The Best Spanish Classes in NYC (2026)

Key takeaways:

• italki: Best overall for flexible, 1-on-1 online Spanish lessons with native teachers. You choose your teacher based on your needs, and classes are customized to the student. 
• Instituto Cervantes: Best for academic rigor and cultural depth. Its structured courses are aligned with CEFR standards. They can grant SIELE and DELE certifications.
• ABC Languages: Ideal for beginners who want a supportive, small-group introduction to Spanish.
• Idlewild: Great for casual learners focused on conversational Spanish and practical, travel-oriented language use.
• El Taller Latino Americano: Ideal for motivated learners seeking fast progress through intensive morning Spanish programs.

Searching for the best Spanish Classes in NYC? We’ve reviewed the top five choices to determine which is ideal for different students. So if you’re debating where to learn Spanish in New York, we’ll break down the pros, cons, pricing, and schedule of each language institute.

And if you’re still on the fence, know that New York is an amazing place to learn and practice Spanish. You don’t need to visit a Spanish-speaking country because there are 2 million Spanish speakers in NYC alone. NYC Department of City Planning . There are opportunities to speak Spanish daily, from bodegas and Latin American food trucks to Spanish theater shows.

Eager to start learning and want the best option handed to you? Sign up with one of italki’s qualified Spanish tutors in New York. They offer private online Spanish classes tailored to your needs, budget, and availability.  

The 5 best Spanish classes NYC:

Compared to the other options, italki is considered the best overall for its flexible, personalized lessons. To try it out, simply sign up and search for your ideal Spanish tutor. 

Best overall	italki
Best for cultural & academic depth	Instituto Cervantes
Best for beginners	ABC Languages
Best for casual learners	Idlewild
Best for morning classes	El Taller Latino Americano

Where can I learn Spanish in NYC?

1. italki: Best overall

• Format: Online 1-on-1 video lessons
• Price: $3-$20 per hour for most tutors
• Location: Online, accessible from anywhere in New York City
• Best for: Busy professionals, parents, students, and anyone who values flexibility and personalized attention 

italki is the leading online platform for personalized language learning. It connects students with over 30,000 native speaking teachers and is trusted by over 10 million learners worldwide. italki Such a vast selection means you can find over 600 Spanish teachers in NYC alone (plus many, many more that work New York hours).

italki is the best choice overall because you can adapt classes to your needs. You can browse Spanish teachers based on accent, teaching style, pricing, and schedule. If you prefer a specific  Spanish dialect from Europe or Latin America, you’ll be able to find it. And if you lead a busy New York lifestyle, there’s no need to commute. You can feel comfortable learning from home.

Teachers are either Community Tutors (native speakers focusing on conversation) or Professional Teachers (certified instructors). They both offer private classes, which means you customize classes and target your specific goals. It doesn’t matter if your aim is conversational fluency or mastering the AP Spanish exam; you get there faster with private classes.

Why it’s #1: 

• Unbeatable flexibility
• Affordability
• Huge selection of native teachers
• Qualified teachers with a wide range of accents and teaching styles
• Can find teachers specialized in just about anything
• Easy to switch teachers if needed
• Personalized learning 
• Can move at own pace
• Faster progress than group classes
• No commute
• Discounted trial lessons available 

How it works

1. Create a free account on italki.com
2. Find a teacher. Filter by language, price, availability, and specialization.
3. Book a trial lesson to get a feel for the teacher and discuss goals.
4. If all goes well, set up recurring classes.

italki doesn’t require a large payment to get started, so it’s a great way to sample Spanish classes. Create a free account and book your first Spanish lesson today.

2. Instituto Cervantes: Best for cultural & academic depth

• Format: In-person small group classes, 3-hour sessions once or twice weekly (5 or 10 week sessions)
• Price: $425-$650 for group course or $154/hour for private lessons
• Location: Midtown
• Best for: Serious learners who crave academic depth, structure, and culture, those preferring a European Spanish accent 

Instituto Cervantes follows CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) standards, and the classes are academically rigorous. General courses are usually on-site and almost entirely in Spanish to promote immersion.  

