17 Quick Tips on How to Learn Spanish Fast and Have Fun along the Way

Spanish is a beautiful international language that reflects a rich culture. Who doesn’t dream of holidaying in Mexico, Spain or Argentina?

Besides having fun in a Spanish-speaking country, learning to speak Spanish can open up new work opportunities for you, broaden your horizons, and boost your cognitive abilities.

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What is the fastest way to learn Spanish?

If you isolate yourself in a Spanish speaking country, live with a Spanish family and get a job there, you’ll learn Spanish very quickly. Failing that, the fastest way to learn Spanish is by joining a quality online Spanish course and doing a bit each day. We recommend Rosetta Stone.

I know from my own experience of learning English that becoming proficient at a language takes a while. This can turn people off even trying to learn a new language, which means they lose out on all the benefits of speaking a second language.

That’s why I wrote this article with tips on how to learn Spanish fast. I hope it’ll help you get out of the starting blocks and embark on your journey to Spanish fluency.

Here are 17 tips you may not have thought of to help you get off to a quick start in learning Spanish.

1. Make Spanish part of your daily life

If you make Spanish part of your daily routine, you can trick yourself into learning it without even noticing.

Dedicate a few minutes daily to your Spanish studies. Consistent, even if brief, practice sessions are the foundation of language acquisition.

Ideas for making Spanish part of your daily routine include signing up for an online Spanish course and doing 15 minutes each day at lunchtime or listening to Spanish podcasts during your commute.

These daily habits will make a big difference to your progress over time.

2. Have fun with it

To help you stick with learning a language, find methods you enjoy. To mix in fun, try activities you do in your native language, like watching Spanish movies (with English subtitles) or playing language games.

Learn the vocabulary of your favorite hobby. Keeping the process to learn Spanish fun and varied stops burnout and keeps you engaged.

3. Use language learning apps

When it comes to figuring out how to learn Spanish fast, free language learning apps like Memrise and Duolinguo are a good option to help you speed up your Spanish learning.

They’re best used with more comprehensive ones like Rosetta Stone and Babbel.

They give you interactive Spanish lessons that utilize neuroscience techniques like spaced repetition, to improve learning efficiency. Customize them to match your schedule and learning pace for a personalized and effective language learning experience.

To become fluent in Spanish or any language, it’s important to practice regularly. Language apps motivate you by rewarding you for learning streaks. They’re a great way to get your five minutes in, even if you have a busy schedule.

4. Use flashcards to build up your Spanish vocabulary

To expand your Spanish vocabulary, it’s best to learn new words daily. Categorizing them by topics like food, clothes, and travel will help your recall. This is what the experts recommend when it comes to improving memory.

One quick way to improve your range of Spanish words is by using flashcards from Quizlet. Instead of using single words, write complete phrases or sentences.

This improves context understanding and sentence structure and promotes active learning, which is more effective than passive learning to enlarge your vocabulary.

5. Celebrate small wins

Stay motivatedby celebrating small wins. You can do this by setting achievable goals and giving yourself a reward for doing the work, such as watching something you like on TV when you’re finished.

Rewards will help you maintain a positive mindset. These psychological factors greatly influence the success of your language learning journey.

Fun fact: the benefits of bilingualism include improving your focus and multitasking. So, learning a new language is a great way to get your brain working!

6. Don’t let perfection get in your way

If you want to become a fluent Spanish speaker, at some point you’re going to have to learn about Spanish grammar. But, when you’re starting out, complicating things unnecessarily may mean you never get out of the starting blocks.

If your goal is to learn Spanish fast, don’t worry if you’re not perfect at it. Focus on getting some fast wins, such as being able to order yourself a beer in Spanish.

You can leave the grammar and more difficult words and phrases for a bit further down the road when you’re ready to start spending a bit more time to the finer details of Spanish.

7. Variety is the spice of life

Variety is the spice of life, and it’s no different when learning Spanish. Use a range of resources such as textbooks, language apps, and podcasts to avoid boredom.

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! Every time you learn a new word or say something in Spanish, you get one step closer to fluency.

If you want to work on your conversational fluency, find a language partner. This could be a friend who’s also learning Spanish and wants to work on their speaking skills with you.

Alternatively, perhaps you can find some native Spanish speakers in your community who want to practice speaking with you in a conversation exchange.

8. Try some translation

While working on the spoken language might be your priority, translating English to Spanish as the target language is a smart way to sharpen your language skills and get some Spanish practice. It’s more than swapping words: it’s about thinking in Spanish.

Try translating song lyrics to get into a Spanish vibe and learn some slang.

Translating movie dialogues can be fun, too. They show you real-life Spanish—how people chat, joke, or argue. It’s like being in the middle of a Spanish conversation. You can always check your translation against the subtitles.

