Are you interested in learning Spanish but feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of mastering a new language? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Learning a new language can seem like a time-consuming task, but with the right strategies and techniques, you can make rapid progress and start speaking Spanish with confidence in no time.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some effective tips and tricks for learning Spanish fast, so you can start communicating in one of the world’s most widely spoken languages. Whether you’re learning for travel, work, or personal enrichment, these tips will help you accelerate your learning and achieve your language goals. So, let’s get started!
1) Maximise your learning time
The truth about language learning is that it isn’t the amount of time you spend learning that counts, but rather what you do with that time. For example, 30 minutes with Spanish music on in the background while you’re focussed on the English book you’re reading is helpful, but not as helpful as 30 minutes listening intently to the music and reading along with the lyrics.
So use your dedicated learning time deliberately and really make the most of it.
StoryLearning is a highly effective method for maximising your learning time, because it engages multiple parts of the brain, making it easier to remember vocabulary, grammar rules, and syntax. When we learn a language through stories, we not only learn new words and phrases, but we also learn how to use them in context, which is crucial for developing fluency.
Stories are also highly engaging and can help us to stay motivated and interested in learning the language. When we read or listen to a story, we become invested in the characters and the plot, which can make the language learning process more enjoyable.
Moreover, stories can be a great tool for developing our language skills, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. By reading or listening to stories in the target language, we can improve our listening comprehension, pronunciation, and speaking skills. We can also learn how to write in the target language by practicing writing our own stories or journal entries.
2) Immerse Yourself in Spanish
Immersion is a highly effective way to learn Spanish fast because it provides you with an immersive language learning environment that encourages you to use the language in a natural and authentic way. When you’re are surrounded by the language on a daily basis, you have more opportunities to practice and use the language in a variety of contexts, which helps to accelerate the learning process.
Immersion is also highly effective because it helps you to develop your listening and comprehension skills in a natural way. By being exposed to Spanish on a regular basis, you gradually become more familiar with the sounds, rhythm, and intonation of the language. This can make it easier to understand native speakers and to communicate effectively in real-world situations.
It used to be that the only way to get an immersive experience was to move to Spain, Mexico, Peru or any of the 21 countries and territories that have Spanish as their official language. However, with the technology at our disposal, that is no longer necessary.
The Pimsleur App is a highly effective way to learn Spanish fast precisely because it focuses on developing conversational skills through immersive language learning techniques. The app is designed to help learners start speaking and understanding Spanish right away, which can be a big confidence booster and motivator for continued learning. Each lesson includes a conversation between native Spanish speakers, which helps learners to develop their listening and comprehension skills in a natural and authentic way. The app also includes cultural notes and insights, which helps learners to better understand the context and customs of Spanish-speaking countries.
One of the key features of the Pimsleur App is its use of spaced repetition. This means that the app will strategically repeat words and phrases at gradually increasing intervals, which helps to reinforce learning and improve retention. Additionally, the app includes native speaker recordings, which allows learners to develop their listening and pronunciation skills in a natural way.
The Pimsleur App also provides a comprehensive and structured curriculum that gradually builds on previous lessons. The lessons are designed to be short and manageable, which makes it easier to fit language learning into a busy schedule. The app also provides interactive exercises and quizzes, which helps learners to review and reinforce what they’ve learned.
3) Structure your learning
It can be really easy, especially if you’re learning Spanish on your own, to zip between different apps and books in a haphazard manner and not really like you’re making any progress.
Following a structured course can help you to learn Spanish fast, because it will have been designed for progression and to allow you to build logically on the skills you have previously acquired.
One such structured course is Spanishpod101, which offers a comprehensive and highly structured curriculum that is designed to help learners of all levels improve their language skills quickly and effectively. The platform uses a variety of interactive tools and resources to provide learners with a fully immersive language learning experience.
One of the key features of Spanishpod101 is its use of audio and video lessons, which are designed to improve listening comprehension, vocabulary, and pronunciation skills. The lessons are taught by experienced language instructors and native Spanish speakers, which provides learners with an authentic and engaging learning experience.
Additionally, Spanishpod101 provides learners with a variety of tools and resources to help them practice their language skills on their own time. These include flashcards, vocabulary lists, quizzes, and interactive exercises, which help learners to reinforce their learning and track their progress.
Another benefit of Spanishpod101 is its focus on real-world language skills. The lessons are designed to teach learners the language and cultural knowledge they need to communicate effectively in real-life situations. This can be especially beneficial for learners who need to learn Spanish quickly for work, travel, or other purposes.
Furthermore, Spanishpod101 provides learners with access to a community of other language learners and native speakers, which can be a valuable resource for practicing and improving language skills. The platform also provides learners with personalized support and feedback from language instructors, which can help to accelerate the learning process.
4) Make your language learning work for your schedule
One of the biggest complaints I hear from language learners is: ‘I just don’t have time to practice.’ And it’s true that it can be hard to fit learning new skills into our busy schedules, which is why it can take so long to learn Spanish.
However, with the number of apps and technologies that exist these days, it’s very easy to fit Spanish lessons into any spare time you might have. Spanish learning podcasts are a great way to do this. Spanishpod101 and Coffee Break Spanish are two of my favorite.
