Group Classes
Join a community of learners to bring your Spanish to the next level!
Community-Based Group Classes
❄️ Winter 2026 Session Starts 1/20! ❄️
💬 For adult beginners through advanced learners
who want to actually use Spanish — without grammar drills.
Live, instructor-led classes offered once or twice per week, with recordings and
flexible attendance built in. In-person or online.
Winter 2026 Session Dates:
Classes meet from Tuesday, January 20 through Thursday, April 30, 2026.
No classes will meet the week of March 30th for WCPSS Spring Break.
Class Format:
Students enroll in One or Two Live Classes per Week for the full 14-week session.
Tuition: $336 (1 class/week) or $604.80 (2 classes/week)
Each live class is intentionally unique, with different stories, images, videos, songs and current events throughout the week. This allows students who wish to attend more than once per week to experience new content each time and make faster progress.
Weekly Schedule:
Note: There are no in-person classes during Week 1 due to MLK Day. In-person classes begin Week 2. Online classes and recordings are available during Week 1.
Attendance & Flexibility:
Each session runs for 14 weeks. Students may attend any live class during the week or watch the class recording.
In the case of holidays, weather closures, or other unforeseen events, classes are not made up. Recordings and alternate classes are always available to ensure continuity and flexibility.
Tuition:
One Class per Week (14 weeks): $336
Two Classes per Week (14 weeks): $604.80
(Save 10% when you enroll in two weekly classes)
👉 Enroll in the Winter 2026 Session: ( 1x/week or 2x/week )
📍 Crosstown Pub (154 E Chatham Street)
Monday In-Person Class Times:
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Aventuras 4/5 (Advanced) 10:00–11:00am
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Aventuras 1 (Beginners) 12:00–1:00pm
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Aventuras 2 (High Beginners) 2:00–3:00pm
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Aventuras 3 (Intermediate) 3:30–4:30pm
💻 Live Zoom Options on Tuesdays - Thursdays
Tuesdays
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Aventuras 2 – 10:00–11:00am ET
Wednesdays
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Aventuras 3/4 – 12:00–1:00pm ET
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Aventuras 1 – 5:00–6:00pm ET
Thursdays:
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Aventuras 1 — 12:00-1:00pm ET
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Aventuras 3 – 5:45–6:45pm ET
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Aventuras 2 – 7:30–8:30pm ET
🏫 In-Person Options
Mondays in Downtown Cary
Why Students Join:
🎉 Fun, interactive lessons that boost your confidence from day one
💬 Real conversation practice—not grammar drills
🌎 Immersion-style learning in a warm, supportive community
🎒 Access to hundreds of resources on our Student Portal for the duration of the course
✨ Quick Facts:
🗓 Join anytime — even if the session has already started!
🔁 Switch levels anytime to find your best fit.
💻 Zoom classes are recorded
Make up a missed class by joining another class time or watching a recording.
📚 No grammar drills — just fun, story-based learning that works.
❤️ Sliding scale & discounts available — just ask!
👉 Enroll in the Winter 2026 Session: ( 1x/week or 2x/week )
.📝 When you check out, just jot down the level(s) and time(s) you'd like to join in the notes section. That helps me get you set up in the right group from the start!
Email me at Colleen@SpanishAlive.org with questions. I'm here to help!
💛 25% Off for Teachers, Healthcare Workers & First Responders.
Just email me before registering to get your discount code.
I also offer sliding scale options— don’t hesitate to ask.
Not sure where to begin?
Open the descriptions below to find the level that fits you best.
And if you're still unsure, just email me—I’ll help you find your fit!
How Our Levels Work Language acquisition isn’t a checklist—it’s a process. In our classes, you’ll learn Spanish through immersive storytelling, meaningful input, and supportive community practice. The focus isn’t on memorizing grammar or “passing” a level; it’s about getting consistent exposure to language that is just right for you—comprehensible, engaging, and repeatable. Just like going to a yoga class or the gym, growth happens with repetition, consistency, and curiosity. You might stay in the same level for one session or several—it depends on how much you engage with the language both inside and outside of class. Students who attend class regularly and also use the resources in the Student Portal tend to progress more quickly. Others may prefer a slower pace, which is just as valid. Each Aventuras session offers new stories, content, and opportunities for growth, even if the level name stays the same. Think of it like attending a beginner yoga class for multiple seasons—you’re always deepening your practice, exploring new movements, and noticing your own growth. Whether you're brand new to Spanish or returning after a long break, this program is designed to meet you where you are. You’ll be supported, challenged, and encouraged every step of the way.
