Toucan Spanish

Learn Spanish in Medellin, Cali & Online

Voted No.1 by National Geographic

Best Place to Study Spanish in Colombia

Welcome to Toucan Spanish School, listed no.1 by National Geographic magazine in the article 7 of the best places to learn Spanish around the world.

We have 2 Spanish schools based in the vibrant cities of Medellin and Cali. Our survival and travel Spanish focused courses are designed for complete Colombian immersion, perfect for travelers, digital nomads and expats.

Whether you're seeking to immerse yourself in the bustling streets of Medellin or the rhythmic salsa beats of Cali, your journey towards mastering Spanish and making unforgettable memories starts here.

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Toucan Spanish Reviews

See what Students say

Aaron Oade

17:17 05 Sep 24

I’ve been taking class for three months and I love it here! I recommend working with Sara. She is very patient and a great teacher.

Alyssa R

18:05 23 Aug 24

10/10 would def recommend learning Spanish at this school. I had the pleasure of being in Laura’s class for two weeks. She does a good job teaching and making the learning process a fun experience. The Wednesday night language exchange is a nice addition to the program. We did a salsa class and then hung out with all the students

Dominique Benito

18:03 23 Aug 24

Great affordable language school with fun staff and enthusiastic and entertaining professors. Everyone’s very friendly and easy to talk to

Patrick Casey

22:25 11 Aug 24

A big compliment to my instructor Laura and Roger. I thank you so much for helping me learn Spanish. You guys are both awesome and I will be back in the future to learn more. I want to give a shout out to Alejandro, Who understood my needs and took care of everything I needed. Everyone is very professional and makes learning Spanish fun. A 10/10 rating!! Thanks

Mark Williams

15:47 09 Aug 24

I spent a week in Cali, Colombia at Toucan Spanish School. My instructor was Valeria. I had a lot of fun, I would recommend Toucan to anyone.. Valeria was super helpful and went above and beyond trying to help me. She even took me out on the town one night to help me learn the culture and conversate in Spanish. I am really excited about working with Valeria in the future and really cant say enough about my experience that week in Cali.

Marny Franssen

12:39 08 Aug 24

I recommend everyone to learn Spanish here. The mornings flew by because of the nice variety in working methods. The teacher (Alex!) always responds to what you need.

Ava Constantino

18:32 30 Jul 24

I absolutely loved my experience at Toucan Spanish School in Medellín. Everything about it exceeded my expectations. The buildings and facilities were great and everyone was so helpful. Compared to many other language schools in the city, Toucan Spanish School was much more communcative with me when I had questions before and during booking, and they were extremely flexible with me when I had to make a change to my initial reservation. My teacher, Juliana, was the best I ever had. I am a teacher myself, and not only did I learn about the Spanish language from her, but I also learned a lot about great pedagogy and teaching practices. Highly recommend and I hope to be able to go back and study there again in the future!

Vanessa Ekin

11:26 10 Jul 24

I studied at Toucan for 3 weeks with the most amazing teacher Laura. My Spanish improved so much under her teachings and I was surprised with the progress. Laura made the classes fun and she is just a natural and engaging teacher who really influences you to not only learn the language, but also about the Colombian culture and way of life. It really was a pleasure to go to class everyday and learn from Laura! I hope to take classes from her again one day.

Francesca Forrest

23:02 21 Jun 24

My husband and I had a fabulous time at the Toucan Spanish School classes in Medellín, and both of us feel like we improved. The classes combined both practicing grammar points that are difficult for non-Spanish speakers and listening and speaking practice. My teacher, Laura, was a fountain of fascinating stories. She'd be telling us legends of various places in Colombia and then stop to explain an idiom for us--it was great. I feel like I made a friend 💕My husband started out with another teacher, Marianna, whom he also loved, and later joined Laura's class.Another feature of the classes is that on Fridays, there's the opportunity to do something different, something Medellín-related--like learning to dance! Laura is also an amazing dance instructor!Everyone at the school also shares tips on great places to eat and must-see spots in Medellín. We loved the experience and highly recommend it!

Yotam Bentzur

20:16 21 Jun 24

I had such a wonderful experience at Toucan Spanish school!My professors Laura & Mariana were so helpful and went above and beyond to explain everything regarding the Spanish language: verbs, vocabulary and grammar.We also explored the Colombian history and we were given some Spanish movie and series recommendations.Highly recommended to anyone who wants to either start learning Spanish or to improve his current Spanish.