Translating boosts your Spanish and gives your brain a workout. And who knows? Maybe you’ll enjoy your Spanish learning journey so much that one day you’ll decide to become a certified translator. 

9. Talk to ChatGPT in Spanish

Writing in Spanish is a great way to cement your learning. It’s one thing to understand a foreign language when you hear or read it, but writing? That’s where you really get to play with the language. 

If you’re not ready to do a Spanish course or engage with a native Spanish speaker, keep it simple by conversing with ChatGPT. It won’t laugh at your mistakes (not that a native speaker will either!) and it’ll correct you and help you find the words you’re looking for. 

Go there and start a conversation by copying and pasting the following phrase: Hola, me gustaría charlar contigo para ayudarme a aprender español. ¿Podemos tener una conversación sencilla? 

You can use prompts to tell ChatGPT if you want it to use Spanish from Latin America or if you want it to start by teaching you the most common Spanish words.

Perhaps ask it to teach you the odd Spanish verb to help you build sentences, or ask it for some words and phrases to help you improve your reading skills. This can be a great resource to help you learn Spanish quickly and for free.

10. Have fun practicing your pronunciation

When it comes to speaking practice, Spanish pronunciation can be tricky for English speakers but the good news is that it’s really fun to practice it. For instance, trying to make the rolled ‘r’ sound in words like “perro” (dog) can lighten the mood on a long car journey.

A fun language learning program to try is The Mimic Method. This program will help you work on your pronunciation through music rather than by hearing the language spoken.

Recording yourself on your phone and comparing it to native speaker pronunciation on apps like Rosetta Stone can help you identify where you need to do the most work.

Tools like Google Translate’s audio feature can also give you sounds to imitate.

11. Take conversation lessons with an online Spanish teacher

A professional tutor from a Spanish-speaking country can give you personalized online Spanish classes to help you speak Spanish fast.

They can give you instant feedback, answer your questions, and guide you through the complexities of Spanish grammar rules.

If you don’t have a local language school (or time to go there), meeting up with a Spanish tutor for an online Spanish class once a week will give you the accountability you need to learn Spanish fast.

It’s an excellent way to improve your conversational Spanish. A great option to find a Spanish teacher and take advantage of trial offers is Italki.

If a tutor is out of your budget, then look for native Spanish speakers in your community who would like to have a language exchange.

12. Take a Spanish lover and enjoy some pillow talk

Combining love and language learning can add an exciting twist to the learning process if you’re open to romance. Dating a Spanish-speaking partner makes learning more enjoyable and gives you continual motivation to speak Spanish.

Regular conversations can help you grasp the subtleties of spoken Spanish and get a feel for its rhythm. Plus, it’s the perfect way for language learners to learn more about Spanish culture and pick up on local slang and colloquialisms!

From personal experience, I can vouch for the power of love in language learning. While my journey wasn’t with Spanish, I found that my English improved significantly when I was in England.

Despite working with Italians and struggling to improve my English initially, everything changed when I had my first English boyfriend. My accent, rhythms, and vocabulary expanded quickly. So, yes, love does help in learning a new language!

As a couple, why not set “Spanish-only” days where you only communicate and consume media in Spanish? It’s fun to challenge each other and deepen your shared language skills.

13. Watch Spanish YouTube videos

YouTube is a treasure trove of content made by native speakers, from educational videos to entertainment. Below are some popular Spanish channels that can enhance your language skills and cultural understanding.

Butterfly Spanish: Ana, the host, offers easy-to-understand Spanish lessons covering basic grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural insights. This is a good choice for beginner Spanish learners.

Luisito Comunica: Explore the world with Luisito, a Mexican YouTuber who shares his travel experiences in Spanish. He speaks slowly and so it could be a good way for you to get listening to some Spanish. You can put the subtitles on to help you.

Yuya: Yuya is a Mexican YouTuber who shares beauty and lifestyle tips. Her clear pronunciation makes her videos accessible for beginners and you can always add the subtitles to help yourself out a bit.

Remember, active listening and repeating phrases can significantly improve your comprehension and pronunciation. So dive into these channels and enjoy a fun, immersive Spanish learning experience.

14. Watch movies or TV series in Spanish

Streaming services are excellent resources to help you find content from the Spanish-speaking world. They’re a way to achieve Spanish immersion on your sofa, without having to fly to a Spanish-speaking country.

Netflix houses a wealth of Spanish-language TV shows and movies that can help you learn Spanish fast through language immersion.

Acclaimed Spanish films such as Bajocero, series like Money Heist, Coven of Sisters and The Road to Love are just a few examples that will help you work on your listening comprehension. Start by using subtitles, then gradually remove them as you progress.

