Complete guide: How to study Spanish in Buenos Aires?

Argentina is an ideal place for international visitors who want to dive into the Spanish language and culture. With countless course options, flexible funding opportunities, and the chance to experience the country’s vibrant traditions firsthand, it’s a destination that combines learning with adventure. Among all its cities, Buenos Aires stands out for its variety and quality of programs. That’s why we’ve created a complete guide with everything you need to study Spanish in Buenos Aires and make the most of your time in “the city of fury”.

In this article, we’ll step into the shoes of a student arriving in Argentina’s capital to learn or improve their Spanish. You’ll discover the average cost of living, how to apply for a scholarship, the best Spanish schools in Buenos Aires, and other essential things to consider before making the move. Let’s get started!

How much does it cost to study Spanish in Buenos Aires?

To study Spanish in Buenos Aires, you’ll need to move to Argentina, a South American country where the cost of living can be high, but still lower than in many other Spanish-speaking places. While the economy isn’t in its best shape right now, that’s no reason to rule it out. Living in Argentina can be an exciting and eye-opening adventure. You’ll get to explore its breathtaking landscapes, enjoy traditional food, experience the ritual of drinking mate, witness the locals’ incredible passion for football, and immerse yourself in their unique customs and traditions.

You can find a deeper breakdown of this topic in our article about the cost of living in Argentina. For now, here’s a quick table with some of the main expenses to keep in mind when putting together your budget. The total will depend on factors like the type of housing you choose, the school or academy you attend, how long your course lasts, and the level of comfort you’d like for your day-to-day life.

Some tips for saving money:

• To save on housing, you could share an apartment with another student, which is very common in Argentina. If you don’t know anyone yet, start with a short stay in an Airbnb and once you find someone you trust, move into a more permanent place together.
• Coliving spaces can be a great option. While they are usually geared toward digital nomads and remote workers, some do accept students. If you’re looking to live in a community environment, the experience can be extremely rewarding.
• You can arrange with your coliving or study buddies to buy in bulk and get discounts on food and drinks.
• Take advantage of digital wallets, like Naranja X, which often provide discounts at supermarkets, pharmacies, online stores, and many other services.

Do you need internet while studying Spanish in Buenos Aires? Monthly plans from Holafly can be a convenient way to save money and enjoy unlimited data. Just pick a plan and get high-speed, secure internet for the duration of your studies with no long-term commitments.

Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍

On the other hand, we recommend using Holafly’s Argentina eSIM for shorter trips, as it lets you get unlimited data only for the days you need.

Where can I get a scholarship to study Spanish in Buenos Aires?

One way to reduce the cost of studying Spanish in Argentina is by applying for a scholarship. This can cover all or part of your tuition, significantly lowering your monthly expenses.

A great option for studying Spanish in Buenos Aires is the scholarship program for international students at the National University of the Northwest of Buenos Aires Province (UNNOBA). This program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students who are not native Spanish speakers. UNNOBA is part of the Interuniversity Consortium for Teaching and Assessing Spanish as a Second and Foreign Language, which developed the CELU exam. Students can take the CELU at UNNOBA to earn an official certification of their Spanish proficiency.

The program lasts five months, and applications are usually open from March to December of the year before the scholarship begins. Courses are offered each semester, starting in March and August. Scholarship recipients are exempt from paying any course fees.

Best schools to study Spanish in Buenos Aires

You might be wondering which school in Buenos Aires is the best place to study Spanish. With so many options available, it can feel a bit overwhelming. The key is to be clear about what you want from your course, whether it’s an intensive program or a longer-term study, group or private lessons, or a package that includes housing. Understanding your priorities will make it much easier to find the school that’s the best fit for you.

DWS Spanish School

Located in the iconic Palermo neighborhood, this school is one of the top choices for students looking to learn Spanish. It offers three different types of courses:

• Intensive Spanish program with 20 hours per week (4 hours per day), designed for students aged 18 and up, with a maximum of six students per class. The course length is flexible, ranging from a few weeks up to 12 months, and the price varies depending on the duration.
• Super intensive Spanish program with 30 hours per week, including 4 hours of group classes and 2 hours of private lessons each day. Perfect for students over 18 who want to improve their Spanish quickly and focus on specific areas of vocabulary. The course can last anywhere from a few weeks to 12 months.
• Private lessons tailored to the student’s own pace. They are available for learners of all ages and can be scheduled according to individual preferences.

DWS Spanish School also offers housing options for the duration of your course. You can choose from shared apartments with a private room for $200 per week, homestays with a private room and breakfast included for $240 per week, homestays with a private room and half board (breakfast and dinner) for $330 per week, or a private apartment for $400 per week.

The cost of courses depends on the type of program and how long it lasts. It also varies if you include housing in your package. Here is a rough idea of the prices:

• Intensive Spanish course + accommodation: From $400
• Super-intensive program + accommodation: From $650
• Individual classes + accommodation: From $470

Expanish

This award-winning Spanish school is another top choice for anyone looking to learn the language, offering a wide and diverse range of courses. It also provides students with cultural activities, internship programs, volunteer opportunities, and housing. The school welcomes students of all ages, and courses can last anywhere from one week to six months.

