Compare local and online beginner courses, taster lessons and small groups in one place. Every listing shows the level, price, class size and schedule, checked on 1 November 2026.
No Spanish needed to start. Pick a course and contact the school directly, with no sign-up and no fees.
Made by Parrot, the app for practising Spanish between classes. About this site
Beginner courses start at A1, the first level on the CEFR scale, and assume no Spanish at all.
Most run for 8 to 12 weeks with one or two classes a week.
Book a taster lesson or a small group course, then practise for 10 minutes a day between classes.
Short daily practice keeps new words from slipping before the next lesson.
London, United Kingdom
New York City, United States
New York City, United States
Toronto, Canada
Toronto, Canada
Toronto, Canada
Melbourne, Australia
Hawthorn, Melbourne, Australia
Seville, Spain
Miami-Dade County, United States
Houston, United States
Houston, United States
Say hello, introduce yourself and ask someone's name. These are the first phrases almost every course teaches.
Count, give a phone number, say the date and ask what time something starts. They come up every day, from shops to bookings.
Order in a cafe, ask for prices and ask for directions. Many courses use role-play so these phrases feel natural on a trip.
Describe where you live, your job, your family and what you like. This is where real conversations start.
Learn how common verbs change with I, you, he and she. Most beginner courses focus on the present tense before moving to the past.
Short audio and video clips train your ear for natural speed and different accents. Listening is often the hardest part for beginners, so early practice helps.
The teacher introduces the course and everyone says hello in Spanish. Nobody is expected to know anything yet.
The teacher shows a short dialogue or picture and pulls out key words. Words learned in context are easier to remember than a list.
Learners practise the dialogue with a partner, then swap roles. It feels awkward for a minute, then it gets easier.
A short clip of a native speaker using the same phrases. Hearing them at real speed builds confidence for life outside class.
Most teachers set a small task, such as learning ten words or recording a short introduction. A few minutes a day matters more than one long session.
A group course gives structure, a teacher and classmates at a lower price than private lessons. Groups of 6 to 10 suit most beginners.
Online groups follow the same course from home, which suits busy weeks and people far from a school. See our guide to online Spanish classes for more options.
A single taster lesson or a short weekend course lets you try learning before committing to a full term.
A private tutor moves at your pace, which helps if you feel shy speaking in a group. Expect to pay more per hour.
Libraries and community centres sometimes run free beginner classes. Places fill quickly, so check dates early.
First-level courses assume zero knowledge. If you know a few words already, mention it and the teacher will place you correctly.
Write new words in phrases, not alone. A short list of useful sentences is easier to reuse than single words.
A headset with a microphone makes speaking practice clearer. Test the video link a few minutes before class.
Short daily practice between classes keeps new words fresh. It is the single habit that most changes how fast beginners progress.
Some courses called beginner expect a little Spanish already. Ask whether the course starts from zero.
Smaller groups give every learner time to speak. More than 12 learners usually means less speaking practice.
A taster shows how the teacher explains things and whether the pace suits you. It costs little or nothing.
The best course is the one you can attend every week. Evening and weekend groups fill first, so book a few weeks ahead.
Parrot's Flight School walks new learners through their first Spanish step by step, a natural partner to a first-level course.
Parrot teaches Spanish through short videos you can watch on the bus or before bed. Spare minutes turn into daily practice.
Go over the words from your latest class so they stick before the next one. Learners rate Parrot 4.7 stars from over 17,000 ratings.
Download Parrot free and start practising tonight. Setup takes less than a minute.
Parrot makes this site. It is never listed as a local class.
Yes. First-level courses start at A1 and assume no Spanish. Teachers begin with greetings and simple phrases, and most schools offer a level test or taster lesson so you join a group at the right stage.
Most adults manage simple conversations after a few months of weekly classes plus daily practice, and reach a basic conversational level after 6 to 12 months. Speaking often matters more than total class hours.
Groups cost less and give you classmates to practise with, which most beginners enjoy. A private tutor suits learners who feel shy speaking or need a very flexible schedule. Many start in a group and add private lessons later.
Both work for beginners when the class is live and small. In-person classes help if you like a fixed routine, while online classes save travel time. Choose the one you can attend every week.
Start with the Spanish closest to your goal, such as Latin American Spanish for travel in the Americas or Spain's Spanish for Europe. The basics are shared, so switching later is easy.
Every listing is a real school, college, library or tutor company teaching first-level Spanish, checked on 1 November 2026. We do not take payment for rankings, and Parrot is never listed as a class.
