Children & Teens Academic Year 2026–2027

Our children and teens programmes run in fixed-term cohorts during the academic year.

Group availability depends on registrations, previous Spanish experience and timetable compatibility, so not every stage or time will necessarily open every term.

🍁 Autumn 2026

• Registration opens: 28 August
• Optional guidance conversations: 14–18 September
• Registration closes: 18 September
• Course begins: W/C 21 September
• Half-term: W/C 26 October — no lessons
• Final teaching week: W/C 14 December 

🌷Spring 2027

Registration opens: 30 November 2026

☀️Summer 2027

Registration opens: 1 March 2027 

NEXT LIGHTHOUSE SOCIAL

📍 Where: Bar 44, Cardiff
15–23 Westgate St, Cardiff CF10 1DD

📅 Date: 25/09/26

⏰ Time: 19:00–21:00

🎟️ Free · Adults 18+ · Registration requested

Come along for a relaxed evening with the Lighthouse community — meet new people, catch up with familiar faces and enjoy bringing Spanish into real life.

Register now and we’ll send you the final practical details by email before the event.

🍁 AUTUMN TERM 2026

• Course: 5 October – 23 November 2026
• Registration opens: 1 September 
• Early Bird deadline: 18 September 2026
• Level conversations: 14–25 September 
• Registration closes: 30 September 

 🌷SPRING TERM 2027

Registration opens: 1 December 2026

🥚 EASTER EDITION 2027

Registration opens: 1 March 2027

☀️ SUMMER TERM 2027

Registration opens: 10 May 2027

When are the classes?

Copas groups run Monday to Thursday, depending on the level groups available in each edition.

As a general guide:

• Monday & Tuesday
  Groups are more likely to include learners working around A1–A2.
• Wednesday & Thursday
  Groups are more likely to include learners working around B1–B2.

These days are indicative rather than guaranteed. We create the final timetable once registrations and level conversations are complete, so that learners can be placed with people at a compatible level.

Which Copas group is right for me?

You do not need to diagnose your own CEFR level.

We organise Copas around three communicative routes:

• Copas 1 · First Words
  For learners starting from zero or almost zero, with clear modelling and carefully supported interaction.
• Copas 2 · Everyday Dialogues
  For learners who already know some Spanish and want to connect it into useful everyday exchanges.
• Copas 3 · Conversations & Stories
  For learners ready for more open conversation, storytelling, reactions and less scripted interaction.

Behind these routes, Lighthouse uses CEFR-aligned levels from A1 to B2 to create appropriate groups.

How does registration work?

1. Register your interest
   Tell us briefly about your Spanish experience and availability.
2. Have a friendly 15-minute level conversation
   We listen to how you currently understand and use Spanish. It is not an exam.
3. Receive your recommendation
   We recommend the most suitable Copas route, technical level and available timetable.
4. Confirm your place
   Once your group is confirmed, you receive the final timetable and booking information for the full eight-week edition.

Registering before the Early Bird deadline protects the £188 Early Bird price, even though final group placement may be confirmed afterwards.

I am not sure what level I am. Can I still register?

Absolutely. Tell us briefly about your experience with Spanish and complete a friendly 15-minute level conversation. We will recommend the most suitable route and available group.

What do we actually do in Copas?

We use the live hour for speaking and interaction. Each edition follows eight connected everyday situations. You will work with useful phrases, level-appropriate dialogues, visual prompts, role plays, questions, decisions and collaborative speaking activities. 

Will we study grammar and vocabulary?

Yes — but in context.

Grammar, vocabulary and high-frequency expressions are introduced through the situations and conversations in which you need them, rather than treated as isolated exercises. The aim is not simply to recognise Spanish, but to become better able to retrieve and use it.

Do we have homework?

Live lesson time is primarily for interaction. You may receive vocabulary, prompts, visual support or other resources to help you prepare or continue practising outside the session. 

How many learners are in each group?

A maximum of four adults. Keeping the groups genuinely small gives everyone regular opportunities to speak, respond to other people and receive support from the tutor.

Can I choose Copas 1, 2 or 3 myself?

You can tell us which route sounds most like you, but final placement is recommended by Lighthouse after your level conversation.

The routes describe the type of communicative support you need; they are not permanent labels.

Will I automatically move to the next Copas route after eight weeks?

Not necessarily. Each eight-week edition provides a new context and new situations. Depending on your current Spanish, you may benefit from another edition within the same route and technical level before moving on.

What happens if I miss a session?

Your registration reserves a place for the complete eight-week course. Individual missed sessions cannot normally be rescheduled, transferred to another term or carried over. Please check the booking terms supplied with your edition before confirming your place.

Is Copas a conversation club?

It includes a lot of conversation, but Copas is a course rather than a drop-in conversation club.

The eight sessions form a connected learning sequence. If you already have a strong foundation in Spanish and mainly want an ongoing weekly conversation habit, Lighthouse Spanish Café may be a better fit.

What happens if my preferred timetable does not open?

A group only opens when we can create a suitable level match and viable cohort.

If the group you hoped for is not available, we will explain the alternatives rather than place you in a group that is not appropriate for your Spanish.

More than a class. More support than an unstructured language exchange.

Real conversation is difficult to practise from a textbook.

Each Meetup gives you a clear theme, useful support and repeated opportunities to speak with different people.

During the 90-minute session, you can expect:

• Guided warm-ups and themed conversation prompts.
• Partner changes and small-group speaking activities.
• Mini role plays and practical real-life situations.
• Different opportunities to ask, respond, clarify and react.
• Flexible grouping according to Spanish level and communicative confidence.
• Selective language support and feedback from the facilitator.
• Plenty of chances to try something, adjust it and speak again.

Who Is the Meetup For?

The Meetup can be a good fit if:

• You already know some Spanish but do not use it enough with other people.
• You understand vocabulary or grammar but sometimes struggle to access it spontaneously.
• You want face-to-face Spanish practice in Cardiff.
• You want more structure and support than an informal language exchange.
• You enjoy meeting and speaking with different people.
• You are willing to participate, make mistakes and try again.

Levels & Grouping

Do I need a particular Spanish level?

You need a basic foundation in Spanish to take part.

The Meetup is not designed for complete beginners or for learning Spanish from zero.

You do not, however, need to diagnose your own CEFR level before booking.

We use two broad organisational categories:

Foundations · approximately A1–A2

For learners who already have a basic foundation and can take part in simple exchanges, but would benefit from more support organising and retrieving the Spanish they know.

Activities may use clearer prompts, more language support and more structured interaction.

Conversations · approximately B1–B2

For learners with a broader Spanish base who want to communicate more spontaneously, explore richer topics and become more comfortable responding naturally to different people.

Activities allow greater independence, flexibility and extended conversation.