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Our levels
for organizations in Washington DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia VA, Baltimore MD, Denver CO, New York NY, and New Jersey NJ.

Our Spanish program is composed of 9 conversational belt levels ranging from white (complete beginner) to black (ultimate Spanish master). The ranks are useful for monitoring progress and matching you with students of comparable ability.

White (Beginner I)

The student should be able to perform basic functions, but more complex speech would require prior preparation and the constant use of notes. The student will speak slowly and his understanding of slow-paced speech will be fair but limited. The student's vocabulary will be limited to most common verbs, nouns and adjectives, and with these, students will be able to build basic sentences (subject, verb and object, and time expression).

Yellow (Beginner II)

At the end of this level, more complex speech will still require prior preparation and sometimes the use of notes. The student will speak slowly and his understanding of slow-paced speech will be good; however, the student will have a limited understanding of regular-paced speech. The vocabulary will be limited to common verbs, nouns, adjectives and most common adverbs. Sentences will use up to two verbs and two clauses.

Orange (Beginner III)

Although at the end of this level the student will still need prior written preparation, he or she will speak without looking at his or her notes. The student will have an excellent understanding of slow-paced speech along with a good understanding of regular-paced speech. The vocabulary for the level will include a good balance of verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs, and shows good use of indirect object pronouns.

Green (Intermediate I)

At the end of this level, the student will be able to improvise and establish good eye contact throughout the conversation. Intonation will be very good, and student will show good understanding of regular-paced speech as well as fair understanding of fast-paced speech. Vocabulary will include excellent balance of verbs, nouns, adjectives, and good use of object pronouns.

Light Blue (Intermediate II)

At the end of this level, the student will be able to improvise and establish very good eye contact throughout the conversation. Intonation will be excellent, and student will show very good understanding of regular-paced speech as well as good understanding of fast-paced speech. Vocabulary will include excellent balance of verbs, nouns, adjectives, and good use of reflexive pronouns.

Navy Blue (Intermediate III)

At the end of this level, the student will be able to improvise and establish excellent eye contact throughout the conversation. Student will also show mastery of facial expressions and body language. Intonation will be excellent, and student will show excellent understanding of regular-paced speech as well as very good understanding of fast-paced speech. Vocabulary will include excellent balance of verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs and pronouns.

Purple (Advanced I)

At the end of this level, the student will be able to improvise and establish excellent eye contact throughout the conversation. Student will also show mastery of facial expressions and body language. Intonation will be excellent, and student will show excellent understanding of regular-paced speech as well as excellent understanding of fast-paced speech. Vocabulary will include excellent balance of verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs and pronouns.

Brown (Advanced II)

At the end of this level, the student will be able to improvise and establish excellent eye contact throughout the conversation. Student will also show mastery of facial expressions and body language. Intonation will be excellent, and student will show excellent understanding of regular-paced speech as well as excellent understanding of fast-paced speech. Vocabulary will include good use of Spanish jargon specific to different countries in Latin America and Spain.

Black (Advanced III)

At the end of this level, the student will be able to improvise and establish excellent eye contact throughout the conversation. Student will also show mastery of facial expressions and body language. Intonation will be excellent, and student will show excellent understanding of native Spanish speakers. Student will be able to communicate using Spanish jargon specific to different countries in Latin America and Spain.

Ascending through the belts requires accumulating Spanish tutoring session time to hone your skills. Purple Belt, for example, requires the successful completion of 16 hours. In addition to successfully completing the required hours you will need to pass an examination and meet minimum score requirements to move up to the next belt.