Spanish for True Beginners
Start from zero and build the Spanish you need for your first real conversations. This 10-week A1 course is built for adults with little to no Spanish experience. You'll learn the essentials, speak from class one, and leave with a foundation you can actually use.
Haven't taken our Level Placement Test yet? Start here.
Enrolling for the full year? See the A1 Roadmap →
Grab a seat
These are the next Spanish for True Beginners sections starting in Autumn 2026. Choose the format that fits your life.
Online via Zoom
Fridays, 6:30-8:30pm ET
Autumn 2026 · 10/9 - 12/18*Not 11/27
$599 for the 10-week course
Enroll OnlineIn person · Falls Church, map
Mondays, 6-8pm ET
Autumn 2026 · 10/19 - 12/21
$599 for the 10-week course
Enroll in Falls ChurchAlready started?
You may still be able to join after the course begins. Late enrollments are charged at the full course rate.
Reserve your seatHow it works
Know your starting point
New to Spanish? Start here. Studied before? Take our Level Placement test.
Choose your section
Pick the online or Falls Church class that fits your schedule.
Start speaking from day one
Learn the essentials, practice in class, and use tutoring or clubs for extra support.
Every class section
Autumn 2026 is what is open now. If those times do not work, use the full schedule below to see the course cadence through Summer 2027.
Online Sections
Falls Church Sections
By the end of this course
You'll review short materials before class, then use class time to speak, practice, ask questions, and apply what you're learning — here's what each of the ten weeks builds toward.
Pronounce Spanish more clearly.
Learn the Spanish alphabet and sounds, and start to hear the difference between accents in Spain, Argentina, and Mexico.
Introduce yourself and greet others.
Say hello and goodbye, ask how someone's doing, and share your name and where you're from.
Talk about where you live.
Describe your hometown, locate Spanish-speaking countries, and use respectful terms of address like Don and Doña.
Handle numbers, time, and cost.
Ask questions, count to 100, share your birthday and age, and tell time.
Talk about your pets.
Ask and answer questions about the animals in your life.
Talk about food you like.
Order and discuss your favorite foods using everyday verbs.
Describe your family and hobbies.
Name family members, share what you enjoy doing, and say what's yours.
Talk about your job.
Ask and answer questions about professions, and say where something or someone is.
Describe people.
Talk about nationality, appearance, and personality.
Put it all together.
Review the whole course and practice a full real-world conversation.
Start with one course, or choose the Roadmap
Just this course
$599 à la carte
- All ten sessions of Spanish for True Beginners
- Course materials and homework included
- Choose online or Falls Church
- Most flexible if you want to start one course at a time
$50 more per course · no club credits · no priority seat
Pick a SectionThe A1 Roadmap to Fluency
$2,200 for the year · $550/course
- Save $200 on your four Roadmap course credits
- Get $330 in conversation club credits
- Priority seat held before classes fill
- One Roadmap purchase for four annual course credits
$530 total value: $200 savings + $330 club credits
Start My Roadmap to FluencyEither way, you choose your own sections and book each course yourself. The Roadmap reserves your credits and a priority seat for the year, but we never enroll you into classes automatically.
Everything you need to keep progressing
- A digital course syllabus with all weekly topics, objectives, homework, and solution guides.
- Interactive student materials for all ten classes.
- Your individual student dashboard, where you can monitor your courses and overall Work-Life Spanish experience.
- Class recordings for every online session.
What if I miss a class?
Missing a class doesn't mean falling behind. You'll have access to your course materials so you can stay on track, and you can book a private tutoring session if you'd like one-on-one help with anything you missed.
Who this course is for
Spanish for True Beginners is for adults with little to no prior Spanish. If you're starting from the beginning and want a structured, supportive way to start speaking, this is your course.
Still not sure where you belong? Take the Level Placement Test or book a 15-minute consultation.
Here are the answers
How many students are in a class?
Group classes typically cap at 10 students, with up to 5 additional priority seats available for Roadmap students. Class length depends on enrollment: sessions are 2 hours with 4 or more students, 90 minutes with 2 to 3 students, and 60 minutes with 1 student.
Is Spanish for True Beginners online or in person?
Both. Some sections meet in person in Falls Church, Virginia, and others meet live online over Zoom. Each section has one format, so choose the time and setting that work best for you.
What if I miss a class?
Missing a class doesn't mean falling behind. You'll have access to your course materials so you can stay on track, and you can book a private tutoring session if you'd like one-on-one help with anything you missed.
Do I need the Level Placement Test?
If you're brand new to Spanish, you can start with Spanish for True Beginners without taking the Level Placement Test. If you've studied Spanish before, take the Level Placement Test so you can start in the right place.
What is your refund policy?
Withdraw at least 7 days before your course begins and you'll receive a full course credit, valid for 365 days. We don't offer cash refunds for withdrawals. If Work-Life Spanish cancels your course, you'll receive an alternative option or a full refund.
Practice between classes
Private Tutoring
From $42.50 · Online or Falls Church
One-on-one lessons tailored to your goals. Get extra help catching up, filling gaps, or building confidence with anything you're learning in class.
Explore Private TutoringConversation Clubs
$27.50 per session · Free for Roadmappers
Real Spanish conversation in real community, themed around culture, music, film, and current events. Put what you're learning into practice with other Spanish speakers.
Join a Conversation ClubNeed help choosing?
Not sure which section fits, or whether to start here or with the Roadmap? Reach out and we'll help you find the right fit.
Tell us what works for you
If none of these times or formats fit your life, let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Complete the Scheduling SurveyLearning a language is super intimidating (at least for me), and going through this course has made it feel like it's actually something I could achieve.Danielle Danko · Spanish for True Beginners
Start with your first real conversation.
You don't need prior Spanish. You just need the right place to begin.
Choose the section that fits your schedule and start building Spanish you can actually use.
Choose My SectionWant a clear path through A1 and into A2? The A1 Roadmap to Fluency gives you four annual course credits, conversation club credits, and a priority seat.
