FAQ

1. General Information

2. Language Courses

3. Housing

4. Pricing & Payments

5. Registration

1. General Information

1.1 Why should I choose ViaSpanish over other Spanish schools in Buenos Aires?

ViaSpanish has taken on the challenge of creating the context for an enriching, unforgettable experience for students seeking to study Spanish in Argentina. Unique among Spanish schools in South 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 Argentina with improved communication skills and wonderful memories involving the language in and out of the classroom.

1.2 Do I need a visa to study in Buenos Aires?

Citizens of many countries only need a passport to enter Argentina 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 (students younger may apply with both written and legalized permission from their guardian(s) and will be evaluated on a case by case basis). A diversity of ages, nationalities, professions, and interests contribute to the unique experience each of our students have at our Spanish school in Buenos Aires.

1.4 How do I get from the airport to my accommodation?

ViaSpanish offers students an Airport Pick-Up service, where we arrange for you to be met upon arrival at the airport and transported to your accommodation in Buenos Aires- please consult with our ViaSpanish staff regarding prices.

1.5 How will I meet other people and make friends while in South America?

The moment you arrive in Buenos Aires and at the Spanish school, you will begin to meet people who may become some of your closest friends while abroad. 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 our Spanish language school in Buenos Aires, however regardless or your placement, all of our accommodations are within short walking distance to public transportation and reasonable access to our school location.

1.7 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.

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 a 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 with university educations who 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 (20 hours of classes per week) 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.

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?

Our Spanish school in Buenos Aires provides students with all Spanish learning materials however students should bring a notebook and writing materials to the 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 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 enrol in Private Lessons or Customized Content Courses to focus on your specific area of interest. Your other option is to enrol 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 to students studying at our Spanish school in Buenos Aires but this highly depends on the home institution. Consult a student advisor at your home institution for more details.

3. Housing

3.1 Do I need to book accommodation with my ViaSpanish Spanish course?

No. Students can book Spanish courses without accommodation, however a local homestay (2 daily meals) or shared apartment (shared with other students or young professionals) is always highly recommended 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?

ViaSpanish keeps a well-established network of high quality housing throughout the city of Buenos Aires. 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, check out our housing page.

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 in Buenos Aires. 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.

4. Pricing

4.1 Can you help me find a discount airfare?

ViaSpanish has connections with several discount travel agencies and can provide students with contact information in order to make their travel arrangements. Simply Contact Us and mention you would like this assistance!

4.2 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.

4.3 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 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.

4.4 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 four 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.

4.5 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.

4.6 What is your cancellation policy for ViaSpanish Spanish courses?

For cancellations made 15 days or more prior to departure the company will refund all but the deposit. After a course has started there is no refund for any course, accommodation or other item booked.

4.7 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 a 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.

5. Registration

5.1 How does registration work?

To sign up for our ViaSpanish Spanish courses in Argentina, 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 accommodation.

5.2 How far in advance must I register?

To guarantee a spot in our Spanish school, you should register at least four weeks in advance. For registrations less than four weeks before the start date, we cannot guarantee a place in a group class or accommodation, but you can write or call us to check for availability in these cases.