The best way to learn Spanish: 10 tips

Are you looking for the best way to learn Spanish fast? We’re here to help!

With around 600 million speakers worldwide, Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Spanish is a great asset to add to your toolbox. Whether you’re aiming to boost your career or learn it for personal reasons like travel or family, we guarantee that Spanish will open doors for your life!

Of course, we also understand that learning a new language can feel intimidating at first. That’s why so many of us keep putting ‘learn Spanish’ on our New Year’s resolution lists, with not much to show for it by the end of the year. We are ready to break this cycle! 

So, what is the best way to learn Spanish and finally check off that box? We’ve put together 10 tips to kickstart your learning. ¡Acompáñanos! (Come along with us!).

The best way to learn Spanish in 10 tips

When learning a new language, it’s essential to find methods and techniques that fit your schedule, goals and learning style. With the internet at your disposal, there’s no shortage of tools to test-drive!

Indeed, finding the right setup is key to staying consistent and advancing in your journey. How? Well, the more consistent you are, the more progress you’ll make… and the more progress you make, the more you’ll want to learn (AKA: motivation).

So, we’ve broken down some of the most effective ways to learn Spanish to help you make progress in your journey.

Ready? Let’s go!

1. Start with the basics

When diving into a new language, it’s essential to start from the ground up. Familiarizing yourself with the basics will set the stage for a smoother road and give you the push to get the ball rolling. 

Here are some pointers on where to begin:

• Alphabet and its sounds: Watch online videos of native Spanish speakers spelling out the alphabet. Pay attention to each sound and mimic it. If you are in an online Spanish class, ask your teacher to repeat these sounds for you often.
• Numbers: Start by learning the numbers from one to ten, then move on to higher figures. You’ll find that there are simple patterns to follow!
• Pronouns: Learn all pronouns, as they’re essential for Spanish verb conjugation.
• Common vocabulary: Make a list of everyday vocabulary, starting with essentials like sí (yes), no (no), por favor (please), gracias (thanks) and nouns related to food, clothing and the household.

Okay, the grammar side of things may not always be the most exciting part of taking up a new language. Nevertheless, learning correct grammar is exactly what will give our skills a solid base. Grammar is the bedrock of effective communication.

This is why it’s particularly important to pay extra attention to grammar rules from the very beginning. This will avoid headaches later on. By investing time and effort in studying grammar, we can expand our vocabulary, form correct sentences, and communicate much faster than if we didn’t.

However, we can all acknowledge that grammar is one of the trickiest pieces of the puzzle. This is true, especially if your native language’s rules differ significantly from Spanish. So, here are some key points we believe you should concentrate on to build a strong foundation:

• Gender. Gender is an essential feature of Spanish grammar. Nearly all nouns are masculine or feminine or have gendered variations, such as maestra (female teacher) and maestro (male teacher). Note that adjectives and pronouns should match the gender of the noun.
• Practice your verbs. Spanish verb conjugation changes the word endings based on tense and person (first person, second person, third person singular/plural, etc.). Practicing the most common verbs and their conjugations is beyond helpful if you’re aiming to learn the language quickly.
• Word order. In Spanish, it’s common to see sentences where the subject or noun is placed after the verb (for example ese pastel lo hice yo, meaning ‘I made that cake’ but literally translated as ‘that cake I made it’).
  When it comes to Spanish adjectives, they typically come after the noun instead of before (la casa grande, ’the big house’, instead of literally translating la grande casa).

Seems like a lot? No worries – you don’t have to navigate this alone. Learning from experienced Spanish teachers is the best way to make sure you study the right rules at the right time and with the right feedback. Indeed, that’s where platforms like Lingoda come in! 

Start with Lingoda today

3. Visuals, visuals, visuals

Phew, we got the heavier stuff out of the way! So, how can we make all this learning more fun and engaging? Visuals, visuals, visuals. Who doesn’t love multimedia? Movies, TV or video series, documentaries…whatever strikes your fancy.

