FAQ

1. General Information

1.1 Why should you choose ViaSpanish?
1.2 Do I need a visa to study in Argentina?
1.3 Am I too old for a language school? Too young?
1.4 How do I get from the airport to my accommodation?
1.5 How will I meet other people and make friends while in South America?
1.6 Are the accommodations close to the University or my placement?
1.7 Is there someone I may speak with about your schools?
1.8 What additional services do you offer?

2. Language Courses

2.1 What level of classes should I take?
2.2 What qualifications do the teachers have?
2.3 How many weeks should I study?
2.4 What is the focus of the advanced classes?
2.5 What is the class size?
2.6 Should I bring any materials to class?
2.7 When are the class start dates?
2.8 What is a typical day like?
2.9 How long is each class?
2.10 I would like to focus on business, health care, law, etc. Do you offer such programs?
2.11 May I receive university credit?

3. Housing

3.1 Do I need to book accommodation with my course?
3.2 May I begin my homestay before my classes start?
3.3 What do you offer for accommodation?
3.4 Can I find less expensive housing once I come?

4. Pricing & Payments

4.1 I would like to split my studies between multiple destinations. How will that affect my price?
4.2 Can you help me find a discount airfare?
4.3 When is the program start date?
4.4 When should I pay for ViaSpanish Spanish courses?
4.5 How is my payment determined for ViaSpanish Spanish courses?
4.6 How should I pay?
4.7 What is your cancellation policy for ViaSpanish Spanish courses?
4.8 Why do you use PayPal/Why did I receive an invoice from PayPal?

5. Registration

5.1 How does registration work?
5.2 How far in advance must I register?
5.3 If I plan to study at multiple schools, must I register at each separate location?

1. General Information

1.1 Why should I choose ViaSpanish over other Spanish schools in Latin America?
ViaSpanish has taken on the challenge of creating the context for an enriching, unforgettable experience for students seeking to study Spanish in Latin America. Unique among Spanish schools in Latin America, our programs are meant to offer students a high quality language education throughout the Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas. Each day we attempt to make ViaSpanish synonymous with the chance to live, breath, and truly experience the Spanish language. We hope that all students who choose to study Spanish with ViaSpanish will leave Latin America with improved communication skills and wonderful memories involving the language in and out of the classroom.

Our base in metropolitan Buenos Aires and our strong contacts all over Latin America provide a unique experience for visiting students. Furthermore our commitment does not end after your first day of class. We are available of the duration of your program, and we are dedicated to providing you the best possible experience abroad.

1.2 Do I need a visa to study in Latin America?
Citizens of many countries only need a passport to enter each country where ViaSpanish Spanish schools are located and can stay without problems for up to 90 days. You should, however, check our Student Visa page for country details, and ask your Consulate to determine specific entry requirements.

 
1.3 Am I too old for a language school? Too young?
We welcome all students who are at least 18 years old. A diversity of ages, nationalities, professions, and interests contribute to the unique experience each of our students have; regardless of age, any student who is interested in learning Spanish and meeting new friends from all over the world will feel right at home with ViaSpanish programs.

1.4 How do I get from the airport to my accommodation?
ViaSpanish offers students an Airport Pick-Up service in most destinations, where we arrange for you to be met upon arrival at the airport and transported to your accommodation - please check the prices page for the Airport Pick-Up cost in each ViaSpanish city.

1.5 How will I meet other people and make friends while in South America?
You will begin your stay at your chosen destination with a program orientation where you will have the opportunity to meet other program participants. You will be able to meet individuals in your classes, during workshops, during weekly activities, in your local accommodation, and through the local ViaSpanish staff.

1.6 Are the accommodations close to the school?
We place you as close as possible to your Spanish language school, however regardless or your placement, all of our accommodations are within short walking distance to public transportation and reasonable access to your class location.

1.7 How do I find out more information about partner schools?
You can contact the ViaSpanish staff with any specific questions you may have, using the information listed on the Contact Us page.

