Beginning Spanish – What Method is Best?


Posted on May 19, 2010 by Rosana

My friend Jason wanted to learn to speak Spanish, but he was confused about how to go about it. Should he take a class? Maybe he should study Spanish online, but there were so many websites to choose from. Since he worked and had a young family, he didn’t have much time. Maybe he should give up on his dream of beginning Spanish right now.

If you have thought of starting to learn Spanish, what approaches have you considered or possibly tried? There are a variety of methods you can use to learn to speak Spanish. Here are five of them:

  • Beginning Spanish classes through a local continuing education program
  • Online Spanish courses
  • Go to a Spanish-speaking country for an immersion course
  • Taking a Spanish course on mp3 files you can carry with you or listen to in the car
  • Working with a multi-media Spanish program on your computer

Which Method of Beginning Spanish Would Be Best for You?

Here is a quick description of the pros and cons of each method. Really, there is no one method that will be right for everyone. You have to consider your own situation, budget, and reasons for wanting to begin Spanish.

(1) TAKING A LOCAL SPANISH CLASS

The routine of going to class may help you study, but if you want to learn to speak Spanish, this is not usually a good choice. Classes of this sort tend to be heavy on grammar and weak on conversation. Also, they are quite time-consuming when you think of going to and from the class and that part of the class time is wasted or spent on helping other students with things that aren’t a problem for you.

(2) ONLINE SPANISH COURSES

This is quite possible, and there are some free courses.

(3) IMMERSION COURSE IN A SPANISH-SPEAKING COUNTRY

By far the most expensive approach, this also provides a vacation. There are immersion classes in virtually every Spanish-speaking country. These vary a lot in quality, so do your research.

(4) MP3 COURSE

Probably the most convenient method, with a course like this you can listen to it from your computer but more likely you will listen via an ipod or similar device, or through a car stereo. This method can be very effective for learning to speak Spanish. If you also want to learn to read and write Spanish, be sure to select a program that also has books or workbooks. My favorite in this category is Rocket Spanish; see the link at the top of this article.

(5) MULTI-MEDIA COMPUTER PROGRAM

In this approach, you interact with a computer program. It’s nice that you can move at your own pace from one lesson to the next, learning as you go. Some of the programs include MP3 files you can use on an ipod or similar device. These programs are probably the very best way to begin Spanish on your own. Pay close attention to the differences between the programs, as some are based on current research into how adults learn languages.

Once you decide what method you want to start with, you can move on to the next step, of choosing which course or program or whatever you will select. Jason chose Fluenz, (see the link at the top of this article) a multi-media computer program with add-on MP3 files.

What will you choose?

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  • tinythinker

    One of them really was that long! :) I signed up for the Rocket 6 day course. First lesson was good.

  • Rosana

    Had a good laugh over your 6 minute lesson comment.

    Don't think I'll be pushing shame or guilt. Not my style!

  • tinythinker

    Thank you. I have been overwhelmed looking at all the options, and most of the free online material has been more like bait — “Try one 6 minute lesson then order the whole $500 set!” I will look into the links you mentioned.

    I also have been looking for online videos and streams from Spanish-language TV and radio stations, and wow I think they speak Spanish faster than I can speak English! :)

    I look forward to visiting here and getting motivation, either through encouragement or shame or guilt — whatever works!

  • Rosana

    I think there are enough free resources online that someone whose funds are really strapped could get a decent start without spending anything…. you can find some of these programs by looking at the category list on my blog and clicking on the one that includes the word free.

    BUT motivation is likely to stay stronger with a set of materials designed to get you into conversation. Personally, I already knew quite a bit of Spanish when I evaluated Rocket Spanish, but i do think it is one good example of how to learn conversational Latin American Spanish, enough so that when you go to one of those countries or hang out with Spanish speakers where you live, you will have an excellent basis.

  • http://www.knowledgeworthknowing.com/?page_id=260 Learn Spanish

    I would suggest taking a local Spanish class but you need to take it a step further and just get actively involved in a Spanish community volunteering. The Spanish people love the fact that you want to learn their language so they will do anything they can to help you. I spend a lot of time on websites and Spanish You tube.
    Anytime you don't understand a word you need to write it down and spend some time using it in sentences.

  • tinythinker

    I took two years of basic Spanish in high school and another two in college, but lack of consistent use had degraded what I learned, which as you write was never very conversational. I have been looking at options for engaging with Spanish on a budget, and I've also been concerned about learning Spanish in a way that isn't really used by most speakers in the Americas. Does something like the Rocket Spanish program actually help you to learn Spanish so that you could have a real conversation with someone, say, from Mexico or Argentina or Los Angeles? In your opinion, how much would one realistically need to spend to get a decent set of materials that would be really beneficial? Thanks for the help!