What are the standards that the curriculum is based on?

At Learn Spanish Fast we use the ACTFL Framework of References for Languages (ACTFL) for class distinction. According to the ACTFL there are three basic language level groups broken down into three levels each: ​Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced.
Course Descriptions:
How do I know which class to sign up for?

Answer True or False to the following statements:
  • I have never taken a Spanish class before
  • I have taken a Spanish class before but am unable to speak
  • I do not recall how to form present tense AR, ER, IR verbs, including SER, ESTAR and TENER in writing
  • I need to increase my oral fluency and understand everyday questions about my and others lives in Spanish
  • I need to learn to read in Spanish at 80% comprehension
If you answer TRUE to 2 or more statements above, then you should enroll in Beginning I Spanish. If you answer FALSE to 3 or more statements above, see the next set of statements below for Beginning II or Intermediate I.

If you answer TRUE to all 5 statements below then you should enroll in Beginning II or higher:
  • I can form present tense AR, ER, IR verbs, including SER, ESTAR and TENER in writing and verbally in conversation
  • I have taken a Spanish class before and understand basic verbs and have acquired some basic everyday vocabulary
  • I am unable to speak well
  • I can read simple Spanish 1 level text at 70% comprehension
  • I can understand but do not do very well speaking at a basic level with native-speakers in the present tense, although I may be a bit slow at times

If you can answer TRUE to these statements, please enroll in Intermediate I or above:
  • I can read, write and converse in the present tense in Spanish
  • I have been introduced to the past tense in Spanish
  • I need to increase my oral fluency
  • I need to read and understand more to increase my vocabulary
  • I need to increase the fluency of my speech especially when speaking with native speakers

Still unsure of your level?, please complete the following placement test and email it to: Profe Linda Lbspanish@yahoo.com and we will help place you. (Do not take the test with any dictionaries, online assistance or other tools if you wish to have the most accurate results).
If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via the contact form.

Beginning Spanish I & II and Beginning Multilevel Course Descriptions
Beginning Spanish is taught through Total Physical Response®, Teaching Language Proficiency through Storytelling®, and other oral comprehension based methods. Students are invited to take these classes more than once because although the curriculum is modified each time, the pace will always stay comfortable so that your experience is effortless and fun!
  • Students can expect to acquire the 100 highest frequency words and the top 30 verbs in Spanish through stories, actions, and read a Spanish novel at 80% comprehension (ACTFL Scale) and carry on simple conversations
  • Students can expect to learn the present tense and basic past tense
  • True beginners are guided through the process of beginning language acquisition in a low pressure, low-stress environment
  • Students will begin speaking, reading, and writing from the very first day
  • The focus is on oral fluency not book work
  • There is no pressure to speak or perform
  • This class is popular with tourists, travelers, school teachers, health professionals, business professionals and people who took Spanish in high school years ago but can't speak a word today
  • Beginning Spanish I covers the basics: verb conjugation, subject and verb placement, the most common Spanish vocabulary
  • Beginning Spanish II builds on the skills learned in Beginning 1 although it is not a prequisite.
  • It is suggested that you take at least two LSF courses to establish a basic level of skill

Intermediate Spanish I, II, & III Course Descriptions
T.P.R.S® - Teaching Language Proficiency through Storytelling®, and other oral comprehension based methods. An intermediate Spanish course aimed at the rapid achievement of an intermediate level of proficiency (ACTFL scale) through interesting reading, engaging storytelling and personalized discussions, and oral multi-media presentations
  • Students can expect to acquire the 100-200 highest frequency words in Spanish in the past tenses, preterite and imperfect, as well as to acquire the present tense through reading
  • There is no pressure to speak or perform, but opportunities for conversational Spanish are provided. Students are able to participate in interviews, brief conversations, to re-tell oral stories Students are invited to take these classes more than once because although the curriculum changes each time, the pace will always stay comfortable so that your experience is effortless and fun
  • Students with previous Spanish exposure are guided through the process of reactivating latent vocabulary
  • Each level course will be reading a novel totally in Spanish
  • Intermediate I will reinforce basic verbs and vocabulary and seeks to increase oral fluency to speak about every day topics and encourage speaking
  • Intermediate II builds on the skills acquired in Intermediate 1 and focuses on more sophisticated sentence structures which encourage speaking
  • Intermediate III aims to increase oral fluency and introduce greater vocabulary
  • Each course may be taken multiple times separately or as a group to increase language acquisition as the course content is modified maintaining a comfortable level for students

Advanced Spanish I & II Course Description
Advanced Spanish I is for those wishing to take their Spanish to the next level. Students need to have learned the skills of speaking and communicating with accuracy. These courses are taught through comprehension based methods that include reading and speaking!
  • This course will reinforce the skills learned in Intermediate or Advanced Spanish: listening, speaking, reading and writing and encourage oral fluency
  • Class time is spent on communication through conversations, Socratic Seminar, story re-tells, and oral questions based on oral stories, cultural readings, PowerPoint presentations and more
  • The grammar focus will be on Present Subjunctive in Advanced I and past Subjunctive in Advanced II and include specific novel and cultural high-frequency phrases and vocabulary. With an emphasis on history and culture. Reading and preparing a short Spanish summary BEFORE class are required
  • Emphasis is on perfecting pronunciation, mastery of complex grammatical structures, and increased communicative oral and written proficiency
  • Acquisition of functional vocabulary is expected through novel and other cultural reading
  • Students will master previously learned past tenses, as well as learn future, conditional and present subjunctive mood. Students will be expected to apply them in their writing and speaking
  • These classes aim to make a bridge between Intermediate and Advanced language
  • Students are invited to take this course more than once. Each year the curriculum changes in anticipation of the class and also changes during the class as the instructor adapts the class to the needs of the students in the class. Prior reading may be required