Ana Carmen Ramirez
Founder of Mi Español · 8 min read · April 2026
Table of Contents
You’ve never taken a Spanish class in your life — or maybe you tried once and stopped. Either way, you’re in the right place. The A1 Discovery Level is where every journey begins: no prior knowledge required, no judgment, and no boring grammar drills. Just real, practical Spanish from day one.
Mi Español Cours offers beginner Spanish training in the greater Montréal area — in person in Brossard and the Rive-Sud du Grand Montréal, and online across Québec — designed specifically for professionals and teams who want to communicate with Spanish-speaking clients, partners, and colleagues.
What is the A1 Level in Spanish?
A1 is the first level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the internationally recognized standard for measuring language proficiency. At A1, you’re at the very beginning — but that’s exactly the point.
Think of it as building the foundation. Every fluent Spanish speaker was once at A1. The difference is having a structured, encouraging path to move forward — which is what this course provides.
At A1, you can:
Introduce yourself · Ask simple questions · Understand short sentences · Handle basic everyday interactions — in Spanish.
What You’ll Learn in the A1 Discovery Course
This course goes well beyond memorizing vocabulary lists. You’ll develop real communicative skills in contexts that matter — at work, while traveling, and in everyday life. By the end of the A1 course, you’ll be able to:
▸Talk about yourself and the people around you
- Introduce yourself and others (name, profession, nationality, age)
- Describe your family, friends, and colleagues
- Ask and answer personal questions in a professional context
▸Navigate your environment with confidence
- Describe where you live — your home, neighbourhood, and city
- Ask for and give directions
- Understand basic signage and instructions
▸Handle everyday situations
- Order food and drinks at a restaurant or café
- Do grocery shopping and understand common labels
- Give and follow basic instructions
▸Lay the groundwork for professional communication
- Exchange basic greetings and pleasantries with Hispanic colleagues, clients, and partners
- Introduce your company or your role in simple terms
- Understand the basics of time, dates, and scheduling
Who Is This Course For?
The A1 Discovery Level is designed for complete beginners — but that doesn’t mean it’s only for people with zero exposure to Spanish. It’s also ideal if you:
- Learned some Spanish years ago but have forgotten most of it
- Want to build a solid foundation before moving to more complex levels
- Are preparing to travel to or do business with a Spanish-speaking country
- Are part of a team that works with Hispanic clients or partners in Québec or abroad
This course is a popular starting point for companies in sectors like construction, healthcare, logistics, hospitality, and international trade — industries where Spanish is increasingly important for day-to-day communication in Québec and beyond.
You don’t need to be ready to start.
You just need to start — and the readiness follows.
Why Spanish Matters for Québec Businesses
Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world by native speakers, with over 500 million people across 21 countries. In Québec, the Hispanic community is one of the fastest-growing demographics — and in international business, Spanish opens doors that English and French alone cannot.
Whether your team is looking to strengthen relationships with Latin American partners, improve communication on multilingual job sites, or simply offer better service to Spanish-speaking clients, the A1 level gives you the tools to start — right now.
Spanish by the numbers
- 500M+ native speakers worldwide
- 21 countries with Spanish as an official language
- 2nd most studied language globally
- Growing fast in Québec — one of the fastest-growing linguistic communities in the province
You might also like: Explore all Spanish course levels at Mi Español →
How the A1 Course Works at Mi Español Cours
Format
- Available in-person (Brossard and the Rive-Sud du Grand Montréal) or online via videoconference
- Group sessions for corporate teams, or private sessions tailored to your schedule
- Flexible scheduling to fit your team’s availability
Methodology
Mi Español’s approach combines communicative language teaching with cultural context. You don’t just learn words — you learn how to use them in real situations. Classes include role-play, practical exercises, and conversation from the very first session.
Instructor
All courses are led by Ana Ramirez, a certified language trainer with years of experience. Her dynamic, structured approach makes learning Spanish enjoyable — and effective.
Ready to start speaking Spanish from day one?
Contact us to find the format that fits your team and schedule.
Get in TouchFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need any prior knowledge of Spanish to enroll?
Not at all. This level is designed precisely for people starting from scratch. We guide you step by step so you can start understanding and expressing yourself from the very first class — without feeling overwhelmed.
That said, if you studied Spanish some years ago and feel like you need to go back to the basics, we can help. We offer a short assessment to recommend the level that’s right for you.
How quickly will I be able to communicate in Spanish?
Faster than you might expect. From the very first classes, you’ll start using Spanish in real situations. The goal isn’t to wait until you’re “ready” — it’s to start communicating right away, at your level, and build from there.
Will I actually speak Spanish from the first class, or is it mostly theory?
You’ll speak from day one. Ana’s approach is practical and communicative: you learn the language by using it, not just studying it. Grammar is always present, but it serves one purpose — helping you communicate. You won’t be memorizing rules in isolation.
What will I be able to do in Spanish after completing A1?
You’ll be able to handle the essentials: introduce yourself, ask and answer basic questions, interact in everyday situations, and follow simple conversations. It’s a real, tangible first step — and you’ll feel it.
Will I be able to have real conversations?
Yes — at your level. They won’t be perfect, but they will be real. You’ll be able to interact, respond, ask questions, and start to feel that Spanish is becoming part of you. From the beginning, we integrate real-life contexts — including simple professional situations — so that learning is both useful and relevant.
Is A1 enough if I want to travel to a Spanish-speaking country?
Yes, for the essentials. You’ll be able to ask for things, get directions, handle basic transactions, and navigate everyday situations. Travelling stops being stressful — and starts being a lot more enjoyable.
Is this level useful for my professional life?
Yes — especially if you’re just getting started. A1 gives you the foundation to communicate in Spanish in simple professional contexts. More importantly, you’ll be able to make a strong first impression and start building genuine connections with clients, colleagues, or partners in Spanish. That alone can be a significant differentiator.
What does a typical class look like?
Classes are dynamic, human, and highly participative. In private sessions, Ana adapts the content entirely to your pace, your goals, and your professional reality. In group sessions, there’s a clear structure that lets you progress with confidence — while staying flexible enough to adjust when needed.
Every class works with real-life situations — personal and professional — so you’re not just learning, you’re communicating, making a good impression, and building connection from the start. You’ll also start to understand why Spanish speakers sometimes seem to “talk so fast” — and how you can get there too, step by step.
How long does the A1 level take to complete?
The A1 Discovery Level typically takes between 60 and 70 hours of instruction to complete. That said, the exact duration is flexible and can be adapted based on your team’s pace, goals, and availability — whether you prefer an intensive format or a more gradual progression.
Is the course available online?
Yes. Mi Español offers both in-person sessions in Brossard and the Rive-Sud du Grand Montréal, as well as live online training via videoconference — so your team can learn from anywhere in Québec.
Can we enroll as a company team?
Absolutely. We’ll adapt the content, pacing, and scheduling to your organization’s needs and goals. Contact us to discuss what works best for your team.
What level comes after A1?
After completing A1, learners progress to the A2 Survival Level — where you build on your foundation and start holding more complex everyday and professional conversations with real confidence.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re enrolling individually or bringing your entire team, we’re here to help you find the right path to Spanish proficiency.
Not sure which level is right for you? View all course levels →
About the Author
Ana Carmen Ramirez
Founder of Mi Español
Passionate about cultural and linguistic bridges, Ana Carmen founded Mi Español to help Quebecers connect authentically with Spanish-speaking communities. A Spanish teacher for over 10 years, she deeply believes in the power of language to create richer, more meaningful human relationships.
