Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in the world and one of the fastest for an Arabic or French speaker to make real progress in — the sounds are close, the spelling is honest, and a good deal of the vocabulary is already familiar. Most of our Spanish learners are adults picking it up for travel, for work with Latin American markets, for family abroad, or simply because they want a third language that opens a lot of doors. Al Khawarizmi Institute has taught international languages in Lebanon since 2011.
Want the next Spanish group dates? Enroll Now and we will reply the same day with the dates, the level that fits you, and the fees.
The levels, and what each one lets you actually do
Spanish levels are described using the Common European Framework, the A1 to C2 scale that appears on university forms and job descriptions. The labels only help if you know what they mean in practice:
- A1 and A2 — the basics. Introducing yourself, ordering, shopping, appointments, simple past and future. At A2 you can handle a predictable conversation but not an unexpected one.
- B1 — independence. You can manage most travel and daily situations and follow a normal conversation between native speakers. This is where people stop translating in their heads.
- B2 — the working level. Meetings, correspondence and detailed discussion. This is the level Spanish universities and Spanish-speaking employers usually ask for.
- C1 and C2 — mastery. Academic and professional Spanish at full speed, including nuance and implication.
Spain or Latin America? It matters less than you think
This is the question we are asked most often, and the short answer is not to worry about it at the start. It is one language, and speakers understand each other everywhere, much as a Lebanese speaker follows Egyptian or Gulf Arabic. The differences are in pronunciation, some vocabulary, and the form used to address a group — things a learner picks up later, not in the first months.
What is worth telling us is where you are heading: study in Spain, work with a Latin American market, or family in Venezuela, Argentina or Mexico, all common destinations in the Lebanese diaspora. We aim the class examples and vocabulary that way, so you learn the words you will actually use.
Why Spanish moves quickly for Arabic and French speakers
- The spelling is regular. Once you know the rules, you can read any word aloud correctly, including one you have never seen. Neither English nor French gives you that.
- The sounds are already in your range. The rolled “r”, the vowels and the “j” are all comfortable for an Arabic speaker, which removes the accent barrier that slows people down elsewhere.
- French speakers get the vocabulary free. Both descend from Latin, so thousands of words are close enough to recognise on sight, and the grammatical logic behaves the same way.
- Arabic left real traces in Spanish. Centuries of contact left roughly a thousand words of Arabic origin in Spanish, so some vocabulary is familiar before you start.
Who these courses are for
- Adults learning a third language for travel or personal interest
- Professionals dealing with Spanish-speaking clients, suppliers or markets
- Students planning to study in Spain or Latin America
- Anyone with family or community ties in Spanish-speaking countries
- Complete beginners who want a language they can use quickly
How the courses run
Every language course here follows the same method, because it is the one that works: a placement exam before you enrol, levels running from complete beginner through to advanced, small groups, and speaking practised from early on rather than saved for the end. Groups run mornings and evenings so school students, university students and working adults can all find a slot.
As a reference, group courses start from $150 and a level is about 20 hours of class. Length and fees vary with your starting level and your goal, so we confirm both with you before you enrol.
In person or online
Classes run in person at our main branch in Simkanieh (the Chouf), and as live Zoom groups for students anywhere else in Lebanon or abroad — taught live by a teacher, never recorded, at the same fee as in person. We also have a branch in Aley: ask us which groups are running there. Our Beirut (Mar Elias) and Choueifat branches are paused for now; students from those areas study online or at our other branches.
Not sure which branch is nearest or whether an online group fits your week better? Enroll Now — tell us where you are and we will give you the options straight.
Fees, levels and timing
- A free placement test first. It is written, takes 20–30 minutes, and is usually taken at the branch. Complete beginners are welcome.
- Six levels, A1 to C2. As a reference, a level is about 20 hours of class, then an end-of-level exam; the exact length depends on the course and is confirmed after your placement test. If the test shows you are ready, you can skip a level.
- Two sessions a week, usually 1–2 hours each, in morning, afternoon or evening groups, plus Saturday classes. New groups open every month, and you keep the same teacher for the whole level.
- Fees. Group courses start from $150 (USD) — a reference figure; we confirm the fee for your course and level before you enrol. No registration fee. Pay in cash, by Whish or by OMT. Online classes cost the same as in person.
- A certificate for every level, recognised by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
- Prefer one-to-one? Private one-to-one lessons are charged per hour, in blocks of 20 hours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Spanish from Spain and Latin American Spanish?
It is one language and speakers understand each other everywhere. The differences are pronunciation, some vocabulary, and the form used to address a group. Tell us your destination and we aim the class examples that way.
Is Spanish easier than French or German?
For most Arabic and French speakers, Spanish pronunciation and spelling are more forgiving, so early progress tends to feel faster. That does not make the higher levels trivial — but beginners usually reach a usable conversation level sooner than they expect.
What Spanish level do universities in Spain ask for?
Usually B2 for programmes taught in Spanish. Some programmes are taught in English and ask for an English certificate instead. Check your university’s admissions page, then tell us the target and we will plan towards it.
How do I know which Spanish level to join?
You take a placement exam first. We assess what you can actually produce, not just what you recognise, and put you in the group that matches it — so you are neither lost nor bored.
Can I take Spanish classes online?
Yes. The course runs as live Zoom classes with a teacher — never recorded — in online groups of their own, at the same fee as in person. Students join from across Lebanon and from abroad.
How long is a course and what does it cost?
As a reference, group courses start from $150 and a level is about 20 hours of class, usually in two sessions a week. Both vary with the course and your level, so we confirm the exact length and fee after your free placement test. Message us on WhatsApp and we will send the next group dates and fees the same day.
Related courses
- All language courses — every language we teach
- Italian Courses in Lebanon
- German Courses in Lebanon
- French Courses in Lebanon
Start Spanish with us
Tell us why you need Spanish and by when — study, work, travel, family, or simply being able to hold the conversation. Enroll Now and we will assess your level and send you the next group dates and fees, or call 00961 71 27 67 13 if you would rather talk it through.