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Our Spanish Program Courses by Level

Our Spanish Program Courses by Level

How long will it take to learn Spanish?

The time required to learn a new language varies depending on several factors, including educational background, prior experience with language learning, personal motivation, the amount of time dedicated to study, and commitment to practicing spoken Spanish. It is also important to recognize that maintaining and improving language skills is an ongoing process.

CPI offers four main levels of Spanish instruction: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Superior. Each level below Superior is divided into three sub-levels, resulting in a total of 10 courses. These courses are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and ACTFL guidelines.

The CPI program is designed to support consistent progress, with students typically advancing one course every two to three weeks.

The chart below offers an estimate of the time needed to progress through each level of the program. At CPI, there is no minimum enrollment requirement, allowing you to join for as little as one week or stay longer, depending on your plans. Our flexible structure enables you to design a learning experience that fits your goals, timeline, and travel plans for onsite classes.

1. Basic Courses

CEFR: Pre-A1 to A1

ACTFL: Novice Low to Novice Mid

Duration: 1–2 weeks on average

Course description and content

Designed for students with little or no previous experience in Spanish, this level introduces essential vocabulary, pronunciation, and basic communication skills for everyday situations. Students learn to exchange simple personal information, ask and answer basic questions, and interact using memorized and practiced expressions in familiar contexts.

Students are introduced to present tense forms, regular past tense forms, and the periphrastic future to communicate simple ideas related to routines, daily activities, and immediate needs.

2. Intermediate Courses

CEFR: B1 / approaching B1+

ACTFL: Intermediate Low

Duration: 1–2 weeks on average

Course description and content

At this level, students communicate with greater independence using expanded vocabulary and a wider range of verb tenses, including compound forms. Learners discuss experiences in multiple time frames, improve comprehension through authentic texts and conversations, and express ideas with increased precision and confidence.

3. Advanced Courses

CEFR: B2+ / approaching C1

ACTFL: Intermediate High

Duration: 2–3 weeks on average

Course description and content

At this level, students communicate with increased fluency and confidence in extended conversations on a wide range of familiar and unfamiliar topics. Learners improve their ability to understand authentic materials, including literature, films, and conversations involving different accents and dialects.

4. Superior Course

CEFR: C2 / Professional Proficiency

ACTFL: Advanced High to Superior

Duration: 18+ weeks

Course description and content

To achieve and maintain the superior level is a timeless goal! At the Superior level, students communicate with a high degree of fluency, precision, and sophistication across a wide range of academic, professional, and social contexts. Learners can discuss and support complex ideas, interpret nuanced meaning, and adapt language appropriately to different situations and audiences.

Students demonstrate advanced comprehension of authentic materials, including literature, films, television, music, and professional discourse, while producing detailed oral and written communication on both abstract and concrete topics with a high level of accuracy and flexibility.

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