CESTE:
—where learning Spanish means living it
20 years teaching Spanish with a personal, approachable, and highly international perspective
At CESTE, adults from all over the world study Spanish: international professionals, Erasmus students, au pairs, and people looking to integrate into life in Spain. A real, diverse, university-like environment where you learn Spanish by living it.
Download the Student Handbook
A document where you can find all the information about the school, the city of Zaragoza, the services included in your tuition, and lots more information to help you get settled when you arrive in the city.
Your level, your pace, your goal. We're here to support you!
General In-Person A1 (Beginner) Course – 60 hours (2 modules x 30 hours)
Take your first steps in Spanish… or keep moving forward with confidence
€140/month
Objectives
Upon completing Level A1, students will be able to understand and use everyday expressions and simple sentences to meet immediate needs; introduce themselves and others; ask for and provide basic personal information about their address, belongings, and people they know; and interact at a basic level with native speakers, provided they speak slowly and clearly.
Main Content
Grammar: present indicative (regular and common irregular verbs: ser, estar, tener, ir, gustar), articles, attributive and possessive adjectives, subject personal pronouns, prepositions of place, interrogative structures. / Vocabulary: personal information, family, daily activities, city and directions, food, clothing, and weather, cultural customs. / Functions: greeting others, introducing oneself, describing people and places, talking about habits and routines, ordering in stores and restaurants, giving and asking for directions. / Culture: aspects of daily life in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries.
Methodology
Communicative and action-oriented teaching (CEFR): the student as a social agent. Task-based learning with one meaningful communicative task per unit. Cooperative peer work and collaborative production. Inductive learning: students discover rules through examples. Attention to diversity and the intercultural dimension. Use of ICTs: Quizlet, Kahoot, Genially, Padlet.
Materials
Aula Internacional Plus 1 (Difusión Edition) + supplementary materials developed by the teaching team. Visual resources: worksheets, posters, flashcards. Digital platforms: Quizlet, Kahoot, Genially, Padlet. Supplementary materials: role-playing games, songs, maps.
Certificate
Certificate of Attendance: a minimum of 80% attendance at class sessions. Certificate of Achievement: an average grade of 5/10, calculated based on process assessment (60%: final module assignments) and outcome assessment (40%: midterm exams and final proficiency test).
General In-Person A2 Course (Platform) – 120 hours (4 modules x 30 hours)
Take your first steps in Spanish… or keep moving forward with confidence
€140/month
Objectives
Upon completing Level A2, students will be able to understand frequently used phrases and expressions related to areas of immediate experience (family, shopping, work, and their surroundings); communicate in simple, everyday situations that require brief exchanges of information; describe their past, their surroundings, and their immediate needs in simple terms; and recount brief experiences using the Spanish past tense.
Main Content
Grammar: present tense, past perfect, simple past, and imperfect; the periphrases “ir a + infinitive” and “tener que + infinitive”; comparatives and superlatives; direct and indirect object pronouns; reflexive verbs; contrast between “ser” and “estar”; “hay” and “está.” / Vocabulary: city and neighborhood, biographies, physical and character descriptions, home, food and health, leisure and free time, technology, holidays. / Functions: describing people and places, recounting past events, asking for and giving advice, expressing feelings and opinions, inviting, accepting, and declining. / Culture: culinary customs, Hispanic celebrations, social habits.
Methodology
Communicative and task-based teaching. Integration of language skills into real-life contexts. Cooperative work in pairs and groups. Inductive techniques for grammar learning. Inclusion of cultural and contrastive elements. Attention to diversity (task adaptation, visual aids, and linguistic scaffolding). Use of ICTs: Genially, Canva, Padlet, Kahoot, Quizlet.
Materials
Aula Internacional Plus 1 and 2 (Ed. Difusión) + supplementary digital and print materials. Visual resources: flashcards, posters, diagrams. Interactive platforms: Kahoot, Quizlet, Genially, YouTube.
Certificate
Certificate of Attendance: minimum attendance of 80%. Certificate of Completion: average grade of 5/10, broken down into process assessment (60%: final module assignments) and outcome assessment (40%: midterm exams and final A2-level exam).
