having it as an official language. With so many native speakers, it is only natural that so many people choose to take Spanish lessons.

If you're based in London, Spanish tutor, Cristian Pedraza, may be able to help you. In our interview with him, Cristian tells us all about his Spanish Conversation Club. Watch below to find out more.

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So, if you want to find a Spanish tutor, you definitely will. But how do you choose from so many options? Here are some tips for finding Spanish lessons: from language schools to private Spanish classes.

Online Spanish lessons

Where can I learn Spanish?

The most common way to learn Spanish for beginners is to look for a language school that starts at the lowest level and works its way up. However, there are other ways that are becoming more and more common and are a good alternative if you haven't found the perfect language school.

Which one is best for you? These are all the ways you can learn Spanish and their advantages:

• Spanish language schools. Language schools are famous for providing courses according to students’ language levels and helping them increase their level. If you have time and money, this is a good option for learning Spanish.
• Private Spanish tutors. Private Spanish tutors are one of the most demanded types of language tutors. There are many qualified tutors available. Private classes offer flexible timetables and personalised attention for each student. As learning is more focused on you, you will learn faster and the tutor will be able to catch your mistakes quickly and help you improve.

• Self-taught. Nowadays, with the internet you can learn everything. From soldering a screw to learning a new language. However, you must be constant and very organised, otherwise you will end up quitting.
• University degree. This is the most expensive and time consuming option, but if you really like Spanish and Spanish culture, you can always choose to study Spanish philology or a degree in Spanish literature. You will learn Spanish there and it will open up career opportunities like translation or interpreting.

How to choose the best Spanish tutor

Whether you want to learn Spanish from scratch or continue learning, it is important to find a good Spanish tutor or language school There are a few factors you can base your search on:

• Budget for learning Spanish. How much are you willing to spend? Each language school and tutor sets its own fees. Compare tutors and language schools to find one that fits your budget.
• Location of classes. Another way to decide is by proximity. Is your tutor or centre close to you? How many are there? If you have to combine language learning with studies or work, it is important to calculate the travel time between one place and another.
• Types of Spanish lessons. You can take Spanish lessons at home, find an online Spanish tutor or go to the tutor. There are many ways to learn, although some are more flexible than others. You will have to choose according to the time you have available.
• Learning objective: Do you want to pass an official Spanish exam or learn Spanish for business? Knowing what you want as well as what the tutor or school specialises in will also help you when finding tutors.

Benefits of online Spanish lessons

Online Spanish lessons have the advantage of being much more flexible in terms of timetable than private classes. In these new times, it has been seen that online classes work and thousands of teachers and students have joined this wave.

• Flexibility in time: Have you had an unforeseen event and can't make it to class or will you be late by 20 minutes? No problem, it is very likely that you will be able to reschedule the class.
• Instant communication with the teacher. You will be connected with your Spanish tutor at all times to solve any specific doubts you may have.
• You save money. By not having to travel, you save money on transport and time between work and class or between classes. So you can invest that time and money in other things you prefer.
• Short and effective classes. Generally, online tuition tends to take up less time than face-to-face classes as there is no commuting involved. The learning is much more focused and you are learning the whole time the class lasts. If you have decided to opt for online Spanish lessons, remember that they require a lot of independent work. You will also need to be very organised.

Price of private Spanish lessons

The price of private Spanish lessons varies according to the experience and qualifications of the tutor. A tutor who has a teaching or related degree will charge more. However, in general, Spanish lessons tend to cost £19 an hour.