Intensive, Semi-Intensive or Chill? How to Choose the Right Spanish Course in Buenos Aires

Quick answer: Choose the Chill course (6 hours a week) if you want a relaxed pace alongside work or travel, the Semi-Intensive (10 hours a week) if you want steady progress with free afternoons, the Intensive (20 hours a week) if you want fast results during a month or more in the city, and the Super-Intensive (30 hours a week) if Spanish is your main goal right now. Private lessons and online classes fill the gaps around those four.

Why the number of hours matters more than the course name

Schools love adjectives: chill, semi-intensive, intensive, super-intensive. Behind each label there is a simple variable that drives your progress: how many hours of quality Spanish you get each week, and for how many weeks.

A useful reference is the commonly cited guidance from the Common European Framework (CEFR) levels. Language institutions often estimate roughly 90 to 100 guided hours for A1, around 180 to 200 for A2, 350 to 400 for B1 and 500 to 600 for B2. These are rough averages and they change with your native language, age and how much you practice outside class, but they give you a way to turn your calendar into a plan. Spanish is generally considered one of the easier languages for English speakers, and people who already speak a Romance language usually move faster.

Here is what our programs add up to in one month (four weeks):

CourseHours per weekApprox. hours in 4 weeksSchedule
Chill624Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Semi-Intensive1040Monday to Friday
Intensive2080Monday to Friday
Super-Intensive30120Monday to Friday
Digital Nomad30 total hours per month30Monthly plan
Private lessonsPack of hoursYou decidePer hour

The pattern is simple: doubling the weekly hours roughly doubles the hours you complete in the same time. The right question is not “which course is best?” but “how much time can I actually dedicate, and how soon do I need results?”

Chill course (6 hours a week): steady and flexible

The Chill course meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It suits people who want Spanish to be part of a bigger plan.

It is a good fit if you:

  • are traveling or working remotely and need most of your day free;
  • want to refresh Spanish you studied years ago;
  • prefer short, regular sessions to long days in class;
  • are staying for several months and value consistency over speed.

Watch out for: with 24 hours in a month, progress depends on what you do between classes. Plan daily practice: conversations at the cafe, a language exchange, short podcast episodes. Our free resources help: try the beginner exercises or the Spanish podcast.

Semi-Intensive course (10 hours a week): the balanced choice

The Semi-Intensive course runs Monday to Friday with ten hours a week, which usually means two hours a day. You get a daily dose of Spanish and the rest of the day is yours.

It is a good fit if you:

  • want visible progress in a month or two without giving up your whole day;
  • work remotely and can block a morning or an afternoon;
  • are on a longer stay and want a routine;
  • are combining classes with tourism, tango or other activities.

Watch out for: if you have a hard deadline (an exam, a job interview in Spanish, a move), ten hours a week may be too gentle. In that case look at the next step up.

Intensive course (20 hours a week): fast progress through immersion

The Intensive course gives you 20 hours a week, Monday to Friday, which is about four hours a day. In four weeks you complete roughly 80 hours, which is close to the guided hours often associated with finishing a full beginner level.

It is a good fit if you:

  • are in Buenos Aires for one to three months and want to speak with confidence by the end;
  • are on a career break, gap year or sabbatical;
  • need Spanish for work, study or a relocation;
  • learn best when you are fully immersed.

Watch out for: four hours of class is demanding. Plan quiet afternoons, and use the city as your second classroom: order in Spanish, ask for directions, chat with your host.

Super-Intensive course (30 hours a week): maximum immersion

The Super-Intensive course is the most hours we offer in a standard program: 30 hours a week, Monday to Friday. It fits short, focused stays where Spanish is the entire project.

It is a good fit if you:

  • have two to four weeks and want the largest possible jump;
  • are preparing for an exam or an immediate professional need;
  • want to move from beginner to conversational as quickly as possible.

Watch out for: six hours a day is intense. Many students find the first week tiring and then settle in. Sleep, walk and give yourself time to absorb what you learn.

Private lessons: tailored to your goal

Private lessons are sold as a pack of hours, priced per hour, so you set the pace. They work well on their own or combined with a group course.

Choose private lessons if you:

  • need Spanish for a specific profession (medicine, law, business, teaching);
  • are preparing for an exam;
  • have an unusual schedule;
  • want to work on pronunciation or on Argentine Spanish in particular;
  • feel shy and want to build confidence before joining a group.

