Are These Spanish Lessons reviews Worth Your Money?

Here are some of our students’ comments and Spanish lessons reviews about Spanish courses in Estelí, Nicaragua. 

I worked with Rafael, the owner of the school for two months of intensive Spanish language classes.  I worked with Rafael for 6 hrs/day, 5 days/week.  I had no formal Spanish education prior to arriving, and spoke minimal Spanish which I had learned from using an application.  Rafael is an excellent teacher!  He gave me a really strong foundation of Spanish grammar, helped me with colloquial speech, and healthcare-specific terminology.  He even helped me to practice with medical role-play, where he was my patient, and I could practice interviewing him.  It was so helpful!  I wanted to learn better Spanish for medical volunteer work in Central America.  I am now working as a volunteer and have much more confidence speaking with people.  Rafael is also just fun to talk to and is always up for jokes!  One more note, I am an American woman,  and felt totally safe in Estelí by myself for two months.  It’s a great place to learn Spanish quickly, through immersion.

– Beth Corvello, August 06, 2022

    “I took 30 hours of Spanish courses online with the owner of this school. He was excellent. The lessons were a blend of reading, writing and conversational speaking. The lessons were crafted to my specific needs. I improved a lot in a short period of time. This is an honest instructor, who is good at his craft. I recommend him highly.”

-David Nazzaro, May 15th, 2020

     “I spent a week in Esteli attending Spanish School Nicaragua. I had a great experience working one-on-one for four hours every morning with my teacher, Adalid. Adalid and the school director, Rafael, knew that I was interested in the history and politics of Nicaragua and they arranged to introduce me to people and places that brought that history alive. My home stay was with the lovely Myriam, a retired school director, who was a welcoming hostess and a great cook. I want to add that before I arrived, I was nervous about traveling by myself to Nicaragua. However, Rafael was very responsive and helped me have confidence that my traveling arrangements would work out, as they did. I highly recommend Spanish School Nicaragua for anyone who wants to learn more Spanish and learn more about Nicaragua”

-Amy Hubbard, March 12th, 2018

     “Rafael is simply the best teacher I have ever had, (and I had many fine teachers at the two Ivy League schools I attended).  During our month of 20-hour-a-week one-on-one classes, I am never bored and during the four class hours from eight until noon, I never look at my watch.  Rafael not only knows the Spanish language perfectly but he is well-read and well informed so conversations about Nicaragua, America, and world current events are always interesting.  He has mastered the art of pedagogy and his teaching is a perfect combination of encouragement, correction, and extraordinary patience.  In addition to an annual month on-site, (2018 is my third year), I usually have two hour-long Zoom/Skype meetings per week and these are equally good.  Finally, Rafael has a great sense of humor”

-Nicholas Long, USA, 2018

     “We took one week of classes and stayed with Rafael’s family. Both the lessons and the homestay couldn’t have been better. We learned a lot about grammar and basic conversation. Rafael utilizes different activities such as games and conversation cards which make the learning process pleasant. Rafael was always motivated to enhance our learning and really did a good job at teaching us as much as possible in one week. After class Rafael’s wife, Karla, prepared lunch. Karla is a decent cook and prepares varying meals. We felt very welcome in Rafael’s house and had our own room. All in all we would totally recommend the school and a homestay with Rafael”

-Dominik  and Lara Harnisch, Germany September 2017

     “I spent 5 weeks at the school and living with a host family. I can only say great things about the school and the experience. It is not always common to have a language class that can individualize so well, teach so effectively (using different methods and six different ways of explaining things when I needed it!), and understand so well the need to have cultural understanding, as well. We had class overlooking a waterfall, in a garden area, and sitting on a boulder overlooking beautiful Nicaragua and several of its volcanoes. Conversations were realistic and meaningful in my life, and all vocabulary was vocab that I immediately needed. If something was not working well, Rafael did everything to change it and was so flexible, thoughtful, helpful, and understanding. My host family was wonderful and Estelí is a wonderful city. These five weeks were more useful and impactful than I could have ever hoped for”

-Alyshia Van Kannel, Canada,  July 2017

     “I wish I had had more time in Estelí to stay at this school. Rafael is a very experienced teacher who knows how to tackle the main problems when learning Spanish. His lectures were never boring, he always alternated between challenging grammar exercises and interesting, fun conversations. He also showed me places in Estelí you wouldn’t find on your own, even with with one of the tourist organizations. Definitely worth every penny!”

