Deciding to start learning Spanish is super exciting! But it can also be overwhelming; I’ve totally been there.
To be honest, I had it easy when I started because I took Spanish in middle school. But even if you don’t have that option, you can still learn a second language.
Whether you’re a beginner or just a little stressed at the thought of learning, this post is for you. With the right plan, you can make learning Spanish fun and simple.
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Why Learn Spanish?
There are tons of reasons to learn Spanish, and I have multiple for why I continue to.
For one, it’s the fourth-largest language in terms of native speakers with over 485 million. A lot of those speakers live in the US, so if you do as well, you could encounter a lot of Spanish.
Because of that sheer number of people, speaking Spanish can help you. Maybe you want to travel and not rely on an interpreter to enjoy your destination.
Or perhaps you’re trying to advance your career and set yourself apart.
Speaking a second language (Spanish or otherwise) can also help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
And since both are Indo-European languages, Spanish is relatively easy for English speakers.
How Hard Is It to Learn Spanish?
Learning Spanish sounds daunting to a beginner, and that’s not totally unfounded. I’ve spent over 18 years learning, and my Spanish still isn’t perfect.
But here’s the thing, you don’t have to learn the whole language overnight. Or even in a year or a few years.
Compared to many foreign languages, Spanish is actually quite easy. Aside from a few accent marks, it shares all of the same letters as we have in English.
And unlike many languages, you’ll only find 5 vowel sounds in Spanish. So pronunciation is a lot more straightforward.
As you advance, you will run into tricky topics, like grammatical gender and the subjunctive.
But don’t let that keep you from starting to learn.
Set Goals When You Start Learning Spanish
I’m a fan of setting goals, be it for work or my personal life. So one of my biggest tips, especially for you self-studiers, is to set goals for yourself.
Consider Why You Want to Learn
As much as I believe everyone should learn Spanish, particularly my fellow Americans, I know that’s not realistic.
After all, many people don’t WANT to learn a language. If you don’t have a good reason to learn, you’re going to struggle a lot more.
I started learning because out of the options for elective classes, Spanish was the most interesting to me. As an adult, I keep learning because i work with Spanish speakers in my day job.
Maybe you have a partner whose first language is Spanish. Or perhaps you’re passionate about Latin American culture.
Determine How Fluent You Want to Be
I don’t know about you, but I would love to be perfectly fluent in Spanish. But you don’t have to want that to learn.
Perhaps you want to be able to speak well enough to help Spanish speaking customers in your job. Or maybe you want to get around Barcelona or Mexico City.
Knowing how deep you want to dive into the Spanish language is critical. That way, you can keep an eye on your progress.
Review Your Schedule
Another important factor is how much time you can commit to learning Spanish. It’s better to have shorter study sessions each day compared to a long session once per week.
That way, you won’t risk losing what you learned the last time. You also don’t need a ton of time, but you do have to be realistic with how fast you can learn.
If you only have 15 minutes a day, make the most of that time. Just know that it will take longer for you to reach your goals than if you had an hour or more.
What You Need to Start Learning Spanish
We live in a world that makes learning Spanish (or any language) super convenient. As long as you have access to the internet, you can learn, even for free.
It also helps to have a plan of action to get you going. If you don’t know where to start, consider buying a beginner book and following the curriculum.
You also need to get at least a little Spanish exposure every day. That could be as simple as listening to a Spanish song or as complex as a full tutoring session.
And like it or not (I know I don’t always like it), but you also need a good deal of patience. You won’t see results overnight.
What You Don’t Need to Start Learning Spanish
I’m the first to tell you that you don’t have to go overboard when you first start. You can find all kinds of Spanish courses on the internet, but you don’t need them.
Also, don’t worry about getting your pronunciation or grammar perfect. All of that will come with time and practice.
Another thing you don’t need is to travel to a Spanish speaking place. I’ve never traveled to a country where Spanish is the primary language, and I’ve been able to advance.
First Steps to Start Learning Spanish
Are you feeling overwhelmed at the thought of starting to learn? I got you; here are some things I recommend you do first.
Start With Pronunciation and the Alphabet
I know, I said you don’t need perfect pronunciation, and that’s true. But you do need to start learning the right phonetics, especially if you want to achieve a good accent later.
You should also familiarize yourself with the Spanish alphabet. That will be pretty easy for a native English speaker as the letters are all basically the same.
The most important difference to remember is the n with the tilde (ñ). You’ll also find the vowels sometimes have accents, which change how you pronounce a word.
For example: papa (no accent) means “potato” while papá (with an accent) means “dad.”
