How to Learn Spanish: The 9 Best Ways

• Luis Ronson
• 17 Mar, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 6 Mins Read

To learn Spanish, you must implement a planned language-learning process. Spanish is learned by reading Spanish books, watching Spanish movies and TV, writing Spanish vocabulary, and listening to Spanish music.

Spanish is the easiest language to learn for English speakers. Your first step when starting to learn Spanish is to know the basic language rules. You can start learning Spanish by learning the structure of basic Spanish sentences, basic grammar rules, and basic speaking and spelling rules.

You may want to learn Spanish for different reasons, such as reading Spanish books, making Spanish friends, speaking Spanish in your daily life, or living in Spain. The first step is to determine your purpose of learning Spanish and then implement a language program prepared for this purpose.

You can try different language learning methods to learn Spanish. These language learning methods generally offer a fast language learning experience.

These are nine ways to learn Spanish quickly and for free.

1. Read Spanish Books, textbooks, magazines, and newspapers.
2. Improve your speaking skills with Spanish Conversation Groups.
3. Travel to a Spanish-speaking country.
4. Improve your fluency with Spanish Language Learning Platforms.
5. Learn Spanish Vocabulary with Language Learning Apps
6. Improve your speaking with Spanish Language Courses.
7. Watch Movies and TV in Spanish.
8. Improve your listening skills by listening to Music and Podcasts in Spanish
9. Follow Spanish YouTubers.

1. Read Spanish Books, Textbooks, Magazines, and Newspapers

When you start learning a new language, you should read every document you find. If you read Spanish books and newspapers regularly, your vocabulary and speaking fluency will improve. Depending on your Spanish language level, you can read classics from Spanish literature.

To speak Spanish more fluently with your friends in daily life, you should read all texts written in Spanish, such as newspapers, magazines, and textbooks.

Books, Textbooks, Magazines, and Newspapers you can read while learning Spanish are listed below.

Books;

• Papelucho
• Como agua para chocolate
• El túnel

Textbooks;

• A1 Spanish Grammar and Practice by Michael Swan
• A2 Spanish Grammar and Practice by Michael Swan
• B1 Spanish Grammar and Practice by Michael Swan

Magazines;

• National Geographic en Español
• El País Semanal

Newspaper;

• El País
• El Mundo
• La Vanguardia

2. Improve your Speaking Skills with Spanish Conversation Groups

Joining Spanish Conversation groups allows you to improve your Spanish speaking skills in a supportive and social environment. Spanish Conversation Groups bring together everyone learning a new language, offering them the opportunity to meet new people, chat, and get feedback from native Spanish speakers. Regular participation in such groups can significantly improve your communication skills and fluency.

Here are some places where you can find Spanish conversation groups:

• Local libraries and community centers.
• Online platforms.
• Language schools and universities.

3. Travel to a Spanish-Speaking Country

Spanish has been adopted as the official language of 20 sovereign states and is spoken by 422 million people worldwide. To learn Spanish quickly and fluently, you can travel to a country where the native language is Spanish. Speaking Spanish in your daily life will also improve your vocabulary.

It would be best to have daily conversations with local people in the country you are traveling to. You can practice daily language with people who speak different Spanish dialects. Immerse yourself in the local culture, try the local cuisine, and engage in conversations with locals to enhance your learning experience. The fastest and most effective way to learn Spanish is to be in constant communication with a native Spanish speaker.

Some countries you can travel to while learning Spanish:

• Spain
• Colombia
• Mexico
• Argentina

4. Improve your Fluency with Spanish Language Learning Platforms

Online language learning platforms, such as OnlineLearnSpanish, provide interactive and structured lessons that cater to different proficiency levels. This platform offers a combination of vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking exercises to develop a well-rounded understanding of the Spanish language. Online language learning platforms should be used to improve your pronunciation and develop your vocabulary.

Online language learning platforms you can use while learning Spanish;

• OnlineLearnSpanish
• Duolingo
• italki
• Rosetta Stone

5. Learn Spanish Vocabulary with Language Learning Apps

Mobile apps like Memrise, FluentU, and HelloTalk offer convenient and portable language learning experiences. These apps provide bite-sized lessons, vocabulary flashcards, speech recognition technology, and language exchange features that facilitate language learning on the go.