Using media is hands down one of the most effective ways to learn Spanish (or any language, really). Movies and shows, for instance, help us pick up new words through context without the need for translation. They also familiarize us with a language’s natural sounds and rhythm. Plus, if we’re hooked on a storyline, we’ll want to keep watching. This boosts our time commitment and skills even more.

Were you thinking of canceling your Hulu subscription? Think again! Leverage it as an educational resource!

Note: If you’re a beginner or intermediate-level learner, it might be best to choose something with a familiar plot. This way, you can focus on the language rather than the story.

4. Hit ‘play’ on that podcast

Like movies and series, podcasts are a fantastic tool to support our Spanish studies, especially now that media is so portable (hooray technology!). Whether we’re on our commute, cooking dinner or sweating it out on the treadmill, we can whip out a phone or tablet and use that time to study.

The best part is that with endless podcast options available in so many languages, we can definitely find something that will interest us and keep us motivated. Are you into history? Great. Pop culture? No doubt. Gardening? Definitely! You can find Spanish-language content on any topic.

Listening to native speakers tell stories helps us work on pronunciation, sentence structure and everyday vocabulary. The fact that we can rewind or restart a podcast as many times as we need makes it all the more useful. You can focus on nailing that tricky sound you’ve been struggling with, for example.

Additionally, if you’re looking for something suitable for a beginner, there are podcasts with easy-to-follow stories specifically designed to assist language learners (hint: Lingoda’s El Viaje Español).

5. Get singing

We can’t stress enough how beneficial it is to listen to native speakers set to music when we’re learning a new language. With media being so accessible worldwide, we can (and should!) grab every chance to engage with content in our target language, specifically music.

In fact, research has found that listening to music is one of the most effective tools for language learning. In short, songs can help us:

• Memorize new vocabulary and phrases: A song’s melody helps us connect lyrics to music, making them easier to remember. This will enrich our vocabulary.
• Get acquainted with cadence, pronunciation and tone: This is great if we’re aiming to develop an authentic accent and work on our listening skills.
• Gain cultural knowledge: Music exposes us to slang and cultural nuances, giving us a deeper understanding of the language and its context.

Just having music playing in the background can be helpful. Even better? Singing along of course. This is the best way to get the most out of it. So, warm up those vocal cords and go on the hunt for a fun salsa or cumbia playlist! There is no shortage of amazing talent to choose from (Selena, Juan Gabriel, Natalia Lafourcade… we could go on).

6. Start early with reading comprehension

Reading practice in Spanish is a vital part of language learning – it opens up a whole new world for us! Just imagine being able to read books by all those brilliant Spanish-speaking authors in their original language – think Isabel Allende (one of the most famous Chilean writers), Gabriel Garciá Márquez, Julio Cortázar, just to name a few.

Our advice here is to begin working on your reading comprehension early in your studies. This way, you can progress gradually and build up your confidence. Start with short stories and children’s books, then slowly tackle more challenging material as you become more proficient.

On that note, remember to be kind to yourself if you don’t understand some vocabulary. Move past it and look it up later (or make sense of it from context) – everything will click sooner or later, as long as you don’t give your Spanish reading practice up!

7. Surround yourself with the most Spanish you can

When you’re starting to learn Spanish, immersing yourself as much as possible in the language will work wonders. It speeds up your learning by exposing you to new vocabulary, grammar structures and correct pronunciation. But how can we do that if we’re not living in a Spanish-speaking country?

Here are some good tips to get around that:

• Switch your phone, social media and other app settings to Spanish
• Watch movies and videos or TV series in Spanish or with Spanish subtitles
• Listen to music and podcasts in Spanish while you drive, exercise, cook, etc…
• Write down Spanish vocabulary on sticky notes and place them around your desk, kitchen, bathroom, etc
• Read news articles and current event blogs in Spanish
• Make your shopping or to-do lists in Spanish
• Join a language exchange or ask your Spanish-speaking friends to help you practice (see below)

8. Take every chance to speak Spanish

We’ve all been there when learning a new language. Our reading, listening and writing skills improve steadily, but when it comes to speaking… our brain freezes. The best way to address this? Practice your speaking as much as possible! This is a confidence issue, not a knowledge problem.