-Roman Maas, Dusseldorf, Germany,  March 2017

     “Rafael is a very good teacher with a lot of ambition who will come up with his own exercises customized for your benefits. Furthermore, you’ll get a great cultural insight and maybe even some sightseeing during your class. I highly recommend to take advantage of his classes! If I ever will be back in Nicaragua I’ll be also back at his place! 🙂 —————————————————- Rafael ist ein sehr guter Lehrer mit sehr viel Erfahrung und Begeisterung. Für die Stunden bereitet er jeweils mit viel Elan Übungen vor, welche auf den Schüler personalisiert sind. Weiter vermittelt er einen guten kulturalen Einblick und auch ein paar Sightseeings sind als Teil des Unterrichts möglich. Somit kann ich seinen Unterricht nur weiterempfehlen. Sollte ich wiedereinmal nach Nicaragua reisen, werde ich auch wieder bei ihm vorbei schauen! :-)”

-Simon Staehl, Switzerland, Dec 2016

     ” Spanish School Nicaragua is a small school in Estelí with a big heart. The director, Rafael, is a highly qualified teacher, teaching both foreign students (on a one to one basis) during the week and lecturing to large classes of Esteli College students on Saturdays. I studied Spanish classes with Rafael for a month.  He took the time to assess my strengths and weaknesses, then he developed a program designed specifically for me.  It was a pleasure working with him. He is a very caring person, who likes to work his students to their maximum abilities.”

-George McLean, British Columbia, Canada.

     “I studied here for a week, and can’t say enough good things about this school. The lessons were useful and more importantly they were tailored toward what I wanted to learn. Rafael is a great teacher and has a lot of energy to keep the student engaged. He is also very flexible. After the first lesson he asked what I thought and if there is anything that I wanted more or less of to make the future classes better for me. If you’re in Esteli, I’d definitely recommend the homestay as well!”

-Charles Florence, USA

A couple from Canada studying Spanish at Spanish School in Nicaragua

     “My wife and I really enjoyed our week of Spanish lessons while in Estelí.  We were lucky to have Ana as our instructor who, besides being a very sweet and patient person, was an excellent instructor.  We appreciated her teaching methods that allowed us to learn at our own pace and the areas of the language we were most interested to learn. We also spent time with Rafael who helped us break some of our “bad habits” and took us on cultural trips around Estelí.

     “We have taken previous Spanish lessons in other parts of Central America but this school has been by far our favorite.  We certainly encourage anyone wanting to learn Spanish to enroll; we are already planning our next trip to Nicaragua to include more Spanish lessons here in Estelí.”

-Wayne and Tracey Robinson
Lillooet, BC Canada

     “I recently completed a week of study with Rafael in Esteli and it was fantastic. I felt like I really got launched, as it was my first experience learning Spanish, (and I am no spring chicken). 

     “After four hours of 1-on-1 classes in the morning, Rafael always found the time for something interesting in the afternoon: lunching with his family, meeting his dad at the market in Esteli, biking through the Tisey plains and mountains south of the city, (and lovely chamomile fields) or just plain hanging out in Esteli’s many restaurants. I would go back in a heartbeat, and he would be, far and away, my first choice.” 

-Ralph Keefer, Canada

     “The lessons I had at the Spanish School Nicaragua were wonderful! Perfect. They were one-on one and all I needed and wanted.”

-Anna Van Stigt, Nederland

     “Class with Rafael was always a great mix of grammatical study and interactive learning which led to a greater understanding of Spanish language throughout my time in Nicaragua. He always put his lessons in perspective by passing on knowledge not solely about Spanish, but also life in Nicaragua as well.”

-Phill Groden, USA

     “Rafael with Nicaragua Spanish Schools is great! He is patient and really makes sure you understand one topic before moving onto the next topic! The field trips around Esteli was my favorite part of the class—it was so fun to combine local cultural experiences with practical Spanish learning” 

 -Loraine Ashcraft, USA

     “I never really had a lot of confidence in my Spanish speaking abilities and I took a few classes in high school. After living in Nicaragua for about a year and having Rafael as a teacher, I can say that I feel more confident using my Spanish. He made me realize that I had to be proud of the skills that I have while still focusing on improving them.  I have really appreciated our classes and I am glad that I had him as a teacher”

-Carolyn Monteagudo, USA

     “After about six months with Spanish School Nicaragua, I can see an improvement in my comfort and fluidity in Spanish. The multitude of activities that Rafael implements, from reading passages to sifting through current events in the local paper, make our time together stimulating and engaging.”

