Selecting a Spanish Language School in Buenos Aires: How to Get the Best Value

If you are seeking a program to study Spanish in Buenos Aires, you will quickly realize that your choice of schools can be quite overwhelming. In fact, a search on Google will yield well over 50 schools. However, it is important to be aware that amongst there options there are a wide variety of levels of quality.

While some of these institutions are well-established and respected, unfortunately, others just offer a fancy website masking a substandard school. When you are seeking the best Spanish school in Argentina, one rule of thumb is to look for the best quality. Simply looking for the cheapest school will cost you in the end. As the local saying goes, "Lo mas barato es lo mas caro," which is translated to mean, "The cheapest is the most expensive in the end."

If you are planning to study Spanish in Buenos Aires, here are some tips to help you find the best option.

1. Consider the neighborhood of the school

Forget prices for a moment, and focus on other aspects, for example, the neighborhood of the school. Buenos Aires is an enormous city and that means that there are excellent neighborhoods as well as those that are less than desirable. Generally, it is recommended to stick to schools in Recoleta or Palermo.

In the end, being in the right neighborhood can save you money. For example, you will not having to spend a fortune on taxis as you can simply walk to restaurants and cultural activities when you are in one of the better neighborhoods. Conversely, a less desirable barrio increases the odds of being a pickpocket target.

2. Find out how teachers are selected

Another aspect to consider when you are seeking the best Spanish school in Argentina is how the school trains and selects teachers. Do they look for the best teachers regardless of connections? Could you be considering a school that merely hires friends and relatives?

Obviously, this type of school would leave you with a less than optimal experience. Remember that learning Spanish is the main objective. A program without solid teaching will leave you most disappointed with your choice.

3. Consider added benefits

Another item to consider is whether conveniences like snacks and beverages are included. Some schools will keep you energized with refreshments like coffee, tea, juice, fruits, and cookies. In other schools, however, you may very well have to go next door to the convenience store. The latter can easily add $20 to your weekly spending.

4. Find out the scope and scale of the school

When you are doing research about different schools, it makes sense to find out if the school has branches in other countries. If so, there can be benefits that you may not have considered.

For example, you will likely study Spanish again in the future, and a multi-location school offers an advantage in that department. If a school has multiple branches, they will usually not make you pay registration fees twice, even for classes in different locations.

5. Check out the schools cultural activities

When you look at Spanish schools in Buenos Aires, you will want to also check into the recreational activities that different schools offer. You can take some time to examine the weekly activities offered. While some schools organize and lead activities, others just hand students a do-it-yourself sheet.

When you locate a school that offers comprehensive engaging cultural activities, you will benefit from the group rates, which again will lower your overall costs. There are also social benefits that will be gained from visiting these activities with new friends.

Remember that sometimes what initially seems to be a great bargain can end up costing you money in the long run. It is important to consider that schools with higher price tags often have benefits that will cut costs on a day-to-day basis.

Find an excellent program, as this will improve your overall Argentine experience. As everyone knows, it's impossible to put a price on quality.