How long has “learn Spanish” been sitting on your bucket list? Two years? Don’t worry; you’re not alone.
As a matter of fact, many people have been there. After all, Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in the world and the second most spoken language based on native speakers. The truth is, Spanish is almost everywhere, from your funny friend who always says hola instead of hello, to the latest radio hits.
Whatever the reason, maybe you have decided that this is the year you will learn Spanish. You’re committed and excited, perhaps motivated by a New Year’s resolution or that last trip to Barcelona that made you realize you were meant to be born somewhere else.
Then, reality hits you: where should you start? What’s the best tool for learning Spanish? How long does it take to become fluent in Spanish? That’s where we come to the rescue! We have gathered the best tips and advice to learn Spanish, as well as the best tools for learning Spanish and mingle with natives.
Things to remember before starting to learn Spanish
1. Be consistent and, most importantly, patient.
First things first, when learning a new language, it is crucial to set realistic goals. Being fluent in Spanish in a month would be amazing. However, that is rarely the case.
Sadly, there is no magic recipe to learn Spanish quickly. Learning a new language takes dedication and time. The good news is, we will all get there sooner or later. Luckily for you Spanish is also one of the easiest languages to learn. So don’t get discouraged!
2. Speak from day one – no excuses!
The best way to learn Spanish fast is by immersing yourself in the language and speaking it from day one. The good news is you don’t have to move to Barcelona tomorrow to start speaking Spanish. On the contrary, there are plenty of opportunities to start speaking Spanish in your current town. Find your community of peer learners and start practicing.
Don’t know where to start? Fear not. We got your back. Here you can find common Spanish phrases you need to learn.
Below we have gathered the best tips and tools to learn Spanish. Our advice: discover whatever works for you. The most important thing is to start speaking Spanish today. And here goes your first tip “no dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy”, which translates into “Do not put off until tomorrow what you can accomplish today”.
What are the best ways to learn Spanish?
You are motivated, armed with patience, and ready to start speaking Spanish today. What’s next?
3. Find yourself a Spanish tutor
As you already know by now, the first rule to start learning a language is to start speaking the language. Tutors can be of great help if you want to learn Spanish quickly.
Why? Whereas regular classes group several students together, a tutor will focus the time of your Spanish class exclusively on you. That is half an hour, an hour, or even two hours of you improving your Spanish skills like a pro – as opposed to a classroom, in which the learning speed usually accommodates the slowest learner.
Swap Language can help you find your next tutor with one-on-one or small group lessons taught by a verified native speaker.
4. A free alternative: language exchange
Here’s the catch: Tutors can sometimes be expensive, and you may not be able to afford one right now. That’s okay; we get it.
There’s a way to learn Spanish for free while talking to native speakers: language exchanges. Find a partner in your town that would like to learn English or any other languages you already speak, meet up, practice, and learn together.
At Swap Language, you can find a group of Spanish native speakers looking for someone who can teach them Danish, English, German, Russian, and so many other languages. If you’ve made it this far, the chances are that you’re either a native English speaker or your English is at a native level, which means you have at least one language you can teach in exchange for Spanish!
5. Integrate Spanish in your daily routine with learning apps
Apps are the perfect way to ease yourself into learning a new language by integrating language learning into your daily routine. They are portable, and you can access them anywhere as long as you have your phone with you.
Apps like Duolingo, or Memrise, have provided thousands of people with just enough courage to utter their first sentence in Spanish. However, these apps can sometimes be a bit passive. That is why we would recommend not to use them exclusively, but as a complementary tool to review vocabulary and to learn Spanish online in your free time.
Other apps, such as Anki app, focus on teaching you vocabulary with flashcards. Here’s the twist, apps such as Anki incorporate repetition software, which means that the app will store the words you struggle with and will keep repeating them for you to grasp them.
6. Listen to a Spanish Podcast
Podcasts are great tools to learn Spanish because you can listen to them whenever you are doing house chores like cleaning the apartment or commuting to work. Unlike apps, with podcasts, you’re only practicing your listening, which means you can make every moment count and train your brain to get used to hearing Spanish. Any moment can be the perfect time to listen to your favorite podcast.
There are some great podcasts out there for people of all levels. A good option, especially for beginners, is Coffee Break Spanish. If you already have the Spanish basics down, give Notes in Spanish: Inspired Beginners a shot. For beginners who already know a few basics in Spanish.
