Learn Spanish in London, England

Ateneo 21:
Ateneo 21 is a language school that offers intensive tailor made Spanish courses for the local professional and residential community in central London. Courses aimed at motivated people who want to develop their communication skills through a stimulating program that gives rapid results.

Spanish language courses in small groups (4-5 students recommended for rapid progress).
Private Spanish lessons.
Intensive Spanish (6 hours per day with an hour lunch-break), semi-intensive (3 hours per day to cover two lessons of 1.5 hours each) or extensive programs (1.5 hours per week).

You will learn using authentic materials (films, newspapers, videos, songs, TV, radio, telephone conversations); that is, all of the means of communication that you will come across from day one when abroad. Besides, if you learn through doing something that you would do in your own language anyway, you will learn faster. You will speak Spanish from the first day to communicate meaning in practical real life situations.

We teach universal Spanish (as used in Spain), taking important variations into consideration. Courses explore culture and society in Spanish speaking countries to enhance the learning experience.

Task-based learning:  We use innovative methods, up to date materials and inspiring activities adapted to each student. And because we all learn best by doing, emphasis is on learning to communicate through talking -as kids do. Most class time is devoted to opportunities for learners to use the language in real world situations.

Topic-based learning:  Lessons are topic based as once you know the context it’s far easier to learn the initial vocabulary, expressions and grammar speaking in Spanish while you deduce the meaning. Then you will practice, reading, watching and listening to Spanish media taking the time to focus on linguistic elements -understanding this is important. Through these steps you consolidate your learning. At the end of the lesson you will use the language you’ve learned to tackle a task in the real world.

Learning strategies:  We will also teach you strategies for out of class learning and encourage you to attend potential language rich events so you can take advantage of the Spanish speaking environment around you.

The pedagocial sequence or "story":
Step 1: create a number of schema building tasks that introduce the initial vocabulary, language and context for the task. 

Step 2: practice the target language vocabulary, structures and functions. 

Step 3: provide authentic listening practice (native Spanish speakers). 

Step 4: look at linguistic elements - understanding the system is important. 

Step 5: provide freer, more creative practice. 

Step 6: pedagogical task -so the delegates use what they have learned in order to do something that they would have to do outside the classroom. 

Class time needed: 1.5 hours for 1-4 students.

A1 Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/ she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.


A2 Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need. 


Course duration: 30-45 hours.

B1 Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. 

Course duration: 60 -120 hours. 


B2 Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Course duration: 60 - 120 hours.

C1 Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
Course duration: 120 hours - Open ended.
C2 Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
Course duration: 120 hours - Open ended.

Native speaker.
Postgraduate degree.
Teaching qualification.
Experienced in providing highly motivating classes for demanding students.
Periodically retrained in the most up to date teaching methods.

“I was looking for intensive, fast-moving classes in Spanish in order to move into real communication as fast as possible. Not just tourist stuff with hotels and trains, but really to get to grips with and use the language for business and personal communication. This is the place. Carolina’s classes are small; the pace is lively, intense and adaptable, with fine tuning for the requirements of each student. I have only been learning Spanish about six weeks with Ateneo 21 and I am managing to get through the switchboards of Spanish companies, read stories and newspaper articles and quickly becoming an Almodóvar aficionado.” Robert Freilich, sales director, Finchley, London, 10 June 2007

"I have worked with Carolina for 6 months and found her an able and adaptable teacher. She has a sound knowledge of the structure of Spanish, is always well prepared and uses a variety of imaginative teaching methods. Her lessons are tailor-made to my particular needs. I have been impressed by the way in which she has practised various skills with me, including speaking, pronunciation and reading, as well as drilling me on certain idiomatic expressions. There is always something new and challenging in her approach and I feel that any student would benefit from a period under her tutelage". 
Terry Dodsworth, financial journalist, Hampstead, London, 7 October 2008

“Spanish lessons at Ateneo 21 are extremely beneficial and useful for me. The policy of keeping the class size small means that the students have proper opportunities in using and understanding the language during the course, as well as being able to communicate with the teacher constantly. I have a great interest in South America and its culture, and it definitely is a huge benefit for me to be taught by staff who are full of insight and knowledge of the continent. I would like to recommend Ateneo 21 to anyone who is considering learning such a fascinating language in an attentive environment.” 
Junko Fuwa, art director and journalist, Camden, London, 9 June 2007

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