2026–27 enrollment is closed · 2027–28 early access is open

Free Placement Guide · No Test Required

Find Your Level

Know where your student belongs in about two minutes.

Answer four quick questions about what your student can do in Spanish right now, and we’ll point you to the right level. Starting at the right place is how students build confidence and actually start speaking.

Start the Level Finder → Ask Marcy

No placement test · Free · Honest, pressure-free help from Marcy

✦ Four levels, one mission

★★★★★

“It moves at a pace that someone struggling can keep up.”

Matt, Spanish 1 parent

levels, beginner to advanced

min live class weekly

∼4.5

hours a week total

12+

ages 12 to adult

high school credit per level

Your 3-Step Path

Three steps to the right class

Check readiness

Four things every successful student starts with.

Start here ↓

Find your level

Four quick questions. Get a recommendation instantly.

Go to the Level Finder →

Get first pick

Claim a free pass to choose 2027–28 class times first.

See class times →

Step 1

Is your student ready?

Every successful Living Waters Spanish student starts with these four things.

A heart for Jesus

Willing to learn Spanish for Christ, to share the gospel and serve Spanish speakers.

5th-grade reading

Reads at a 5th grade level in English, so they can work with Bible passages and homework.

Types 20 words a minute

Test their speed or practice at typing.com.

About 4.5 hours a week

40 minutes of homework four days a week, plus one 90-minute live class.

Plus the right setup

A regular laptop or desktop (not a Chromebook), reliable WiFi, and a paper notebook. The laptop’s built-in camera and mic are fine.

See the Full List

✓All set? Move on to Step 2 and find your level →

Step 2

The Level Finder

Four questions, straight from our placement rubric. This isn’t a test. It’s an honest look at where your student is right now. Pick the answer that fits best. When in doubt, choose the lower one. It’s better to start strong and build confidence than to struggle in a class that’s too advanced.

Find your student’s level

Based on our placement rubric

0 of 4 answered

Question 1 · Understanding others

When someone speaks Spanish to your student, they…

Question 2 · Vocabulary

Their Spanish vocabulary lets them…

Question 3 · Function & structure

When your student speaks Spanish, they can…

Question 4 · Comprehensibility

When your student speaks Spanish, they can be understood…

✦ Our recommendation

Spanish 1

Your answers were spread across a few levels, which is really common. Email Marcy with a bit about your student’s background and she’ll give you a personal recommendation.

Explore Spanish 1 → Claim Early Access

Your student is ready for a level if they can do at least what’s listed in that column.

	1Spanish 1	2Ready for Spanish 2	3Ready for Spanish 3	4Ready for Spanish 4
Understanding others	No ability yet	I can understand simple questions and statements. Sometimes I need to hear things again.	I can understand questions and statements. Sometimes I need to hear things again.	I can understand the main idea and most details in conversations on familiar topics.
Vocabulary	No ability yet	I can use familiar words and phrases on familiar tasks, topics, and activities. I can elaborate a little.	I can use a variety of words and phrases on a range of familiar topics. I can begin to give more details and elaborate on a topic.	I can consistently use words and expressions to communicate ideas on a wide range of topics and use expanded vocabulary within a topic.
Function & structure	No ability yet	I can use phrases and short simple sentences to provide basic information. I can begin to combine words and phrases to create original sentences.	I can use strings of simple sentences to express my thoughts. I can combine words and phrases to create original sentences.	I can use connected sentences to narrate, describe, or explain. I can begin to communicate in paragraph length.
Comprehensibility	No ability yet	I can mostly be understood by someone accustomed to a language learner.	I can be understood by someone accustomed to a language learner.	I can generally be understood by someone accustomed and those unaccustomed to a language learner.

1Spanish 1

No Spanish yet in any of these areas? Perfect. Spanish 1 starts from zero.

2Ready for Spanish 2

Understanding othersI can understand simple questions and statements. Sometimes I need to hear things again.
VocabularyI can use familiar words and phrases on familiar tasks, topics, and activities. I can elaborate a little.
Function & structureI can use phrases and short simple sentences to provide basic information. I can begin to combine words and phrases to create original sentences.
ComprehensibilityI can mostly be understood by someone accustomed to a language learner.

3Ready for Spanish 3

Understanding othersI can understand questions and statements. Sometimes I need to hear things again.
VocabularyI can use a variety of words and phrases on a range of familiar topics. I can begin to give more details and elaborate on a topic.
Function & structureI can use strings of simple sentences to express my thoughts. I can combine words and phrases to create original sentences.
ComprehensibilityI can be understood by someone accustomed to a language learner.

4Ready for Spanish 4

Understanding othersI can understand the main idea and most details in conversations on familiar topics.
VocabularyI can consistently use words and expressions to communicate ideas on a wide range of topics and use expanded vocabulary within a topic.
Function & structureI can use connected sentences to narrate, describe, or explain. I can begin to communicate in paragraph length.
ComprehensibilityI can generally be understood by someone accustomed and those unaccustomed to a language learner.

