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All Spanish schools in Medellin
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Centro CatalinaMedellin, Colombia

4.4

Rating: 4.4/5.0

14 students - overall rating
Calle 7D, 43A - 106 - 50021 Medellin - see on map
Pay less than booking at the school
What we like about the school
  • School has its own garden where students can meet and have barbecues.
  • Small class sizes
  • Excellent rating of homestay accommodation
    5.0

    Rating: 5.0/5.0

  • Excellent rating of student apartments
    4.7

    Rating: 4.7/5.0

  • Welcome dinner.
What we dislike about the school
  • Younger students should consider that the average age of students at this school is significantly higher than at most other schools.
Age of students
  Percentage of students
1-18 years 9%
18-24 years 35%
25-34 years 33%
35-50 years 18%
>50 years 5%

Location: Centro Catalina Medellin is located in the vibrant capital city of Colombia, Medellin. The school is housed in the trendy and hip Astorga area of the lively El Poblado neighbourhood of Medellin, an area known for its bars, eateries, street art and green spaces. Within walking distance of the school are the Parque de El Poblado and the Parque de la Bailarina.

Social and cultural: Centro Catalina Medellin promotes a range of social and cultural activities for students to enjoy. Such activities include trips to Barefoot Park, the Plaza de Mercado-Minorista, El Castillo Museum, the Mirador de las Palmas, afternoons of folkloric and Latin dancing and much more!

Course selection: In addition to General Spanish taught over various schedules and intensities, Centro Catalina Medellin also provides DELE Exam Preparation programmes and semi-private and private lessons. Private tuition is available in conjunction with or independently from any other course.

Accommodation: In addition to homestay accommodation within local families, Centro Catalina also offers a student residence for accommodation, subject to availability.

School facilities: The school is in the form of a renovated home, with a private garden for socialising and a kitchen available for students to use. There is also a library, cafeteria, free WIFI and a student support desk for any questions or queries that may arise.

All classrooms have ample natural light to create an optimal learning environment.

Spanish Courses

General Language
Online
Private
Exam PreparationWhy exam preparation courses are excellent for optimum progress

Our prices for Centro Catalina include

  • INCLUDED Organized activities
  • INCLUDED Internet access and use of school computers
  • INCLUDED Welcome dinner
  • INCLUDED Wireless LAN zone at school
  • INCLUDED Free certificate of course attendance
  • INCLUDED Language level placement test at first day of classes
  • INCLUDED For adult courses: a minimum of one free organized leisure activity per week

Photos

  • Reception
    Reception1/16
  • Social event
    Social event 2/16
  • Students in the garden
    Students in the garden3/16
  • classroom
    classroom4/16
  • lesson
    lesson5/16
  • School cafeteria
    School cafeteria6/16
  • Group lesson
    Group lesson7/16
  • Classroom facilities
    Classroom facilities 8/16
  • Computer facilities
    Computer facilities 9/16
  • Centro Catalina students
    Centro Catalina students10/16
  • Enjoying a meal together
    Enjoying a meal together 11/16
  • Party at the school
    Party at the school12/16
  • Courtyard
    Courtyard13/16
  • School garden
    School garden14/16
  • School classroom
    School classroom15/16
  • Centro Catalina school building
    Centro Catalina school building16/16

Student opinions about Centro Catalina, Medellin

4.4

Rating: 4.4/5.0

Overall school rating of
Centro Catalina, Medellin
14 authentic ratings from students who reserved with us
School
Location of the school
4.6 

Rating: 4.6/5.0

Facilities
4.2 

Rating: 4.2/5.0

Social activities
4.2 

Rating: 4.2/5.0

Organisation
4.7 

Rating: 4.7/5.0

Course
Quality of teaching
4.2 

Rating: 4.2/5.0

Value for money
3.8 

Rating: 3.8/5.0

Accommodation
Homestay
5.0 

Rating: 5.0/5.0

Shared Flat (apartment)
4.7 

Rating: 4.7/5.0

Overall school rating by student age group
Students < 18 years (0 ratings)
0.0 

Rating: 0.0/5.0

Students 18-30 years (5 ratings)
4.8 

Rating: 4.8/5.0

Students 31-49 years (8 ratings)
4.0 

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Students 50+ years (1 rating)
5.0 

