Instituto Cervantes

It is the best place to learn Spanish in a cost effective way in NYC. The courses are of a great quality.
You can rent for free Spanish CDs when you are a student.

If you want to learn Spanish this is the place to go to in NYC. The facilities are the best and classes never exceed 12 students usually have 4 – 10 students. The library contains materials (books, periodicals, DVDs) for all levels and is comfortable. The teachers come from different Spanish speaking countries. I have had teachers from Cuba, Spain. Chile and Mexico and an American of Dominican parentage who lived in Spain and Mexico for several years. Some of the teachers are more comfortable with the technology available than others and some of the teachers while engaging, take the easy way out (allowing class conversation to go on to the detriment of covering the syllabus and homework). However, overall it has been a positive experience and better than other schools I have tried. I thought 3 hours would be difficult to get through, but with the break it is eminently doable and does allow for conversation and more formal learning.

STOP!!! Do not go there and waste your money. The instructors are rude and arrogant. This is not a place for beginners and or anyone else for that matter.
Do yourself a favor and find someone else.
Only thing nice about this place is the grounds.

It’s been years since I’ve taken a Spanish class, the last time being in high school, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, my two-​week «super intensive» course was a smooth process from beginning to end. Although the website was a bit difficult to navigate, within days I took a placement test, had a phone placement interview, and was registered for my course.
The facilities themselves are gorgeous — the quiet courtyards inside make you feel like you’re in a place far from the noise of Midtown East, but its location is close enough to grab a coffee from one of the nearby cafes during break times. The library is incredibly well-​stocked, with plenty of audiovisual materials in addition to literature, poetry, and reference books. Did I mention it’s open to the public, too (unlike the library at the Alliance Française a few blocks up…)?
And of course, the classes themselves. They’re generally small (under 20 people), which allows them to be far more intimate and personalized than most Spanish classes I’ve taken before, and you’re able to get help on areas that you need it the most (I’m looking at you, pluscuamperfecto). I only took one course, so I can’t speak for all of the teachers, but Celia was amazing — she took the time to explain difficult concepts, and brought in her own materials from time-​to-​time to keep the class engaging and relevant.
One caveat, however: since the Instituto is based in Spain, many of the texts are based on European Spanish and the Spanish worldview. That is, the default vocabulary will be based on the European standard, rather than the Latin American. Sometimes there were discussions about the Spanish monarchy, sightseeing in Spain, the historical role of the Spanish Empire, the Spanish Civil War, etc. This wasn’t a problem for me, as the Spanish I learned was of the European sort, but if that isn’t the kind of Spanish you’re trying to learn, it may be a bit off-​putting (or just superfluous).
All in all, Instituto Cervantes is one of the best places to learn (or brush up on) your Spanish in NYC, or just a chill place to hang out and soak in Spanish culture.

This review is strictly for events, so I can’t comment on their language classes (and at the risk of patting myself on the back, I already speak Spanish reasonably well). Anyway; I’d never been there previously, and in fact I wasn’t even familiar with the Institute until finding out about last night’s event. However, they have many interesting events (lectures, discussions, exhibits…). Some have free admission and others have (very reasonable) admission charges.
Last night’s event was the opening reception for an eight-​day photo exhibit entitled «Survival in Sarajevo». The photos were taken by a photographer who I’d long known of (Edward Serotta), and I own some of his books — so it was wonderful meeting him and hearing him speak — and I was very familiar with the story of what he portrayed in the photos.
Unbeknownst to me beforehand, several UN ambassadors attended — and they each gave beautiful & emotional speeches after we’d watched a very affecting & short documentary film. I was sitting right behind all of the ambassadors, so that was neat…
The Institute has a lovely courtyard and the reception was held there afterwards. Then we saw the photo exhibit, which is very special and I highly recommend it (the photos will only be there through October 14).
I’m very grateful to the Cervantes Institute for sponsoring such a special event.

I have had a wonderful experience at the Instituto Cervantes for the past three years. I started at the entry level with «hola» and am now in the advanced classes. The teachers are amazing and the location is an oasis. I prefer the daytime classes as they are less crowded but even in the evenings, you typically only have 10 students. I have taken regular group classes, book club and DELE preparation classes. In addition to learning Spanish, I have also made great friends with both students and teachers. You get back what you put into your classes. The teachers will go the extra mile to correct your homework on their own time. Since my ultimate goal is to move to Spain, I gravitated to the teachers from Spain especially Enrique and Jose Ignacio (a grammar whiz). Celia de Venezuela is also exceptional — she’s teaches regular classes, DELE and book club with unflagging enthusiasm. The administrative staff is also terrific and will always help you figure out what is best for you. If you aren’t happy, say something as they will sort it out for you. And if you have time before class, have a picnic in the wonderful courtyard at the Instituto. It’s a gem. If you are serious about learning Spanish in New York, this is the place to go.

Terrible. Been going for a year. Learned more in 3 weeks in spain than an entire year At instituto.
Don’t get me wrong, some teachers Are great, if u are lucky to get them, but there is a problem with the admin choosing verbally abusive and inappropriate teachers who are disrespectful of other cultures and your level of Spanish (but we are learning!)
2 teachers have sent me emails that are highly inappropriate and aggressive.
Another teacher was finally let go after classes and classes of paying students complaining about her and finally an entire course of students dropped the course due to her teaching. The admin didn’t replace her, but just simply didn’t offer another course, to the detriment of the students that WANT to learn Spanish. To be honest, she probably still works there.
I would not recommend.