Coffee Break Spanish does exactly what it says on the tin – it offers 15 to 20 minute Spanish lessons that can be completed on your coffee break at work. The podcast episodes are available for free on major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, making it easy for you to access the lessons from wherever you may take your breaks.
If that seems too big a commitment, the Spanishpod101 offers lessons in a bitesize 2-3 minute format that can be used while waiting for the train, tying your shoelaces or boiling the kettle for a cup of tea!
Tip 5: Parroting
Parroting in Spanish involves repeating words and phrases immediately after you hear them in Spanish resources, regardless of whether you fully understand them or not.
Parroting is an effective technique for improving your Spanish pronunciation and sounding more like a native speaker. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to mimic the sounds and rhythm of the language.
Short Tiktok videos or Instagram reels are a great resource for parroting practice, as you can repeat the dialogue as soon as it’s spoken by the influencers on screen.
Some of the most popular Spanish-speaking Tiktok influencers at the moment are:
@soyunapringada: A Spanish TikTok star known for her comedy skits and lip-syncing videos.
@mara_mariño: A Spanish TikTok creator known for her dance videos and lifestyle content.
@antrax_777: A Mexican TikTok creator known for his comedy skits and pranks.
@sorpresasfelices: A Spanish TikTok creator known for her unboxing videos and toy reviews.
@fabioagnelli_: A Spanish TikTok creator known for his dance videos and comedy sketches.
@luiskarla: A Puerto Rican TikTok creator known for her beauty and makeup tutorials.
@juaanguu_: A Spanish TikTok creator known for his comedy skits and funny videos.
Be careful mixing-and-matching nationalities for parroting, because different Spanish speaking countries will have different pronunciations for certain words. But it is good for you to be able to recognise accents from across the Spanish speaking world.
In addition to videos, cooking videos are another fantastic option for parroting practice because the instructions are given very slowly and deliberately. Some of the most popular Spanish cookery channels on YouTube include:
- “Cocina al Natural” – A Mexican cooking channel featuring healthy and delicious recipes made with natural ingredients.
- “Recetas de Esbieta” – A Spanish cooking channel featuring a variety of traditional and modern dishes.
- “La Capital” – A Spanish cooking channel featuring recipes from different regions of Spain.
- “Cocina para Todos” – A Mexican cooking channel featuring simple and easy-to-follow recipes.
- “La Cocina de Loli Dominguez” – A Spanish cooking channel featuring a wide range of dishes, from traditional Spanish cuisine to international dishes.
- “Pepekitchen” – A Spanish cooking channel featuring gourmet recipes and techniques.
- “La Cooquette” – A Spanish cooking channel featuring easy-to-follow recipes for traditional Spanish dishes.
These channels offer a variety of recipes and cooking styles, so you’re sure to find something that suits your interests and taste preferences!
Parroting can also help you learn common words and phrases that occur frequently in Spanish, such as local slang, common verbs, and sentence structures. With regular practice, you can significantly improve your Spanish language skills and confidence.
6) Hire a Spanish teacher or tutor
If you have the disposable time and income, hiring a private tutor will also see you making very rapid progress with your Spanish. The advantage of hiring a private tutor (over using an online course or going to a group class) is that your tutor can tailor the lessons specifically to your needs and abilities, allowing you to make very quick progress. It is, of course, important to be discerning here, because working 1:1 with a tutor means you spend a lot of time with them, so it’s important to find a tutor you click with and can learn from. It’s also important to take your budget into account – private tutoring varies in price, and a highly experienced tutor can charge a high hourly rate.
By following our hints and tips to maximise your learning time, you will be able to learn Spanish fast and be having interesting, thought-provoking conversations with natives in no time at all!
FAQs on Learning Spanish as fast as possible
How long does it take to learn Spanish?
The amount of time it takes to learn Spanish depends on various factors, such as your language learning experience, the amount of time you dedicate to practicing, and your natural ability to pick up new languages. However, generally speaking, if you devote enough time and effort to learning Spanish, you can reach a conversational level within six months to a year.
If you already have experience learning languages or are a native speaker of a romance language like French or Italian, you may be able to learn Spanish more quickly. On the other hand, if you are starting from scratch and have little exposure to foreign languages, it may take you longer to become proficient in Spanish.
It’s important to remember that language learning is a journey and not a destination. Fluency is a goal that can take years to achieve, but you can make progress and gain confidence with consistent practice and dedication. So, if you’re committed to learning Spanish, don’t get discouraged by the time it may take to become fluent. Keep practicing and enjoy the process of learning a new language.
Can I learn Spanish in 30 days?
This depends on what you mean by ‘learn.’
Will you have the same language level as Rafael Nadal after thirty days? No.
Will you be able to hold a conversation with him after thirty days? Yes.
The amount of progress you can make will depend on a few factors, including your starting level of Spanish proficiency, the amount of time you can dedicate to learning each day, and the resources and methods you use to learn. To learn Spanish in 30 days, you will need to focus on intensive and immersive learning methods that prioritize speaking and listening skills.