Have you been studying Spanish for a while, but are still undecided between to be y estarDo you struggle to understand why one sentence needs the subjunctive and another doesn't? Do you feel like you understand a lot, but freeze up when you have to speak? If you speak English and want to learn Spanish, you've probably encountered some of these difficulties. But don't worry: learning Spanish is an exciting challenge and, with the right strategies, much more accessible than it seems.
For more than 25 years, in the Luis Vives Spanish School We have supported English-speaking students in their Spanish learning journey, both in Spain and through online courses. Thanks to this experience, we are familiar with the most common obstacles and the best ways to overcome them. In this article, we want to share some practical tips that will help you progress with greater confidence and security.
What do English speakers find most difficult when learning Spanish?
One of the main difficulties for English speakers is that Spanish works very differentlyboth in grammar and in the way of expressing oneself. Unlike what happens between closely related languages, such as Portuguese and Spanish, here there is no great structural similarity to make things easier.
Some of the most common challenges are:
- The use of two verbs for “to be” (to be y estar), something nonexistent in English.
- La verbal conjugationwith many different times, modes, and endings.
- El subjunctivewhich often generates insecurity even at advanced levels.
- El flexible sentence orderwhich does not always coincide with that of English.
- The difference between written language and spoken language, especially in colloquial speech.
All of this can seem overwhelming at first, but it's also part of the richness of Spanish. The key is to learn little by little, with consistency and real exposure to the language.
Tips for learning Spanish if you speak English
If you want to learn Spanish and your native language is English, there are many effective ways to start and progress. Our main advice is always the same: Integrate Spanish into your daily lifeDoing what you love, but in Spanish, is the most natural and motivating way to learn.
Here are some practical ideas:
- Read books or articles that you already know in English, but now in Spanish.
- Speak in Spanish whenever you have the opportunity, even if you make mistakes.
- Listen to audio and repeat phrases to improve pronunciation and rhythm.
- Write a short text every day, even if it's only 80 or 100 words.
- Listen to music in Spanish and learn the lyrics of your favorite songs.
- Sign up for a Spanish course to progress with a solid foundation.
Below, we explain some of these recommendations in more detail.
Read to think in Spanish
Reading in Spanish is one of the best ways to expand your vocabulary and familiarize yourself with the language's structure. At first, it's best to choose texts suited to your level or readings you already know in English. This way, you can focus on the language without getting lost in the content.
Literature, online newspaper articles, blogs, and even comics are excellent resources. If you don't have easy access to books in Spanish, there are numerous virtual libraries and online resources that will allow you to read from anywhere.
Speak without fear of making mistakes
If there's one essential thing for improving your Spanish, it's speaking. It doesn't matter if you hesitate, make mistakes, or mix up structures at first: it's all part of the process. Mistakes aren't a problem, but a clear sign that you're learning.
If you live in a Spanish-speaking country, take every opportunity to interact with native speakers. If not, you can participate in language exchanges, online conversation classes, or international groups where Spanish is the common language.
Listen to build trust
Listening to Spanish regularly will help you improve your listening comprehension and become familiar with different accents. Podcasts are an especially useful tool because they allow you to learn anytime, anywhere, and on a wide variety of topics.
At Luis Vives, for example, we have a weekly podcast designed for Spanish students, where we work on vocabulary, common expressions and cultural aspects in a clear and accessible way.
Watch movies and series in Spanish
Movies and TV series are an excellent way to learn Spanish in an entertaining way. Besides expanding your vocabulary, they allow you to learn colloquial expressions and real-life communication situations.
You can start by watching content with Spanish subtitles and gradually try to do without them. Platforms like RTVE Play o The film They offer a wide catalog of high-quality Spanish-language productions.
Learn Spanish with music
Music is a great tool for memorizing vocabulary and improving pronunciation. Listening to Spanish songs and learning their lyrics will help you internalize structures almost unconsciously.
From pop to flamenco, rock to indie, Spanish music is incredibly diverse. You're sure to find styles and artists that suit your taste.
The most comprehensive option: take a Spanish course
Although it is possible to learn a lot on your own, take a Spanish course It makes all the difference. Having a teacher to guide you, correct your mistakes, and answer your questions will allow you to progress more quickly and confidently.
In Luis Vives Spanish School We offer in-person courses in Madrid and online courses adapted to English-speaking students, with a communicative and practical approach. Our goal is not only for you to learn Spanish, but also feel comfortable using it in real-life situationsIf you decide to enroll in one of our in-person courses, you can receive a 20% discount forever. To do so:
- You must prove that you are from an English-speaking country (with your ID or passport).
- You must complete a direct registration between you and the school through this form.
You can include the promotional code HABLOINGLES in the registration form.
But don't worry, if you can't come see us, we'll come to you through our online course platform. Not familiar with it? You can learn Spanish online. here.
At Luis Vives, we are committed to quality teaching based on experience and close student support. That's why you'll learn not only in the classroom with theory and tips for learning Spanish, but also through immersion activities where you'll put everything you've learned into practice.
Our teaching team has extensive experience teaching Spanish to English speakers and fully understands the specific challenges this profile presents. Therefore, the learning experience is personalized, effective, and results-oriented. If you also want to learn Spanish and feel like you're truly learning the language, don't hesitate to contact us! contact us!
