Location
  • Panama
    • Panama City
Length
1 to 52 weeks
Language
Spanish
Health & Safety

Program Details

Language Level
Beginner
Immersion Level
Intensive Standard
Class Size
Small Class (1-7)
Weekly Classroom Hours
20
Housing
Apartment Guesthouse Host Family Hostel Hotel
Age Min.
15

Pricing

Starting Price
195
Price Details
Cost of each week of Small Group Intensive Course varies depending on the number of weeks you sign up for. The prices for the course are from $249 to $195 per week for the 20 hours depending on the number of weeks you sign up for.
What's Included
Activities Classes Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

Free Daily Social Activities (Sunset Bike Tour, Salsa Class, Happy Hour, Beach Volleyball)

What's Not Included
Accommodation Airfare
Nov 22, 2023
May 15, 2024
6 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Located in the UNESCO world heritage site of Casco Viejo, the safest neighborhood in Panama City and one of the coolest in Latin America. The Small Group Intensive is the school’s most popular course and the fastest way to learn Spanish in the shortest time possible.

Small class sizes, avg. 2 or 3 students per group and max of 4, ensure you get personalized attention and can practice speaking. From total beginners to advanced speakers we offer groups at all levels. The classes are very interactive and focused on conversation, to ensure you have the confidence to speak the language.

The course includes a workbook/textbook, free coffee, tea, wifi, and all the material we use in class as well as free daily activities such as sunset bike ride, brewery tour, salsa lessons, and volleyball. These activities are a great way to meet other students and practice your Spanish outside of class.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

Casco Antiguo Spanish School recognizes the importance of culturally responsive teaching, recognizing and addressing systemic biases in education, fostering inclusive classroom environments, and providing access to resources and opportunities that promote equity and diversity. As language educators we aim to contribute to creating a more equitable and inclusive educational system that uplifts BIPOC communities.

LGBTQIA+ Support

Casco Antiguo Spanish School actively supports LGBTQIA+ causes in Panama (our founder is a board member of Panama's "It Get's Better" foundation) and aims to create a welcoming and safe environment for all of our students. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ individuals, creating a safe space where all students can express their true selves while learning a new language.

Neurodivergent Support

At Casco Antiguo Spanish School we are dedicated to providing inclusive and supportive learning environments for neurodivergent individuals. Our experienced instructors are trained to accommodate diverse learning styles, ensuring that every student, regardless of their neurodiversity, can thrive in our language programs. We offer personalized support and resources to help neurodivergent learners excel in their language studies and achieve their language learning goals.

Accessibility Support

We are dedicated to ensuring accessibility for all. We provide a range of accommodations to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, including accessible facilities, materials in various formats, and support services. Our goal is to make language learning an inclusive experience, where everyone can participate fully and thrive in their language studies.

Impact

Sustainability

Casco Antiguo Spanish School is deeply committed to sustainability. We integrate eco-friendly practices into our operations, from using energy efficient bulbs to recycling and reducing waste. By fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, we aim to not only teach languages but also inspire our students to become global citizens who contribute to a more sustainable future.

Ethical Impact

At our language school, ethical impact is at the core of our mission. We prioritize responsible sourcing of materials, fair employment practices, and community engagement. Through our programs, we aim to empower students with not only language skills but also a strong sense of ethical responsibility and social awareness, fostering a positive impact both locally and globally.

Program Highlights

  • Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Casco Viejo, the safest neighborhood in Panama
  • Guaranteed small group size, average of 2 to 3 people and maximum of 4 students per group
  • Free daily social activities included, Sunset Bike Tour, Salsa Class, Happy Hour, Beach Volleyball
  • Volunteer placements at local non-profit organizations offered free for students
  • Social Enterprise, percentage of your tuition supports local non-profits, and 100% of Homestay fees go directly to families

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Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 63 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Instruction 4.95
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Housing 4.8
  • Value 5
Showing 33 - 40 of 63 reviews
William
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Casco Antiguo

The school is located in a historic part of Panama City. This increases the value of the school because it is easy to practice what you learned after class. The classes are small, at the most 4 students. This will allow for better interaction between a student and the teacher. The school sets up activies 4 days a week so students can practice Spanish outside of the classroom. Also the views of the skyline are great. I took two tours on the weekend and it did not take much time to get to either downtown or the canal.

Pros
  • Classes are small
  • Historic part of Panama City
Cons
  • If you are directionally challenged, it will be tuff to get around the first couple of days
29 people found this review helpful.
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Alisa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Casco Antiguo Spanish School is AMAZING!

My husband and I have been struggling to learn Spanish on and off for a year and a half. We looked for an immersion program and found Casco Antiguo Spanish School in Panama. We came for a week and learned so much! Lina is the best!! We could understand and speak Spanish much better after our time here. The enrichment activities were so fun! We loved the whole experience! The school helped us with our reservations for Hotel Central, and got us a nice discount. We hope to return next year and to bring other family members, too!

