FAQ

Throughout the year, we have several starting points. In principle, there are four main start dates: September, January, April, and July. But since you might not want to wait to begin, new courses also start throughout the year, outside these set dates. Check our current course schedule for the latest options.

For the 2024/25 course year, there will be no classes during the following weeks/days:

• Autumn break: October 28 – November 3, 2024
• Christmas break: Monday December 23, 2024 – Sunday January 5, 2025
• Spring break: Monday February 17 – Sunday February 23, 2025
• Easter Monday: Monday April 21, 2025
• King’s Day: Saturday April 26, 2025
• May break: Monday April 28 – Sunday May 4, 2025
• Liberation Day: Monday, May 5, 2025
• Ascension Day: Thursday, May 29, 2025
• Whit Monday: Monday, June 9, 2025

During the summer vacations we do open. We offer a modified program then.

After completing our Básico 1 (Beginner) course, you’ll be able to hold simple conversations in Spanish. You’ll know how to introduce yourself, ask for directions, and order your favorite Spanish dish in a restaurant. You’ll speak and write in the present tense and understand how to use articles, numbers, and nouns. This course is a solid foundation for a trip to Spain or Latin America – and for continuing with the next level.

You can find all upcoming Básico 1 courses in our course overview.

We offer Spanish courses at all levels. If you already have some knowledge of Spanish or speak it fluently and want to improve your grammar, take our free online placement test. You’ll receive a course recommendation by email. If you’re at an advanced level, our course advisor will get in touch with you personally.

Based on our experience, the content of the higher levels requires more time and depth. That’s why our Básico courses are 8 weeks long, while courses at Intermedio level and higher run for 11 weeks.

Yes, we do! Our online classes are held via Zoom and follow the same structure as our in-person lessons – with the same great teachers, of course. So if you don’t live in Amsterdam or prefer not to travel, you can easily follow the lessons from home, your office, or even on holiday. Check our schedule to see all online course options.

You can easily sign up online by choosing your preferred course, level, and start date from our course overview. You can pay the course fee (and course materials) right away via iDEAL to secure your spot. After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation by email.

When registering online, you can pay for your course and materials immediately via iDEAL. If you only want to buy the course materials later, you can pay by debit card at our school. Please note: your spot is only guaranteed after payment. So if you pay via iDEAL during registration, your place is secured.

As long as a course is open for registration, there’s still room. If a course is full and you can’t join another group, you can always email us. We’ll place you on a waiting list and let you know if a spot becomes available.

When registering online, you can pay for your course and materials immediately via iDEAL. If you only want to buy the course materials later, you can pay by debit card at our school. Please note: your spot is only guaranteed after payment. So if you pay via iDEAL during registration, your place is secured.
Prefer to buy them in person? You’re welcome to do so at our office during opening hours. You don’t need to prepare any homework before your first lesson.

Each course block (3+ levels) uses one main textbook. If you’re starting a new block or taking a course for the first time, the base book will cost between €30 and €45.
Advanced levels may require additional materials, which cost between €6 and €25. You’ll see the total cost of the course materials during registration, and you can order them right away so they’ll be ready for your first class.
All prices are subject to change.

The textbook from the Básico courses – AULA Internacional 1 Plus – can be used for multiple levels (from Básico 1 through Preintermedio 3).
If you don’t plan to use the book again, you can sell it back to us for half the original price. The same applies to Lola Lago reading booklets.
Please note: workbooks (Compendios) cannot be returned.

We sell all the materials used in our Spanish courses, plus a range of supporting resources such as grammar guides, verb overviews, and Spanish dictionaries.
You’ll also find Spanish-language comic books (Tintin, Astérix) and advanced reading materials.
Check our selection of materials in person at our school. You will find an overview of course materials and other books in our webshop.

You can find the course fees listed in the course overview for each level.

Yes, that’s possible. Just send us an email with your chosen course and the invoice details. We’ll arrange the registration and send the invoice directly to your employer.

Of course! You can request one in the comments section during registration, or contact our office directly.

For Básico, Intermedio, and Alto levels, the homework is listed in the back of the Compendio .
Before the first lesson, each student also receives a link to a Dropbox folder with the full homework overview.

For other levels, you can contact a fellow student using the class email list, which is created during the first session.

Yes! We offer several ways to help you stay on track. With the homework overview, you can always prepare for the next class.
We can also send you a summary of the lesson content you missed.
In many cases, you can catch up by joining a parallel group at the same level (if there’s space). And if needed, we can arrange extra tutoring sessions.
Contact our office for personal advice and an overview of your options.

¡Sí, claro! Students receive the Compendio for free at their first lesson!
If you’re a student, there’s no need to order it in advance – simply show your student ID at the office and you can pick it up during your first class.
If your level doesn’t use the Compendio, you may choose a supporting booklet instead (for example: Grammatica kort en bondig or Werkwoorden in vorm).

The levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) are defined at the European level and apply to all European languages.
The course levels at Molinos de Viento are also aligned with the CEFR.
In the following chart, you can see how our levels correspond to the CEFR scale.

At the end of the course, you’ll take a test during the final lesson. This test is not linked to a certificate by default.
However, you can request to take an exam at the end of certain levels: Básico 3, Intermedio 4, Alto 3, Avanzado 4, Superior, and Perfeccionamiento.
If you pass, you’ll receive a certificate.
You can also request a certificate of participation at any time—just contact our office via [email protected].

Our diplomas are not officially accredited, but they are widely recognized and respected—especially in the Spanish-speaking world. Over the past 40+ years, hundreds of students have earned a diploma with us, and our reputation is well established.
If you’re looking for an officially recognized Spanish certificate (such as DELE), we’re happy to advise you on suitable exam-oriented courses.

Absolutely! We offer private Spanish lessons for both individuals and businesses.
Private lessons are ideal if you want to learn at your own pace or need a flexible schedule. These lessons are fully tailored to your needs.
The program, frequency, lesson days, and times are all based on your preferences.
Lessons can take place at Molinos de Viento, at your home, or at your office.
Interested? Check out our Private Lessons section or contact our office directly.
We’ll be happy to give you personal, no-obligation advice and more information about the possibilities.

All teachers at Molinos de Viento are enthusiastic and professional native speakers from Spain or Latin America, with plenty of teaching experience and a true passion for education.
Want to know more? Check out our team page for teacher bios and backgrounds.

For some courses, we know the assigned teacher well in advance. For others, this is only confirmed a week before the start. If you’d like to check in advance, feel free to contact our office.

Just give us a call or send an email. We really appreciate it, as it allows us to offer your spot to another student who wants to make up a missed class.

Yes! Follow us on Facebookand Instagram.

Molinos de Viento is located at Utrechtsedwarsstraat 13-I in Amsterdam. The school is on the first floor of a historic building (please note: no elevator).

Paid street parking is available in the area, for example along the canals or in the nearby Falckstraat – just a few minutes’ walk from our school.
The nearest parking garage is The Bank, located on Amstelstraat, about 15 minutes away on foot.

We have a Jura coffee machine that brews delicious Café del Mar coffee. Payment is contactless only. We don’t offer any food.

Yes! Follow us on Facebookand Instagram.

Yes, that’s usually possible – provided there’s another group at your level and there’s room.
If you’d like to make up a class, contact our office and we’ll check the available options with you.

After completing Básico 1, you’ll already have a solid elementary knowledge of Spanish. You won’t be lost for words anymore!
You’ll understand and respond to simple, everyday questions and situations like greetings, who you are, and what you do.
To feel more confident, we recommend continuing with Básico 2 or Básico 3.
After finishing the Intermedio levels, you’ll have covered all the basic grammar and be able to follow and join most general conversations. In the more advanced levels, you’ll deepen and refine your Spanish skills.

Yes, that’s usually not a problem. You may not be able to participate in every exercise during class, but you’ll still benefit from the lessons.
Homework often contains key priorities – so if you’re short on time, focus on the most important topics. Your teacher can advise you.
If you know in advance that you won’t be able to do any homework at all, we recommend considering private lessons instead. Feel free to contact us for more information.

Our courses are dynamic, practical, and lively – with a fairly fast pace.
We do ask our students to prepare at home, and having a basic understanding of grammar is a plus.
But there’s always room for fun and connection: our classes are a great way to meet others who share your passion for Spanish and Latin American language and culture.
Most importantly, we want you to walk away from each course having made real progress in your Spanish skills.

Lessons at Molinos de Viento follow a structured yet flexible format, and while the exact content may vary depending on the teacher, course type and level, a typical Básico class includes a warm-up conversation about what everyone has done that week, time to ask questions and review homework, the introduction of a new grammar topic or conversation theme explored through various exercises, and a reading discussion—often based on the course booklet or a Lola Lago reader—to wrap things up.

We are located in a historic former factory building in the heart of Amsterdam. The atmosphere is open, relaxed, and friendly.
Each of our classrooms has its own character, with different colors and dimensions. Tables are arranged in a square (carré) format, with space for around 10 students.
Teachers use a whiteboard, audio system, and projector during the lessons.
Most classrooms have large windows and overlook a quiet inner courtyard.
[Click here for a visual impression of our classrooms.]

We welcome enthusiastic and motivated students aged 18 to 80 – many with a deep passion for Spain or Latin America, who are eager to learn, improve, or maintain their Spanish skills.
Some own a house in Spain, others are preparing for a semester in Buenos Aires, or want to communicate better with in-laws from Mexico, or have friends in Madrid.
Some learn Spanish for work, others purely for fun – and many, a bit of both!