Rating: 5.0/5.0

Verified reviews only, uncensored. All student opinions from students who booked a course at the school with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
The teachers are very patient and very friendly. This is actually a rare combination. The management (also teachers) make a lot of effort and also act very spontaneously if a teacher cancels spontaneously or something else comes up. In general, it seemed very organised. The lessons are very varied. Not just dry vocabulary learning, but also practical references. At the same time, you also learn a lot about Colombia itself. The ladies at reception were also very nice and really helpful. My course was very small, there were a maximum of 3 of us, although there were also larger courses. There was also a good mix of people (lots of Swiss, but also French, Americans...) And of course the location is also great. Right in the centre of Poblado, max. 10 minutes' walk to the bars and restaurants and the metro is also within easy reach. I stayed at the school, so breakfast was included. It was very good and there were also other activities on offer in the evenings or afternoons (salsa classes, for example)... Thanks again to Ymer! And also not to forget the great support from Cologne (Tanja), who was always available and was able to deal with problems and enquiries quickly and easily - ...and also asked questions from time to time.
Review details
Quality of teaching / language progress: It was challenging, but great. The 2 different teachers really added to the experience. I found that brilliant!
Other comments Very nice school, well organised.
Course: Intensive Course - 1 week
Review date: 8. Dec. 2023 by Tobias Ziethlow
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
Very friendly and intelligent. Good placement - close to Pablado, but not very noisy. My teacher asked me what was very interesting to me and then we studied only for these topics. Highly recommended!
Review details
Course: DELE Exam Preparation - 3 weeks
Review date: 30. Jun. 2024 by Anton Ignatenko
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
I was always asked if I liked it or if I wanted to change something. My enquiries were responded to immediately. Great teachers, good classrooms, fun activities.
Insider tip: The excursions at the weekends
Review details
Course: Intensive Course - 2 weeks
Review date: 7. Aug. 2024 by Marcel Ruß
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
2.0

Rating: 2/5.0

Liked
You will definitely have the best time here if consider this place a hostel with amusing activities and a tiny bit of helping with your Spanish.
Disliked
It's not like a real school. The teachers are mostly students and they make mistakes in their own language all the time. But the worst and unacceptable is that they don't listen to students, to their needs. They may ask you but won't change anything. They have their own methods for teaching and if it doesn't help you at all they will say that they have a problem with you. Also they will say that their boss has decided so and you only can accept that.
Insider tip: To get the best from the school you have to learn many words in Spanish on your own before coming and then pay for 2 it 3 weeks of individual course, where you can actually direct your teacher into things you need the most.
Review details
Quality of teaching / language progress: They will make you study each small thing for two weeks, literally. You cannot fastener the process. It will lead to conflicts. Also they literally demand from you to already speak Spanish when you come. They won't give you new topics, new words how they do it in high school, but will expect you to speak about everything as if you already knew the language.
Other comments They have accountability of a child 3 y.o. they will never accept their guilt, will never punish a teacher for wasting your money or not caring, they will rather give you the rest of your money back than adjust to your needs.
Course: Intensive Course - 2 weeks
Review date: 6. Jun. 2023 by Torvald Olafsen
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
4.0

Rating: 4/5.0

Liked
Small Classes, super nice people (staff), very flexible on what they teach according to your wishes
Review details
Course: Standard Course [Spanish] - 2 weeks
Review date: 3. Mar. 2023 by Eva Ammann
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
4.0

Rating: 4/5.0

Liked
Good organisation (however with many outdated info). Good quality of teaching and DELE prep.
Disliked
No community experience, no shared activities. Everything old-school with paper. Too much English in the neighbourhood. place is not good.
Review details
Course: Standard Course + 10 [Spanish] - 1 week
Review date: 5. Dec. 2022 by Carl Hollenstein
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
The people were friendly and welcoming. The school had fantastic facilities.
Review details
Course: Intensive Course [Spanish] - 2 weeks
Review date: 27. Jul. 2023 by Beth Te Aika
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.
Overall rating
5.0

Rating: 5/5.0

Liked
Small groups, intensive groups, individual design possible.
Disliked
nothing, all great
Review details
Course: Intensive Course - 2 weeks
Review date: 16. May. 2022 by Armin Haupt
Verified student who booked this course with LanguageCourse.net.