1.8 What additional services do you offer?
A comprehensive list of our support services is available under the Support Services link for each destination. You can be assured, however, that all the necessities of your stay, both foreseen and unforeseen, will be taken care of by the ViaSpanish team. Whether students need airport transportation, insurance, conversational partners, staff assistance, and much more, ViaSpanish students can count on our assistance from the very first day through the very last no matter the circumstance.

 
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2. Language Courses

2.1 What level of Spanish language classes should I take?
To know which level of Spanish Language Courses corresponds to your Spanish knowledge, you will take a basic placement test upon registration for your courses, sent via email by an ViaSpanish staff member. Do not worry if you do not speak a word of Spanish - many of our students have no prior Spanish knowledge before they arrive! You will, however, be speaking Spanish in the classroom from your first day.

2.2 What qualifications do our language teachers have?
All teachers are native speakers, university graduates, and have extensive prior experience teaching their language to foreigners. In addition to their professional credentials, teachers are chosen for their abilities to keep students entertained and interested in intensive classes over a long period.

2.3 How many weeks should I study?
It generally takes four to six weeks of full immersion courses (15 - 20 hours of classes per week, plus a homestay) to advance to the next language level. A 10-14 week course is recommended to move from the most basic level to an advanced knowledge of Spanish.  For our ViaSpanish Spanish courses we highly recommend a minimum of two weeks is required per destination in order to advance with the language.

2.4 What is the focus of the advanced classes?
Advanced classes focus on learning the finer points of grammar, such as uses of the subjunctive and idiomatic expressions, as well as conversational and written skills. Discussion topics vary according to student interests.

2.5 What is the average class size?
Classes have an average of 4 students. Maximum class sizes are kept small to ensure rapid language development.

2.6 Should I bring any materials to class?
While some schools provide all materials, it is always a good idea to bring a notebook and writing materials to class. You should also consider keeping a pocket dictionary and a grammar reference book handy!

2.7 When are the class start dates?
Official start dates are every Monday. We realize that students cannot control flight abilities and that not everyone can meet these dates. If you will be starting on another date, it is possible to take additional private hours to catch up with the group courses.

2.8 What is a typical day like?
Classes are usually offered in the mornings, and sometimes in the afternoons. Students and teachers generally show up a few minutes early for coffee, tea, etc. Your class may occasionally take place outside of the school, at a cafe or a park, for example. After class most students eat lunch or dinner with other students and/or teachers. Private lessons most often occur in the afternoons. Many days include cultural activities in the afternoon or the evening.

2.9 How long is each class?
ViaSpanish Spanish courses classes are generally 3-4 hours/day, Monday-Friday, and include class breaks.

2.10 I would like to focus on business, health care, law, etc. Do you offer such programs?
Students wishing to have specialized classes have two options. You can either enroll in Private Lessons or Customized Content Courses where available to focus on your specific area of interest. Your other option is to enroll in the Super Intensive program of study and take a group class with supplemental private lessons in the afternoons.

2.11 May I receive university credit?
Depending on the students home institution, universities may award credit at some of our language schools, but this highly depends on the home institution and the Spanish school destination courses.

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3. Housing

3.1 Do I need to book accommodation with my ViaSpanish Spanish course?
No. You are allowed to book your Spanish courses without accommodation, however a local homestay is always highly recommend to encourage language fluency.

3.2 May I begin my homestay before my classes start?
Yes, you may begin your homestay at any time. Please register as early as possible, however, as homestay families are limited and we want to find you the best match for your length of stay.

3.3 What do you offer for Accommodation?
Each of our partner schools maintains a well-established network of high quality lodgings located in the exciting areas of each destination. Decide between the camaraderie and social dynamic of a shared apartment, the hospitality and cultural opportunities of a homestay, or the independence of a private apartment or hotel. For more information, all our housing options are outlined within each of our destination pages.

