7 Lessons & Workshops in Recoleta That You Shouldn't Miss

Reviewed By femaletravellerk - New York City, United States

I was lucky enough to take two weeks of Spanish classes at DWS while I was traveling on a sabbatical in Buenos Aires. The head of the school, Annabella, is a delight. She was super responsive when I reached out to her on the phone and Whatsapp, and enthusiastic about having me take lessons that fit my needs and my schedule. Paying for classes was also easy through Paypal, which was a significant factor for me since obtaining large amounts of cash in the country can be difficult. I started with a 4 hrs/day class for a week, and essentially had one-on-one instruction (though technically with another student) with instructors Soledad and Ariel. They were kind and responsive to my limited ability (I had only taken a month of Spanish elsewhere before this). I then took a break to travel within the country and didn’t think I would be able to take more classes because I would be in BA only for a week after my return. But Annabella gave me lots of flexibility, and I ended up registering for another mid-week to mid-week 5 day session for 2 hours a day. The classes were the perfect combination of speaking and grammar practice, and of relaxed friendliness while improving technical skills. I was charmed by the school’s willingness to put students first, and with how warm and friendly the environment is. (Annabella even let me and a friend store our luggage at the school between our checkout from our Airbnb till we let for the airport at night!) All the staff, from the folks at the front desk to the teachers, are always welcoming and ready to assist with queries, whether about language or about local culture and life in Argentina. The space itself is comfortable, with classrooms of many sizes, a kitchen area (where there is always coffee and fixings for tea and mate (MAH-TAY)), a restroom, and an open terrace on the upper floor where you can chat with others during breaks. The building is in a pleasant area on the edge of Recoleta and Palermo, with lots of transportation options, restaurants, and stores of all kinds. I plan to go back as soon as I can and strongly recommend the school to learners of all levels. You will get a true educational experience that will help forge ties with Spanish and with Argentinian culture—and you’ll make friends who will have your back while you find your feet in the city.