Total Spanish School Review – Best Place To Learn Spanish in Medellín & Cartagena

If you’ve been thinking about learning Spanish in South America, Colombia might just surprise you. And if Colombia is on your radar, Total Spanish School is one of the first names you should know.

I’ve spent a lot of time exploring Spanish schools across Latin America, and this Total Spanish School review covers everything you need to know before you book. What sets Total Spanish apart is simple: they’ve built a genuine immersion experience across two of Colombia’s most exciting cities: Medellín and Cartagena. That’s a rare and powerful combination.

Why Colombia?

Colombia has transformed dramatically over the past two decades, and today it’s one of the most visited countries in Latin America. The Spanish spoken here is widely considered some of the clearest and most neutral on the continent, which makes it an ideal place to learn Spanish in Colombia, especially if you’re a beginner.

Medellín, once infamous, is now a city celebrated for its innovation, culture, and warm paisas (locals). Cartagena, on the Caribbean coast, is a UNESCO World Heritage city dripping with colour, history, and an irresistible energy. Studying Spanish in either city or both is an experience that goes well beyond the classroom.

What Is Total Spanish School?

Total Spanish School (officially Total Spanish S.A.S.) is a Spanish language academy dedicated to teaching foreign nationals in Colombia. With 10 years of experience and campuses in both Medellín and Cartagena, they’ve established themselves as one of the go-to institutions for international students looking to learn the language properly.

Their philosophy is clear: language learning should be dynamic, culturally immersive, and personalized. Every course is designed around the Marco Común Europeo de Referencia (CEFR) – the same international framework used by the world’s top language institutions. That’s a strong signal of academic credibility.

The Courses: Something for Every Learner

One of the things I genuinely appreciate about Total Spanish is how well-designed their course range is. Whether you have two weeks or two months, whether you’re a total beginner or pushing toward fluency, there’s a format that fits.

Here’s a breakdown of what they offer:

Group Spanish Classes
These are structured sessions in small groups of just 3 to 6 students at the same level. Running Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (20 hours per week), afternoons are left free to explore the city, which, as any experienced language learner knows, is where a huge amount of real acquisition happens. Taught by qualified native Colombian teachers. 

Private Spanish Classes
If you want fully tailored instruction, private classes are the answer. These are completely adapted to your goals – whether that’s business Spanish, travel conversation, exam preparation, or long-term fluency. Flexible scheduling, 10 hours per week, 2 hours per day. Ideal for anyone who needs to move fast or has a specific objective.

Combined Spanish Classes
This is the best of both worlds – 20 hours of group classes plus 4 hours of private sessions per week. The group dynamic builds confidence and social fluency, while the one-on-one hours let you drill into the specific areas where you need the most work. If you’re serious about rapid progress, this is the format I’d point you toward.

Semi-Private Classes (Duo)

Travelling with a partner, friend, or fellow language learner? The Duo format gives you two-person classes that are fully tailored to both students’ goals. You get the personalized attention of a private class with the added motivation of learning alongside someone else. 10 hours per week with a flexible timetable.

Express Spanish Course
Short on time but still want to communicate in Colombia? The Express Course is designed for travellers who need practical Spanish fast. Eight one-hour sessions covering the essentials: greetings, numbers, key verbs, pronouns, travel vocabulary, and basic grammar – all applied to real-life situations. Flexible scheduling makes this easy to fit around a travel itinerary.

Online Spanish Classes
Can’t make it to Colombia just yet? Total Spanish also offers online classes taught by native Latin American teachers. The same quality and structure as the in-person courses, adapted to your level and goals – from absolute beginner to advanced. A great option if you want to build a foundation before you arrive, or continue studying after you leave.

The Teaching Philosophy: CEFR-Based and Communicative

What I find reassuring about Total Spanish is that their approach is grounded in real pedagogical principles – not just enthusiasm.

Their curriculum is built on the CEFR framework, focusing on communicative competence, intercultural understanding, and practical language skills. This means you’re not just memorizing verb tables – you’re developing the ability to actually use Spanish in real situations.

All teachers are native Colombian Spanish speakers with formal qualifications in language education. The small class sizes across all formats mean you’re getting genuine attention and interaction, not just passive instruction.

Cultural Immersion: The Colombian Experience

Knowing the language is one thing. Understanding the culture is another – and Total Spanish takes this seriously.

Students aren’t just taught how to speak Spanish. They’re introduced to the rhythms of Colombian daily life, the regional differences between Medellín and Cartagena, the music, the food, and the social customs that give the language its real meaning.

In Medellín, that means the metro culture, the flower festival, the vibrant street art of El Poblado and Laureles, and the world-class restaurant scene. In Cartagena, it’s the walled old city, the cumbia music floating through cobblestone streets, the Caribbean heat, and the extraordinary blend of African, Indigenous, and Spanish heritage.

Having two campuses in such distinct cities gives Total Spanish a genuine edge. You can learn Spanish in Cartagena with a Caribbean backdrop, or study Spanish as the best Spanish school in Medellín with the urban energy of one of Latin America’s most dynamic cities. Few schools offer that kind of flexibility.

Who Is This School For?

Based on everything I’ve seen, Total Spanish School is a strong fit for:

• Travellers and backpackers who want functional Spanish quickly (Express Course)
• Digital nomads who need flexible scheduling (Private or Online)
• Serious language learners who want structured immersion over several weeks (Group or Combined)
• Couples or travel partners who want to study together (Duo format)
• Remote learners who want Colombian-accent Spanish from anywhere in the world (Online)

That breadth of options, paired with their decade of experience, makes them one of the most versatile Spanish schools in Colombia I’ve come across.

Final Thoughts: Is Total Spanish Worth It?

This Total Spanish School review comes with a clear recommendation: yes, absolutely.

They offer genuine academic rigour, qualified native teachers, flexible course formats, and – crucially – real cultural immersion in two of the most compelling cities in Latin America. Whether you’re brand new to Spanish or looking to push your level higher, the combination of professional instruction and real-world Colombian life is a hard formula to beat.

If you’re serious about learning Spanish and want to do it in a country that makes the whole experience genuinely exciting, this Total Spanish School review should give you all the confidence you need to take the next step.

Colombia is one of the best places in the world to learn Spanish in Colombia. Total Spanish School makes sure you make the most of every moment.

👉 Visit Total Spanish School to explore their courses and find the right format for your level and schedule.