General In-Person B1 Course (Umbral) – 120 hours (4 modules x 30 hours)
Take your first steps in Spanish… or keep moving forward with confidence
€140/month
Objectives
Upon completing Level B1, students will be able to understand the main points of clear, standard-language texts on familiar topics (work, studies, leisure); handle most situations that may arise in Spanish-speaking areas; produce simple, coherent texts on familiar topics; and describe experiences, desires, and aspirations, briefly justifying opinions or plans.
Main Content
Grammar: review and comparison of past tenses; simple future and conditional sentences; subjunctive for wishes, emotions, and advice; basic reported speech; relative clauses; verbal periphrases (seguir + gerund, dejar de + infinitive, volver a + infinitive); discourse markers for sequence, cause, contrast, and rephrasing. / Vocabulary: work life, consumerism and advertising, technology and social media, tourism, the environment, design and sustainability, mystery and literature. / Functions: narrating and planning, expressing opinions and evaluations, arguing, giving advice, formulating hypotheses, participating in debates. / 4 thematic modules: Fundamentals and Projects / Communication and Opinion / Interaction and Travel / World and Society.
Methodology
Communicative and task-based teaching. Integration of the four language skills. Collaborative work and independent learning. Inductive techniques for grammar instruction. Use of audiovisual resources, ICT, and authentic materials (articles, podcasts, videos, news articles). Assessment through final module assignments with rubrics. Platforms: Genially, Canva, Padlet, Kahoot, Quizlet.
Materials
Aula Internacional Plus 3 (Difusión Edition) + supplementary and audiovisual materials. Digital resources: Genially, Canva, Padlet, Kahoot, Quizlet. Authentic texts: news articles, podcasts, videos.
Certificate
Certificate of Attendance: minimum attendance of 80% (64 out of 80 sessions). Certificate of Completion: average grade of 5/10, based on process assessment (50%: final module assignments), outcome assessment (30%: exams aligned with the DELE format), and participation and independent work (20%).
Online courses (AVE Global platform)
Learn Spanish from anywhere, with support every step of the way
€90/month
Objectives
The same level objectives (A1/A2/B1) as the in-person courses, delivered online with greater flexibility in scheduling and autonomy in the pace of learning.
Methodology
The Cervantes Institute's AVE Global Platform. Self-directed learning (30 hours) combined with guided synchronous and asynchronous sessions (10 hours). Personalized support from a tutor.
Certificate
Certificate of completion upon successful completion of the platform's assessment activities and active follow-up with the tutor. Students must complete 100% of the course load of 30 self-paced hours.
Summer Intensive Courses (June and July)
A summer to learn, discover, and enjoy Spanish
€280/month
"On-demand" course for groups
Design of a customized intensive training program
Variable price
The doors that bring you closer to your personal and professional goals
DELE
Certify your Spanish with a credential that opens doors around the world
SIELE
The fastest and most flexible way to certify your Spanish proficiency
CCSE
One step closer to Spanish citizenship: Everything you need to take the CCSE with confidence
Official exams, real preparation: we'll guide you every step of the way
DELE A2 Preparation (12 hours)
240€
Objectives
To prepare students to take the official DELE A2 exam (Instituto Cervantes). By the end of the course, students will be able to recognize the exam’s structure, apply reading and listening comprehension strategies, produce short and coherent written texts, participate in guided oral interactions, and manage their time during the exam.
Recipients
Young or adult students with an approximate A2 level who wish to take the official DELE A2 exam and need to familiarize themselves with its format and test-taking strategies.
Main Content
Structure of the DELE A2 exam (4 sections: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing, and oral interaction). / Task-solving strategies and time management. / Grammar review: present tense, past perfect, simple past, and imperfect; the “ir a + infinitive” construction; direct and indirect object pronouns; comparatives. / Vocabulary: daily life, leisure, travel, social interactions. / Mock exam in the final session.
Methodology
Task-based communicative approach. Practice with real exam models from the Instituto Cervantes. Development of problem-solving strategies. Cooperative work and simulations. Guided correction with feedback.
Materials
Official exam models from the Instituto Cervantes. Audiovisual materials. Exam strategy worksheets. Mock exam activities.
Certificate
CESTE Certificate of Completion, requiring a minimum of 80% attendance and active participation. Note: Successful completion of the course does not guarantee the official DELE diploma, which is awarded only by the Instituto Cervantes upon passing the official exam.