-Sarah Donovan, USA

     ”I studied Spanish for two months in Nicaragua, in the cities of San Juan del Sur, Granada and Esteli. In that time, I had class for 7 hours per day and I had 6 different professors. Of the 6 I learned the most at Spanish School Nicaragua. Rafael works with the students to address his/her educational needs. Esteli has city amenities, but is more authentic than San Juan del Sur and Granada. I highly recommend Spanish School Nicaragua. Feel free to email me with any questions.“

 -Forest Boles – forestboles(at)gmail.com

     “Ich habe fuer fuenf Wochen einen Sprachkurs bei Rafael gemacht und kann es nur weiterempfehlen. Er hat spannenden, interaktiven und abwechslungsreichen Unterricht gestaltet und ist auf meine individuellen Fragen und Wissensluecken eingegangen. Außerdem vermittelt er viel über die nicaraguanische Kultur und ich hatte Gelegenheit, mit ihm ueber aktuelle Themen zu diskutieren. Darüber hinaus hat er bereits langjaehrige Erfahrung im Unterrichten von Spanisch. Zusaetzlich ist es eine gute Moeglichkeit, um sein Hilfsprojekt fuer die Menschen, die auf der Muellkippe arbeiten, zu unterstuetzen.Schließlich kann ich auch die Stadt Estelí für einen Sprachkurs weiterempfehlen. Hier ist es nicht so heiß wie etwa in León oder Managua und man kann sowohl die Naturschutzgebiete in der Naehe als auch verschiedene Ausflugsziele im Norden Nicaraguas gut und schnell erreichen”

-Anika Wittenborn, Germany

     “Eine super Schule um Spanisch zu lernen. Hatte einen spitzen Lehrer, eine nette Gastfamilie und die Stadt war auch sehr schön! Muchas gracias!!!!”

 -Sebastian Schmidt, Germany

     “Anyone looking for a Spanish school in Esteli or a looking for a class in a northern mountain town in Nicaragua, I recommend Spanish School Nicaragua. I took a classes with Rafael Castillo one of the owners of this school. Basically an excellent teacher and also easygoing and nice to be with, which is important for one-on-one class.”

-Joe, Arizona, US

     ”I can say with absolute sincerity that of the six or seven Spanish instructors I have had, Rafael was the best. That I can now speak with confidence, I owe to him.” 

-William Slocum, United States

     “I feel very fortunate that Rafael Castillo began to be my teacher while I was enrolled at a private school in Esteli. The biggest difference that I noticed with the time that I was spending with Rafael was the manner in which he approached strengthening my Spanish comprehension.”

-Max H., United States

     ”Spanish School Nicaragua provides Spanish course and cultural activities for individuals or groups for one-hour or for weeks, months at a time. Rafael was my teacher. He was dynamic and personalized my classes to fit my level, needs and interests. Cultural activities included visiting an organization that recycles and makes paper, a local clinic, and a coffee processing plant. The school also arranged a host family for me. I couldn’t be happier with my choice.”

     “If you are interested in learning Spanish (a little or a lot), as well learning more about the Nicaraguan culture in a place that is not overly-frequented by tourists—this is the place for you. I liked learning Spanish in Esteli because it is a bit off the main tourist path, yet in a town offering a bit of beauty and activities for visitors.”

 -Jennifer Potocnik. United States

     “Mein Name ist Jennifer, ich komme aus Deutschland und bin im Jahr 2011 nach Nicaragua gekommen, um bei einem Sozialprojekt in Puerto Cabezas, Bilwi, zu arbeiten. Doch vor meiner Reise an die Kueste war ich fuer drei Wochen in Estelí, um einen Sprachkurs bei Rafael Castillo zu machen.

     “Dank eines Aufenthalts in Mexiko vor einigen Jahren konnte ich bereits eine gute sprachliche Grundlage aufweisen, es fehlte mir aber das Wissen ueber verschiedene Grammatikregeln.

     “Gemeinsam mit dem Sprachlehrer Rafael konnte ich dieses Wissen mithilfe vieler schriftlicher und muendlicher Uebungen ausbauen. Dank der Puenktlichkeit und Ernsthaftigkeit, mit denen der Lehrer seine Arbeit verrichtet, konnten wir die Unterrichtsstunden gut ausnutzen. Wir haben uns aber nicht nur mit der spanischen Sprachen, sondern auch mit vielen kulturellen, sozialen und politischen Themen beschaeftigt.

   “Diese Verbindung zwischen dem Erlernen der spanischen Sprache und tiefgehenden Diskussionen hat mir sehr gut gefallen und das Lernen erleichtert. Außerdem habe ich in diesen Wochen viel ueber die Kultur und Mentalitaet Nicaragua und seiner Bewohner gelernt und konnte von meinen Erfahrungen in den folgenden Monaten in Bilwi profitieren.

  “Abschließend kann ich sagen, dass es sehr empfehlenswert ist, bei dem Sprachlehrer Rafael Castillo Spanischunterricht zu nehmen”  Nicaragua Spanish Schools.”