Pros

• Strong academic structure and credibility 
• Offers Spanish proficiency exams, including SIELE and DELE diplomas
• Also hosts Spanish and Latin American arts and culture events    

Cons

• Pricey compared to other options
• Less flexible scheduling  

3. ABC Languages: Best for beginners

• Format: In-person or online, small-group classes, meeting once weekly (90-minute sessions) 
• Price: $325-$480 for an 8-week group course, $500 for 6 hours of private lessons 
• Location: FiDi and Bryant Park
• Best for: Beginner students easing into the Spanish language   

ABC Languages is all about accessible, beginner-friendly language courses. Classes are relaxed, and teachers focus on confidence-building and practical communication.  

Pros

• Small class sizes
• Relaxed environment with friendly teachers   

Cons

• Limited advanced options
• Very limited online class options
• Textbook purchase required
• Inflexible scheduling 

4. Idlewild: Best for casual learners

• Format: In-person or online, small group courses meeting once weekly (90-minute sessions)
• Price: $310-$360 for group courses
• Location: Manhattan and Brooklyn
• Best for: Casual learners focused on conversational Spanish 

Idlewild combines Spanish language learning with travel skills and everyday skills. Classes are relaxed and focus on conversation, real-life use, and Spanish and Latin American culture.

Pros

• Low pressure and conversational approach 
• Lessons focused on real-life situations
• Offers practical Spanish for travel

Cons

• Less structured curriculum
• Fewer options for advanced students
• Not ideal for exam prep or certifications  

5. El Taller Latino Americano: Best morning intensive program

• Format: Intensive classes typically meeting weekday mornings (4-6 week sessions)
• Price: $320-$545 for intensive in-person course, $175-$320 online group course
• Location: Upper West Side
• Best for: Highly motivated learners who want fast progress, morning classes, and an artistic, community-based setting

El Taller Latino Americano is known for intensive, morning Spanish classes. Teachers focus on grammar and conversation based on Latin American Spanish.

Pros

• Fast progress through an intensive schedule 
• Artistic, community-based environment
• The school partners with community organizations to promote language and cultural understanding

Cons

• Most classes meet between 8am-1pm, which could interfere with work schedules
• Limited afternoon and evening options
• Pacing might be challenging for true beginners
• Not ideal for those seeking European Spanish 

How to choose the best Spanish class for you

Choosing the best Spanish classes means finding ones that suit your goals, learning style, and lifestyle.

First, think about what you really want to achieve by taking Spanish lessons. Do you want to learn Spanish for work, fun, or travel? Are you studying for a specific exam? Next, consider how you learn, and whether you prefer group or private classes. 

Finally, how much time and money are you willing to invest? Think about practical factors like your budget, how often you want to study, and whether you prefer commuting to a classroom or learning online. 

Look over all the options we’ve listed, and see which Spanish classes best fit the bill. 

italki is the preferred choice for Spanish learners in NYC because it’s convenient AND effective. It’s trusted by over 10 million students, and has 30,000+ teachers, with thousands of Spanish teachers working in the NY time zone. Book a trial lesson today

FAQs

What institute is best for Spanish language learning?

italki is the best option for Spanish language learning because it offers personalized classes and qualified teachers. Its 1-on-1 online classes are tailor-made for students, so you can focus on your specific goals and learning style. You get personalized feedback for faster progress. Plus, you can filter by budget, availability, and specialization to find your ideal Spanish tutor. 

What is the best program to learn Spanish fluently?

The best program to learn Spanish and gain real fluency is one that’s customized to suit your needs. The Spanish classes should be engaging and have you speaking from day one. Private lessons that provide real language immersion will get you comfortable speaking and understanding Spanish faster. 

Is 3 months enough to learn Spanish?

Yes, you can learn Spanish in three months. However, your starting point has a huge effect on how far you’ll get. If you’re a beginner, you won’t become fluent in a few months, but you’ll definitely improve your overall Spanish language skills.