It’s a question almost every Spanish student has asked: can I learn Spanish by myself? While it’s not ideal, you can learn the language on your own.
I, personally, started in a typical classroom. But as an adult, I’ve continued my Spanish studies from home and without taking formal classes.
So whether you’re a beginner or looking to advance, consider how you can learn a second language without traditional methods.
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Why Learn Spanish on Your Own
There are many reasons why someone might want to learn Spanish alone.
For one, we all have busy schedules, and some of those differ from our peers. Maybe you don’t have time to attend classes or set up tutoring sessions.
Learning on your own also gives you more control over how fast you learn. Since I have some knowledge, I can learn a lot more quickly than a total beginner.
Another one of my favorite parts of learning Spanish on your own is the cost. Or rather, the lower cost you’ll have compared to traditional options.
Finally, you can customize your learning plan to match your needs. So whether you want to focus on specific vocab or another aspect, you have control.
Why You Might Not Want to Learn Alone
As great as it can be to learn Spanish by yourself, it can be difficult.
I know having Spanish classes helped me a lot as a beginner. The classes gave me structure, and I didn’t have to think about what to learn next.
If you’re not self-motivated, you may struggle to keep up with your studies. This is particularly true if you try to use too many resources.
You can easily overwhelm yourself and decide to quit. Luckily, you can find learning partners online to give you a little accountability.
What You Need to Learn Spanish by Yourself
If you’re going to learn Spanish by yourself, you need the right tools and methods. Here’s what I suggest you have as a self-study Spanish student.
A Specific Goal or Reason
Learning Spanish is great, and it’s something I’d recommend to anyone. However, if you’re going to learn at home, you need to be more specific.
Give yourself a goal or reason why you want to learn. That will help keep you motivated through any learning plateaus you hit.
Your goal or reason can be anything, from speaking with in-laws to traveling to a specific destination.
A Study Routine You Can Stick With
The next thing you need is a study routine that works for you. I really like using comprehensible input to learn new vocab in Spanish.
But maybe you’re someone who prefers to sit down with a grammar textbook. We all learn differently, so it’s up to you to find the right routine.
Make sure it’s one you enjoy doing day after day. That way, you won’t want to quit after just a few weeks or months of study.
If you find your routine gets boring, switch it up to keep yourself engaged.
Incorporate Input and Output
As a Spanish student, you’re almost guaranteed to get some sort of input. Be that reading or listening, you’ll get to consume the language.
But when you study on your own, output, like speaking and writing, gets harder. You don’t have the benefit of a class to speak with.
Make a point to practice output as you advance. You can do it for free by narrating your day as you do different things.
Once you have a bit of vocabulary, you can also look for conversation groups in your area. Or look online for a conversation partner that you can speak with.
Get Feedback
When I speak with other learners, I can tell who has and hasn’t had much feedback. The ones with feedback tend to have better pronunciation and vocab, for example.
You can get feedback by scheduling the occasional tutoring session. Or maybe you use an app like LingQ, and you use their language exchange feature.
Another option (though not ideal) is to use AI for feedback. It can help in between tutoring sessions, but it’s not perfect, so don’t rely on just AI.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Learning Spanish by Yourself
Without the guidance of a teacher, I know it can be easy to struggle. It can also be all too easy to make mistakes that can set you back.
One mistake you want to make sure you avoid is only using language learning apps. Apps are great, and they’re one of my favorite tools.
But even the best apps can only take you so far (I’m looking at you, Duolingo). Eventually, you have to incorporate other resources, like media and books.
Not speaking for too long is another critical mistake you don’t want to make. I still feel awkward when speaking Spanish, even if I know what I’m saying.
The longer you wait to start speaking, the harder it will get. Even just greeting people in the language can make you more confident for longer conversations.
Another thing you don’t want to do is study grammar on its own. Yes, grammar is important, but I find I learn it best in the context of an article or story.
If you just study grammar, it can be hard to remember all of the rules. But if you study it while reading and listening, you may remember things more.
You Don’t Have to Go It Alone
Lucky for you, you don’t have to study all by yourself. The internet makes it especially easy to study Spanish on your own but with a little bit of help here and there.
Many apps have communities that you can use to meet other learners. You can also enroll in the occasional private lesson or group class.
One of my favorite things to do is to go to a conversation group. This isn’t ideal for absolute beginners, but it’s great if you have some speaking ability.
Final Thoughts
Can I learn Spanish by myself? Ask yourself this question when starting to learn a new language or looking to advance.
If you’re self-motivated and have clear goals, it can be a great option. Just don’t be afraid to seek out help when you need it.
And be sure to use our Spanish flashcards to review your vocab.