Pros
  • The location is wonderful in the historic part of the city. The school is centrally located. The staff were outstanding!!
  • From the administrator, to the director to the teachers- all were fantastic! The enrichment activities were so fun!
  • We have a much better grasp of the language after our time there. The pacing was perfect for us.
Cons
  • Wish we could have stayed longer!
32 people found this review helpful.
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Sharon
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Vacation of Learning and Fun

I went with 2 friends to Panama for a vacation of Spanish learning and adventure. School for a week and 2 weekends of travel to the mountains and beach. The experience was both enriching and fun. The staff helped us every step of the way in our trip planning and with recommendations and logistics while we were there. The school itself is bustling with activity and the environment warm and welcoming. The quality of teaching was excellent and our teacher customized the learning for our small group and made learning fun. The school enhanced the classroom time with an immersive trip to a museum and late afternoon activities (like salsa dancing and a sunset bike tour) so we could experience the culture and keep practicing our Spanish. These activities were truly a delight. The neighborhood is beautiful, walkable, felt safe and full of restaurants, bars and village squares where you could hear live music. If you are someone interested in improving your Spanish I would highly recommend this type of immersive vacation.

30 people found this review helpful.
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Dale
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Casco Antigua Spanish School

I attended Casco Antigua Spanish School for 3 weeks - both the one-on-one and small group intensive sessions combined with daily activities really helped my Spanish. The fun, welcoming and energetic staff and location in the historic old town complimented the experience. They have the perfect learning/ travel combination!

After 3 weeks I had a solid foundation in the language to build upon. And the daily optional after class activities ( bike ride your, volleyball, salsa lessons etc) allowed you to practice Spanish outside of class.

Pros
  • Teaching format
  • Instructors and staff
  • Location
35 people found this review helpful.
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Stephanie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fabulous Experience!

We had a fabulous experience at the Casco Antiguo school. The teachers and staff were unbelievably friendly and helpful with everything. They made us feel like part of their family from the first day. I learned more during these 3 weeks of classes than I did during 4 years of classes in school. Most importantly, I gained a lot of confidence to practice my Spanish. I really enjoyed the free activities the school did every week; they gave me a great chance to meet other students and learn more about the Casco Viejo area. I would HIGHLY recommend this school! I can't wait to come back.

Pros
  • Fabulous location
  • Proactive teachers who are very invested in what you take away from the classes
  • Tricia, the admin/scheduler goes above and beyond
34 people found this review helpful.
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Wendi
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Well worth it!

A wonderful school with caring staff. I was there for 3 weeks, if it weren't for responsibilities like work I would have attended indefinitely!
From day one we went out for part of the session to learn about local history and culture and to speak to locals. ( If you are shy, don't worry. The locals I talked to were friendly and willing to help.)
The staff, even those not my teacher, greeted me every day and learned my name so know they care about you and want you to feel welcome.
I loved the extracurricular activities. I did the biking and volleyball. If you aren't good at volleyball, don't worry. Nobody got mad or made me feel bad when I messed up (which is often!!). It's a fun way to hang out with staff and students and make connections while getting exercise. All skill levels accepted.
The classrooms are air-conditioned so if you aren't accustomed to tropical weather you'll be comfortable.
The pricing is very affordable. When I first signed up I was afraid I might get subpar quality but my concern was baseless. I learned a lot about the language as well as the history and culture of Panama.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Caring
  • Extracurricular activities
Cons
  • Casco Antiguo, the town, is not wheelchair friendly.
34 people found this review helpful.
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Nancy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wonderful Experience at Casco Antiguo Spanish School

This was a wonderful experience. I wish I had had more than one week to spend. I learned an awful lot in just a week. My confidence in speaking and communicating increased exponentially! The setting was amazing! Spending time in the old town wise a lovely experience. We stayed in an Airbnb condominium, which was very comfortable, and only two blocks from the school. In the afternoons, I wandered the streets enjoying the beautiful architecture and the good food. I would find a small café and drink my coffee and do my homework. I can’t wait to go back!

Pros
  • The staff was wonderful
  • Materials were well designed.
  • The small classes were very beneficial in that students receive a lot of individual attention
31 people found this review helpful.
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Melanie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Thank You, Casco Antiguo <3

I attended 1-on-1 class at Casco Antiguo from 10/04 (TUES) - 10/07 (FRI), two hours per session for a total of eight hours of instruction. My teacher was Hector Gonzalez.

Hector customized the content of each session based on what I had previously expressed to be my proficiency gaps in Spanish. For example, some of what we covered were:

- When to use « se »
- When to use le, lo, etc …
- Verb tenses … imperfecto vs indefinido

We worked on reading comprehension, writing, and conversation.

I like this school for its quality of instruction, flexible scheduling, and location. Lastly, but not least and definitely just as important, Hector made the learning process fun and engaging.

Thank you, Casco Antiguo Team, for a lovely experience. I hope to be able to reconnect later down the road for more lessons.

Pros
  • Customized Learning
  • Reasonably Priced
  • Easy Accessible Location
42 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers