Dreaming of buying a second home in Spain, but afraid of moving to a foreign country without even knowing the language? Then hold back no longer and start learning Spanish today to make your dream come true.
Rule number 1: set yourself goals
Everyone has their own personal reasons for learning a new language, but without clear goals, motivation can quickly fade. So, above all, we recommend setting yourself achievable, solid and time-bound goals. These must, of course, be tailored to your level to be effective. Start by taking tests to assess your current knowledge of Spanish, whether in terms of spoken and written expression and comprehension.
Start with the basics
Now that you have your goals, you can get started with learning Spanish. If you're a beginner, the first step will obviously be to make lists of commonly used vocabulary (to study) and get to grips with the grammatical basics. Plenty of resources can help you with this, whether free or paid:
- Books (we recommend those that come with accompanying audio);
- Websites
- Mobile apps
- Language courses
A good tip for picking up this new vocabulary more quickly is to focus more on the similarities than the differences with your mother tongue. For instance, a word that is pronounced or spelled almost the same way. This will boost your motivation as you see yourself making progress.
Develop your Spanish listening skills
Once the basics are in place, there's nothing better than developing your ear and your vocabulary by regularly listening to various Spanish media. Films, telenovelas, music, podcasts, news channels… This way you combine learning with leisure.
This technique also helps you get used to the accents and improve your own pronunciation through listening.
Learning through reading
Spanish culture is brimming with a wealth of outstanding writers. By immersing yourself in their books, you can develop your vocabulary, but, above all, your grammar and spelling while letting yourself be swept away by the story. A way to learn Spanish without even realising it!
Also think about reading recipes or magazines to familiarise yourself with everyday words.
The must: converse with native speakers
Of course, the best technique for learning Spanish quickly is to converse with a native speaker. If you're travelling in a Spanish-speaking country, dare to practise the language with the locals and above all don't be afraid of making mistakes. If you're in Belgium, several websites or apps dedicated to learning the language can connect you with native speakers to help you find conversation partners.
More than any training resource, learning to speak Spanish comes above all from motivation and practising as regularly as possible, ideally every day. Push yourself to communicate and never be afraid of making mistakes. Remember, learning your mother tongue didn't happen overnight or without difficulty when you were little. So, chin up and buen español!