Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to be fluent?
Are the teachers qualified, or are they just native speakers?
What type of Spanish do we learn?
How can I make sure that you are, in fact, the best Spanish school in Sydney?
I found a cheaper course, why should I enrol with Condor Spanish Academy?
What happens if I miss a lesson?
Can I do a course and also have private lessons?
Can I get a Spanish certificate once I complete my course?
I've done some Spanish in the past but I'm not sure of my level?
Is there a discount for couples or family members?
Where is Condor Spanish Academy located? Where do the classes take place?
How could I practice my Spanish if I only take one lesson per week?
If needed, do you teach Spanish at my workplace or home?
How long does it take to be fluent?
Becoming fluent is a matter of personal effort and constant practice of the language. Different students have different strengths and weaknesses so the speed at which each person becomes totally fluent varies. Remember though that you don't need to be completely fluent to be able to communicate. With Condor Spanish Academy, you will be able to have basic conversations in a matter of weeks.
Are the teachers qualified, or are they just native speakers?
Again this is very important as the biggest factor as to how much you learn on your course will be how qualified and experienced your teacher is. The ability to facilitate the greatest amount of learning in a group is a highly specialized skill and, for this reason, all of our teachers have degrees in Education and years of teaching Spanish and other languages behind them.
What type of Spanish do we learn?
This is another excellent question for anyone thinking about taking up Spanish. From a grammatical point of view we highlight the major differences between Latin American Spanish and that from Spain. Most of our teachers are from Latin America (Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Mexico and Bolivia) so you can vividly enjoy the various accents of the language. Having said that, we teach here a standard Spanish (like the Spanish version of the American news channel CNN), so be sure you will be understood no matter where you go or who you talk to.
How can I make sure that you are, in fact, the best Spanish school in Sydney?
The best way for us to prove it is by inviting you to talk to our current and former students, mainly with those who joined us after unsuccessfully trying to learn Spanish at other institutions in Sydney and Australia. Or simply, come and join us. Actions speak louder than words.
I found a cheaper course, why should I enrol with Condor Spanish Academy?
When looking for a language school the price is usually based on the number of students in the class. Quite simply, the cost can come down dramatically if the course is crammed with students. Most of our classes only have 6 students (with never more than 8) because with more than that the students would rarely get a chance to practice their new language skills. Be very mindful of institutes offering classes with group sizes of 10 or more as in educational research this is classified as a lecture in which you will spend most of your time listening to others.
What happens if I miss a lesson?
If that's the case, you will be contacted by Condor's Admin. Assistant to organize either a 30 min catch up or for you to join another group.
No you don't. Condor will provide you with all the material for each course, which is already included in the fees.
Can I do a course and also have private lessons?
Yes you can. All you have to do is to contact Condor and get all details such as time, price, teacher and availability, so you can get the best out of your Spanish experience.
Can I get a Spanish certificate once I complete my course?
Yes you can. Condor will provide you with a certificate upon request. The certificate is based on the CEFR - The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
I've done some Spanish in the past but I'm not sure of my level?
No worries. Call us and arrange for one of our teachers to carry out an informal placement test either face to face or on the phone so that we can make sure you're in the right group.
Is there a discount for couples or family members?
Yes. Couples or groups of family members that enrol at the same time for the same course will receive a 5% discount on our group course price if paying cash, cheque or electronic transfer.
Where is Condor Spanish Academy located? Where do the classes take place?
We're ideally located in Sydney's CBD near Museum Station. We're on the 6th floor of the "Museum Towers" building. The address is 603 / 267 Castlereagh St (see the map on our contact page).
How could I practice my Spanish if I only take one lesson per week?
Condor has an interactive page (www.condorspanish.ning.com) where you can read news in Spanish and also participate in forums for you to share your opinions with other students. Also, every Friday from 1.30-2pm, there is an interactive chat in Spanish with one of our teachers. Last but not least, you can try http://www.meetup.com/Sydney-Spanish/, a great alternative to make the most of your Spanish class. For more links, go to practice your Spanish.
If needed, do you teach Spanish at my workplace or home?
Yes. All you have to do is to contact Condor and all details will be properly arranged.
Yes, you are more than welcome to do so. "Mi casa es su casa". Just give us a call and book an appointment to make sure someone is expecting you. All our rooms are equipped with air-conditioning system, brand-new furniture, DVD players, television, stereo and all provide acoustic isolation so you can fully concentrate in class.