Another option is to watch English-speaking series and movies dubbed in Spanish. That way, you can watch something you know well while improving your Spanish skills. Since you’ll already know what’s happening, you won’t need the Spanish subtitles, which will make it easier to figure out the different words and phrases.

This is a fun way to learn Spanish quickly while improving your listening skills, vocabulary, and understanding of colloquial expressions.

15. Listen to Spanish language podcasts

Listening to Spanish language podcasts or audiobooks is an excellent way to improve your language skills while staying engaged and entertained. Maximize idle time, such as your daily commute or doing the washing up, by using them to learn languages.

Some podcasts are designed to help you learn Spanish and focus on basic vocabulary, grammar exercises and pronunciation tips. Others are produced by native speakers from Spanish-speaking countries and are designed for people who’s native language is Spanish.

If you’re trying to learn Spanish, it’s probably best to start with the podcasts created for language learners.

See the best podcasts to learn Spanish to help you get started with some ideas. If you prefer an audiobook for learners, check out the best books for Spanish beginners.

16. Use social media platforms

Social media platforms are an excellent way to immerse yourself in Spanish language and culture. Following Spanish-speaking influencers and joining Spanish language groups can give you daily exposure to the language.

Comment on posts to get some writing practice and interaction with native speakers!

Check out these lists of top Latin American Influencers (includes links to their social media profiles to make it easy for you to follow them) and popular Spanish influencers on Instagram and YouTube.

Joining a social media group can also be a great way to interact. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

• Learn And Practice Spanish And English With Native Speakers: An exchange-based Facebook group where members can practice Spanish and English through conversation and sharing resources.
• Learning Spanish: Another Facebook group dedicated to learning Spanish, offering daily vocabulary, grammar tips, and more.
• r/learnspanish: A subreddit on Reddit where users share resources, ask questions, and engage in discussions about learning Spanish.

17. Do some easy reading in Spanish

Reading is an excellent way to expand your Spanish vocabulary, understand sentence structure and fully immerse yourself in the culture.

Start with recipes, cartoons, gossip magazines, or children’s books in Spanish. Find something you like that isn’t too hard to understand. This will keep you motivated.

Can English speakers really learn Spanish fast and easily?

As with any language, learning Spanish requires consistent practice and patience. But yes, English speakers can learn Spanish relatively easily due to the similarities between the two languages. Here are some reasons why.

• Shared vocabulary: Spanish is a Latin language and English contains lots of Latin-based words. This means you’ll already recognize (reconocer) some Spanish vocabulary (vocabulario). For example (por ejemplo), family in English is familia in Spanish.
• Rule-based grammar: While there are differences, Spanish grammar follows clear and consistent rules. Once you understand these rules, sentence construction becomes easier.
• Phonetic language: Spanish is pronounced how it’s written, making it much easier to learn to pronounce than English. Each vowel has only one sound, and most consonants have only one pronunciation. This will make speaking Spanish easier for you.
• Availability of resources: A wealth of resources is available for English speakers to learn Spanish. From complete online language courses like those offered by Rosetta Stone and Babbel and vocabulary apps like Memrise to YouTube channels dedicated to teaching Spanish. If you’re really enjoying it, you can get online tutors and try out language exchange platforms.
• Cultural Exposure: Spanish music, movies, and television shows are popular and accessible. Engaging with these can speed up your learning experience and make it much more fun.

While it may take years to learn a language, you can start learning Spanish fast by doing a bit each day. Enjoy the process, celebrate small victories, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

With time and practice, you’ll soon be able to understand and speak basic Spanish.

So, what’s the easiest and fastest way to learn Spanish?

Looking back on my language-learning adventures, including the struggle to improve my English 30 years ago without the modern tools we have today, I can’t help but wish for the resources available now.

Language learning apps, online Spanish courses, and podcasts, among others, are incredible tools that can accelerate your language learning while making it enjoyable.

I urge you to take advantage of these opportunities. With so many resources at your fingertips, mastering a new language has never been more accessible or fun.

The journey to Spanish fluency is an endeavor that requires dedication, consistency, and strategic goal-setting. It’s not a sprint but a marathon, typically requiring around 600-750 hours of study.

This might seem daunting, but breaking down this journey into manageable milestones makes the process less overwhelming and more achievable.

Main takeaway on how to learn Spanish fast

Remember that the key to fast and effective language learning lies in consistency. Even if you can only spare five minutes a day, those minutes spent engaging with the language will pay off over time.

Take it step by step and you’ll be amazed where your path to speaking Spanish will take you!

Ready to start taking your Spanish learning more seriously?

Check out our recommendations for the best books to learn Spanish for beginners or take a top-notch language course with Rosetta Stone.