Ratings of Centro Catalina compared to ratings of all schools in Colombia

 Centro Catalina MedellinAverage of all other schools in Colombia
Overall school rating4.4

Rating: 4.4/5.0

4.5

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Location of the school4.6

Rating: 4.6/5.0

4.7

Rating: 4.7/5.0

Facilities4.2

Rating: 4.2/5.0

4.2

Rating: 4.2/5.0

Social activities4.2

Rating: 4.2/5.0

4.1

Rating: 4.1/5.0

Organisation4.7

Rating: 4.7/5.0

4.3

Rating: 4.3/5.0

Quality of teaching4.3

Rating: 4.3/5.0

4.5

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Value for money3.8

Rating: 3.8/5.0

4.4

Rating: 4.4/5.0

Homestay4.8

Rating: 4.8/5.0

4.4

Rating: 4.4/5.0

Shared flat4.8

Rating: 4.8/5.0

4.4

Rating: 4.4/5.0

Centro Catalina

Accreditations and Quality seals
ALTOIALCWYSE/FIYTOPreferential Terms in Case of Visa Refusal
Spanish teacher qualifications
100% hold a university degree
100% hold a recognised language teaching qualification
Languages spoken by school staff (cannot be guaranteed by school)
First day of course
Written and oral level test is performed. Students should arrive at 8:00
Student gender mix
45% male / 55% female
Offer for returning students
You will be refunded/waived the school's administration fee if you already attended previously a course at Centro Catalina and you book here.
Payment methods accepted for payments made directly to the school
Visa - logoMastercard - logoDiners Club - logoPayPal - logoMaestro - logoBank Transfer - logo
Year of school foundation
2010
Legal name/parent company
SL SARL | Tax registration ID: RUC1144337-1-570302DV40

General school facilities

  • Kitchen for student use

  • Microwave for student use

  • Fridge for student use

  • Cafeteria

  • Library

  • Garden

  • Student support desk

  • Copy machine

  • Printer for student use

  • Free water dispenser

  • Free WIFI

  • Non-smoking (all indoor areas, but not all outdoor areas of school)

  • Facilities for islamic students

    • Available area to pray at the school

    • Halal food offered at the school

  • Classroom equipment

    • TV in some classrooms

    • Electronic whiteboard in some classrooms

    • Ample natural light in all classrooms

    • Number of classrooms: 6
    • Number of public PC workstations: 1

    Facilities for disabled students

    • Wheelchair access to classroom

    • Accessible Toilet

    • Wheelchair access to reception

    • Wheelchair access to cafeteria

    • Adapted for students with learning difficulty

Student Age / Nationality

Average number of students
In summer: 50
Throughout the year: 20
Minimum age of students
18 years
Average number of levels
Adult courses In summer: 6
Adult courses Throughout the year: 6
Average age of students
In summer: 28 years
Throughout the year: 28 years

Top student nationalities

Student Nationality Percentage of students
Switzerland 25%
USA 15%
Germany 10%
Netherlands 10%
Brazil 7%
England 7%
Other nationalities 26%

Information for all courses offered by Centro Catalina

Lesson duration
50 minutes
School's administrative fee
60.00 US$
Course material
Generally course material is distributed free to students and will stay in student property.
Days without class
In 2024 (including national and regional bank holidays):
01 Jan 2024, 08 Jan 2024, 25 Mar 2024, 28 Mar 2024, 29 Mar 2024, 01 May 2024, 13 May 2024, 03 Jun 2024, 10 Jun 2024, 01 Jul 2024, 07 Aug 2024, 19 Aug 2024, 14 Oct 2024, 04 Nov 2024, 11 Nov 2024, 25 Dec 2024.
In 2025 (including national and regional bank holidays):
01 Jan 2025, 18 Apr 2025, 01 May 2025, 25 Dec 2025.
If a bank holiday falls on a weekday there is no refund nor are missed lessons recuperated. This is the case for the majority of language schools.
Level test
A test to assess your exact language level takes place at the school on the first day of the course.
Lessons needed per Spanish language level
Level (CEFR) LESSONS needed per level WEEKS needed
(20 lessons per week)
A1 Beginner A1 to A2 80 4
A2 Elementary A2 to B1 160 8
B1 Intermediate B1 to B2 180 9
B2 Higher Intermediate B2 to C1 200 10
C1 Advanced C1 to C2 220 11
C2 Proficiency
Data above gives some guidance. For more details consult our page How long does it take to learn a language or reach a specific level.

