About roots up
Spanish & Portuguese courses to get you chatting from day 1.
Want to pick up a language or refresh your skills but can’t find a course that stands out?
Roots Up Languages classes are tailor-made to focus on things you really care about. Whether that’s mastering conversational language for that trip you’ve been planning or being able to watch Netflix series without the English subtitles…
Our beginner and intermediate courses and tailormade classes will give you the confidence you need to understand language in any scenario using authentic content from both Europe and Latin America!
We offer both online and in person courses at Impact Brixton in London.
about me
Meet your teacher
Jessica Dunks
Founder
Hey I’m Jess! As a graduate of German, Spanish and Portuguese, I’ve been lucky enough to have taught languages at NGOs, schools and study centres around the world over the past 8 years. After stints in Valencia, Berlin, Rio de Janeiro and Medellin, I’m now based in London, UK. I trained as a Modern Foreign Languages teacher at the UCL Institute of Education with a specialisation in Spanish and using music to motivate in the classroom.
My students in Medellin got me into everything from salsa, bachata and merengue to cumbia and hip hop from the Pacific coast – am a big fan of ChoQuibTown! When I’m not teaching, I run a charity, The Bright Kites Foundation, which offers an international cultural and language programme for Colombian teenagers.
For me, the best thing about teaching is using authentic content that students can actually relate to and then seeing them grow in confidence over time. That’s why I started Roots Up…
Courses & classes
Beginners Spanish (Level 1)
If you’re looking to get to grips with español but don’t know where to start.
Spanish on a Plate (Level 2)
If you’re curious about Hispanic cuisines and want to improve your Spanish skills.
Intermediate Spanish (Level 3)
If you’ve got all the basics down and now want a chance to flex your speaking muscle.
Spanish for Travelling (All Levels)
If you’ve got a trip to Central or Latin America booked and want to get confident en español before you set off.
Beginners Portuguese (Level 1)
If learning Portuguese has been on your list but ‘Duo Lingo´ isn’t doing it for you…
Spanish/Portuguese for your next trip to... (Bespoke)
If you’re going to a Spanish or Portuguese-speaking country soon and want tailormade lessons & tips from locals to suit you!
Why Choose Roots Up?
Short & social
Our courses take 12 weeks to complete so there’s no stress about long-term commitments. We also offer tailormade classes to get you prepared for your next trip which can be booked by the hour. We offer Beginners and Intermediate courses for both Spanish and Portuguese which focus on boosting your confidence in speaking, using authentic resources.
All classes are kept to groups of 5 so you can practice with friends or make new ones…
Once you’ve signed up, you’ll have access to your group’s Whatsapp chat and our Community Circle platform to share resources and practice using everyday language.
Testimonials
What students are saying about Roots Up…
“I’ve used languages to travel and for my career as an English teacher. Brasil has such an amazing mix of culture that starts with their language. Roots Up classes are interactive, useful and give you the language you need from day 1! Obrigada Jess!”
Tom, London (UK)
“It is especially helpful to have a teacher who is fluent in both English and Spanish! Jess was able to correct us and understand exactly what we were saying in English and then give the best solution in Spanish.”
Sophie, Bristol (UK)
“I liked the structure of the Portuguese course as I could really imagine going to all the places! Particularly enjoyed carnival week… Absolutely loved it and can’t wait to do more!
Katie, Ciudad de México (Mexico)
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Your questions answered
FAQs
How long are the courses?
Our Beginners, Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate courses are 12 weeks long, that’s one class a week across three months.
We also offer tailormade classes to prepare you for your next trip which can be booked by the hour. Find out more here.
Am I required to do any work outside the course?
This is completely up to you…
We send you weekly vocab sets to practice the language you’ve learnt each week, using Quizlet which you can download on your phone or on desktop.
You can find a selection of our favourite language podcasts, TV series, film and fun ways to learn languages in our blog. We will recommend extra language learning at the end of the class, but don’t worry if you don’t have the time!
Which course would you recommend starting on?
Groups are organised based on level from Beginner to Intermediate so you can all learn at the same speed.
Can I pay per class or do I have to pay for the course upfront?
For 12 weeks courses, you can pay upfront or monthly. Our tailormade courses can be booked by the hour.
Can I get a refund if I can no longer attend the course?
Roots Up Languages will need to receive a written request for a refund from the student (‘you’) at least 7 days before your course or event is due to start in order to give you a refund of the cost.
We must receive a written request from you via email: info@rootsuplanguages.co.uk
Cancellation fees:
Within 7 days: 100%
Within 2 weeks – 50%
A minimum cancellation fee of 15% is applicable.
Roots Up Languages, London, UK.