Regardless of your level, we recommend seeking out opportunities to speak Spanish from the get-go. For example,  join a language exchange group or ask your Spanish-speaking family or friends to practice with you. Start with simple conversations and, as you progress, gradually incorporate more advanced vocabulary.

If you’re committed to polishing your speaking skills, it’s important that you overcome any fear of making mistakes and that you remain open to feedback. This is what will really get you on a roll!

9. Consider online Spanish classes

Thanks to today’s interconnectivity, we can learn from the experts no matter where we are. Lingoda, for instance, collaborates with native-level professionals worldwide, offering learners full schedule flexibility and other perks.

In other words: Do you have an internet connection and a computer or smartphone nearby? Then you can, quite literally, start learning Spanish today! 

Some of the benefits of learning with platforms such as Lingoda include:

• Time maximization No need to commute; you can connect from the comfort of your home or office..
• Access to native speakers. Learn from native-level teachers without having to travel. Is your aim to learn a particular accent? There’ll be someone for you!
• Flexibility. With teachers around the globe, you’ll find options that fit your schedule.
• Affordability. The competitive e-learning industry means there are plenty of affordable options.
• Online tools and resources. You can use countless online tools to aid your learning without the need for heavy textbooks or other materials.

Start with Lingoda today

10. Take a trip to a Spanish-speaking country

Learning a new language is one of the best things you can do if you’re exploring other cultures and countries. Spanish, in particular, opens the door to jaw-dropping places like Puerto Rico, Mexico or Colombia (The food! The sights! The sun!).

So, if you have the chance, we 100% recommend booking that ticket and immersing yourself in the language. It’s the perfect opportunity to practice your skills in real-life scenarios, from listening comprehension to speaking.

After all, there’s nothing like being surrounded by your target language 24/7 to really boost your motivation and soak it all in.

What is the most effective way to learn Spanish? 

So, the ultimate question is: What is actually the best and most effective way to learn Spanish? Well, there’s no one right answer. We’re all on our own journeys and what works for some might not work for others.

To find what works best for you, think about the following:

• Your goals: Depending on your goals, you might want to consider a particular strategy. If you want to learn Spanish quickly, for example, spending time in a Spanish-speaking country could be a game changer.
• Your motivation: Find methods that keep you engaged and excited. Enjoying the process will make a huge difference in staying motivated.
• Your schedule: To stay consistent, find an option that fits your schedule and that you can commit to.
• Your learning style: Pay attention to what helps you progress faster. Is it visual aids? Reading? A language exchange partner? Listen to your gut!

Stay open-minded, trust your instincts and notice how you feel when using a learning tool or method –this is where you’ll find the key!

The best way to learn Spanish… for you

Spanish is a beautiful language that opens many doors for those eager to learn it. Some of the most wonderful literature, music and films, for instance, come from truly talented Spanish-speaking minds. Learning Spanish will not only give us greater access to these works but, given the number of Spanish speakers worldwide, it’ll also be a fantastic asset for our professional and personal lives. 

So, we hope this list has given you some ideas on what the best way to learn Spanish for you might be! At Lingoda, we’re ready to support you every step of the way.

Start with Lingoda today

Alison Maciejewski Cortez

Alison Maciejewski Cortez is Chilean-American, born and raised in California. She studied abroad in Spain, has lived in multiple countries, and now calls Mexico home. She believes that learning how to order a beer in a new language reveals a lot about local culture. Alison speaks English, Spanish, and Thai fluently and studies Czech and Turkish. Her tech copywriting business takes her around the world and she is excited to share language tips as part of the Lingoda team. Follow her culinary and cultural experiences on X.

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