The price does not include the official DELE A2 exam fee (€138)
SIELE Prep Course (12 hours)
240€
Objectives
To prepare students to take the SIELE Global exam by practicing tasks similar to those on the exam and developing strategies for comprehension and production in Spanish. The SIELE is an international certification program sponsored by the Instituto Cervantes, UNAM, the University of Salamanca, and the University of Buenos Aires. Course proficiency level: A2–B1 (CEFR).
Exam Structure
4 computer-based tests (maximum score: 1,000 points): Reading Comprehension (250 pts, 60 min) / Listening Comprehension (250 pts, 55 min) / Written Expression and Interaction (250 pts, 50 min) / Oral Expression and Interaction (250 pts, 15 min). The score certifies proficiency levels ranging from A1 to C1 on the CEFR.
Main Content
Practice with exam-style tasks covering all four skills. / Strategies: identifying key information, anticipating content, organizing text using connectors, time management. / Linguistic content: review of common verb tenses, expressions of opinion, organizational connectors. / Vocabulary: daily life, work, leisure, personal experiences. / Full-length SIELE Global mock exam in Session 8.
Methodology
Task-based communicative approach. Practice with real SIELE exam samples. Integration of the four skills. Active learning in pairs and groups. Continuous correction and feedback. Development of specific test-taking strategies.
Materials
SIELE sample exams. Audiovisual materials. Interactive digital resources. Authentic materials: texts, audio recordings, and videos.
Certificate
CESTE Certificate of Completion with a minimum attendance rate of 80%. The official SIELE exam must be taken independently during the regular testing sessions.
Official SIELE exam fee not included
One-on-one lessons
A teacher just for you, a personalized learning experience
€28/hour
Learn Spanish Beyond the Classroom: Cultural, Social, and Sports Activities
At CESTE, learning Spanish doesn't end when you leave the classroom. We organize cultural, social, and sports activities that are integrated into the learning process, designed to help you put your Spanish into practice in real-life situations and get an up-close look at the culture and daily life in Zaragoza.
Cultural
Guided Tours of Zaragoza
Discover the Aljaferia, La Seo, the Roman Theater, the Central Market, and the Pablo Gargallo Museum with a guide and preparatory educational activities. At least two visits per school year.
Social
Language exchange (tandem)
Tandem program with native Spanish speakers: students from CESTE and other institutions in Zaragoza. Instructors provide resources for the sessions. Available throughout the academic year.
Social
Welcome and Orientation Session
At the start of each session: an introduction to the center, the staff, the services, and the city, plus a guided tour of the campus. This helps students integrate from day one and reduces culture shock.
Cultural
Spanish Book Club
Monthly session for shared reading and discussion of a literary work in Spanish. Develops reading comprehension, literary vocabulary, and oral expression in a relaxed atmosphere. Available for all levels.
Cultural
Movies in Spanish
Monthly screening of a Spanish or Latin American film in its original language with Spanish subtitles. The screening is preceded by a vocabulary activity and followed by a discussion led by the teacher.
Cultural
Cultural Workshops
Hands-on workshops on Spanish language and culture: Spanish cuisine, the history of Aragon, Latin American culture, and more. Each workshop includes educational activities. 2–4 workshops per course (some included in tuition; others have a separate fee).
Sports
Sports Facilities – Casablanca Stadium
Priority access to the Casablanca Stadium, located next to the campus: indoor pool, gym, tennis courts, padel courts, and soccer fields. Available throughout the academic year. Special rate for CESTE students (check with the school office).
Field Trips
Field Trips and Cultural Outings
Trips to cultural destinations in Aragón and Spain: the Pyrenees (medieval villages), Teruel, Huesca, and weekend excursions to Madrid or Barcelona. At least one trip per four-month term.
CESTE does not directly manage accommodations, but we want to make your stay in Zaragoza as comfortable as possible. Below are the main options available:
STUDENT HOUSING
APARTMENT AND ROOM RENTAL WEBSITES
For more information or assistance with housing, please contact our administrative team.
Miguel Villalba Duarte
Academic Coordinator for ELE and Spanish instructor
With a degree in History and a specialization in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE), he has been coordinating CESTE’s Spanish as a Foreign Language program since 2024. He has a solid track record of teaching in international settings, instructing adult learners at all CEFR levels (A1–C1). His greatest strength lies in his expertise in curriculum design, which enables him to structure effective, rigorous academic programs that are perfectly tailored to the needs of the school and its students.