3.4 Can I find less expensive housing once I come?
ViaSpanish does its absolute best to cut costs for students and keep our prices as close as possible to real rates within each city. While you may be able to find your own housing once you come, you must keep in mind that prices are always higher for short-term renters (less than six months to one year), as well as for foreigners, as subletters have no access to credit checks or assurance that the renter will indeed keep up their end of the contract. Additionally all our housing options are fully furnished and include utilities, combining both costs into one price per week for our students.

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4. Pricing

4.1 I would like to split my studies between multiple destinations. How will that affect my price?
If you decide to combine destinations, it will not affect your price at all; your lessons will be charged at the regular cost of each destination. We highly encourage studying at multiple locations as a way to experience different cultures and become acquainted with a variety of accents. Our network of schools provides an easy transition for most students between destinations.

4.2 Can you help me find a discount airfare?
ViaSpanish works with several discount travel agencies and can help students make their travel arrangements. Simply Contact Us and mention you would like this assistance!

4.3 When is the program start date?
Each program start date is defined as starting on the first day of classes or the first day of accommodations, whichever comes first. If the client is studying in multiple locations, the program starts on the first day in the first location.

4.4 When should I pay for my ViaSpanish Spanish courses?
You will be sent an invoice for the total amount after you have registered for your complete program. If it is more than two weeks before the program start date, you may choose to pay either the deposit or the total at that time. If you are registering less than two weeks before the program start date, you must pay the full amount of the program. If you elect to pay only the deposit, you must pay for the complete program two weeks before the program start date.

4.5 How is my payment determined for ViaSpanish Spanish courses?
You must pay a deposit of minimum U$S 500 (or the full amount for programs less than U$S 500) to confirm class registration and accommodation. For programs over U$S 2500, a deposit of 20% of the total program fee is required to confirm registration. If registration is submitted less than two weeks before program start sate, clients must pay the full program fee. The client must pay the full program fee by the program start date.

4.6 How should I pay?
Payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard, PayPal or Money Transfer before the program start date.  We welcome U.S. dollars, Euros, or currency local to each destination country.

4.7 What is your cancellation policy for ViaSpanish Spanish courses?
If the cancellation is made prior to the program start date, only the deposit will not be refunded. If the cancellation is made after program start date, the deposit will not be refunded and the refund will be 50% of the remainder of the program beginning with the Monday following the cancellation date. For programs that have already started, the cancellation date is defined as the last day of classes, accommodations, or excursions, whichever is latest.

4.8 Why do you use PayPal/Why did I receive an invoice from PayPal?
We use PayPal as our invoicing system for credit cards, debit cards, and actual PayPal accounts - once you register, you will receive a follow up email from an ViaSpanish staff member and an email invoice sent via PayPal. Once you click on the link included in the email, you enter into a secure PayPal webpage where you can pay by credit card - we use PayPal because it is a secure database that protects you from identity fraud and is thus safer for your credit card number.

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5. Registration

5.1 How does registration work?

To sign up for our ViaSpanish Spanish courses, click on the link that says Registration at the top of any page. Complete the registration form to register you program, verify that you have read and agree to our Terms and Conditions, and then Submit the form.

Once ViaSpanish receives your registration form, you will be sent an invoice. If the booking is for more than one month before the program start date, you may choose to pay either the deposit or the total at that time. If you are registering less than one month before the program start date, you must pay the full amount of the program. If you elect to pay only the deposit, you must pay for the complete program one month before the program start date.

Once the deposit or course fees have been paid, ViaSpanish will book all of your courses, and accommodations.

5.2 How far in advance must I register?
To guarantee a spot in our schools, you should register at least two weeks in advance. For registrations less than two weeks before the start date, we cannot guarantee a place in a group class or in a homestay, but you can write or call us to check for availability in these cases.

5.3 If I plan to study in multiple locations, must I register at each separate location?
No. Simply register at the location you will be at first, and then indicate which date you plan to change destinations and ViaSpanish will take care of the rest. If you are still unsure about when you would like to change destinations, just put an approximate date as we are very flexible about switching schools.

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