SAY ZONTE! · YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
Spanish classes in El Salvador: FAQs
Plan your Spanish experience in El Zonte with clear answers about courses, levels, booking and your stay. Find your topic below or ask our local team for personal advice.
Start any weekday
Choose available dates that fit your stay.
Private Spanish Lessons: all levels
Personal learning goals, individual support.
Spanish Group Classes: A1 · A2 · B1
Find the level that fits your Spanish.
Maximum 6 students
Small groups with time for everyone.
What can we help you with?
Jump to a topic, then open a question to read the answer.
Choosing a course
Levels, formats and combinations.
Group classes
A1, A2 and B1 schedules and curricula.
Booking & payment
Prices, packages and changes.
Lessons & learning
Online classes, materials and certificates.
El Zonte & travel
Our school, accommodation and transfers.
Activities & programs
Experiences, free trials and Bildungsurlaub.
Which Spanish course is right for you?
Choose the format that matches your goals, level and the people you want to learn with.
Private lessons
Personalized teaching, flexible scheduling and your own learning goals.
1 teacher · 1 student
All levels · 50 minutes
El Zonte or online, subject to availability.
Partner lessons
Learn privately with your partner, friend or family member.
1 teacher · 2 students
All levels · 50 minutes
A similar Spanish level is recommended. Prices cover both people.
Group classes
Structured learning and conversation with other students.
Maximum 6 students
A1 · A2 · B1 · 100 minutes
Start any weekday with our rolling curriculum.
Flex & Connect
Individual support plus regular practice in a small group.
Private + Group
A1 · A2 · B1
5+5 or 10+10 packages. A great fit for a one- or two-week stay.
Do you offer Spanish classes for all levels?
Private and Partner Lessons are available for complete beginners through advanced learners.
Group Classes and Flex & Connect are available at A1 (Beginner), A2 (Advanced Beginner) and B1 (Intermediate) levels.
Not sure of your level? Take our Spanish Level Test or ask our team before booking.
Can complete beginners join?
Yes. You do not need any previous knowledge of Spanish.
Complete beginners can choose Private Lessons, Partner Lessons or our Beginner A1 Group Class. Flex & Connect is also available for complete beginners because it combines the Beginner A1 Group Class with personalized Private Lessons.
Can I combine Private Lessons and Group Classes?
Yes. Flex & Connect pairs personalized 50-minute Private Lessons with 100-minute Group Classes at A1, A2 or B1 level.
Choose 5 Private + 5 Group Classes for US$229, or 10 Private + 10 Group Classes for US$419. Both packages give you individual support and regular practice with other students.
Can I choose what I want to learn?
In Private and Partner Lessons, the content can be adapted to your level, interests and learning goals. You can focus on conversation, grammar, pronunciation, travel Spanish, Salvadoran expressions or another topic that is important to you.
Group Classes follow our structured rolling curriculum. Flex & Connect combines both approaches.
Group classes, levels and schedule
Learn with a maximum of six students. All classes take place in El Zonte, and all times are local to El Salvador (UTC−6).
A1 · Beginner
8:00–9:50 AM
Monday–Friday
20 topics · 4-week cycle
A2 · Advanced Beginner
10:00–11:50 AM
Monday–Friday
20 topics · 4-week cycle
B1 · Intermediate
1:00–2:50 PM
Monday–Friday
30 topics · 6-week cycle
Which Group Class levels do you offer?
We offer three levels, Monday to Friday:
- A1 · Beginner: 8:00–9:50 AM
- A2 · Advanced Beginner: 10:00–11:50 AM
- B1 · Intermediate: 1:00–2:50 PM
All times are local to El Salvador (UTC−6). Private and Partner Lessons are also available for higher levels.
How long is one Group Class?
Each Group Class includes 100 minutes of instruction, divided into two 50-minute lessons with a 10-minute break. The complete scheduled class time is therefore 110 minutes.
Can I start on a day other than Monday?
Yes. Our rolling curriculum allows you to start on any available weekday. You do not have to wait until Monday or until a new course begins.
How does the rolling curriculum work?
One topic is taught each weekday. A1 and A2 each have 20 topics in a four-week cycle. B1 has 30 topics in a six-week cycle. After the final topic, the curriculum starts again.
You can join on any available weekday, choose dates that fit your travel plans and continue later within your package validity. Browse the complete Group Class curricula.
How many students are in each Group Class?
Group Classes are limited to a maximum of six participants. This gives everyone sufficient time to speak, ask questions and receive support from the teacher.
What happens if I am the only student enrolled?
Your scheduled class is guaranteed to take place. If you are the only participant at your level, the class will still follow the scheduled group topic, curriculum and timetable.
Can I skip a day and continue later?
Yes. You can select the class dates that fit your plans and use your remaining classes later, provided your package is still valid.
Please cancel or reschedule the class through your Customer Panel at least 24 hours before it starts. Late cancellations and no-shows are counted as used.
Can I change to another Group Class level?
Yes, depending on your Spanish skills and availability. If your current class feels too easy or too challenging, speak with our team before changing levels.
Booking, packages and payment
Find the right package, plan your dates and understand how changes work.
How can I compare prices across course formats?
Compare the cost per person and per 50 minutes of teaching:
- Private: from US$21 with the 10-lesson package (US$210).
- Partner: from US$18.95 per person with the 10-lesson package (US$379 for both people).
- Group: from US$12.95 per 50-minute equivalent with 10 classes (US$259). Each class includes 100 minutes of teaching.
- Flex & Connect: from an average of US$13.97 per 50-minute unit with 10 Private + 10 Group Classes (US$419).
The Group and Flex rates are comparison figures, not separately bookable 50-minute lessons. View all package prices and booking options.
How can I book Spanish classes?
