Visa first, everything else second
If your trip involves a long-stay visa, the first filter isn't teaching quality but formal compliance with the requirements: an official school (EOI) or Instituto Cervantes accreditation, an in-person programme (practical benchmark: 20+ hours a week) longer than 90 days. These criteria are covered in detail in a separate article on visas for language courses — if a school fails on these points, there's no point comparing it further, however good the teaching itself may be.
Then — what determines the quality of teaching
Among schools that formally qualify for a visa, the difference in quality can be huge. Look at class size — eight people in a class and twenty-five give completely different results for the same money. Ask how the school assesses your level on enrolment: serious schools run a placement test and assign students to CEFR levels (A1–C2) rather than putting everyone in one "beginners" group.
A useful indirect sign is whether the school prepares students for the DELE exam (the official Spanish language certificate) and how often its students pass. A school that takes DELE preparation seriously usually has a more structured programme overall — it's not a guarantee, but it's a sensible guide.
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Check the accreditation yourself, not by the school's word
Instituto Cervantes accreditation is confirmed periodically and may have expired or not yet been renewed. Don't rely on the description on the school's website — you can and should check the status directly in the Instituto's own public accreditation register; it takes a few minutes and settles the question once and for all.
Location and the practical side
A big city (Madrid, Barcelona) gives you more opportunities to practise the language outside class, but the cost of living is higher. A small town often means a calmer environment for studying and less temptation to speak your native language within your own community — which, oddly enough, can speed up your progress. Before choosing on the basis of a city's name recognition alone, it's worth honestly assessing what matters more to you: infrastructure and social life, or focusing on your studies.
What to ask the school before paying
Ask for a sample enrolment certificate — an actual sample, not a promise that "everything will be fine" — and written terms for refunds if you cancel or postpone. Ask specifically what the document will contain: dates, hours per week, contact details of the person responsible. If the school avoids giving a specific answer to this question, that in itself is a warning sign.
What to compare between schools
- Accreditation checked directly in the Instituto Cervantes register, not by the school's word.
- Class size and whether there's a CEFR placement test.
- DELE preparation and pass rates, if that matters to you.
- A sample enrolment certificate received in advance, not promised verbally.
- Refund terms in writing, not verbal.
Frequently asked questions
It's required, but accreditation alone isn't enough — for a national visa the programme must also be in person (benchmark: 20+ hours a week) and longer than 90 days. Accreditation is a necessary condition, not the only one.
It depends on your priorities. A big city gives you more chances to practise the language outside class, but also more temptation to stick with your own community. A small town often means a more focused study environment.
No — class size, the quality of the placement test and the structure of the programme affect results more than the price difference between similar schools. The cheapest programme doesn't always save time and money in the end.
If something in your situation doesn't fit the general pattern, that's normal — visa cases almost always have nuances. and we'll look at it for free and suggest your next step.