Visa Documents

Nationals from USA do not require a visa to study short term courses up to 180 days.
Check visa requirements for nationals from other countries.
Nationals from countries that require a visa will receive documents from the school, related to booking confirmation, which is required for the visa application.
Full payment of all fees required before school dispatches documents required for visa application
Yes
Express shipment fee (via courier)
100 US$
Preferential cancellation terms in case of visa refusal
School agreed that students booking online on this site will benefit from preferential cancellation fees in case of visa refusal, and in this case will never exceed EUR 180.

Leisure activities

activity possible
Cooking
Dancing
Football (soccer)
Swimming
Volleyball
Yoga

Examples of leisure activities organized by the school

Adults - Free activities

Free weekly activities organized by the school, visits to museums, markets, beaches etc.

Adults - Paid activities

Most activities carry a small charge for food and entrances to places.
Video about leisure activities at Centro Catalina Medellin
Leisure programme for adults (sample):
Tasting Fruits in Cartagena
Tasting Fruits in Cartagena
Leisure programme for adults (sample):
Walking City Tour in Cartagena
Walking City Tour in Cartagena

Accommodation

Map  

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Other language schools in Medellin offering Spanish courses: 

Questions and answers about Centro Catalina

  • The average age of the students throughout the year is 28 years old.
    Ana Carolina Dos Santos, LanguageCourse.Net - Oct 24, 2022
  • Yes, depending on availability, the accommodation can also be booked from Sunday to Sunday on request. Please enquire beforehand.
    María, Administration from Centro Catalina, Medellin - Mar 27, 2023
  • Yes, this is possible. The school can organise the transfer service at an extra charge.
    María, Administration from Centro Catalina, Medellin - Mar 27, 2023
  • Yes, this is in general possible. Depending on availability and level. The minimum age at the school is 18.
    Tanja, Languagecourse.Net - Apr 06, 2023
  • Yes, it's totally possible to combine the 2 cities. We would divide the price for the registration fee for each city.
    María, Administration from Centro Catalina, Medellin - Apr 17, 2023
  • Yes, can organize the transfer in a mini-van. Just let us know what your flight details are and we can send you more information.
    María Quintana Mestre, Student´s and Sales Coordinator from Centro Catalina Spanish School - Jun 08, 2023
  • Yes, each room in the student residence has a safe.
    Cinzia, Administration from Centro Catalina, Medellín - Oct 10, 2023

FAQ about Centro Catalina, Medellin

  • Yes, we can offer private lessons tailored to your needs. The DELE preparation course is designed to be taught in private classes. It is a personalized course where the teacher focuses entirely on the student's needs.
    María Quintana Mestre, Student & Sales Coordinator from Centro Catalina - Oct 26, 2021
  • We strongly recommmend you Centro Catalina, in Medellin. They currently (2024) offer homestay accommodations in single or twin rooms, and you can combine the accommodation to their "Spanish and Colombian Lifestyle" course. The essential purpose of this programme is to gain insight into the culture. You will leave the classroom and go to the streets, the squares, the markets. You will visit vulnerable communities and put social work at their service.
    Veronica Romualdi, Language Travel Consultant from LanguageCourse.Net - Sep 17, 2024
  • Depending on the chosen course, the maximum number of students at Centro Catalina varies from 1 students (Online Private Lessons 10) to 8 students (Intensive Course)
  • 100% of teachers at Centro Catalina hold a university degree. 100% hold a recognized language teaching certificate.
  • The highest Nationality percentage at Centro Catalina comes from Switzerland with a 25% representation, followed by students from USA (15%) and Germany (10%).
  • Yes, there is an exclusive discount that only applies when booking online here.
  • Centro Catalina offers courses from 18 years to 99. Average age is 28 during the summer and 28 for the rest of the year.

PDF brochure / price list of Centro Catalina

Centro Catalina Brochure (PDF)
Centro Catalina Brochure (PDF)
Centro Catalina Pricelist 2024
Centro Catalina Pricelist 2024
Centro Catalina Accommodation Pricelist 2024
Centro Catalina Accommodation Pricelist 2024
Prices 2025 Centro Catalina
Prices 2025 Centro Catalina
Accommodation Prices 2025
Accommodation Prices 2025
years
Starting date
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Check-in date
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Rating: 4.4/5.0

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