Bosque de Palabras
Bosque de Palabras is a text adventure survival game designed to help you learn Spanish vocabulary and grammar while having fun!
In Bosque de Palabras, you're camping️ in the middle of a dark forest, with only a few pieces of food left and a campfire keeping you warm. Every choice you make is important for your survival.
Perfect for: Novice and Intermediate level Spanish learners.
Simple Steps to Start Learning Spanish
Gordon Feliz • Updated July 10th, 2024
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Of all the languages in the world, Spanish boasts the second highest number of native speakers, trailing only Mandarin Chinese.
With around 400 million native speakers, it’s no wonder so many people are eager to learn Spanish! Mastering Spanish can unlock countless opportunities in careers, education, and travel.
I often get emails from people asking the best way to start learning Spanish.
These inquiries come from those who have never studied a foreign language and from those who ask:
“I learned Spanish in school but forgot it all. How can I relearn it?”
The truth is, if you forgot everything, you probably didn’t learn it well in the first place!
Whether you're a beginner or relearning, today’s post will help you get started with Spanish.
The essential element for learning Spanish
Every language journey begins with the right motivation.
To succeed in speaking Spanish, ask yourself why you want to learn it.
Here’s a tip from my experience:
If you’re learning Spanish just because you’re “interested,” you’re likely to fail.
Why?
Interest can be fleeting. We often dive into hobbies passionately, only to lose interest after a while.
Here are solid reasons to learn Spanish:
- It’s needed for your career.
- You’re moving to Europe or Latin America.
- You have a Spanish-speaking partner and want to communicate with their family.
- Your course requires Spanish proficiency.
Why are these motivations better than mere interest?
One word: necessity.
Necessity is the strongest motivator. When we need a language, we’ll do whatever it takes to learn it.
The other crucial point is accountability.
Make sure people know you're learning Spanish – make it public knowledge. Share your goal with friends and family.
Let those closest to you keep you accountable.
“Hey, how’s your Spanish coming along?”
Questions like this will keep you on track and prevent you from quietly giving up.
Compile your list of Spanish language resources
Now that we’ve discussed your motivation for learning Spanish, let’s focus on resources.
Assess the landscape.
Before you start learning, get a comprehensive view of what’s available.
Whenever I start learning a new language, I spend a few days researching all the available products (e.g., books) and courses, reading reviews to see what works, and understanding the methodology of the materials.
The good AND bad news about Spanish is that the market is flooded with resources.
There are countless options for learning Spanish (unlike other languages)!
While this is great because you’re not limited, it can also be stressful because it’s hard to know which resources are high quality.
I often recommend my personal favorites: Rocket Spanish (for a comprehensive, structured course with quality audio) and SpanishPod101 (for a casual, podcast learning style).
It depends on your learning style.
So, compile a list and categorize it: a simple document with columns where you place resources into respective categories.
For example, you might have a “Grammar” category and list the best resources you’ve found for learning Spanish grammar, including online courses, free websites/blogs, or books.
You might have another column for “YouTube,” where you list useful YouTube channels for learning Spanish.
One helpful tip: an inexpensive phrasebook (preferably with audio) is often the best tool you can invest in. I use Berlitz, but there are others.
There’s also a musical phrasebook called Earworms (Rapid) Spanish that I’ve recommended many times (a phrasebook with a catchy music track that helps words and phrases stick in your head).
There are so many options out there!
Also, check out this great list of the best books for learning Spanish.
Take time to research at the beginning – it will pay off.
Make a short list of everything you need to have a basic conversation in Spanish Now that you have your list of resources, it’s time to start learning.
Take my advice: go back to your original motivation and use it to guide your focus on content.
As a total beginner, you need to learn the most essential Spanish words and phrases first (including Spanish numbers and common greetings). These are the basics you'll find at the beginning of any phrasebook or conversational course.
Here are a few common examples:
- ¡Hola! – Hello.
- ¿Cómo estás? (formal: ¿Cómo está usted?) – How are you?
- Mi nombre es… – My name is…
- Mucho gusto – Nice to meet you.
- ¿Cómo se dice … en español? – How do you say … in Spanish?
- No sé (or No entiendo) – I don’t know (or I don’t understand).
You get the idea.
Most of these you’re probably already familiar with. Even native English speakers who have never studied Spanish are generally familiar with many terms and expressions without realizing it.
You need to cover these basics to start having simple, introductory conversations.
So, take some time to review phrasebook expressions to build a foundation for more engaging conversations.
Now, let’s revisit your original motivation.
This is crucial.
If you’re learning Spanish for business, don’t spend time on content focused on tourism or family. Some of it will overlap, but it’s not an efficient use of your time. Focus on the Spanish content that matters most to you.
For example, I want to talk about language learning and my kids.
