There are countless resources out there that promise to help you learn Spanish. Truth be told, it can be a bit overwhelming when you are trying to find the one that works for you. We all learn in different ways, so finding the right program that fits your needs is fundamental to your success in learning Spanish.
Today, I would like to share a few tips with you on how to find the best programs to learn Spanish and what to look for. I will also recommend specific programs to learn Spanish (the ones I personally recommend my students) that I know to be effective, fun and engaging.
Let’s get started!
Learning Styles and Your Language Goals:
But first, what type of learner are you? If you learn faster and remember easily when you are presented with visual information such as graphs or flashcards, you are probably a visual learner. If it’s easier for you to learn from spoken word or audio recordings, you might be an auditory learner.
Do you prefer to learn from reading texts or need to take notes to remember more? Then, your style of learning is probably reading/writing. Finally, if you learn more from your environment and by interacting with other learners, then you are more likely to be a kinesthetic learner.
Once you know what kind of learner you are, the next step will be to find a Spanish language program that not only prioritizes the way you learn, but that also incorporates elements of all types of learning to create a more effective and more wholesome learning experience.
Next, let’s get clear on your goals: why do you want to learn Spanish? Are you looking to simply understand the basics and have enough vocabulary to get by on your next trip? Would learning Spanish get you ahead in your career? Is your ultimate goal to become fully fluent in Spanish? Knowing what you want to achieve will help you understand what kind of resources you need.
Now that you’ve answered these two important questions, here are some of the best and most effective programs to learn Spanish I have found that are, not only effective, but affordable as well.
Regardless of what type of learner you are or what your goal is, there is a program for you.
Memrise App:
Great for visual and auditory learners – $0 (Available for iOs and Android)
With a rating of 4.8 on the App store, Memrise is really one of the best language learning apps I’ve come across. Using flashcards as the base of their method, this app incorporates repetition and engaging, fun materials that speed up learning and help memorization. Memrise is great for beginners and intermediate Spanish students looking to increase their vocabulary and learn real-life words and phrases. This app utilizes real-world contexts and integrates audio by native speakers. It encourages a daily practice by turning learning into a game. Start with 10 minutes a day and see how well you can add it into your morning or evening routine.
Memrise does not dive deep into grammar lessons, which means you will eventually move on to a more advanced resource, but it will definitely give you a head start in your Spanish learning journey.
Coffee Break Spanish Podcast:
Great for auditory and kinesthetic learners – Free and available wherever you get your podcasts!
Coffee Break Spanish is a free podcast with a teacher-student approach that makes it interactive, easy to follow and engaging. This podcast is already in its fourth season and you can listen to all of them for free. Each season, you will join the teacher, Marc and his student, Kara, as they go over the lesson for the day. You will learn alongside Kara as Marc explains the grammar points and gives useful examples.
I find this a great way of learning and it is the closest you can get to a classroom experience with an online resource. Plus, you can take it a step further and join their paid online courses where you’ll have access to premium content. Coffee Break is also active on social media so you can engage with other learners and ask questions about previous episodes whenever needed.
Tandem App:
Recommended for auditory, reading/writing and kinesthetic learners.
Ideal for Intermediate to Advanced Spanish learners – $0 (Available on iOs and Android)
Tandem is a language exchange program where you can find language partners that can help you practice your target language in exchange for helping them practice your native tongue. This way, Tandem connects you with native speakers so you can learn from each other and join a community. But it is not all simple talk, this app incorporates intuitive messaging features and in-app correction and translation tools that help you keep the conversation going and learn as you speak!
Tandem also screens all members to keep the community safe and focused on language learning. And did I mention that it is free?
TakeLessons.com:
Prices vary – Ideal for all levels and learning styles.
TakeLessons connects you with hundreds of pre-screened Spanish tutors so you can find the one that works best for you. Each tutor has a comprehensive profile where you can learn more about their teaching methods, their pricing per lesson and see reviews from other students.
Once you have chosen a tutor, you can easily book lessons and start learning. TakeLessons has also recently incorporated the TakeLessons Online Classroom which makes it very convenient for online learning. It’s easy to access, and my favorite feature is the chat is automatically saved, so you and your teacher can pick up from where you left off. There’s no need to worry about downloading the conversation in the chat box or copy and pasting.
TakeLessons allows you to change tutors if you wish to try someone new at any point. Many of the Spanish tutors are native speakers so this is a great opportunity to also connect with the Spanish culture and broaden your knowledge of this beautiful language.
If you’re looking for a conversational language learning approach, TakeLessons Live offers a subscription-based model where you can take online, interactive, group Spanish classes for an affordable rate. If you’re looking for immersive programs to learn Spanish that still allow you the flexibility of learning online – this is a great option.
So… which program will you try first? Let us know in the comments.
Isabel Solano