How Long Does It Take to Move Up a Level? Language acquisition takes time, and everyone progresses at a different pace. Each Aventuras level spans multiple stages of language development (based on ACTFL proficiency guidelines), so students typically need 200–300+ hours of meaningful input to move comfortably to the next level. That includes class time, but also reading, listening, and engaging with Spanish outside of class. Some learners move up after one session, while others benefit from staying in the same level for several. It all depends on your goals, your consistency, and how much Spanish you're exposed to in and out of class. There’s no rush and no pressure—just like building strength in yoga or developing fluency on a musical instrument, your progress will grow with regular practice and participation.
Aventuras 1: Getting Started ACTFL: Novice Low-Mid You’re building a strong foundation in Spanish through repetition, stories, and high-frequency language. You might recognize a few words or phrases, but full sentences feel out of reach (for now!). This course is all about helping you feel successful, supported, and ready to use your Spanish. You’ll feel comfortable here if you: ● Are brand new to Spanish, or it’s been years since your last class ● Know a few words or phrases but can’t form full sentences yet ● Can recognize basic words (like hola, gracias, familia) but have trouble understanding or responding to simple questions ● Want lots of support, repetition, and slow, clear Spanish to build confidence You’re working toward: ● Recognizing high-frequency words (like hay, tiene, quiere, va, es) ● Answering simple questions with one- or two-word responses ● Speaking in short, memorized phrases with growing confidence
Aventuras 2: Building Confidence ACTFL: Novice High-Intermediate Low Aventuras 2 – Building Confidence ACTFL: Novice High–Intermediate Low You’re still working with mostly present tense, but you can start to follow stories and answer basic questions. You might dabble in past tense through input, but you’re not yet comfortable using it on your own. You’ll feel comfortable here if you: ● Can understand and answer basic questions about familiar topics (e.g., food, family, daily routines) ● Are starting to form your own sentences, even if they’re short or imperfect ● Can follow short stories or conversations with support (gestures, drawings, context clues) ● Are beginning to notice and understand past tense in context, even if you don’t use it yet You’re working toward: ● Speaking in full sentences about familiar topics ● Retelling short stories and personal experiences using mostly present tense ● Starting to talk about past events with support
Aventuras 3: Storytellers in Progress ACTFL: Intermediate Mid-Intermediate High You’re learning how to narrate, describe, and express yourself across time frames—even if it’s not always perfect. You can follow stories that move between present and past, and you’re increasingly comfortable retelling those stories in your own words. Some students at this level are still experimenting with complex structures, while others are refining their fluency. You’ll feel comfortable here if you: ● Can follow and retell stories that include both present and past events, even if your grammar is still developing ● Can describe people, places, events, and experiences with detail ● Are growing more confident speaking spontaneously and sharing opinions ● Can participate in conversations, especially when supported by visuals, context, or familiar topics You’re working toward: ● Retelling and discussing stories more fluidly and with greater detail ● Expressing personal thoughts and opinions with increased confidence ● Engaging in conversations with less reliance on support
Aventuras 4: Conversational & Curious ACTFL: Advanced Low-Advanced Mid You’re no longer just retelling stories — you’re living in the language. You’re ready to engage in meaningful conversations, share opinions, and react to real-world content. You’re comfortable making mistakes and can stay in Spanish even when the topic shifts or new vocabulary comes up. You’ll feel comfortable here if you: ● Can hold conversations about a variety of familiar topics with relative ease (e.g., work, hobbies, travel, family) ● Can narrate across time frames and shift between present and past comfortably, even if grammar isn’t perfect ● Can express opinions, compare experiences, and react to new ideas ● Can follow and discuss authentic or adapted content, even with unfamiliar vocabulary You’re working toward: ● Engaging in more natural, unscripted conversations ● Expressing yourself with greater nuance, flexibility, and confidence ● Exploring more complex topics and refining your accuracy and flow
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Elizabeth, Lifelong learner (retired)
Spanish Alive is so much more than a weekly class. Between the student portal, the extra conversation hours, and the book swap events, I’ve had so many chances to grow outside of class.
Colleen creates such a warm, encouraging space, and being part of this community has made learning Spanish one of the most fun and fulfilling parts of my week.
SAMANTHA R, RN
As a nurse, I never know what my schedule is going to look like, but Colleen is so flexible and understanding, which has made it possible for me to stick with Spanish.
Her classes are actually fun, and I’ve already been able to use what I’ve learned with my Spanish-speaking patients.
It feels amazing to connect with them in their own language.
Susan S
This is the most stress free and fun experience I've had as an adult learner of a new skill. The instructors are engaged, energetic, and very welcoming. I've taken two classes and am pretty amazed at the instructor's ability to meet each student at their own comfort level even within a classroom of different learners.