Learn Basic and Common Vocabulary
Of course, what better way to begin your Spanish learning journey than with some good old vocab. I’d recommend learning some common verbs to start, such as:
- Ser
- Estar
- Tener
- Querer
- Comer
- Caminar
Another path to take involves learning common greetings and conversational phrases. That can get you speaking more quickly, which can help you feel more confident.
If possible, aim to learn new words in context to help you memorize them. I love using an app like LingQ to help me learn vocab in the context of an article or story.
Study Beginner-Friendly Grammar
Grammar is one of my biggest gripes with Spanish, even after learning for 18+ years. As a native English speaker, it’s not as easy as you might think.
You can’t just replace English sentences with Spanish words. The order of words differs, and there are different tenses in Spanish than you may be used to.
One concept you should learn is that of grammatical gender. We don’t have it in English, but some words in Spanish use masculine or feminine adjectives.
How to Build a Spanish Study Plan
You can’t expect to get better at the language without a solid study plan.
Set a Schedule
First, you need to determine how much time you can dedicate to your Spanish studies per day. I sometimes only spend a few minutes on it.
Maybe you have 15 minutes, and that’s totally okay. Or perhaps you have an hour or more where you can focus.
Some of us only have time to study during our daily commute to and from work. Others might have time to sit down at a desk and study.
Either way, I implore you to set aside a little time each day rather than once per week.
Know Where You’ll Study
Another thing I didn’t have to think about when I started was where to study. I was in school, so I did my Spanish homework like I would for any other class.
But if you’re an adult, you have to think about your study space. Sure, you might have a desk where you can store notes and workbooks.
However, if you’re busy, your car might become your study space. In that case, you’ll want to focus on auditory resources, like podcasts.
Change What You Need
As with any new activity, your Spanish studies may change and evolve with time. If you start to have more time to study, add another round of grammar to your routine.
Or if you have less time, you might need to rely more on podcasts or audiobooks. That way, you can still make progress even as you take care of other obligations, like chores or driving.
I’ve changed my study methods multiple times over the years. We all go through different phases of life that require unique study plans.
Best Resources to Start Learning Spanish
We’ve never had more great language learning resources than we do now, thanks to the internet. Of course, the rise of AI can make it hard to discern what’s quality.
Still, you can find free and paid resources. When it comes to free options, YouTube is one of my favorite places to look for videos.
You can also search on Instagram, TikTok, and other social platforms. Many creators share little lessons that you can consume.
If you want a book for free, head over to your local library. Check out a beginner grammar or vocab book and make notes in your own notebook.
Of course, you can purchase books as well if you have the funds to do so.
There are also plenty of apps that you can use to learn Spanish. Some are free or offer free versions, and you can upgrade if you like the learning method.
No matter which resource you choose, stick with no more than 2-3. That way, you don’t overwhelm yourself.
Should You Start Speaking Right Away?
Another big question to answer is whether you should start speaking Spanish as a beginner. I got a little speaking practice in my Spanish classes.
But it’s harder when you’re learning on your own. Speaking as a beginner can feel terrifying, but it’s vital for your future success.
Start speaking to yourself as you do things around the house. You can start by saying hello or goodbye, and you can start narrating your life as you develop more vocabulary.
How Can I Stay Motivated?
One of my biggest struggles as a beginner would definitely be staying motivated. I had a class (and a grade to get) to keep me studying.
Without that, I could see myself quitting. That’s why I think having a good reason to learn is so important because that can be your fallback when you get frustrated.
You should also track small bits of progress. Like maybe you didn’t have to look up a word for once, or you understood something new.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Spanish?
I don’t have a solid answer to this questions. As I’ve said, I’ve studied the language for over 18 years, and I still find new things to learn.
The timeline you experience depends on how much time you spend studying each day or week. If you have more time, you’ll almost certainly make faster progress.
According to the US Government, Spanish can be learned in as little as 30 weeks. But keep in mind this is when you’re a full-time Spanish student.
Expect to spend at least a year or two in the beginner stage. After a few years, you may start to be able to speak with ease.
Which Spanish Dialect Should I Learn?
I don’t think you need to choose a dialect as a beginner. Most novice-level lessons and topics are the same or very similar.
Instead, get started and see if you even like Spanish at all. After you make some progress, you can choose a dialect that you like or that matches your interest regarding travel or culture.
Is It Too Late to Start Learning Spanish?
It’s never too late to start learning Spanish. Whether you’re a teen, young adult, or a bit older, you should give it a try.
If you want to learn a second language, Spanish is a fantastic option. And the best part is that you can start learning today.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to start learning Spanish can help you make more progress in less time. You can use good strategies and tips to help you succeed.
If one of those strategies that works for you is flashcard review, head on over to our Spanish flashcards.