Do you speak Italian and are looking for ways to learn Spanish? Are you one of those people who think that if you speak Italian, learning Spanish is easy? Or have you already tried speaking with Spanish speakers and couldn't find the words? If your native language is Italian, you certainly have the best ally to immerse yourself in Spanish.
For 25 years at Luis Vives, we have taught, and continue to teach, Spanish to numerous Italian students, and in doing so, we have been able to identify areas for improvement for these students. Our teachers have lived and worked in Italy and faced similar challenges while learning Italian. With this article, we want to draw on all that experience to give you some tips that will be very helpful for learning Spanish.
Enjoy a 20% discount on all our in-person courses, forever. Simply fill out our registration form and enter the promotional code SOYDEITALIA.
Tips for learning Spanish if you speak Italian
If you want to learn Spanish and you already speak Italian, you have plenty of options to get started. Our advice to all our students is: do what you enjoy, but do it in Spanish, as it's the best way to avoid boredom and learn while having fun. Below, you'll find some top recommendations to help you get started from scratch.
Read and reread
Reading is one of the best ways to expand your vocabulary, and Italian and Spanish are quite similar, making it a convenient way to improve your level. If you enjoy reading, try reading the same books you already read in Italian, but in Spanish, especially at the beginning. Since you already know the story, it will be easier to read in Spanish if you don't yet know many words. If you're in Madrid, you'll find plenty of interesting bookstores with both new and used books. But if you can't visit, a good option is to access any online library, such as this one.
Talk
Of course, one of the best ways to learn a language is by speaking it. If you live in a Spanish city or often visit on vacation, don't be afraid to start talking to the locals. Go out and learn, unleash your curiosity, sign up for workshops, take city tours, chat with your neighbors. Because any opportunity is a good one to put what you know into practice, and you'll also make new friends. Don't be afraid of making mistakes—we all do when we learn something new! Besides, since the languages are similar, they'll surely be able to understand you.
However, if you're in Italy and don't know any Spanish speakers, you can also opt for the numerous language exchange platforms available online. You can even join our open conversation classes on our online platform, available to all registered users. Are you up for the challenge?
Listen to a podcast
Listening to podcasts is one of the best ways to gain confidence in a language and improve your comprehension skills. What better way to learn a new language than by discussing a topic that interests you? You probably already know of some on the numerous platforms available. We're suggesting a very interesting option. "Spanish in 10 Minutes" is Luis Vives' weekly podcast, which will help you perfect your Spanish and learn useful words and expressions for everyday life.
Watch movies or series
Of course, movies and TV series are one of the best ways to improve while studying a language. Watching films will allow you to expand your vocabulary and learn a lot of colloquial expressions. So, while enjoying a good story or impressive special effects, you can make a list of common expressions and compare them with their Italian counterparts. A good option, thanks to its extensive catalog, is the RTVE website . But if you're a die-hard movie and TV series fan, you can't miss the selection offered by the Spanish platform Filmin.
Listen to music
If you love listening to music, you probably already know a lot of Spanish songs and have learned plenty of words. If you'd like to discover even more Spanish songs, we've put together a playlist of at least 50 Spanish hits and songs for all tastes, created by the teachers at our school.
Take a Spanish course
Taking a Spanish course is a fantastic way to learn. But it's not just that; it's also a wonderful experience where you can meet people and learn from a teacher. If you're thinking of coming to Spain to study, our Madrid school is definitely the best option . If 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 of Italian nationality (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 SOYDEITALIA 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? Here it is.
At the Luis Vives Spanish School, we are committed to quality teaching based on experience and close student support. Therefore, you will learn not only in the classroom with theory and tips for learning Spanish, but also through immersion activities where you will put everything you've learned into practice.
Our team of teachers has professional and life experience that allows them to connect with students on a deeper level. For example, Daniel Agudo, whom we asked to write this post, says that one of his most impactful experiences was learning Italian and teaching Spanish in Italy. He was a Spanish professor at the University of Molise. Therefore, his enthusiasm for teaching our language to his Italian students is hard to match. This passion undoubtedly translates into results; our students know without a doubt that they are learning Spanish correctly. If you also want to learn Spanish and feel like you're truly learning the language, don't hesitate to contact us!
