Learning a new language can be fun yet overwhelming at the same time. In a country where more than 42 million people speak and understand Spanish, learning Spanish should be easy.
At least that is what I thought when I first started learning Spanish. Just to clarify a few things, I am trilingual, so learning a new language is not new anymore. Moreover, I have three friends fluent in Spanish, and I have an end goal as a motivation as well.
Now, on to some serious disclaimers that you must consider.
- This is not a boring, textbook-style Spanish learning guide, so do not expect me to quote some numbers or success stories.
- This write-up is strictly based on personal experience and everything mentioned here is tried and tested.
- Within this write-up, I will mention some of the best practices that will help you learn Spanish indirectly. Moreover, I have sorted each source with its pros and cons, so you can pick the practices that suit your lifestyle.
How to Ace Spanish in 6 Months?
-
Learn the Alphabets
Just like any language, start with the alphabet. This will help you get familiar with the alphabet, and the way they are written, and eventually you will be able to read better.
Considering my personal experience, learning the alphabet was quite simple as an English speaker. However, the pronunciation can be a little tricky because most of the words softly pronounced in English require a bit of practice in Spanish.
What Resources to Use?
For the alphabet, I mainly used Google and YouTube. Search the alphabet on Google image and you will come across a simple chart consisting of alphabets, phonics, and some simple Spanish words.
Pros:
- Reading is the best way to learn any language and build a vocabulary.
- All the tricks mentioned in this guide involve some kind of reading so alphabets are important.
Cons:
- Pronunciation of alphabets is different from English so, it can be confusing for English speakers.
- Most websites offer written alphabets only, without phonics.
Tips To Learn Alphabets Faster:
Pick a simple video from YouTube with a Spanish phonic song and play it on repeat. After waking up or before going to sleep, and even before a meal, listen to this song and sing it out loud. Within just one week, you will be able to sing the song without supervision.
-
Get Entertained In Spanish
Entrainment is a great way to learn a new language. Most of the bilingual people around me mention the name of at least a singer, TV series, or movie that inspired them to learn a new language. One of my favorite examples is the leader of BTS, who learned English through friends.
What Resources to Use?
Pick a TV series online or a movie and use its subtitles. For instance, Money Heist is a great TV series that can help you learn Spanish. Here are some other options that you can try if you are looking for Spanish shows and movies:
| TV Series | Movie |
| Breathless | Sounds like love |
| Money heist | Crazy about her |
| Narcos | The man of action |
| El Chapo | Nowhere |
| Elite | Eye for an eye |
All the options listed above are available on Netflix with English subtitles. Apart from this, if you are a cable TV subscriber, you can contact customer service and ask for Spanish channels as well. For instance, I am using Xfinity Internet and cable TV. Xfinity offers a wide variety of Spanish TV channels, so you can ring up Xfinity Servicio al Cliente and seek guidance any time.
Pros:
- Entrainment is the best way to learn without feeling tired
- You be staying engaged and having fun while learning a new language
Cons:
- Reading subtitles can be a little distracting
- A slow learning process might take a long time
Tips to Learn through Entrainment Faster:
Watch every TV series and movie twice. Most of the content on Netflix is available with both English subtitles and Spanish subtitles. You can watch English content with Spanish subtitles and then the same content in Spanish with English subtitles. This trick has single-handedly improved my vocabulary and pronunciation.
-
Practice with A Partner
Practicing is a great way to memorize and revise everything you have learned. As mentioned earlier, I have three friends, and I practice with them. However, finding a practicing partner in this digital age is quite easy.
What Resources to Use?
A straightforward answer is to practice with your family and friends. In case, you don’t have Spanish friends, practice with AI. Nearly every assistant app i.e., Siri, Alexa, Gemini, and ChatGPT, has this practice feature. In case, you don’t want to practice with AI, try practicing with shopkeepers, waiters, or even customer service agents. For instance, practicing key grammar distinctions like the difference between por and para with a partner and integrating available platforms can help you avoid common mistakes. This is one of those concepts where repetition and real-life examples are crucial for mastery.
Pros:
- Practicing helps revise and memorize everything better
- Practicing is a great way to assess your strengths and weaknesses
Cons:
- You might end up practicing only informal conversations while practicing with a friend
- Commit to the same language and not switching mid-sentence can be challenging
Tips To Practice Better:
Make Spanish the default language for your voice assistant. Make sure to take at least 30 minutes every day to practice.
-
Use an App
Language learning apps are quite common. However, with so many app options, finding the best one can be tricky.
What Resources to Use?
My favorite app is Duolingo because of the daily reminders and short goals. However, other apps like Memrise, Mondly, and Triplingo are also good options. I usually use two apps, Duolingo for practicing words and Memrise for casual conversations.
Pros:
- You can practice and learn on the go.
- Most apps are free.
Cons:
- Notifications can be distracting.
- Free apps generally have limited features.
Tips To Pick the Best App:
Try using at least 5-6 apps before you select your favorite. Pick at least 2 apps based on your style of learning and make sure to open these apps at least once a day.
-
Listen To Spanish Podcasts
Listening is a very good way to learn. Through listening you will be improving your vocabulary as well as pronunciation. You can start with Spanish songs and then get to Spanish podcasts.
What Resources to Use?
The YouTube podcast section is great for Spanish listening. Apart from this, you can also use Spotify for learning Spanish. Here is my favorite Spanish podcast that can help you learn and practice on the go.
Pros:
- Listening can facilitate speaking as well
- It helps you improve the flow of your words and sentences
Cons:
- Listening needs full attention especially when there are no subtitles
- It can be tricky because of the word flow and dialect
Tips To Improve Listening Skills:
Try replacing your daily music with Spanish songs and podcasts. Listening to Spanish lessons in your car or before going to bed can be great practice.
Things to Consider Before Learning a Language
Age:
Learning a language is easier for younger people. This is the reason kids can learn language faster.
Background:
People from Hispanic backgrounds with Spanish-speaking families and relatives have a much better chance of mastering Spanish.
Motivation:
Learning any language or in fact, reaching any goal is impossible without solid motivation. Make sure to set an achievable goal and an incentive for the goal.
