The JSS Spanish Course
100 Lessons. 75+ Hours. Real-World Castellano for English Speakers
Course Structure: The 100-Lesson System
The James Spanish School (JSS) course is a comprehensive online programme created specifically for English-speaking adults who want to communicate confidently in European Spanish (Castellano).
The course contains 100 lessons delivered through 170 streaming videos, giving students more than 75 hours of guided learning.
Part One: The Core Lessons (1–50)
Often described as the “Engine Room” of the course, these lessons build the foundations needed to understand how Spanish works.
Understanding Sentence Building
Rather than relying on memorised phrases, students learn how Spanish sentences are constructed, helping them create their own conversations.
Clear Video Lessons
Each core lesson includes a professionally recorded video, typically lasting around 45 minutes.
Pronunciation from the Start
Pronunciation guidance begins at Core Lesson 6, helping students develop good speaking habits early in their learning journey.
Practical Outcomes
By the end of the Core Lessons, students will have covered a wide range of everyday situations commonly encountered while living, travelling, or spending time in Spain, including shops, bars, medical appointments, and public offices.
Part Two: Spoken Spanish Practice (Spoken P1–50)
The second half of the programme focuses on listening skills and spoken communication.
Listening Practice
Many learners find understanding native speakers more challenging than reading or studying rules. These lessons provide extensive listening practice using real spoken Spanish.
Everyday Situations
Content is built around practical exchanges that students may encounter in daily life, including conversations with chemists, tradespeople, neighbours, service providers, and officials.
Different Voices and Accents
Lessons include various native Spanish speakers, helping learners become familiar with different voices and speaking styles.
Building Confidence
The aim is to help students move beyond prepared phrases and feel more comfortable responding naturally during real conversations.
The JSS Teaching Approach
The course is designed around the challenges English speakers commonly face when learning Spanish.
Start from Lesson One
Every student begins at Lesson 1, regardless of previous experience. This helps ensure that important foundations are not missed and allows students to build confidence as they progress through the programme.
Plain English Explanations
The focus is on clear explanations rather than technical grammatical terminology. Complex concepts are explained in everyday English wherever possible.
Real-Life Communication
The goal is practical communication. Students are encouraged to focus on being understood and taking part in conversations rather than striving for perfection from day one.
Learning Through Enjoyment
Lessons include humour, banter and memorable examples designed to keep learning enjoyable and engaging.
Learning Support and Resources
Direct Teacher Support
Every lesson includes a chat feature that allows students to ask James questions about the lesson content.
Downloadable Notes
Lesson notes are available in:
- PDF format
- Microsoft Word format
- Google Docs format
Spanish Culture Included
Language is taught alongside useful insights into everyday Spanish life, including social customs, etiquette, traditions and common cultural differences that newcomers may encounter.
The WordAmigo System
WordAmigo includes:
- over 12,000 vocabulary pairings
- native-speaker audio playlists
- pronunciation practice tools
- personalised vocabulary learning
Flexible Learning
Permanent Access
There is no expiry date. Students can return to lessons whenever they wish and study at a pace that suits their lifestyle.
Learn on Multiple Devices
Courses can be accessed through smartphones, tablets and computers, allowing students to study wherever is most convenient.
Study When It Suits You
JSS is not a live Zoom course. Students decide when to study, when to repeat a lesson, and when to take a break.
The JSS Course Promise
Students with previous Spanish experience who find that a Core Lesson contains nothing new can request additional advanced practice materials free of charge.
For many English-speaking adults, learning Spanish is not about passing exams or mastering grammatical terminology. It is about feeling confident when speaking to neighbours, professionals, shopkeepers, officials and friends. The JSS course was created with that goal in mind.