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
Apr 14, 2025
8 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 💙

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.
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.
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.
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 🌎

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.
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 83 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 4.95
Showing 1 - 8 of 83 reviews
Default avatar
Kim
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great program and staff!

We love our learning experiences at Casco Antiguo Spanish School. They have a variety of flexible plans to fit your schedule and budget. They also are very flexible with any changes if the chosen schedule no longer fits your need. We are thankful for that. Our teachers are very creative and will modify lessons to fit your learning needs such as practicing grammar drills or speaking Spanish. They also take us on cultural excursions around Casco Viejo. We also enjoyed the weekly activities such as bike riding, salsa dancing, happy hour, etc. Ismael, the activity coordinator, will email weekly activities around Panama that we can enjoy to expand our learning experiences. We highly recommend the school!

What was your funniest moment?
I had so many funniest moments in the classroom with Samuel and my classmate. We laughed and learned.
6 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Darylene
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fun Intense Spanish Immersion

I spent two weeks studying at Casco Antiguo Spanish School. I highly recommend this course of study. I was in a beginning Spanish class with one other student so the class size was very intimate and gave you the opportunity to practice without feeling intimidated by making mistakes. Kathia was my instructor and she has the patience of a saint. The four hours of class went by quickly. Kathia had daily excursions at the end of the third hour in and around Casco Viejo which she incorporated into our learning vocabulary and discussions in Spanish. There is nothing like being totally immersed in a language and I can't wait to return to Panama and Casco Antiguo to further my studies.

Pros
  • Small, intimate class size
  • Daily excursions in Casco Viejo with instructor
  • Total immersion in a Spanish speaking environment
Cons
  • Brain overload with so much new vocabulary
6 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Geert
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great time in la Escuela!

Great 'feel at home' venue if you want to.learn Spanish. I spend Monday to Friday 8 to 12 in the morning in a small group with a top profesora :) and two other students, one of which was a dentist/philosofer/plumber. Exciting! An organisation that combines reading, conversations, games, outdoor activities in a way that makes learning Spanish a fun activity. Try it out and let me know how you appreciated... in Spanish please, haha! Thank you Ismael, Slilma, Rogelio, Reiner, Susanah, Hector and the Salsa teacher of whom I do not remember the name (I remember the Salsa moves though) . Gracias, 🫠

6 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Silvio
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

4 weeks small intensive group, starting with upper-beginner level

I would absolutely recommend this school! I did spend 4 weeks there in a small group intensive course. They were able to find a classmate with a similar level (a little bit of Spanish before) We spent 4 weeks together with our teacher Lina, who was very lovely and caring about our progress. The small group size allowed it to create a nice, relaxed, and individual atmosphere in which to study. The school itself is doing a wonderful job in providing help with everything it can, even if it is just a little chat in a break.

10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alex
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A month at Casco Antiguo

This is a time where I wish I could give 4.5 - overall, a great experience and I have no regrets spending a month there. I spent four weeks in class (upper beginner/low intermediate speaker) and definitely made progress, specifically when it came to general comfort level and confidence speaking Spanish. You move through content and concepts very quickly, so while you cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, I think there is some room for improvement on how to increase retention.

They did an awesome job grouping people with similar levels and not forcing it to ensure group classes were 'full'. Most of the time I was with one other person which was ideal. The school is super welcoming, everyone is wonderful and they really do care about your experience - and obviously the location is phenomenal. Super fun getting to hang out in Casco every day.

Gracias a todos en la escuela por ayudarme con mi Español!

13 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Norm
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A week well spent!

I just spent a week studying Spanish at Casco Antiguo Spanish School in Panama City, Panama. My professor, Samuel, was patient, very knowledgeable, and made every lesson interesting. The 4 hour class every morning seemed to fly by. One of my favorite aspects of his class was its informality. I felt like my two classmates and I were Samuel's friends, visiting for a chat. We spoke about Panamanian history, culture, food, and even politics. Disguising lessons as an informative conversation, Samuel worked in grammar and vocabulary instruction which seemed so natural and contextual that it hardly felt like a classroom. One of the things I loved most about Samuel's class was his flexibility. We'd oftentimes start off on one subject but if something else interesting came along he wasn't afraid to alter course and pursue our new avenue of interest. One day we were talking about local cuisine and Samuel suggested that we walk over to the local produce market. Along the way we chatted in Spanish (of course) and when we arrived he gave us an assignment to speak with at least 5 vendors, inquire the prices of 5 products, and find several foods we were unfamiliar with to learn about. It was a fascinating and very useful outing.

I could go on about the charming location of the school, the welcoming, friendly locals, the abundance of fantastic food and drink available in the neighborhood, and the lovely weather but they were all added bonuses to the wonderful week I spent enjoying the opportunity to learn from Samuel and his colleagues at Casco Antiguo Spanish School.

17 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lee Ann
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience at Casco Antiguo Spanish School

I had a wonderful experience learning Spanish in Casco Antiguo - small classes, friendly and knowledgeable staff, great teacher, and lots of opportunities to practice, in and out of the classroom. The after-class social activities were nice too. I'd highly recommend this program.

...............,,..........

21 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ross
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great friendly team

Very friendly staff, excellent teaching, builds confidence early. Good atmosphere with activities after class. Silka was my instructor and was very good at engaging the class and encouraging early speaking which is essential. Part of the class involved entering the community to practice speaking and how to interact with locals.

The school was very helpful to anyone new to the area and gave really helpful advice on how to make the most of time in Panama. Fully recommend it to anyone wishing to learn or improve their Spanish.

23 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers