Home > Our Color Belt System.
Our Spanish program in Northern Virginia is composed of 10 conversational belt levels ranging from the Pearl Belt (complete beginner) to the Black Belt (ultimate Spanish master). The ranks are useful for monitoring progress and matching you with Spanish students of comparable ability.
There are:
- 4 beginner levels (Pearl Belt, Cream Belt, Yellow Belt and Orange Belt),
- 3 intermediate levels (Green Belt, Light Blue Belt and Navy Blue Belt), and
- 3 advanced levels (Purple Belt, Brown Belt and Black Belt).
Each of these 10 levels require the completion of 16 hours of instruction.
You can think of it as...
Beginner levels
Help you “not crash” when needing to communicate in Spanish
intermediate levels
Help polish your speaking skills so that you speak more smoothly
advanced levels
Help you get as close as we can to someone that is native to the language
Our conversational color belt levels in detail are as follows...
Click on each section to learn more.
For Spanish students that are just starting or studied in the past but have forgotten most of it.
Pearl Belt
Beginner 1
Survival Spanish
Complete beginner, or new to the language in practical terms
If you had some knowledge of a romance language, such as italian or french, but it is now practically gone, or you would prefer to have an introduction to the Spanish language as smooth and as light as possible, we would recommend considering starting at this level.
Although no prior knowledge of the language is required to join us at this level, it may be of great help to watch first our playlist of free videos on YouTube labeled The Basics of the Spanish Language . Click on the link to access.
Cream Belt
Beginner 2 Spanish
Basic Conversation
Can barely speak using phrases such as Yo como (I eat).
If you are new to Spanish but have some knowledge of a romance language, such as italian or french, at an intermediate level or higher, and you are a fast learner of languages, we would recommend that you start at this level.
Completing this and the prior belt level is the equivalent to achieving the European A1 beginners level.
Command of speaking dynamics:
Uses only very few words or phrases.
Vocabulary usage while speaking:
Uses only very few words or phrases.
Pronunciation:
Good pronunciation of vowels and some consonants.
Understanding of other's speeches while listening:
Understands a few words or phrases.
Speed of conversation:
Minimal
Command and usage of Spanish grammar rules while speaking:
Can build very simple phrases or sentences
Yellow Belt
Beginner 3 Spanish
Talking about the Past
Can speak using phrases such as Yo estoy comiendo (I am eating), and Yo voy a comer (I am going to eat).
Command of speaking dynamics:
Speaks with script in front. Needs prior preparation.
Vocabulary usage while speaking:
Limited to most common verbs, nouns and adjectives.
Pronunciation:
Good pronunciation of all of the alphabet.
Understanding of other's speeches while listening:
Limited understanding of slow-paced speech.
Speed of conversation:
Very slow.
Command and usage of Spanish grammar rules while speaking:
Spanish sentences use subject, verb and object, and time expression
Orange Belt
Beginner 4 Spanish
Talking about the Future
Can speak using phrases such as as Yo comí (I ate) and Yo comía (I used to eat), along other phrases from prior levels.
Completing this and all prior belt levels is the equivalent to achieving the European A2 elementary level.
Command of speaking dynamics:
Speaks going back and forth to script. Needs prior preparation.
Vocabulary usage while speaking:
Limited to common verbs, nouns, adjectives and most common adverbs.
Pronunciation:
Good pronunciation of syllables.
Understanding of other's speeches while listening:
Good understanding of slow-paced speech. Limited understanding of regular-paced speech.
Speed of conversation:
Slow.
Command and usage of Spanish grammar rules while speaking:
Sentences use up to two verbs and two clauses.
For Spanish students that already speak the language in its basic form but want to gain more confidence and precision when speaking the language.
Green Belt
Intermediate 1 Spanish
Can speak using phrases such as Yo comeré (I will eat), and Yo he comido (I have eaten), along other phrases from prior levels.
Completing this and all prior belt levels is the equivalent to achieving the European B1 intermediate level.
Command of speaking dynamics:
Speaks without looking at script. Needs prior written preparation.
Vocabulary usage while speaking:
Includes a good balance of verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs.
Pronunciation:
Good intonation.
Understanding of other's speeches while listening:
Excellent understanding of slow-paced speech. Good understanding of regular-paced speech.
Speed of conversation:
Medium-low.
Command and usage of Spanish grammar rules while speaking:
Uses well indirect object pronouns.
Light Blue Belt
Intermediate 2 Spanish
Can speak using phrases such as Yo había comido (I had eaten), Yo habré comido (I will have eaten), Yo estuve comiendo and Yo estaba comiendo (I was eating), and Yo estaré comiendo (I will be eating), along other phrases from prior levels."
Completing this and all prior belt levels is the equivalent to achieving the European B2 upper intermediate level.
Command of speaking dynamics:
Is able to improvise. Establishes good eye contact during entire conversation.
Vocabulary usage while speaking:
Includes a very good balance of verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs.
Pronunciation:
Very good intonation.
Understanding of other's speeches while listening:
Good understanding of regular-paced speech. Limited understanding of fast -paced speech.
Speed of conversation:
Medium.
Command and usage of Spanish grammar rules while speaking:
Uses well direct object pronouns.
Navy Blue Belt
Intermediate 3 Spanish
Can speak using phrases such as Dudo que el coma (I doubt that he would eat) and Dude que el comiera (I doubted that we would eat), Si yo fuera,... (If I were ...), Yo comería (I would eat), along other phrases from prior levels.
Command of speaking dynamics:
Is able to improvise. Establishes very good eye contact during entire conversation.
Vocabulary usage while speaking:
Includes an excellent balance of verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs.
Pronunciation:
Excellent intonation.
Understanding of other's speeches while listening:
Excellent understanding of regular-paced speech. Very good understanding of fast -paced speech.
Speed of conversation:
Medium-high.
Command and usage of Spanish grammar rules while speaking:
Uses well reflexible pronouns.
For Spanish students who are already comfortable with Spanish but want to master it to a level close to that of a native Spanish speaker.
Purple Belt
Advanced 1 Spanish
Can speak using phrases such as Dudo que el este comiendo (I doubt that he is eating), Dudé que el estuviera comiendo (I doubted that he was eating), and Yo estaría comiendo (I would be eating), along other phrases from prior levels.
Completing this and all prior belt levels is the equivalent to achieving the European C1 advanced level.
Command of speaking dynamics:
Is able to improvise. Establishes excellent eye contact during entire conversation. Observes good command of facial expressions and body language.