7 Tips to Learn Spanish Fast
In this video, I’ll show you how to go from an intermediate learner to a confident Spanish
speaker in just a few months.
I’ve identified the best practices that will result in you being able to actually
communicate with confidence.
Some people might tell you that you have to move abroad, or that you need to quit your
job and study full time.
Not true!
Here are 7 tips to learn Spanish fast.
Tip number 1: build a sizeable vocabulary in Spanish
Words are the building blocks of any language.
As you study grammar, not much matters if you don’t have enough words to put any of
what you’re learning into practice.
Did you know that you only need about 1,000 words to understand almost 90% of everything
spoken in Spanish?
In order to speed up your vocabulary acquisition, sign up to Memrise.com.
You can take the “First 5,000 words in Spanish” course.
As an intermediate learner, you are sure to find some vocab you haven’t seen yet.
Tip number 2: Take a self-study Spanish course
One of the most efficient ways to ramp up your Spanish abilities is using a good textbook.
I recommend the following ones:
• Complete Spanish: Teach Yourself Program • Colloquial Spanish: the Complete Course
for Beginners • Assimil Spanish with Ease
• Spanish Uncovered
Aim to complete the textbook in 4 to 6 weeks.
And start from the beginning, even if some of the grammar is quite basic.
As a beginner, you were probably overwhelmed with Spanish grammar.
It’s important that once you reach the intermediate level you review, and review again.
Focus on the dialogues, learning the vocabulary, and understanding the grammar.
Tip number 3: Find a Spanish tutor online
You can get a Spanish tutor online at iTalki.com.
Take a 30-minute lesson 4 to 5 times a week.
It’s affordable, and you can choose from tutors across the Spanish-speaking world.
During your lessons, don’t have the tutor teach you Spanish.
That’s why you have a textbook.
Focus on conversation.
Base your conversation class off the content you are studying in your textbook.
Practice is the key to fluency, so make sure it’s focused on conversation.
Tip number 4: Don’t obsess over grammar
To communicate well in Spanish you don’t need to fully understand all the grammar perfectly.
And as an intermediate learner, you need repetition and practice more than anything else.
Often those complicated grammar topics, just come out as simple phrases in daily communication.
Learning those phrases is what’s important.
People will still understand you even if you make mistakes.
Tip number 5: Read in Spanish as much as possible
Reading in Spanish is key to developing your fluency.
You will pick up new vocabulary, colloquial expressions, and you’ll see grammar being
used in context.
A great way to improve your Spanish is taking on the challenge of reading a novel from front
to back.
It’s important to read novels that aren’t too complicated.
Some of the best books in Spanish are actually not the best for intermediate learners.
If you have to look up every second word, you’ll get bored.
Focus on enjoying your reading and don’t “study” the book.
Try to read 30 minutes before bed every night.
In another video, I’ve listed 5 Spanish language books that every intermediate learner
should read.
You should check it out.
Tip number 6: Make Spanish part of your lifestyle
Learning a language can sometimes feel like a chore.
And that’s the last thing you want!
Make learning Spanish part of your daily life.
Here’s how:
• Get your daily doses of TV, YouTube, and the news, in Spanish.
• Join Spanish clubs and attend Spanish-speaking community events.
• Attend classes in Spanish, like cooking, dancing, or painting
• Do language exchanges or volunteer to teach Spanish speakers English
So what I’m saying here, is switch out activities you might do in English and do them in Spanish
instead.
Again, practice and exposure is key to advancing your Spanish.
You do need to find ways to do this at home if you want to learn Spanish fast!
Tip 7: Don’t travel abroad to learn Spanish!
I bet you’ve thought, if only I could live in Spain or Latin America for a while to learn
Spanish!
Then I’d be fluent in no time!
Wrong!
You don’t need to leave home.
At home you’re in control of your schedule.
You can dedicate time to learning Spanish.
When you’re abroad in a new country, the last thing you want to do is hit the books
in your hotel room.
You’ve also got to realize people will perceive you as a tourist, and they will talk to you
in English, a lot.
And let’s face it, as a tourist you’ll be surrounded with other tourists speaking
English.
So follow my tips and do it at home.
Then once you’re more confident, go abroad just to practice.
Do you think my 7 tips would work for you?
Is there anything else I’ve missed?
Let me know in a comment below!
Buena Suerte!