10 Top Tips For Learning Spanish

Thinking about taking the plunge and learning Spanish? Want some useful advice on the best way to improve? Expanish Language School have asked some of our qualified and experienced teachers for their top tips to help you learn Spanish.  We have listed their top ten below to help you on your way.

1. Be Patient

Nearly all our Spanish teachers told us that students expect to learn Spanish too quickly and subsequently get disillusioned when it doesn´t happen. Take your time and don´t expect to be perfect straight away. Learning a new language should be attempted in small, manageable steps. Congratulate yourself on progress made and try to steer clear of making unrealistic targets.

2. Learn Spanish Abroad

It´s common knowledge that students learn quicker when they are exposed to the language they are trying to learn on a regular basis.  Our students have told us that their Spanish improved significantly quicker because their school lessons were combined with practicing what they learnt in practical, everyday situations.  It´s also very rewarding seeing your hard work paying off!

3. Actively Involve Yourself With Spanish Literature

We´re not saying you should attempt to read an entire newspaper every day.  However, by attempting a couple of small articles regularly you can pick up common words and phrases that you will need to get to grips with quickly.  Our Spanish teachers say that newspapers and magazines can help students pick up key phrases and gain more confidence in their writing and reading ability. Reading a foreign newspaper will also make you look intelligent!

4. Organise Your Work And Yourself

We have all heard this before but it´s probably the most important aspect of learning a language.  There are almost too many useful resources out there and there is a real danger you get overloaded with paper, notes, books and end up going round in circles.  After every lesson make sure you review everything you learn and understand it. Then do it again. Afterwards, organize everything in a way that you understand.  There is nothing more frustrating than consistently searching for the vital piece of information in amongst hundreds of sheets of paper. Trust me, I know!

5. Use Flashcards

Students and teachers alike say that this is a great way of memorizing key words that they come across each day.  For those of you who don’t know what a flash card is, it´s simply a small piece of card or paper that you keep with you during the day and can refer to quickly and easily.  So, if you keep hearing a word while you are out and about, write it on your card. Also, if there is a word or phrase you constantly forget, write on your flashcard.  You can then focus your efforts on perfecting your Spanish in the key areas you need. Simple.

6. Watching Movies With Spanish Subtitles

This is a nice and easy one.  Try and get as much exposure to Spanish television and film as possible.  Also, watch English language films with Spanish subtitles.  Try and match the words spoken to the words written on the screen.  This is particularly helpful in picking up different accents and trying to comprehend the Spanish language at a faster pace. You also get to enjoy watching films as well. 

7. Label Your Surrounding

This is a really helpful tip.  Buy a pad of stickies and go around your house and stick a label on everything you can find. Every time you go near a labeled item say it out loud. You will never forget ´el baño´ ever again.

8. Learn With a Friend

Studying and learning Spanish can sometimes be a frustrating and lonely process.  At certain periods demotivation can creep in.  The best way to conquer this is by finding friends who will support you when progress seems elusive.  Learning Spanish with a friend also ensures you have a really good source for practical and oral learning outside your classroom, as homework usually only involves reading and writing.

9. Don’t Cram - Spread Your Studies

One of the all time classic things to do learning Spanish is to put off studying all week and then, the night before a lesson, cram everything for 2 or 3 hours. Then, after vowing never to do things last minute ever again, go through exactly the same process the week after.  This, experience has taught us, will get you nowhere and fast.  Try and spend short periods every day revising and learning your weekly tasks – discover the areas you are weak on, then focus and improve on them before your next lesson.

10. Join a Spanish Learning Community

Online or in your local community you will find a surprisingly large amount of people trying to do the same thing as you.  Sign up for online support and guidance, go to and participate in local Spanish group meetings.  We live in an age where information and guidance, if you want it, is very easy to obtain.  Take advantage of it. 

Overall, try to remember learning a foreign language can be challenging and frustrating.  Progress will depend on the effort you put in and the resources you have available.  But it can also be fun, rewarding and worthwhile! Our students and teachers share a common thought – if you really want to learn Spanish, and we mean really want to learn, then you have to put your heart and soul into it. One hour here and there never really works.  Watching the odd Spanish film will not do.  You need to set out a plan and stick to it. Learning in our language schools throughout Latin America will give you the best chance of success.  Using the various tools available online will also help – the more exposure you get, the better chance you have of learning. Buena suerte!

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