Best Way to Learn Spanish: Apps, Courses, & Tips to Become Fluent

Best Way to Learn Spanish

Have you ever found yourself saying, “I really want to learn Spanish,” but not knowing where to start? Whether it’s to enhance your travel experiences, advance your career, or simply connect with millions of Spanish speakers worldwide, mastering Spanish can open up countless opportunities.

Learning a new language doesn’t have to be overwhelming—if you follow the right approach. In this guide, we’ve curated 8 of the best ways to learn Spanish to help you learn Spanish quickly and efficiently.

Language Learning Motivation by Polyglot Robin MacPherson

Find Motivation

Before starting, it’s essential to establish why you want to learn Spanish. Motivation is the driving force that will keep you going even when the learning process feels challenging.

  • Travel: Whether it’s to explore Spain or Latin America, knowing Spanish will make your travel experiences much richer.
  • Career: Spanish is a valuable skill in many industries, including healthcare, education, and business. It could open doors to job opportunities and career advancement.
  • Cultural Connection: You might want to connect with Spanish-speaking family members or friends on a deeper level.
  • Education and Self-Improvement: Learning a language sharpens your cognitive skills and enhances problem-solving abilities.
  • Personal Fulfillment: For some, learning Spanish is a way to challenge themselves and gain a sense of accomplishment.

Whatever your reason, having a clear goal will help you stay consistent and focused.


8 Best Ways to Learn Spanish

Use Language Exchange

One of the most effective ways (and it’s FREE!) to improve your Spanish speaking skills is through language exchange. This involves practicing with native speakers in exchange for helping them learn your language.

“Hi! I’m learning Spanish and would love to do a language exchange—would you be interested in helping me with Spanish while I help you with [your language]?”

How it works

You pair up with someone who is fluent in Spanish and is learning your native language. You spend half the time speaking in Spanish and the other half in your language.

What you get

You get real-world conversational experience, learn natural sentence structures, and pick up on cultural nuances that textbooks might miss.

Where to find language exchange partners

Apps like Tandem and HelloTalk offer structured platforms for language exchange, allowing you to connect with native Spanish speakers worldwide.

Pro Tip: Make language exchange a regular part of your week. Even 30-minute conversations two or three times a week can significantly improve your fluency.

Find Online Tutors

If you’re looking for personalized guidance, working with an online Spanish tutor can be a game-changer. Tutors provide 1-on-1 attention, which allows you to focus on specific areas like grammar, pronunciation, or vocabulary.

Why hire a tutor?

Tutors can tailor lessons to your learning style and level. They can help you break down complex grammatical structures or assist with conversational practice. Additionally, they can correct mistakes in real-time, speeding up your progress.

Where to find online tutors

Platforms like AmazingTalker, Preply, and italki allow you to choose from a wide range of tutors based on your budget, learning style, and availability.

Pro Tip: Set clear goals with your tutor, such as achieving conversational fluency, mastering verb conjugations, or preparing for a language exam like DELE (Diplomas of Spanish as a Foreign Language).

Listen to Spanish Podcasts

Listening to podcasts is a fantastic way to improve your comprehension and expose yourself to different accents. Whether you’re commuting, exercising, or relaxing, you can tune in and passively absorb the language.

Recommended podcasts for Spanish learners

Notes in Spanish: Provides episodes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners, covering a range of topics from culture to current events.

Coffee Break Spanish: Structured like a course, it offers step-by-step lessons for learners of all levels.

Duolingo Spanish Podcast: Combines storytelling with language learning, providing bilingual episodes that help bridge the gap for learners.

Pro Tip: Don’t be discouraged if you don’t understand everything right away. Start with slower-paced podcasts or podcasts specifically designed for learners, and gradually work your way up to native-level content.

Read and Write in Spanish

Reading and writing are critical for building a solid foundation in Spanish. By improving these skills, you’ll enhance your grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Spanish Reading

Start with children’s books, short stories, or news articles from Spanish-language sites like BBC Mundo or El País. As you advance, move on to novels or non-fiction in Spanish.

Spanish Writing

Keep a journal in Spanish. Start by writing short entries about your day, your thoughts, or even creative stories. The goal is to apply what you’ve learned and get comfortable expressing yourself in writing.

Pro Tip: Use apps like LangCorrect or HelloTalk to get feedback on your writing from native speakers.

Use Flash Card Apps or Language Apps

Flashcards are a time-tested way to memorize vocabulary, and digital apps have made them more effective than ever. Language apps also offer gamified learning experiences, which help maintain motivation.

Anki: Uses spaced repetition algorithms to help you memorize vocabulary and grammar rules.

Quizlet: Allows you to create custom flashcard sets or use pre-made ones created by other learners.

Best Language Apps

Duolingo: Offers bite-sized lessons with gamification elements.

Babbel: Focuses on conversational Spanish and grammar.

Memrise: Combines video-based lessons with vocabulary training.

Pro Tip: Use these apps consistently for short, focused sessions (15-30 minutes a day) to keep building your vocabulary and grammar knowledge.

Watch Spanish TV & Movies

Watching Spanish-language TV shows and movies is both entertaining and educational. It exposes you to everyday spoken Spanish, idiomatic expressions, and cultural references.

Netflix: Offers a wide range of Spanish TV shows and movies. Start with shows like La Casa de Papel or Elite, or watch your favorite show with Spanish audio.

YouTube: Provides a treasure trove of free Spanish content, including vlogs, interviews, and short films.

How to maximize learning

Use subtitles: Start with Spanish subtitles while listening to Spanish dialogue to improve comprehension.

Pause and rewind: When you hear new vocabulary or phrases, pause, look them up, and repeat them out loud.

Pro Tip: Watch content that you find genuinely interesting. If you’re engaged with the storyline, you’ll be more likely to stay motivated and learn faster.

Focus on Vocabulary

Expanding your vocabulary is a key component of language learning. The more words you know, the easier it will be to communicate effectively.

Thematic learning: Learn vocabulary based on themes, such as travel, food, or daily activities.

SRS (Spaced Repetition Systems): Use tools like Anki or Memrise to systematically review vocabulary at intervals, helping you retain words for longer.

Daily practice: Aim to learn 10-20 new words each day. Over time, this will accumulate to a robust vocabulary base.

Pro Tip: Focus on learning useful vocabulary that you will use in everyday conversations, rather than obscure words.

Sign Up for an Online Membership or Course

If you’re serious about achieving fluency, signing up for an online Spanish course or membership program can provide structured learning, community support, and resources to help you stay on track.

Lingoda: Offers small group classes with native-speaking teachers, focusing on speaking and grammar.

SpanishVIP: Provides one-on-one lessons tailored to your level and goals.

Coursera or edX: Offer university-level courses taught by expert instructors.

Pro Tip: Look for courses that match your learning style—whether that’s interactive lessons, live classes, or video-based modules.

What’s the Best Way to Learn Spanish?

The journey to fluency in Spanish requires a mix of motivation, consistency, and the right resources. Whether you prefer language exchange, listening to podcasts, using apps, or taking online courses, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Experiment with different methods and find what works best for you.

Immerse Yourself

No matter which approach you are using, immersion is one of the most effective ways to learn languages. While living in a Spanish-speaking country is ideal, there are numerous ways to immerse yourself in the Spanish language without leaving home.

  • Change your phone and social media settings to Spanish
  • Join online Spanish-speaking communities
  • Create a Spanish environment at home
  • Comment on social media in Spanish
  • Travel to Spanish speaking country

FAQS

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