Language Learning Applications you can use while learning Spanish are listed below;

• Memrise
• Babbel
• Busuu

6. Improve your speaking with Spanish Language Courses

If you prefer a more structured approach to learning Spanish, enrolling in a language course can provide comprehensive instruction and guidance. Local community colleges, language schools, and online platforms offer a variety of Spanish language courses for beginners, intermediate learners, and advanced speakers.

Some Spanish language courses you can attend are listed below;

• Pimsleur Spanish
• Rocket Spanish

7. Watch Movies and TV in Spanish

Immerse yourself in Spanish-language media, such as movies and TV shows. Watch Spanish films with subtitles, and create a playlist of your favorite Spanish songs. Exposure to authentic Spanish content enhances your listening comprehension, vocabulary, and cultural knowledge.

Movies and TV you can watch while learning Spanish are listed below.

Movies;

• Amores Perros
• Pan’s Labyrinth
• Talk to Her

TV Shows;

• La Casa de Pape
• Narcos
• Elite

8. Listen to Spanish Music and Podcasts.

To improve your Spanish comprehension and listening ability, you should listen to Spanish music and podcasts. Create a music playlist for yourself, and try to listen to these songs every day. Exposure to Spanish music enhances your listening comprehension, vocabulary, and cultural knowledge.

The music and podcasts you can listen to while learning Spanish are listed below.

Music:

• C Tangana – El Madrileño
• Bad Bunny – Un Verano Sin Ti
• Karol G – KG0516
• Rauw Alejandro – Vice Versa

Podcasts:

• Online Learn Spanish Podcast
• Radio Ambulante
• Alt.Latino
• Songmess
• Latino Music Lab

9. Follow Spanish YouTubers.

To be more exposed to Spanish, you should include plenty of Spanish in your daily life. You can watch videos about Spanish, videos about Spanish culture, or Spanish course content on YouTube. You can make your Spanish learning journey more fun with this exercise.

Some YouTube channels that you can follow to learn Spanish are listed below.

• Easy Spanish 
• Spanish with Juan 
• Coffee Break Spanish 
• Learn Spanish with Nacho
• SpanishPod101

Why Learn Spanish?

The Spanish language holds immense importance in today’s globalized world. As one of the most widely spoken languages worldwide, learning Spanish opens up a world of opportunities for personal, academic, and professional growth. 

Some reasons to learn Spanish are listed below;

• Cultural Enrichment and Connection
• Travel and Exploration
• Professional Advancement

What is the Best Way to Learn Spanish?

The best way to learn Spanish is through immersion and concentration. The more you are exposed to Spanish in your daily life, the faster you will learn. Practicing speaking and writing Spanish in your daily life and reading books is the fastest and most effective method of learning Spanish.

How Long does it take to Learn Spanish?

According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), it takes an average of 24 weeks (600 class hours) for native English speakers to learn Spanish to a conversational level. 

What are the Difficulties in Learning Spanish?

While learning Spanish, you may experience difficulties with grammar and pronunciation. Some grammar and pronunciation rules may differ from the grammar structures of your native language. The most common challenges when learning Spanish are Pronominal verbs, subjunctive mood, and Verbal forms.

In which order should I Learn Spanish?

When learning Spanish, you must first learn the basic language rules. First, you should learn topics such as Spanish sentence structure, alphabet, colors, months, days, and weeks. You should know some phrase words that you can use in your daily life. It would be best to learn advanced topics such as grammar and pronunciation when you advance your Spanish level to B1 and B2 level.

How can I Learn Spanish by Myself?

When you decide to learn Spanish on your own, you should look for free resources that will help you. Unlimited resources such as Spanish e-books, Spanish blogs, and YouTube channels can be given as examples of these free resources.

Luis Ronson

Luis Ronson is a Spanish teacher at onlinelearnspanish.com. He's a bilingual Spanish-English. She has a master's in "vocabulary" and is responsible for our Spanish vocabulary-related articles.