Do you want to learn how to fluently speak Spanish all by yourself? Perhaps, you run a busy schedule with little time to actually invest in a coaching program.
Or, you simply can’t afford a personal trainer. Either way, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, you’ll be taken through the step-by-step process you can take to learn the Spanish language on your own.
It goes without saying that Spanish is a very interesting language to learn. You can feel a strong rhythmic element whenever you speak or listen to it.
No surprise then that it’s the second most spoken language in the world. Native and non-native speakers alike are having a wonderful experience learning the Spanish language plus everything connected to the culture.
Although, learning a new language for the first time on your own can be scary at first but if you keep at it and religiously follow the steps outlined in this article, you’ll start speaking Spanish eloquently.
It’s worthy to note that learning something new is going to take a lot of practice and commitment from your side but the effort will be well worth it at the end of the day.
There’s going to be a learning curve but the whole idea is that you enjoy the process rather than the final result. Because if you develop a genuine interest in the process it’s going to take, challenges won’t be able to stop or discourage you.
So, with that much said, let’s get into the steps you can take to make the most of your Spanish learning journey.
But, before diving into the steps, what’s the best and most effective way to learn Spanish?
The Best Way To Learn Spanish
The truth is that there’s no one-size-fits-all, magic wand answer to that question. What works for one person might not really resonate with another person.
So, basically, it’s about finding the way that works best for you and fits perfectly into your lifestyle. This will require that you try out different ways to find the one you enjoy the most.
Every step is important because one way or another it’s going to contribute to your ultimate growth as a Spanish-speaking student.
Although, if you can speak English (at least at a conversational level) learning how to speak Spanish won’t be difficult at all. Why? English and Spanish have a lot in common plus Spanish is known to be a romantic language which makes it easier to grasp.
Who doesn’t like the “Love Language” huh?
Although, you are going to face some challenges along the way. Doubts will creep in. You might get frustrated when you don’t quite get it the first few times you try. It’s absolutely normal to feel that way.
However, rather than viewing Spanish as a language, you can learn in a space of one month like many platforms out there tell you, see it as a journey; A journey with many fascinating experiences.
So, in essence, you can learn the Spanish language by different means. All you have to do is try out all the steps below to find the one that suits you.
7 Steps To Learn Spanish On Your Own
1. Practice Speaking The Language From Day 1
What better way to learn how to speak a language than actually speaking it? Of course, you are going to feel uncomfortable and it’s going to sound funny at the beginning, but at least you are training yourself to get the hang of it.
This will definitely be the most effective step because instead of passively learning the language through books and whatnot, you are actively learning it by speaking with natives or basically anyone who’s more fluent than you are.
2. Fall In Love With The Language
It’s going to be really hard for you to grasp the full scope of the language if you don’t have a passion for it. Your love for Spanish is what’s going to keep you firm when the going gets tough.
Take some time to research the fun facts in Spanish culture to develop your interest and stir up your passion to add it to your language arsenal.
3. Watch Content In Spanish
If you are a visual learner, that is you learn by seeing, this step can be a great place to start from. There are tons of YouTube tutorials that teach you the basics of the Spanish Language.
You can also download the Spanish version of your favorite TV show or program to practically see and hear how people speak the language. You might not be able to follow along at first but with time, you’ll get better.
4. Listen To Podcasts and Other Audio Resources In Spanish
Look for a nice Spanish podcast station that you enjoy listening to and try to be as active and engaging as possible. Listening to other people speaking Spanish can make a huge difference in how fast you learn how to speak it yourself.
You want to get your hands on as many resources as you can to help you master the Spanish language effectively and efficiently.
5. Familiarize Yourself With The Spanish Culture
One way to go about this step is to visit the country and have a real-life experience of the culture and the environment. This will open up an opportunity for you to meet with new people and make friends with native speakers that will be a valuable help in your journey.
A vacation to Spain or any Spanish-speaking country will go a long way to help you get the hang of the Spanish language ASAP. Spending time with people who speak the language you want to learn very well will inspire you to want to speak as they do.
As a matter of fact, natives love it when non-natives show interest in learning about their cultural values and whatnot, and that simply means it’s going to be very easy for you to blend in when you go to any of such countries.
6. Get A TextBook and Fire Up Some Spanish Grammar
The good old black and white printed learning material, right? Of course. Let’s not write off a textbook too soon. Even if sometimes it can be boring and complicated to comprehend, there’s still a ton of ideas and information you can get from it.
As in this case, you can learn the basics of the Spanish language from a well-written Spanish textbook. All you need to pay attention to are the verbs. If you can nail the verbs, you can start constructing sentences as well.
With a textbook, you have something to consult whenever you get confused about anything. Remember, you won’t try as many options as possible to see the one that works best for you. Besides, learning from multiple channels can be challenging but it can also fast-track the learning process for you.
Because you are constantly feeding your brain the right things and as a result, it helps you retain more.
7. Find a Spanish Pal
There’s a saying that goes, “Two heads are better than one.” And I couldn’t agree more because it practically applies in this case. Finding someone, preferably a native, to serve as an inspiration and, most importantly, as a partner on this journey, is a really effective way ahead.
And don’t worry about it even if you don’t have a Spanish native speaker as a friend at the moment. Alternatively, you can team up with someone who’s at the same level as you are and is just getting into learning the language.
The truth is having someone who can put you together and encourage you when things get a little bit frustrating and overwhelming has a huge impact on how far you can go to actually learn the language or anything for that matter.
Conclusion
The bottom line is- you can absolutely learn the Spanish language on your own. It’s a long bumpy ride but the experience you will get along the way is what matters.
Fortunate enough, there are platforms available that you can learn from without having to break the bank or empty your pocket.
So, if you want to learn Spanish on your own, consider the steps above to guide you all the way.
Keep practicing and in no time you will be able to hold a conversation in Español. Adiós, amigo!
Michael C Vang is a passionate blogger. He has been blogging since 2013 on a variety of topics. He is committed to creating informative and engaging content that helps readers learn more about everything.