There are many reasons why learning Spanish should be part of your 2022 plans. Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world with almost 500 million native speakers. Learning Spanish opens the door to most of Central America, South America, Spain, and specific pockets of the United States, making the language the ideal traveller’s companion. Not to mention, Spanish is the official language in 22 countries and is the third most used language on the internet. By learning Spanish, you will be able to access an array of cultures, travel through the history books, and explore a rich spectrum of musical genres.
In addition to the personal and professional benefits of learning the language, Spanish’s consistent phonetics, melodic sounds, and logical grammar rules make for an exciting and friendly learning journey. In this article, we’ll dive into how you can get started with Spanish and how language exchange can fast-track your Spanish learning!
How to Learn Spanish on your Own?
Learning Spanish on your own requires structure, consistency, and a little bit of ingenuity. In the long run, learning on your own can save money and help you understand what your preferred learning style is (how you learn best). Here are our tips to get started with learning Spanish on your own:
Input
When starting to learn a language, it’s crucial to develop an ear for the sound and rhythm of the language. Schedule regular times to listen to and watch Spanish content. Watch a Spanish TED Talk on your way to work or listen to reggaeton during your gym sessions. Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything at first, you’ll begin to recognize sounds and patterns with regular listening and viewing of Spanish language content.
The second piece is to start learning about grammar and build up basic Spanish vocabulary. Buy a beginner’s guide to Spanish or enroll in a self-paced course on apps like HelloTalk. These methods are a great starting point to learning the most common Spanish words and learn common situational expressions such as greetings, asking for directions, and how to order food.
Output
Now that you have acquired a foundation in Spanish, it’s time to rehearse what you’ve learned and practice articulating your thoughts. Practice reading what you’ve learned a loud by speaking to yourself in the mirror. Label objects around the house in Spanish and repeats the word every time you use or pick up the object. By practicing your speaking and writing, you are improving how you communicate and articulate your thoughts in Spanish.
Bring the Language to Life
Now that you have a base vocabulary and have rehearsed how to express yourself in a variety of scenarios, it’s time to bring the language to life and combine both input and output through a real exchange in Spanish. A great way to do this is through language exchange. A language exchange is a learning method where you team up with a language partner (usually a native speaker in the language you are learning) and take turns teaching each other about your language and culture. Let’s learn how we can learn Spanish with HelloTalk, the language exchange app.
How to Learn Spanish with HelloTalk Language Exchange App
Get Talking
HelloTalk lets you chat with native speakers through text, voice, and video. We recommend prioritizing talking over texting. This way you can hear how native speakers pronounce words and you also get the chance to practice your Spanish pronunciation. The app also includes the option to share corrections to improve any weak points in your language.
Use HelloTalk’s Language Exchange Function
The app’s built-in language exchange function helps you plan and stay consistent with your language practice by letting you schedule future language exchanges. Not only does this provide the option to synch with your calendar, it also includes helpful tools to keep you on track, such as topics to discuss and a timer to ensure you get your practice in and cover topics that you want to learn more about.
Be Mindful of Language Levels
The best language exchanges typically take place between learners of the same language proficiency. In other words, if you are a beginner in Spanish, you should partner up with a native Spanish speaker who is a beginner in your native language.
Bring some structure to your language exchange
Pre-plan topics and set a fixed amount of time for your exchange. These steps will go a long way to ensure you stay on track during your exchange. In addition, HelloTalk includes built in tools such as translation and transcription to help you succeed in your language exchange and avoid any awkward pauses.
Have Fun and Reciprocate
Learning a language gives you a new perspective on the world, so remember learning a language is not a destination but instead a journey. Have fun learning new ways of knowing, keep an open mind, and return the favor by teaching others about your language and culture.
Join HelloTalk – Reach More Spanish Native Speakers For Free
HelloTalk is the world’s #1 language exchange app and home to a global community of language learners and culture lovers. Join over 35 million people from 190 countries who’ve made HelloTalk the hub for language and cultural exchange. Search for language partners and practice Spanish with native speakers for free through text, voice, or video. The app also includes self-paced lessons, instructional livestreams, and intuitive language tools such as translation, transcription, and transliteration to get your Spanish learning on track! Download the free app today at hellotalk.com.
