You’ve decided that you want to become fluent in Spanish, but you need help figuring out how to get started learning it. It’s possible that you’ve never given learning a new language a shot before. Or perhaps you haven’t, but the setbacks, difficulties, and defeats you’ve had while attempting to learn a new language in the previous have left you with the impression that you simply aren’t cut out for it. What if, though, that was just not the case? Don’t believe the lies you tell yourself that you aren’t capable of achieving your goals or that you aren’t good enough.
Spanish is among the languages that are spoken by most people all over the world. Learning Spanish will help you in various aspects of your life, such as improving the quality of your college applications and making it easier to study overseas in Buenos Aires.
It doesn’t matter how you prefer to absorb information; the most important thing is that you commit to doing it. Put a note on your phone to remind you, get a buddy to nag you about that now, or designate a specific time and location where you will sit down and concentrate on studying Spanish each day (or week).
To make things easier for you, we have selected seven of the easiest way to learn spanish. These methods range from simple hobbies that can be incorporated into daily life to more involved pursuits that call for a greater time commitment.
¿Esta usted lista? (“Are you prepared?”) / (“?”) Okay, let’s get moving!
Easiest Way To Learn Spanish: The Tips & Tricks To Unlock
Installing A Spanish Language Application
Language learning apps are a great addition to the system of independent study, and they have several advantages over other approaches, including the following:
- They are portable and may be brought with you everywhere.
- Because you may engage in short bursts of learning with them, they are ideally suited for use during downtime and commutes.
There are a lot of apps that can teach you the fundamentals of a different language on your smartphone. The well-known application Duolingo facilitates learning Spanish in a way that is not only cost-free but also entertaining and participatory. The most exciting part? You can utilize these applications for a short period of time each day at a time that is convenient for your schedule. You will only believe how much you’ve learned once you’ve gone through a few more sessions.
Subscribing To Spanish Podcast
Even while it is possible to learn a brand-new language on your own, it is beneficial to listen to the rhythms and inflections that are inherent in the speech of people who are native speakers of that language. Downloading a few podcasts, such as Media in Slow Spanish, and subscribing to them can make a significant difference in your ability to pronounce Spanish words correctly while you are learning the language.
Inclination Towards A Spanish-Based Feed
Is it true that watching Spanish-language television helps one learn the language? Sí. You probably picked up some basic skills in English and mathematics from watching Sesame Street, don’t you think? The same rule applies in this situation as it does in the previous one: the more you become used to listening to Spanish phrases and words said aloud, the more probable it will be that you can rely on your brain to link everything together in a discourse when you need to. There are a number of television programs, such as Destinos, that are created expressly for individuals who are studying the Spanish language.
Because viewers are able to see what’s taking place on the screen, they often find that watching TV is more convenient for them than hearing to podcasts or the radio. A helpful piece of advice is to begin watching things in Spanish with the subtitles turned on so that everyone can understand in addition to listening.
Joining A Conversation Club
Why not organize a conversation group once a week for any members of your family or circle of friends who are also striving to improve their Spanish language skills? (If coordinating a place proves to be difficult, you can even carry this out using video chat.)
Because you may have a small vocabulary at first, it is important to choose a topic of conversation for each session that is related to the words that you are acquiring (e.g. weather, household items, cooking, school). To make matters even better, select a situation that you would face when utilizing Spanish and acting out a role. Suppose you would like to study overseas in Argentina, for instance. In that case, you could claim to order some typical Argentinian asado from a restaurant that a buddy frequents in order to save money.
Find a method to incorporate food into your conversation group as an extra effort to go the extra mile because, you know, eating makes everything better. Additionally, if you bring treats to each session, your buddies will be more eager to participate.
A Spanish To English Dictionary May Aid
Carry a compact Spanish-English dictionary with you throughout the day so that you can enhance your Spanish vocabulary while you go about your everyday activities. Right then and there, look up the word you don’t know in Spanish and try to commit it to mind so you won’t have to look it up again later.
There is a wide range of sizes and formats available for Spanish-English dictionaries; the most compact versions are small enough to fit in the back pocket of a pair of jeans. If you drive a car or even if you just always carry a bag with you, such as a handbag, messenger bag, or backpack, it should be easy for you to have one close by at all times.
Getting Yourself Enrolled In A Spanish Language Course
There is no getting around the fact that enrolling in a Spanish class may maintain you responsible and devoted to your goal of becoming fluent in the language. It is extremely beneficial to have a teacher who can guide you, a group to practice with, and homework that reinforces what you have learned.