-Jennifer, Germany

     “I have been traveling in South and Central America for years with marginal if any Spanish knowledge. Last year I visited Esteli in northern Nicaragua, and found out that there were great and affordable options for immersion Spanish in Esteli. I decided then and there that this was going to be my vacation plan for Christmas 2015.

     “In my search I was luckily quickly connected with Rafael a teacher of the Spanish School Nicaragua.

 “He offered a homestay with his family. Everything worked out smoothly and perfectly!

     “We quickly communicated the details via email and on the day of my arrival, December 21, he waited at the bus station for two hours for me to see me home quickly and safely—a gift after 24 hours of non-stop travel from San Francisco!

     “That evening I had my first of many meals cooked by his wife Karla, who, as promised, is an astounding cook with many different recipes under her belt. The next day, the first of 10 four-hour one-on-one classes started. Rafael has a gift to communicate much information while keeping everything light and entertaining. Any time I would get a little tired he changed gear. We would go for a walk, go to a store, do role play, exchange many real stories of our lives, both funny and sad, and much more!

     “We also had most meals together allowing for more Spanish conversation with him, his wife Karla, and their sweet and very mellow children Olivia and Carlos. I especially got to talk with Karla as we both enjoy cooking and learned from one another—a real cultural exchange!

     “During non-class times I could either relax, practice what I learned in the morning, or go on excursions either alone or with Rafael and sometimes his family. Amongst others, we went by bicycle to an awesome waterfall nearby, he showed me around a coffee and cigar factory, introduced me to a project where local women produce recycled paper, and went to a park nearby. On my own, I often went downtown, visited MiraFlor, a “very country” area nearby for a 6-hour horseback ride, and went for bike rides. Never a dull moment or lots of relaxation—whatever the day called for!

     “I also found it was truly special to be included in a family, particularly for those big events like Christmas and New Year. Having learned about their customs and now knowing how to prepare a typical Nicaraguan Christmas dish is totally special.

     “During my last couple of days with the family, I learned how to make Nacatamales with Karla and her mother in her mother’s downtown house. I was excited to learn how to make such an authentic dish, and the involvement felt great! I am only back home for 6 days and have already passed this on to others at a little Nacatamales party.

     “New Year was a hoot, with many small fireworks, and I got to share one of my favorite dishes with the family. Rafael had offered to continue teaching even on Saturday, the day I left, in order to make up for me showing up a day late. The whole family saw me off with hugs and goodbyes at the bus station.

     “After that, I spent one more week in other places in Nicaragua and was amazed at how much more comfortably I could communicate after only 2 weeks of intense Spanish with Maestro Rafael. My resolve is intact, the first Spanish book purchased, and Skype lessons will hopefully resume shortly.

     “I am very much hoping to be back there, with Rafael and his family, for more Spanish, after I hopefully stick with it and improve my Spanish during the year with Skype Spanish lessons.”

                                             -Viola Clara Ruddat

     “I’ve travelled extensively around the world, in seven of the eight Central American countries, eleven of the thirteen South American countries, and on four Spanish-speaking islands in the Caribbean. I’ve investigated Spanish language instruction options in all of these locations, and attended multiple schools in four of the countries which I found to have the least expensive and best value options.”

     “Five or ten years ago the answer to “Where can I find the least expensive, highest-quality, clearest-pronunciation, safe-environment Spanish Language instruction in Latin America?” would have been Antigua Guatemala, and Quito Ecuador. While these two locations are still great choices today, there has now emerged a third option, and that is Nicaragua. There are several locations within Nicaragua which contain multiple inexpensive language schools, and the cities of Granada and Estelí are two terrific examples.

     “Within Estelí there is a clear standout, and that is Rafael Castillo’s “Spanish School Nicaragua”. Rafael and his staff are some of the nicest people you will ever meet in your life, and their fairly-priced classes are a highly effective and worthwhile way to learn Spanish.

     “From considerable experience, I can assure you that this school provides some of the best-value Spanish immersion instruction in the world. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic instructors, clear pronunciation, diverse materials, an authentic yet safe environment, relatively modernized infrastructure, a comfortable climate, and opportunities for exploration and charity…. it’s a unique opportunity to get uncompromised, highly-effective language instruction at the lowest cost available. Search around on the web and you will quickly find the same classes and accommodations in other countries will cost you two or three times as much.

     “Learn or vacation longer here, and contribute to charitable causes during your stay. If you are taking several weeks or more of Spanish language instruction and homestay, doing it in Estelí is going to save you hundreds or perhaps even thousands of dollars, and you will leave with the same or better understanding of Spanish than you could have paid more for elsewhere. It will be an enjoyable and rewarding experience you will appreciate for the rest of your life.”

-Devin, USA

We’re looking forward to meeting you and taking your Spanish to a new level.