Choose your course or package on our Prices page and open its booking button. Select the required first appointment or appointments, enter your details and complete payment. Your booking is confirmed after successful payment.
You can manage remaining appointments through your Customer Panel.
How far in advance should I book?
Private and Partner Lessons, A1, A2 and B1 Group Classes, and Free Trial Lessons can be booked online at least 24 hours before they start.
The same service-specific deadlines apply to appointments within a package, including Flex & Connect. Available dates are shown in the booking calendar.
For shorter-notice availability, contact our team. Airport transfers must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
How can I pay?
We accept major credit cards. Full payment is required during the online booking process to confirm your classes or package. Prices and payments are shown in U.S. dollars.
Payments made through the SAY ZONTE! website are processed securely by Grupo HC DMC LLC in the United States.
Do I have to schedule every lesson when purchasing a package?
You only need to schedule the required first appointments when purchasing:
- 5 Lessons or Classes: at least 1 appointment.
- 10 Lessons or Classes: at least 2 appointments.
- Flex & Connect 5+5: at least 1 Private Lesson and 1 Group Class.
- Flex & Connect 10+10: at least 2 Private Lessons and 2 Group Classes.
Schedule the remaining dates later through your Customer Panel, within your package validity.
How long are lesson packages valid?
Our current lesson and class packages are valid for three months from the booking date, unless a different validity period is expressly stated during booking.
How do I schedule or manage my remaining lessons?
Use the Student Customer Panel to schedule and manage your remaining appointments. Access information is sent to the email address used during booking.
If you cannot access the Customer Panel, check your spam folder or contact our team.
Can I reschedule or cancel an individual lesson?
You can cancel or reschedule a lesson free of charge up to 24 hours before its scheduled start time.
Lessons cancelled or changed less than 24 hours in advance, late cancellations and no-shows are charged in full or counted as used.
Can I cancel an entire package?
You may request cancellation of an entire package before your course begins. Approved refunds are subject to a 5% processing and administration fee.
No refunds are available once your course has started. Individual lessons can still be rescheduled or cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before they start.
See our Terms & Conditions for full details.
Lessons and learning
What to expect in class, online and after completing your course.
Can I take Spanish lessons online?
Group Classes take place in person at our school in El Zonte.
Private and Partner Lessons may also be taken online, subject to teacher availability. If you leave El Zonte before finishing your package, ask us about completing the remaining lessons online within your package validity.
For Flex & Connect, this option applies to the private portion; Group Classes remain in person.
Are learning materials included?
Learning materials are included with our current Private, Partner, Group Class and Flex & Connect package bookings. A complete learning manual is not necessarily included with a single lesson.
Do you issue official Spanish certificates?
SAY ZONTE! is not a DELE or SIELE examination center and does not issue official DELE or SIELE language diplomas.
On request, we can provide a SAY ZONTE! certificate of attendance for completed classes. This certificate does not replace an official language qualification.
Our school, El Zonte and travel
Practical information to help you plan your time on the Salvadoran coast.
Where is the Spanish school located?
SAY ZONTE! is located at Esencia Nativa in Playa El Zonte, La Libertad, El Salvador, just a short walk from the beach.
Our school has one larger area for Group Classes and two smaller spaces for Private and Partner Lessons. The classrooms are open-air and equipped with whiteboards and fans. Students also have access to Wi-Fi and free drinking water.
Do you offer accommodation or a homestay program?
We do not currently arrange accommodation or operate a homestay program. However, our Spanish school is centrally located, and several hotels, surf lodges and guesthouses are within walking distance.
See our El Zonte accommodation guide.
How can I get to the school from El Tunco?
El Tunco is approximately 15 minutes from El Zonte by car. Public buses also travel along the coastal road, but schedules and travel times can change.
From the main road in El Zonte, the school is approximately a five-minute walk toward the beach. Ask locally for the current bus connection before travelling.
Do you offer airport transfers?
Yes. Private transfers are available between El Salvador International Airport and El Zonte, El Tunco and other destinations along the Surf City coast.
Airport transfers should be booked at least 24 hours in advance. View airport transfer options.
Is El Zonte safe?
El Zonte receives local and international visitors throughout the year. As with any travel destination, keep your valuables secure, remain aware of your surroundings and use reliable transportation after dark.
Travel conditions can change. Before travelling, consult the current official travel and health advice issued by your own government. You can find additional practical information in our Playa El Zonte guide.
Activities and special programs
Make Spanish part of a wider experience in El Salvador.
Can I join your activities without taking Spanish classes?
Yes. Our tours and cultural experiences can be booked separately. You do not have to be a SAY ZONTE! Spanish student, and you do not need a particular Spanish level to participate.
Which activities do you offer?
Our current experiences include the El Zonte Walking Tour and a Salvadoran Pupusa-Making Experience. Availability, schedules, languages and booking conditions are shown on the respective activity page.
The Walking Tour is offered in English, with Spanish available on request. The Pupusa experience includes Spanish interaction with English support where necessary.
Do you offer a free trial lesson?
Yes. Our Free Trial Lesson is free and comes with no obligation to buy a course. Meet a teacher, talk about your goals and try a personal Spanish lesson online via Google Meet or at our school in El Zonte.
All levels are welcome. Appointment times are displayed in El Salvador time (UTC−6).
Do you offer Bildungsurlaub programs?
Yes. SAY ZONTE! offers intensive Spanish programs that may qualify for Bildungsurlaub in participating German federal states. Recognition requirements and approved schedules differ between states.
Please visit our German-language Bildungsurlaub page for current information and contact us before making travel arrangements.
Still have questions?
Tell us your Spanish level, when you would like to start and which format interests you. Our local team will help you find the right fit — or you can get to know us with a free trial lesson.