or
QUESTIONS?
"Hi Hannah-- just wanted to let you know that I had my first conversation with Alexis today and I am so happy to be working with him. It was really nice to talk about some of the challenges of language acquisition with someone who is going through it too. Thanks so much for the opportunity!"
-Katie Locke, learning for community work
Real Spanish. Real Connection. In 6 Weeks.
Our courses are for adults who are done with apps, flashcards, and programs that go nowhere.
Each course is a complete learning capsule: structured, focused, and designed to fit a busy life at around 4 hours a week. You get research-backed content and a weekly session with a conversation partner who is learning English, so practice feels like real exchange, not homework.
Designed and taught by Dr. Hannah Pitner, professor and second-language acquisition researcher, these courses reflect what the science actually says about how adults learn to speak.
If you're ready to completely change the way you communicate in Spanish, this is how you do it.
"This course was much more practical than the courses I’d taken in high school and college, and it was much more fun and social. It felt less academic and formulaic, and there was value in every activity."
JT, learning to connect with his students and their parents
6 self-paced online modules
6 8 videos and a printable packet in each (they combine to make your "book!")
6 weekly virtual meetings with a native conversation partner
chat channels
lifetime access
All of our courses use a communicative, research-based method.
Because of this, each course focuses on real conversation rather than isolated grammar units. The courses build on each other and are all anchored in six foundational concepts that support true communicative ability in Spanish:
A language capsule is a small set of high-quality, versatile language you can use across many situations.
Like a capsule wardrobe, it is built to repeat. To mix. To adapt.
CAPSULE 1
CONVERSATION BASICS
This capsule course is for you if your foundation feels messy, unclear, or nonexistent and you want a simple, reliable structure for natural conversation.
Each module begins with a short, realistic conversation and builds slowly from there, helping you develop a clear foundation you can trust. We start with the essential building blocks and practice using them in calm, achievable steps that invite curiosity instead of pressure.
A gentle entry point into Spanish, this course focuses on clear pronunciation and research-based strategies that reduce anxiety and support real communication from the very beginning.
CAPSULE 2
CONVERSATION APPLICATION
This capsule course is for you if you can manage basic conversation and want to start applying that to real-life situations that are messier and more complex.
Each module builds from a short, realistic written conversation—chatting with the woman who comments on your dog at your local café and speaks way above your level, or talking with a delivery person at work to figure out what’s being delivered and where it needs to go.
Building on first capsule, we focus on applying the same core structures to more demanding interactions, using research-based strategies that support confidence and long-term fluency. A big part of this course is that we teach you to speak in past tense in the most simple way. Some people call it magical.
SPANISH COURSES
C H O O S E Y O U R L E V E L
QUESTIONS?
"The course helped my colleagues and I build confidence in our ability to communicate with our Spanish-speaking clients. Hannah and Lindy were laser focused on teaching us communication without getting lost in the grammar weeds. By coincidence, during the last week of the course, a Honduran man who spoke no English showed up at our center seeking assistance. My colleague and I immediately grabbed our notes and sat down with him to learn more about his situation. It was by no means a perfect conversation, but we were able to get the essential information we needed and refer him to the right service. Prior to the course, we would all have been panicking about what to do, but the course gave us the confidence that we could at least welcome our clients with kindness and get the basics sorted. I would strongly recommend Linguaviava if you need communicative Spanish for work. "
- Serrie, learning to support Spanish-speaking clients affected by homelessness
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
All levels follow the same core curriculum, thoughtfully adapted to your level. As you move up, you’re simply building on a strong foundation with greater cognitive capacity and flexibility. The structure stays familiar so learning feels smoother, faster, and more intuitive.
1. Asking and Answering Questions
This lesson focuses on how questions actually work in conversation and how to respond naturally.
✔ Identifying the verb in a question and reusing it in your answer
✔ Multiple ways to ask and answer questions (not just one formula)
✔ How sentences are formed in real communication
✔ Using a simple structure that still works in higher-level conversations
✔ Building flexibility so you can respond without translating
2. Likes and Dislikes
This lesson introduces so-called “weird verbs” in a way that feels intuitive and conversational.
✔ Talking about likes, dislikes, and preferences naturally
✔ Using these verbs to also describe people, things, and experiences
✔ Understanding meaning through context instead of memorization
✔ Everything embedded in real dialogue and interaction
✔In the second capsule, we use these same verbs to talk about the past in the most simple way possible. Some people call it magical.
3. Numbers and Letters (Pronunciation focus)
This lesson focuses on patterns and practical use rather than memorization.
✔ Recognizing patterns in numbers so they’re easier to process
✔ Using numbers the way people actually do (phone numbers, years, dates)
✔ Understanding numbers in real-life contexts
✔ Building pronunciation skills with through letters
4. Future and Descriptions
This lesson centers on one highly versatile verb that does a lot of work.
✔ Talking about the future using one reusable structure
✔ Using the same verb to talk about going places and planned actions
✔ Seeing how this verb can reference past events in context
✔ Reusing one word to communicate a wide range of meanings
5. Adding Clarity: Articles, Pronouns, & Gender
This lesson covers what you actually need for communication without overwhelm.