Well, I have spent the last year finishing my «A» levels at the institute and feel like I will never master my mother tongue. My teachers affectively made me feel insecure and I left this year feeling VERY disillusioned. The main reason being that I had signed up on the idea of learning true spanish culture from spain as advertised but, not only was I corrected constantly in class as I tried to pronounce with a madrileño accent, I was made to feel my search of my spanish roots was «posh». My teachers were not from spain and therefore I never received the cultural reference of my history (my mother is first generation spanish american and raised me speaking english). I had hoped at the institute I could finally learn «Castellano» like my mother speaks and I kept hoping with each class it would get better but, to no avail. Maybe the option of having a teacher from spain? Still, I am glad I got started on the road to learning spanish but, I was sold the idea that you learn the language «like» you are in spain but, that is just not true. It is not easy learning a new language and I will still push forward in my search for fluency making mistakes, breaking into cold sweats «trying» but now only with a teacher with a true love of the language and the country.

When I wanted to take Spanish classes to brush up on mi Español, mi padre being the proud Portuguese man he is would only allow me to get my Spanish language education from one place. The prestigious Instituto Cervantes.
Every week, I’d trek up to midtown to attend a two hour evening Spanish class. The facilities at the Instituto Cervantes are spectacular. When you walk through the alcoved walk way, you enter a gorgeous quiet court yard with benches. You feel like you’re entering another country.
The facilities at the Instituto Cervantes are really nice. They have a full Spanish Library and sometimes offer free Spanish books to keep. Teachers are highly qualified and are native Spanish speakers. Staff is very helpful and they even test for the DELE exam and language level verification for Fulbright. You’ll definitely learn if you decide to study Spanish here.

This is an amazing program that is great for any level of spanish. Having experienced two levels in 3 weeks (I was accelerated), I can tell you that the pace at which the program follows, class size (no more than 12), and content is amazing. If you happen to get Sarah or Luisen as teachers — icing on the cake. They are both GREAT! I haven’t taken Spanish since high school (10+ years ago) and I feel like I could be fluent in a few months. I am currently in «Elementary II».

Learning a language can be difficult and not everyone is good at teaching. I just completed my first course with the Instituto Cervantes and loved it. My teacher was amazing, friendly and had a way of teaching that made it fun and entertaining. I loved the location and environment they have over there. On a few occasions, my class benefited from extra wine from tastings the school hosted, free (great) wine is always is plus! I only wish they had later classes in the evening so I could take more classes. I can’t wait for the next session to begin! OLE!

I discovered the Cervantes Institute back in 2006, but just recently became a member. Terrible; I should’ve joined eons ago.
The Cervantes Institute was created to promote and divulge the Spanish language and culture, and it has since opened branches in Japan, Shanghai, etc.
Located at the Amster Yard, a New York City landmark that once housed a vibrant community of artists gathered around an inner courtyard on E 49^th St; has now been retrofitted (losing much of it’s original state) to incorporate an auditorium, classrooms and a very resourceful library.
The Borges Library not only has an excellent collection of Spanish and Hispanic authors, but many dictionaries and reference books, as well as Spanish movies, and even a CD Library for Spanish Music lovers. If you want to find a particular book by a recondite or known Spanish author, chances are you’ll find it here. I recognized many old editions, and was especially delighted with the Pio Baroja and the ’98 Generation selections I found; there was lot’s of Borges, Cortazar, Valle Inclan, and other usual suspects. Oh, and lest I forget, the library also has free wi-​fi.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Institute Cervantes besides the Library is the many events they sponsor/​present, as well as the Spanish and Catalan classes that they offer *hint, hint*
In the case of events, such interesting lectures in their main auditorium like «The Spanish War of Ernest Hemmingway» (from last March 4) or screening of movies, like today’s «La vida Perra de Juanita Narboni (the fucked-​up life of Juanita Narboni)» which was, well, fucked up (about life in Tangiers prior to Morocco’s independence in 1956) The institute also makes itself present when the Spanish film festival hits the town, and they offer discounts to members and other perks.
But maybe what I happen to love the most when coming here is the peaceful feeling you get when you enter through the gates and into the courtyard… a welcome peace and feeling of solitude, and I just like to seat by a bench, book in hand and linger… if only for 5 minutes.
…or stars.

This is an international organization created and run by the government of Spain to promote the teaching and use of the Spanish language and to promote Spanish culture.
I believe it’s the best place in the city to study Spanish as a Second Language. A few years ago when I returned to NYC after having lived in Spain for a year, I took a class at the Instituto Cervantes to continue to improve my Spanish. The teachers were top notch, all native speakers and many of them from Spain. The other students were also very interesting and fun. The classes aren’t cheap, but it’s well worth it. I had classmates in my Advanced level class who had learned Spanish only at the Instituto Cervantes in NYC and they were totally fluent.
The Institute also administers the D.E.L.E. test (the Spanish version of the TOFEL), has a great library and hosts loads of Spanish cultural events like wine tastings, movie showings, and Flamenco concerts.