Here is a list of some of the Spanish study programs in Buenos Aires offered by Expanish:

• Evening group course: Designed for students aged 16 and up, this program is perfect for those who work during the day and prefer evening classes. Courses run from 4 to 40 weeks, with four classes per week and a maximum of 12 students per class.
• Intensive group course: This program offers 20 hours per week and can last anywhere from 1 to 52 weeks, depending on the student’s choice. It includes 20 one-hour classes per week and is open to students aged 16 and up. The same course is also available with 24 or 30 classes per week.
• Combined course: This program includes 20 group lessons plus 4 private lessons, making it perfect for students who want to combine group classes with individual instruction. There is also an option to take the same course with 10 private lessons.
• Private Spanish classes: Tailored to students’ needs and schedules. The program includes 20 classes per week.
• Online private lessons: This option is ideal for students who want to study from the comfort of their own home. You can customize the course intensity, schedule, and learning goals for each lesson, with the option to take up to 30 classes per week.

The school is located in the Palermo neighborhood, just a short walk from the beautiful Bosques de Palermo park. The area is lively, with plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, and nightlife, and the subway station is very convenient for getting around the city.

The cost of courses also varies depending on the program type, its duration, and whether you include housing. Speaking of housing, the school offers homestays with local families, located 20 to 40 minutes from the school by public transport. This is a great way to experience Argentine lifestyle and traditions firsthand while practicing Spanish with your host family. The stay includes a private room and two meals a day.

Here are the approximate costs of some of their courses:

• Evening group course: From $250 or $1,260 (with accommodation)
• Group course (20 lessons per week): From $310 or $570 (with accommodation)
• Combined course (20 group lessons + four private lessons): From $550 or $800 (with accommodation)
• Private lessons (in-person or online): From $1,000 or $1,355 (with accommodation)

Academia Buenos Aires

This is another top choice for learning Spanish in Buenos Aires. The school is the only Cervantes Institute Accredited Center in the city and is housed in a fully restored historic building just 50 meters from the iconic Plaza de Mayo, in the vibrant San Telmo neighborhood. It welcomes students of all ages and nationalities, drawn by its wide range of courses. Some of the most popular programs include:

• Intensive group course: The program offers 20 classes per week with a maximum of seven students per class, providing a highly personalized learning experience. It is designed for students aged 18 and up.
• Individual classes: This program includes 10 lessons per week and is designed for students who want to focus on developing a specific skill, such as listening comprehension.
• Río de la Plata course: It allows students to take classes at the academies in Buenos Aires, Bariloche, and Uruguay, giving them the chance to experience all three locations while continuing their Spanish lessons.
• Super intensive course: This program offers 30 classes per week for small groups of up to seven students. Perfect for those who want to learn or improve their Spanish in a short amount of time.

Course prices vary depending on the type of program and its duration. In some cases, there is also the option to include homestay accommodation. Here is a breakdown of the approximate costs for their courses:

• Intensive group course: From $280 or $575 (with accommodation)
• Individual classes: From $390 or $685 (with accommodation)
• Río de la Plata course: From $555 or $1,145 (with accommodation)
• Super intensive course: From $620 or $915 (with accommodation)

Work and study Spanish in Buenos Aires

If you haven’t received a scholarship, or even if you have but still need financial support, you can consider working in your free time. Buenos Aires offers a wide range of job opportunities, from retail and hospitality to administrative positions. The great thing about studying and working at the same time is that it gives you constant practice with the language, since your job will naturally require you to use Spanish every day.

With a student visa, you can take courses or academic programs longer than 90 days and work part-time. Many visa holders are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week. While it’s generally easier to get permission if your job is related to your studies, it’s not mandatory.

If you travel without a visa, you can work during your free time as long as your stay doesn’t exceed the allowed number of days. Many schools also offer courses designed for students who need to work while studying, with flexible or evening schedules. In some cases, they even provide paid internships, which are a great opportunity to put what you’ve learned into practice.

What are the best seasons to study Spanish in Argentina?

Argentina is beautiful at any time of year thanks to its vast size and diverse climates. In Buenos Aires, however, there are a few things to keep in mind. It is best to avoid the summer months from late December to late March, when many locals leave the city for the coast, the hills of Córdoba, Patagonia, or abroad. The heat can be intense, making it great for enjoying nightlife and outdoor activities, but during the day it can be exhausting to get around the city.

For studying Spanish in Buenos Aires, the seasons we recommend most are definitely spring and autumn. Both offer much milder weather and beautiful seasonal colors. This makes it perfect for enjoying the city’s many parks and spending time outdoors. Evenings are pleasant too, ideal for sitting at a bar and sharing a drink with classmates. If you explore other regions, the scenery in spring or autumn is truly picture-perfect.

Planning to spend several months in the country? Take advantage of a long weekend in spring or autumn to explore Patagonia, with popular spots like Bariloche, San Martín de los Andes, or Villa La Angostura. You could also visit Mar del Plata or other coastal destinations, or spend a few days in the beautiful province of Córdoba, home to some of the country’s most stunning hills. Argentina is a country made for exploring, and as a student, you can enjoy it without falling behind on your studies.

Also keep in mind that Buenos Aires is a great base for traveling to other parts of the country, with daily flights on low-cost airlines departing from its airport.

Frequently asked questions about studying Spanish in Buenos Aires

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Paula Henderson

Spanish-English Translator

Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍

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