5 Online Spanish Language Courses That Offer Certificates

The online language learning market has grown at a mind-blowing rate majorly driven by the current contributing factors such as:

• Globalization and growing need for communication across borders, growing E-learning market
• COVID-19 impact that resulted in closing down of all institutes and schools, with the remarkable rise of e-learning
• Penetration of artificial intelligence in e-learning. 
• The increasing spending on the education sector, rising internet and mobile phone user base, and
• Preference by a rising number of multinational companies globally is further boosting the demand for multilingual employees (foreign language learning) in an attempt to facilitate communication and performance across geographically diverse functions and business endeavours.

In addition to the above, the following anticipated factors are also fuelling the growth of Online Language Learning big time:

• Globalization of the economy and adoption of cost-efficient technology-based products. 
• Technological advances around the world have made the provision and management of online learning more accessible. 

• ‘Newer’ technologies such as the Internet of Things, cloud computing, and wearable gadgets have resulted in the proliferation of online language learning products and applications. 
• Recent developments such as social networking platforms, improved voice recognition, and computer video cameras have further expanded the potential of technology to enhance language learning. 
• Artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and automation, that are ready to provide (greatest) contribution to the growth of the online language learning market in the coming years. 
• Big data analytics and cloud technology that is all set to create more efficient learning systems and design customized content, with new and innovative means of analyzing an unprecedented amount of data from various parts of the world. 
• Technologies such as Innovative Smart Devices (Wearables and e-learning applications) and analytics will have the potential to revolutionize e-learning through remote learning.

According to a new market research report “Online Language Learning Market by Product (Courses, Solutions, Support), Type (English, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, Japanese, Italian, German), End-user (Individual, Corporate, Government Institutions)- Global Forecast to 2025”, published by Meticulous Research®, the global online language learning market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.1% from 2019 to reach $10.5 billion by 2025. Source: Global Wire News 

And it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18.7% from 2020 to 2027 to reach $21.2 billion by 2027. 

The overall online language learning market is mainly categorized by-product (courses, solutions, and support), language (English, French, Spanish, Mandarin, German, Italian, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, and Others), end-user (individual learners, corporate learners, educational institutions, and government learners), and geography. The solutions market is further segmented into software and apps.

• In product type, the courses segment accounted for the largest share of the overall online language learning market in 2019 due to the need for higher-level skills in the workforce, an increasingly diverse student population, globalization, and the growing demand for lifelong learning.
• In language type, the English language segment commanded the largest share of the overall online language learning market in 2019 – mainly due to the growing need of learning English for businesses to communicate with customers, employees, and officials in the target market which increases the need for online English language learning to overcome language barriers.
• On the basis of end-user, the individual learner’s segment held the largest share of the global online language learning market, mainly due to growing demand for second language learning, need for personalized content, rising number of enrollments in foreign universities, and a growing trend to find better opportunities in foreign countries.
• Geographically, Asia-Pacific online language learning market is expected to register the highest growth during the forecast period (2019-2025) due to
  • emerging economies in the region, 
  • rising enrolment in online higher education, the influx of multinational companies, 
  • significant young population looking for better job opportunities, 
  • increasing penetration of smartphones, 
  • the increasing digitization of content, government initiatives for national online education networks and shortage of teachers in rapidly developing countries are the major factors likely to spur the growth of the online language learning market in this region.

The online language learning market is competitive, rapidly evolving, and highly fragmented in nature. The key players operating in the global online language learning market are Berlitz Corporation, Rosetta Stone Inc., Memrise Inc., Inlingua International Ltd., Sanako Corporation, Duolingo Inc., Lesson Nine GmbH, Busuu Ltd, WeSpeke Inc., iTutor Group, Open Education LLC, and Linguistica 360, Inc. among others. Thanks to all these developments in AI, Technologies, growth of economies and launch of social networking platforms, freelancers are now able to work remotely. This has not only improved life for everybody cutting on crazy commute times but has also allowed many people who can’t afford a language school or a university course to learn a new language.

The accessibility, flexibility, and user-friendliness of online courses provides every language learner(especially the beginners) an opportunity to access millions of free resources online, besides allowing them to learn a new language from the comfort of their home. Keeping Spanish language learners, beginners as focus, I have collated a list of the best free Spanish learning online resources, that are NOW possible! You are sorted, if your goal is to reach a certain level for a job, test, or school application, however, you would be doing yourself an injustice if you are doing a program that doesn’t give you a certificate!! A Spanish certificate basically, certifies that you have successfully completed the program, and mentions the level you completed and along the skill set you have acquired. 

Certificate courses are offered by many Universities besides their Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree programs. While a full degree is more intensive and takes years to finish, a certificate program is usually shorter and focuses on one specific skill. Although a Spanish certificate doesn’t carry as much value as a Degree or Diploma in Spanish, it is interesting to note that the certificate still serves numerous advantages, such as strengthening your application whether you’re applying to colleges or adding it to the resume acts as a valid backup for the learner’s claim of Spanish course completion, to earn a higher salary, work abroad, switch to tasks like interpreting or translating, or communicate with customers and clients from around the world. The certificate neither qualifies a learner to be able to teach a language (A degree would still be needed for that), nor does it provide concrete evidence that he/she is a fluent Spanish speaker!