✔ Core masculine/feminine patterns that affect meaning
✔ Common switches that change what you’re saying
✔ What not to worry about at the beginning
✔ A clear path for continued growth and accuracy
6. Describing Things
This lesson is fully grounded in real-life communication.
✔ High-frequency adjectives and descriptive words
✔ Describing people, places, and objects in context
✔ Visual support and picture-based prompts
✔ All language introduced through conversation
BONUS MINI-LESSONS
✔ Pronunciation Mini Lesson ($100 value)
Builds on letters to target a few high-impact pronunciation features that can quickly transform how you sound and how easily you’re understood.
✔ Forming Your Personality Mini Lesson ($150 value)
A guided plan to build your own personalized set of key words and phrases, including greetings, filler words, confirmation phrases, and natural goodbyes. This lesson draws on input from native speakers across 8 different countries and includes a phone-friendly wallpaper template so your phrases are always accessible and easy to practice.
“I most enjoyed the varied, yet consistent use of exercises that challenged me to respond to the Spanish language in more of a natural manner.”
-Laura, learning to support women affected by sex trafficking (nonprofit work)
★★★★★
A NOTE ON CONVERSATION PARTNERS
Hey, I'm Dr. Hannah Pitner, cofounder and curriculum director at Linguaviva. I'm a linguist, professor, and second language acquisition researcher.
I can't teach you Spanish. Not fully. We learn through interaction with real humans — the dynamic is so important. What makes this course special is that you have a weekly meeting with a conversation partner. It's what brings it all together.
A conversation partner is one of the most unique relationships. You are both experts and teachers, and also novices and learners. It's vulnerable, and it's the lowest-anxiety way to learn.
Our courses are for you if...
You want to speak, not just “practice for five minutes a day” forever.
You have a meaningful reason to learn — personal, professional, or relational.
You’re ready to integrate the language into your daily rhythms, even with a full schedule.
You want guidance that feels human, research-based, and oriented toward long-term memory.
You prefer natural, usable language over stock phrases or scripted dialogues.
You’re excited about a structure that includes weekly live sessions, flexible chat-based practice, and a matched conversation partner.
You want an immersion-like experience without uprooting your life.
Who these courses are not for...
You’re looking for something purely casual, entertainment-based, or “when I get to it.”
You want quick-fix fluency or passive learning.
You prefer memorizing vocabulary lists rather than applying language in real contexts.
You’re not ready to show up consistently (even in small, manageable ways).
*Truly, all of this is valid. We’re cheering you on as you find the language-learning style that fits your energy and your season.
“Words that come to mind about this course: practical, social, engaging, meaningful, and connected”
-John, learning to talk to with his students and their families
How do I know what course is the best fit?
Our beginner courses are accessible for people who have never taken the language before. If you can already manage some natural conversation, reach out for a language placement.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What’s included in the course?
Each 6-week course offers a full ecosystem of support:
A shared private chat channel for low-pressure practice
A TV show we watch together to build natural listening skills
Weekly PDF worksheets (part language puzzle, part personalized textbook you create yourself)
Short video lessons
A weekly meeting on your schedule with a native speaking conversation partner. We provide you with an activity to do together each week.
Occasional live "language party' practice sessions + recordings
Lifetime access to all materials
We also share examples of how learners structure their time, including how one student mapped out her weekly schedule (link coming soon).
What makes this different from Duolingo or other apps?
Apps give you phrases and information that is unorganized; we teach you communication and a set foundation that you continue to build on.
Our method follows a clear structure that builds from the simplest foundation upward, the way your brain naturally learns. You won’t lose important patterns in the mix — you’ll build a practical system from day one, shaped around the language you need with real people.
What if I’m nervous to speak?
Our entire approach is designed for low-anxiety learning. We use the same principles that help a one-year-old acquire language naturally — intuitive, accelerated, and deeply human.
Is there a conversation partner?
Yes! You get a native speaking conversation partner for 6-weeks with the course purchase. Partners meet via video call once per week and we send you a detailed activity/game. This is a favorite part of these courses. Some people are able to meet their conversation partners at an exchange event on our retreats!
What if I don't have time for a conversation partner when I start the course?
Just message us and we will hold off on our partner match until you are ready. Some people like to spend a few weeks with the course on their own before speaking and we totally support that.
How long is the course?
Each course runs for 6 weeks and includes lifetime access to all materials, recordings, and worksheets.
Can I join from outside the U.S.?
Yes. Everything works from anywhere in the world.
What does the course cost?
Pricing is listed above.
A typical low-cost college course is around $1,500 and offers far less real-world speaking support. Many learners come to us after spending hundreds on apps, subscriptions, tutors, and classes that didn’t lead to real communication.
This course is an investment in long-term, human-centered learning created by experienced college professors.
Do you offer anything for children or teens?
We always have lots in the works :) Requests help us prioritize upcoming courses. Feel free to email us your interests.
Where does the course take place?
We use a private app/web platform that holds everything in one place: lessons, chats, recordings, worksheets, and community spaces. Conversation partners connect via Whatsapp.
What if I still have questions?
Email us at info@linguavivacollective.com or text us. We’re happy to conduct a placement test, talk through goals, or help you choose the right course.
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