Both podcasts are available in Spotify for free. So accessing them should be pretty easy!
Alternative: Listen to news channels!
If you want to learn, not only Spanish, but also what’s happening in the Spanish speaking countries, a good option is news channels. Channels such as Cadena Ser or Radio Nacional España, in Spain, offer a wide range of programs, for you to find the topic you’re most interested about, then learning about in Spanish! If you’re, on the other hand, sold to Latin American accents, Mexican Radio Fórmula is a great choice.
7. Reread your favorite novels… in Spanish
Do you have a book you know by heart? Then it could be a great idea to read that same book in Spanish. Titles like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, or other short novels make excellent allies to people who want to learn Spanish. The reason being you do not need to focus on understanding every single word, but on the context. By knowing the plot, it is easier to carry on reading without feeling discouraged. Consistency is key, and you will find yourself picking more and more words in Spanish on the process.
8. Begin Writing
As we noted before, immersing yourself in the language is a crucial factor in learning Spanish successfully. One way to do this is by thinking in Spanish.
At Swap Language, we have heard from different Swappers that journaling is a useful way to start thinking in Spanish. Are you an avid writer or a bullet journaling fan? Try to start writing a few words in Spanish every day.
Do you have a planner? Maybe try to start writing down your plans in Spanish. Forget coffee dates and start noting down your “café” dates. Going to the movies? Note down a “cine” instead. If you don’t have a paper planner, you can still do the same on your phone calendar app instead, and, while you’re at it, change the default language of your phone to Spanish. You will be thinking like a native Spanish speaker in no time!
9. Take advantage of streaming services
Luckily for all Spanish learners out there, many streaming services have started to offer a selection of shows in Spanish. That is the case of Netflix, with titles such as La Casa de Papel (Money Heist), La Casa de Las Flores, Elite, or Narcos. You do not need to be in a Spanish speaking country to have access to a broad range of media in Spanish. Take advantage of that.
Spain has lately released its version of the famous Norwegian tv drama Skam. Skam Spain is based in Madrid, and short clips of around 5-10 minutes are available for free on youtube, which makes this tv show is an excellent option for a little Spanish coffee break.
10. Learn Spanish in a Spanish speaking country
The previous methods offer you the possibility to create an immersive culture in your current town. However, Spanish courses abroad are also a great alternative if you want to get to learn the language together with some peers that are fully committed to speaking a new language while getting to know the local culture.
There are, for example, several options to learn Spanish in Spain, such as EF courses, or Latin America. What’s important is that you double-check that these are “totally immersive” courses, in which you and your fellow learners live on the school’s premises and speak Spanish inside and outside the classroom.
In unity there’s strength:
Join a learning challenge – and remember celebrating every success
If you are ready to start learning Spanish today and would like to see results fast, a learning challenge might just be the thing for you. Join a 30-day learning challenge and commit to speaking Spanish for at least 10 minutes a day, every day of the month. Note down your progress and remember to celebrate your success!
Need some extra motivation? What about finding yourself a partner in crime on your road to learning Spanish? We all need our very own partner for the crucial challenges in life. Having an accountability partner will make it much easier for you to stick to your challenge. You can also choose to report to a group of friends – the most important is to make a commitment and to enjoy the process.
So, what is the best way to learn Spanish quickly?
Learning Spanish is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time to master speaking any language. Ultimately the best way to learn Spanish is the way that works for you. Find ways that keep you motivated, especially at the beginning.
Do you need to start with an app to build a little confidence before considering a tutor? Whatever floats your boat. Just remember, you don’t need to speak Spanish correctly to be understood. The best way to learn Spanish fast is to get out there and start speaking it from today. Remember, practice makes perfect and it is not difficult to find a supportive community that will accompany you in your journey to learn Spanish. Don’t be afraid, make mistakes, and enjoy the ride. ¡Hasta pronto!
How can SwapLanguage help you to learn Spanish fast?
SwapLanguage (SWL) offers different services (free and paid) and events to help you break down language barriers. All of these services are customized based on your motives, needs, level, and schedule! We can help you on your journey to learn Spanish through:
1. Free SWL tandem partner
2. Free SWL weekly meeting – As well as fun and social events throughout the year!
3. Paid 1-on-1 language courses taught by a verified native speaker
4. Paid small group lesson (up to 6) taught by a verified native speaker
If you are looking for a language partner to improve your foreign language skills you can find it on here.