In all possibility, employers or schools may ask you to complete speaking tests to assess your actual level, since online Spanish language courses often focus more on reading, writing, and listening! It’s worth mentioning that one must review their personal learning goals before selecting a college or university. While language studies aren’t a prerequisite for all degree plans, most admissions officers look favourably upon dedicated foreign language studies. References and certificates are the best way to secure preference in jobs or studies! The absolute best way to prove your Spanish skill level is with the Spanish Proficiency Exams that are broken into 6 skill levels. Taking online Spanish language courses with certificates gives you a better idea of your learning level, which is usually inflated to a higher placement than your actual level when learning from OnlineApps! That’s why certificates and standardization are so necessary. Once you’ve taken a Spanish course and earned an official certificate, you can be more certain about your skill level and which Spanish exam to take.

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment, is a guideline used to describe, achievements of learners of foreign languages, across Europe and, increasingly, in other countries(sans the USA). It intends to make candidates’ language qualification and proficiency evaluation easier, for education admission or employment purposes. It was put together by the Council of Europe as the main part of the project “Language Learning for European Citizenship” between 1989 and 1996. Its main aim is to provide a method of learning, teaching and assessing which applies to all languages in Europe. In November 2001, a European Union Council Resolution recommended using the CEFR to set up systems of validation of language ability. The six reference levels (Basic: A1, A2, Independent: B1, B2, Proficient: C1, C2) are becoming widely accepted as the European standard for grading an individual’s language proficiency.

An A1 user can understand slow, articulated speech and ask for simple things. 

An A2 skill level, the student can compose short phrases and common sentences and understand slower conversations. 

A B1 user can confidently get around Latin America or Spain. They may not understand everything, but they know enough Spanish to get directions and hold basic conversations. 

A B2 user has more vocabulary and can work a job like serving coffee. 

A C1 level student can fluently speak and express himself/herself(does not mean understand every word in the language but that) he/she can handle most conversations and some tricky topics. 

The C2 level is absolute mastery. Many native speakers never reach this level. Think of this level as more for college professors or experts in a particular field. 

Most certificates that include the CEFR levels go from A1 to B2 or C1, depending on the course

A learner may be at different levels in different language areas: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. You can be at an A2 level for speaking, but a B1 level for reading. That’s completely normal! Most online Spanish language courses aim to get you to the same level in all areas but don’t be surprised if your skill level varies across language acquisition areas.

The most comprehensive way to test your Spanish Language proficiency level and give proof of your skills is by taking one of the following exams: 

• Diplomas of Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE)
• Certificate of Use of Language in Spanish (CELU)
• The European Language Certificates (TELC)
• Standards-Based Assessment and Measurement of Proficiency (STAMP)
• Oral Proficiency Interview in Spanish (OPI)
• European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages (ECL)

Each exam is slightly different. For example, the CELU is based in Argentina, while you can complete the OPI over the phone. Of which most the DELE is the ideal and conclusive option, covering every aspect of the Spanish language. Many consider it the best exam for Spanish proficiency. 

You can find testing centres near you and download practice exams. You can also take online courses to prepare you for specific DELE level tests. However, keep in mind that the certificate comes after you take the exam, not after the course. A learner trying to pursue any of the below-mentioned courses must get their goals clear. If it’s just about a personal achievement you may settle with a course offering a study certificate, however, if you do want the CEFR level mentioned or both, you may want to read this rather carefully! 

Lingoda

Lingoda proudly provides live online classes with certified, native Spanish speaking teachers, to small groups of students or a one-on-one setting. They offer Spanish (and another language) classes from the A1 to B2 levels. Upon successful course completion, a student gets a certificate certifying a successful course completion along with the CEFR level.

Coursera

Coursera provides online Spanish language courses from a variety of universities and teachers. You can choose exactly the type of Spanish class you want (beginner, intermediate, specific vocabulary, etc.) and sign up for it at the specific start date. Barring their inflexible nature of courses, the variety and levels within each course is certainly impressive. What dampens the spirit however is that the certificates mention only about the course completion and do not include the CEFR level.

Lengalia

Lengalia courses are similar to Lingoda’s, except for the fact that they are pre-recorded classes. And, you can study the curriculum on your own where each offered program includes speaking and listening aspects. Students can record themselves and compare it to the audio clips of native speakers saying the same thing, to practice and improve their pronunciation. Lengalia offers courses from A0 (complete beginner) to C2. It also provides specific programs like business and medical Spanish. Lengalia also offers certificates at the CEFR level.

Alison

Alison is a free online education platform that mostly focuses on workplace-based skills. It offers free access to 2,000 courses online. Alison’s learners have access to online courses, specializations, and degrees in a variety of subjects. While they do not have as many Spanish classes to choose from, it could still be counted as an excellent place to start learning Spanish. The study completion certificate has a cost attached. It’s also worth mentioning that the cost of a digital certificate is minimal.

EdX

EdX offers a number of language courses online that have specific start dates, but their teaching philosophy does not involve watching videos. It is completely a self-guided curriculum with exercises that is flexible so you manage your own time. As with Coursera, a number of institutions provide their own lesson plans. The courses are free, but the certificate is not! Depending on which Spanish program you choose, the certificate may include the CEFR level. 

Getting a Spanish language certificate is a fantastic goal. No matter which online program you choose to get your certificate, surround yourself with the language, and learn as much as possible!