Because prices fluctuate according to the level of regularity, location, and quality of a course, it is imperative that you conduct adequate research before investing your hard-earned money in one.
Surrounding Yourself With Spanish Natives
Traveling to a Spanish-speaking region in another country is one of the most effective ways to learn the language. Even if you are just starting out, participating in a study abroad program or taking an extended vacation can be the most effective approach to incorporate real-world scenarios into your second-language education.
Besides the benefits of acquiring a new language, spending time in a foreign country can provide you with some of the most unforgettable memories of your life. You will be surrounded by people who speak Spanish if you participate in certain programs, which may involve living with a Spanish-speaking host family or attending a Spanish-speaking school.
Considering Things In Spanish
While you go about your day-to-day activities, try to think in Spanish.
Make an effort to utilize Spanish whenever you can, whether you’re mentally compiling a list of things you need to buy at the store or planning what you’ll wear to work the next day.
You should make an effort to translate everything that you read into Spanish in your head, whether it’s a post on social media or the menu at a restaurant. When you get into the habit of doing this, you’ll find that your mind is better able to come up with Spanish words on the spot.
You are also able to have conversations about yourself in Spanish (though perhaps not when others are around). Getting some speaking practice will help you feel more confident while engaging in future encounters with people whose first language is not English.
Educator of Spanish
When you’re learning on your own, it’s common to reach a point of stagnation every once in a while. When this happens, think about getting some extra assistance on the side. If you aren’t being subjected to Spanish on a daily basis, hiring a Spanish instructor to assist you is the ideal option to kickstart your progress in learning the language all over again.
Accessibility to either a native Spanish trainer, if only for a short period of time, may be difficult to come by depending on where you live in the world. We are extremely fortunate to have access to the abundance of online teachers who are currently available.
Is Classroom Instruction the Most Effective Way to Learn Spanish?
You probably learned a language in a class context if you’re like the vast majority of people who have ever acquired languages in the past. Many language learners, particularly English speakers living in the United States, begin their taste of learning a foreign language through the academic approach, which consists of sitting at a desk, functioning through a textbook, practicing vocabulary, and taking tests. This can happen anywhere from elementary school to university classes.
There’s no denying that having a committed and consistent manner to practicing Spanish is one of the best ways for many people to learn the language. You will be able to receive more individualized attention & feedback from an educator in a setting where there are fewer students in the class, or if you are being tutored one-on-one. This tutor will be able to correct your errors and participate in conversations with you.
However, let’s be honest: performing grammar exercises and having an instructor correct your mistakes are only sometimes the most successful (or even the most pleasant) ways to learn Spanish. One of the most significant issues is that, in the context of the classroom, the instructor does the majority of the speaking, and students need more opportunities to practice speaking. It is possible to finish all of the exercises and tests without ever being able to hold a conversation in Spanish that is meaningful to you.
Because of the way your calendar is set up, you won’t be able to commit to attending a class regularly. You may also be able to discover a Spanish lesson in your neighborhood that is offered at no cost to you, but if you are not currently enrolled in school, the majority of classes, particularly individual tutoring, will cost money, which you may not be prepared to invest.
Wrapping It Up
There are a lot of different approaches to learning Spanish, but the truth of the matter is that none of these approaches is inherently superior to the others. Finding out what resonates for you, what aligns with your goals, and what you must do in order to accomplish those goals is the primary focus here.
Your studies will have direction as well as the skills necessary for you to remain motivated throughout the process of learning Spanish if you are aware of your goals and the reasons you want to study Spanish.
Immersion in the language and maintaining a consistent study schedule are the two most effective strategies to keep your Spanish learning adventure going strong over the long term, regardless of whether you pursue the Do It Yourself route like we chose or opt for a more organized course.
Since you are committing to a new way of life by studying Spanish, you will need to immerse yourself in Spanish culture as much as possible in order to be successful. It’s almost as if you need to immerse yourself in the language with all 5 of your senses, which you may achieve by relocating to a nation where Spanish is the primary language spoken or by adhering to the tips we’ve provided above.
Additionally, consistency is an essential component. If you don’t put in the effort to practice on a consistent basis, none of what you learn will keep with you over the long term. It is more productive to do a little bit each day rather than to have a really extensive study session every weekend.