A popular combination is a Chill or Semi-Intensive group course plus two or three private hours a week focused on your weak points.

Digital Nomad plan: 30 hours per month

If you work online, the Digital Nomad program offers 30 total hours per month. It is built for people whose calendar changes from week to week and who want to keep learning without committing to a fixed weekly timetable.

Online classes: when you are not in Buenos Aires

Not everyone can fly to Argentina. Our online Spanish lessons run once, twice or three times a week, in one- or two-hour sessions, so you can train your ear for Argentine Spanish from home and build a habit before your trip. Kids and family options are also available online.

Special courses: Visa and Spanish, and Tango and Spanish

  • Visa and Spanish combines a course with a flexible schedule from Monday to Friday and is designed for people who want to study in Argentina and need course documents for a student visa. Read our student visa guide.
  • Tango and Spanish gives you 20 hours a week of Spanish, Monday to Friday, together with dance, so you learn the language and the culture that created it.

How to choose: a quick decision guide

Answer these four questions:

  1. How long will you be in Buenos Aires?
    • Under 2 weeks: Super-Intensive or Intensive, or a few private lessons.
    • 1 to 3 months: Intensive or Semi-Intensive.
    • 3 months or more: Semi-Intensive or Chill, with room to add private lessons.
  2. How many hours can you really dedicate each day? If you work remotely, be honest about it. A course you cannot attend is not a good course.
  3. What is your goal? Travel conversation needs fewer hours than professional fluency. An exam needs a schedule that matches the test date.
  4. How do you learn? If you thrive on immersion, pick more hours. If you need time to digest, pick fewer hours and add private sessions.
If you are…We suggest
A traveler who wants basic Spanish and free daysChill
A remote worker staying 1 to 3 monthsSemi-Intensive
A student or career-breaker who wants fluency fastIntensive
Short on time and highly motivatedSuper-Intensive
A professional with a specific needPrivate lessons
A nomad with a shifting scheduleDigital Nomad plan
Not in Buenos Aires yetOnline lessons

Group or private: what is the difference?

In a group class you practice with other students, hear different accents and keep a lower cost per hour. In a private class, every minute focuses on you: your pace, your errors, your goals. Group lessons are better for confidence and social life. Private lessons are better for speed and customization. Many students combine both.

What about levels?

If you are not sure which level you are, take our level test before you enroll. Your teacher will place you in the right group and adjust the content. Our teachers aim to balance grammar and speaking according to what you need.

Prices and discounts

Classes start from 22 USD. Prices depend on the course, the number of weeks and whether you choose group or private lessons. Booking in advance can save up to 25% in our early bird discounts. [COMPLETAR: add a table with current prices per course and duration.]

Frequently asked questions

How many hours a week should I study to learn Spanish quickly?

For fast progress, 20 hours a week or more in class gives you the largest increase in a short stay. If you have more time, 10 hours a week with daily practice also works well. The best plan is the one you can sustain.

What is the difference between intensive and semi-intensive Spanish?

The difference is the weekly load. Semi-intensive means 10 hours a week (around two hours a day) and intensive means 20 hours a week (around four hours a day). The intensive course covers roughly twice as many class hours in the same period.

Can I switch courses after I start?

Often yes, if your schedule changes or you want more hours. Ask the school before you enroll. [COMPLETAR: Wanderlust policy.]

Is a one-week course worth it?

Yes, as a starting point. One week of Intensive or Super-Intensive gives you survival Spanish and confidence, and you can continue online afterward.

Are the classes in Palermo or Recoleta?

We have schools in Palermo and Recoleta. [COMPLETAR: confirm which courses are taught at each location.]

Do I need to know any Spanish before I start?

No. We teach all levels, from complete beginners to advanced learners.

Ready to choose your course?

Tell us how long you will stay, your goal and your schedule, and we will recommend a program. Get a quote or book a level test.

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Wanderlust was my second home during my 5 months living in Buenos Aires. I got to know Argentina through this amazing school and experiences while studying with my professor, Vicky.

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People love us!

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Wanderlust was my second home during my 5 months living in Buenos Aires. I got to know Argentina through this amazing school and experiences while studying with my professor, Vicky.

- Rich