8 Ways to Boost Your Solo Spanish Studies
If you're learning Spanish on your own, it can be hard to stay motivated. There's no one there to correct your pronunciation or praise your progress – it's just you and the language.
With that in mind, here are six ways to boost your solo Spanish studying:
1. Listen to Real Spanish Conversation!
Listening is one of the best ways to learn a language and there are many ways you can do this. For example, you can listen to podcasts in Spanish, watch videos on YouTube in Spanish (the best ones are with subtitles), and listen to music or audiobooks in Spanish.
And, no, you may NOT use English subtitles or translations for any of this. ;-)
If you want to become fluent in Spanish, you MUST embrace the uncomfortable sensation of feeling lost and trying to figure out what is being said as you go. If you're unsure of a word or phrase, look it up later (you can use Google Translate or a dictionary if needed).
2. Get an online Spanish teacher
If you want to be taught by a professional and be free to learn at your own pace, then hiring an online Spanish teacher is the way to go.
Many offer one-on-one lessons and can tailor them based on your needs and goals. This can be very helpful when learning new vocabulary words or grammar rules because they will focus on what is important for you rather than covering everything all at once (like in class).
It also makes sense financially--online teachers are often much more affordable than face-to-face tutors or even in-person group classes!
At Mexican Fluency, I offer personalized online classes. As a highly experienced Spanish teacher, I know how to help you take your Spanish language skills to the next level.
We'll focus on conversational skills, pronunciation, and building grammar skills. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, I have the resources and expertise to help you succeed.
3. Take note of new expressions and phrases
Another helpful tip for improving your Spanish language skills is to develop the habit of consistently taking note of new expressions and phrases.
Make a list of new words and phrases that you come across, and use flashcards to memorize the new vocabulary.
Additionally, if you encounter any information you don't know, write it down so that you can look up its meaning later in your studies. This will help you expand your vocabulary and fluency and progress toward your language-learning goals.
4. Use flashcards to memorize new vocabulary
You can use flashcards to memorize new vocabulary. Create a set of flashcards for each new word and carry them with you at all times so that they're always right there when you need them.
If you have access to an online flashcard system (like Quizlet), keep using it regularly to remember what's on the cards.
5. Get the Pimsleur Spanish App
Pimsleur is an excellent way to learn Spanish in your spare time. You can use it when you travel or have a long commute. It's also a perfect option for those who want to learn Spanish but need more time or energy (or money) for an intensive course.
Pimsleur uses audio-only lessons that focus on speaking, so there's no need for reading or writing at all!
Each lesson includes about 30 minutes of spoken material and an additional 10-15 minutes of review material at the end of each lesson. The lessons are divided into 30-minute blocks--you'll be able to complete one block per day if desired--and progress through four levels before reaching fluency in Spanish vocabulary and grammar concepts.
6. Learn Spanish with Friends
Having a friend or group of Spanish speakers is a great way to practice your language skills. You'll be able to talk about topics that interest you, and the conversation can flow freely without awkward pauses or misunderstandings.
If finding someone locally isn't possible for whatever reason (maybe there aren't many people studying Spanish at your school), there are plenty of other ways to find people online who share similar interests:
Language partners - Many websites offer free services where users can post ads seeking language partners worldwide; this is an excellent option for those looking for more serious study sessions with native speakers (or even just casual conversations).
Some popular sites include:
www.mylanguageexchangeclub.com
7. Get Outside and Practice Your Spanish
Here are some ways to get outside and practice your Spanish more engagingly.
First, check out your local library for books in Spanish or look up Spanish-language newspapers and magazines online.
Additionally, consider downloading a language learning app with audio courses, such as Duolingo or Babbel (also available online).
Another great option is to find a language exchange partner through sites like iTalki or HelloTalk, where you can improve your grammar while helping others with their English.
8. Start a Blog or Website About Your Solo Studying Journey
Start a blog or website dedicated to your learning journey. This is an excellent way to share your experience with others and receive feedback from other learners who may be going through similar struggles in their own lives. Once you get further along in your studies, feel free to test your skills and try writing in Spanish!
You can study alone, but it can be more fun when you do it with others!
If you're studying Spanish alone, doing so with others can be more fun. Here are some ways to make it a more social experience:
Study with other people. If you have a classroom or online course, consider getting together with other students also taking the class. You'll be able to share resources and discuss things that came up in a class together.
Study in person with native speakers and tutors who are experienced teachers; they'll be able to help you understand any grammar points that aren't clear from your textbook or other materials.
Use an app such as Duolingo (available for iOS/Android) or Busuu (also available for iOS/Android) which helps connect you with language partners worldwide who want to practice speaking their native languages while assisting others to learn theirs!
Conclusion
Setting out to become fluent in Spanish can be daunting. With hundreds of resources, both online and offline resources and countless teachers and experts providing advice, it's easy to feel lost and unsure about the best way to approach learning the language.
To ease this burden, I have created Fluency Hour, a course that teaches you how to learn Spanish effectively in just one hour a day using only your smartphone.
Ideal for both beginners and intermediate learners, this course is designed to help you achieve your language goals efficiently and confidently.
Check it out by clicking here and consider joining next month's cohort.
¡Gracias por leer y hasta el próximo artículo!