Meg Nichols

17:38 14 Jun 24

I had a great experience at Toucan School, which can 100% be attributed to the Spanish teachers, especially Wendy. Although they were all fabulous!The only hiccup was it took 4 classrooms to get me into the right level of Spanish being taught. If on the first day you think you might be in the wrong level of class, I would highly recommend speaking with Alejandro or one of the teachers about doing an oral assessment to ascertain which classroom would be the right level (either higher or lower) so you only have to switch once. Instead my experience was they just moved up one level at a time, which was quite inefficient. If I had only been here one week, that would've been a disaster. Luckily I was taking classes for 6 weeks and once I was in the right class, my Spanish improved immensely. My teacher Wendy was INCREDIBLE. I hope you are lucky enough to get put into her class. She taught exactly to my level and was very flexible with teaching concepts I specifically wanted to improve (like subjunctive).

Dorian Duclos

02:05 13 Jun 24

I spent 3 weeks at the school, following group classes. I dare say that my level has considerably improved during these 3 weeks, from knowing simply the present tense to being able to speak in the past and future tense, + learning a lot of vocabulary and local expressions.I want to thanks in particular my professor Sara for all the progress accomplished.Sara who more than an excellent teacher is an amazing person.

Learn

Immerse yourself in the true essence of Colombian Spanish.

At Toucan Spanish, our Learn Local © philosophy is at the heart of what we do, merging engaging Spanish language lessons in Medellin & Cali with local cultural experiences, enriching your learning journey.

Our experienced native Colombian Spanish teachers teach practical, everyday, and travel Spanish skills, through our unique locally oriented classes. Beyond the classroom, we extend your education to real-life settings, letting you experience the vibrant Colombian lifestyle firsthand.

Whether you study in Medellin or Cali, our courses are designed to connect you with the heart of Paisa and Caleño cultures. You'll have the opportunity to savor the world-renowned Colombian coffee, indulge in the flavors of delicious tropical fruits, dance salsa, forge new friendships with locals, and practice your Spanish every step of the way.

This immersive Learn Local © approach is what sets us apart, earning us the reputation as the best Spanish school in Colombia.

Classroom Methodology

We teach practical day-to-day Spanish. We understand that your goal is to be able to communicate effectively in real-life situations, making yourself understood and being able to understand others, whether in person, on the phone or texting with your friends.

Our Spanish lessons follow the guidelines set by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which ensures that you'll progress through levels A1, A2, B1, B2, and beyond. This structured approach allows you to track your progress and effectively develop your speaking, listening, reading and writing abilities.

We have our own curriculum and handouts, so there’s no additional expense to buy heavy grammar books.

Choose your Spanish Class:

Intensive Group Spanish Casses

Small group classes. 9am to 1pm

Group Spanish Classes

Group Spanish classes offer a dynamic and engaging learning environment, perfect for those seeking an interactive & social language learning experience. Group Classes are 4 hours a day and classes generally consist of 3 to 6 people.

At Toucan Spanish, we understand that connecting fellow language learners can enhance the learning process and create a supportive community. Our group Spanish lessons provide the opportunity to learn alongside like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and practice conversational skills in a fun and collaborative setting.

Join in Toucan's weekly cultural and Spanish immersion activities with your classmates (optional).

Note: You'll be given a level placement test before starting to determine your level of Spanish. If you're a total beginner you'll start in week 1.

Highlights

Classes start weekly
All levels
Monday to Friday, 9am - 1pm
20 Hours per week
Cultural activities

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Highlights

Classes start weekly
All levels
Monday to Friday, 9am - 1pm
20 Hours per week
Cultural activities

Private Spanish Classes

Private Spanish lessons (in person or online) offer the ideal solution for individuals seeking to accelerate their learning process or students who prefer a more personalized experience.

At Toucan Spanish, our private Spanish lessons provide the flexibility to study at a time that suits your schedule, allowing you to balance your language learning journey with your work & travel commitments.

With one-on-one attention from our experienced instructors, you can maximize your learning potential and make significant progress at your own pace.

We usually recommend 2 hours of private Spanish lessons per day. In 2 hours of private classes you'll generally learn the same as 4 hours in a group class. The bonus is that you'll have 2 hours a day extra to study in your own time, practice with locals, go sightseeing or work online.

Highlights

Personalized 1-2-1 Spanish classes
1 or 2 hours a day
Usually scheduled after 2pm
Customized to your individual goals & learning style
Perfect for students at all Spanish levels

Quick links:

Highlights

Personalized 1-2-1 Spanish classes
1 or 2 hours a day
Usually scheduled after 2pm
Customized to your individual goals & learning style
Perfect for students at all Spanish levels

Couples Spanish Classes

Couples Spanish Classes are the perfect option if you're studying with a partner, friend or family member and prefer not to be in a group with other people.

This unique learning approach allows both individuals to practice speaking and listening skills together, enhancing their Spanish language acquisition through mutual support and shared experiences.

A standard Couples Class is designed for 2 or 3 people but we can create larger private group classes upon request.

To get the most out of this class type, everyone needs to be at the same Spanish level.