So, I’d write out a list of predictable conversations and expressions I’d need, such as:
- “I have two kids.”
- “My son is 18 months old, and my daughter is 1 month old.”
- “I am learning Spanish.”
- “I also speak Arabic, Russian, Irish, and Korean.”
This list would be much longer and categorized for easy reference. I’d then use phrasebooks and course books to find relevant conversation content.
But what if your resources don’t cover the exact content you need?
This leads me to my next point.
Finding a Spanish teacher or conversation partner online If you live in an area with plenty of Spanish speakers or friends to practice with, take advantage of it!
But many people don’t have that luxury.
If you can connect with people in your area, it’s the next best thing to living in a Spanish-speaking country. Many places in the US are ideal for this.
It’s surprising to hear Americans in places like California say, “I have no one to practice Spanish with.” Look around you!
For those who can’t find practice partners or teachers locally, listen up.
I use an amazing tool called italki.
It’s an incredible online community that connects you with teachers from Spain and Latin America so you can learn at home at a convenient time.
The best part? Most Spanish conversation partners and teachers are very affordable (often less than $10 an hour).
If you can’t travel and have no local opportunities, create an italki account and set up a 30-minute trial lesson with a few different teachers.
This way, you can immediately use the dialogue list you created and practice relevant custom dialogues.
Tips for finding the right teacher or practice partner:
They should only speak Spanish. No English. If they keep explaining everything in English, they’re not doing their job. SPANISH ONLY.
They shouldn’t jump ahead too quickly. You want a teacher who is patient and moves at YOUR pace.
High repetition of a small amount of content. Make sure they repeatedly use the same content until you’ve mastered it.
Remember, you control the session. You’re the one paying.
If your teacher isn’t meeting your needs, don’t hesitate to find someone else.
You don’t need to study Spanish grammar to speak Spanish
What?!
That sounds counterintuitive, I know.
I’ve been teaching people how to improve their language learning for years, and this is always the most contentious point I make.
I’ve discussed this in detail before, but to sum it up: studying grammar rules to speak is a very unnatural, robotic way to learn.
It’s frustrating, tedious, and causes many people to give up (I don’t blame them!).
Think about how many new learners struggle with ‘ser’ vs ‘estar’ and ‘por’ vs ‘para’. You’re learning the wrong way.
Languages are like building blocks – we can learn Spanish naturally in whole chunks.
For example, take something as simple as “¿Cómo estás?” (how are you?).
You don’t learn this expression in pieces – you learn it as a whole. Even before you know how to conjugate Spanish verbs or understand Spanish pronouns, you learn the entire expression as it is.
With your first language (probably English), you learned to speak before you learned grammar.
In fact, grammar is something we study much later to refine our literacy skills.
I’ve learned multiple languages to spoken fluency without studying grammar – just through lots of repetition of phrases and collocations.
It’s also more fun, more practical, and more effective overall.
Grammar will naturally start to make sense over time as you recognize patterns.
Improve your Spanish listening comprehension – listen, listen, listen.
If you want to learn Spanish, listen to the language constantly.
No matter your situation or where you live, make it your mission to be surrounded by the sounds of Spanish at all times.
Music, TV, movies, and most importantly, Spanish native speakers.
The best way to learn Spanish is to immerse yourself constantly.
Listen to the language even when you don’t understand what’s being said. The goal is for Spanish to become audibly familiar to you. It’s about building familiarity.
Even when you’re not “studying,” just listen.
Just like songs get stuck in your head when they’re on repeat, Spanish will too.
Additional Resources To Learn More About Spanish
Here are three helpful links to further assist you in your Spanish learning journey:
Learn Spanish Fast: Key Phrases for Travelers
This guide provides essential phrases for travelers, making it easier for you to navigate Spanish-speaking countries with confidence. It’s perfect for beginners who want to start with practical and commonly used expressions.
Beginner's Guide to Spanish Sentence Structure With Examples
Understanding sentence structure is crucial for building a solid foundation in Spanish. This guide offers clear explanations and examples to help you grasp how sentences are formed in Spanish, making your learning process smoother.
Top Spanish Phrases: Essential Everyday Language Chunks
This article covers essential everyday phrases that will help you communicate more effectively in Spanish. It’s a great resource for beginners to quickly learn and use practical language chunks in daily conversations.
FluentU: 33 Best Websites to Learn Spanish in 2024
This article provides a comprehensive list of the best websites for learning Spanish, including options for beginners. It covers various resources like interactive platforms, online courses, and apps to help you build a solid foundation in Spanish.
Preply: Best Online Spanish Classes: Learn Spanish Fast in 2024
This guide reviews top online Spanish classes, highlighting their features, pricing, and suitability for different learning styles. It's ideal for finding structured courses and professional tutors to guide you through your Spanish learning journey.