María Ángeles Martínez Ramírez
Spanish teacher
With a diploma in tourism and specialized training in teaching Spanish as a foreign language (ELE), she has an outstanding track record guiding international students at levels ranging from beginner to intermediate (A1–B1). Her profile combines a clear focus on communication with solid expertise in successfully preparing students for the official DELE and SIELE exams, helping them achieve their certification goals through practical, hands-on instruction.
Cora Buil López-Menchero
Spanish teacher
With a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature and a specialization in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE), she has extensive experience teaching Spanish to non-native speakers in language immersion settings. Her in-depth knowledge of languages allows her to cover the entire spectrum of language learning, from beginner to advanced levels (A1–C1). She stands out for her ability to make the cultural immersion process feel natural, intuitive, and highly effective for students of any nationality.
Jaime Ríos
Academic Administration Manager
Lorena Hernández
Administrative Assistant (Academic Department)
Yakelin Sánchez
Administrative Assistant (Academic Department)
CESTE, a place where learning a language means growing—personally, academically, and culturally
About CESTE
CESTE has a campus spanning over 500 m² that operates as a university center authorized by the Government of Aragon. The building, which is fully accessible via elevator across its three floors, offers a comprehensive and modern environment designed to facilitate the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language (ELE).
The center has 11 multipurpose classrooms, at least two of which are primarily dedicated to teaching Spanish as a foreign language. With floor areas ranging from 28 m² to 70 m², these spaces easily accommodate a class size of 12 students, ensuring personalized attention.
In terms of technical resources, all classrooms are equipped with a computer, projector, and speakers, supplemented by additional audio players and high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the campus. There is also a dedicated computer lab with state-of-the-art equipment designed to support students’ independent and digital work.
To ensure academic excellence, the center has 24 offices dedicated to key functions:
Learning extends beyond the classroom thanks to specialized resources:
All facilities strictly comply with current regulations (Royal Decree 557/1991) and are subject to a process of continuous improvement to ensure a physical environment that fosters academic success.
The student and their life project are at the heart of our work.
Our mission is to support people from all backgrounds in learning Spanish, promoting their personal development, social integration, and access to new professional opportunities in Spanish-speaking environments.
We do this through an action-oriented approach, using innovative methods based on the Common European Framework of Reference, which places the student at the the protagonist of their learning process and empower them to act with autonomy and confidence in real-life contexts of daily, academic, and professional life.
We want to be a leading school in the teaching of Spanish to foreigners, recognized for the innovation of its methodologies, the excellence of its teaching staff and its ability to meet the real needs of students from all over the world.
Our goal is for every student who attends our school not only to acquire language proficiency, but also to broaden their prospects for personal and professional development, contributing to the building of a committed global citizenship. The Cervantes Institute (SACIC) accreditation is proof of our commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
Courses for individual students, small groups, or custom groups
Flexible scheduling, in-person and online options.
Accredited testing center for DELE and SIELE.
Genuine support for personal and professional goals.
Cultural, culinary, and sports activities integrated into the learning process.
Discounts for Erasmus students and au pairs.
Do you need to figure out which course or level is right for you?
Take the placement test
CESTE provides you with a detailed assessment of your language proficiency so you can enroll in the right course.
This test is required for those who have previously studied Spanish but do not have an official certification.
Test structure:
*This test is not intended to serve as official certification; its purpose is to provide you with proper guidance.
Are you a group looking for an intensive Spanish course tailored to your needs?
Testimonials
Hear it from those who’ve been there
Let's talk:
We're here to support you every step of the way
Start learning Spanish with CESTE
Click here to learn about the registration process, as well as the cancellation and refund policies
The right course for you depends on your current proficiency and your goals. We offer three main levels aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):
The placement test is an essential step in placing you in the group that best suits your skill level. The process is simple and convenient:
The course load for our regular courses is designed to ensure steady progress:
Yes, we offer a variety of options to suit your needs:
Both are official certifications from the Instituto Cervantes, but they have different characteristics:
As an accredited testing center, we make the process easier:
Find out more by filling out the form