The Four Levels

A closer look at each level

Here’s what each level expects coming in, and where students are by the end of the year.

Spanish 1 · Beginner

No Spanish needed · Ages 12 to adult

Start here

Ready for Spanish 1 if your student…

✓Doesn’t understand Spanish questions or statements yet
✓Knows only a few random words
✓Can’t form sentences in Spanish yet
✓Is starting from zero, which is perfect

By the end of the year they’ll…

✓Understand simple questions and statements
✓Put words together into their own sentences
✓Memorize foundational Scripture in Spanish
✓Share basic gospel truths in Spanish

ACTFL Novice-Mid · 800+ words · 1 HS creditExplore Spanish 1 →

Spanish 2 · Intermediate

About a year of prior Spanish

Spanish 1 required

Ready for Spanish 2 if your student…

✓Understands simple questions and statements, sometimes needing them repeated
✓Uses familiar words and phrases on familiar topics, and elaborates a little
✓Uses phrases and short, simple sentences
✓Can mostly be understood by someone used to language learners

By the end of the year they’ll…

✓Use a variety of words across a range of topics
✓Talk about yesterday and tomorrow with past and future tense
✓Share more of the gospel story in Spanish
✓Start thinking in Spanish instead of translating

ACTFL Novice-High · 1,600+ words · 1 HS creditExplore Spanish 2 →

Spanish 3 · Advanced

About two to three years of prior Spanish

Spanish 2 required

Ready for Spanish 3 if your student…

✓Understands questions and statements, sometimes needing them repeated
✓Uses a variety of words on a range of topics, and begins giving details
✓Uses strings of simple sentences to express their thoughts
✓Can be understood by someone used to language learners

By the end of the year they’ll…

✓Follow the main idea and most details of a conversation
✓Narrate, describe, and explain in connected sentences
✓Lead worship and prayer in Spanish
✓Be ready for the CLEP college credit exam

ACTFL Intermediate · 2,400+ words · CLEP readyExplore Spanish 3 →

Spanish 4 · Advanced Proficiency

Three or more years of prior Spanish

Spanish 3 required

Ready for Spanish 4 if your student…

✓Understands the main idea and most details in familiar conversations
✓Communicates ideas on a wide range of topics with expanded vocabulary
✓Uses connected sentences to narrate, describe, or explain
✓Can generally be understood, even by people not used to learners

By the end of the year they’ll…

✓Handle conversations on a wide range of topics with confidence
✓Communicate comfortably in paragraph-length speech
✓Preach, teach, and help lead teams in Spanish
✓Aim for a 4 or 5 on AP Spanish

ACTFL Intermediate-High · 3,200+ words · AP 4–5 goalExplore Spanish 4 →

Every level grows your student’s walk with Christ

✓ Scripture memory in Spanish ✓ Worship and prayer together ✓ Talking about what God is doing ✓ Learning to share the gospel ✓ High school credit

Step 3

Get first pick of class times

Enrollment for 2026–27 is closed and classes are underway. Here are this year’s times so you can see what the week looks like. Next year’s times go to early access families first.

Spanish 1Full

Mon 8:30 AM · Mon 1:00 PM

Tue 8:30 AM · Tue 9:00 AM

Wed 10:30 AM · Thu 10:30 AM

Spanish 2Full

Mon 10:30 AM · Tue 10:30 AM

Wed 1:30 PM · Thu 8:30 AM

Spanish 3Nearly full

Tue 1:30 PM

Wed 8:30 AM

Spanish 4Nearly full

Wed 8:30 AM

2026–27 times, all Pacific. Mountain add 1 hour, Central add 2, Eastern add 3. Classes run 90 minutes. View the class calendar →

Every Spanish 1 and 2 class filled this year.

Claim a free early access pass and enroll for 2027–28 in February 2027, before registration opens to anyone else. No payment, no obligation.

Claim My Free Pass →

Starting at the Right Level

What families notice right away

★★★★★

We studied Spanish for two years before taking your class, and even had a native speaker visit us and work with us, but we have learned more in six months in your class than in the two years before.

Carol

Mom of 4 Spanish students

★★★★★

Yes, it is an immersive experience but it moves at a pace that someone struggling can keep up. Provided they do the homework!

Matt

Spanish 1 parent

★★★★★

I think that there is a difference between learning Spanish words and actually comprehending Spanish… I’ve actually comprehended more Spanish than I ever would’ve by just learning the words.

Macy

Student

Still Not Sure?

We’ll help you find the right fit

Tell Marcy a little about your student and she’ll tell you where they belong. No pressure and no sales pitch, just honest help from a homeschool family.

Fastest answer

Email Marcy

Share your student’s age and Spanish background, and she’ll recommend the right starting point. Copy her address below.

[email protected]

or open your email app →

Call or text

Prefer to talk it through? Reach Marcy by phone or text.

503-715-7227

Browse the levels

Read the full course pages to see exactly what each level covers.

View All Courses

2027–28 Early Access