9 Things to Know About Learning Spanish – Your Questions Answered!
Are you looking to learn Spanish? Do you want to find out if you can be fluent in Spanish in 6 months? Do you want to travel across the world and discover new cultures? To help you get the most of your Spanish course, here are 9 things you should know about learning Spanish.
How do I Start Learning Spanish?
As a beginner language learner it can be difficult knowing where to start. One of the most popular options is to enrol on a beginner’s Spanish course to start learning Spanish. It’s comforting to know that all the other students in the group will be in exactly the same situation as you, with the same feelings of excitement and apprehension! Cactus offers beginner’s Spanish immersion courses in multiple Spanish speaking locations, Spanish evening language courses across the UK and private Spanish tuition across the world.
Another good option is to download the free language learning app Duolingo. This app will get you started with some key words and expressions. It’s also useful to arm yourself with a good Spanish dictionary and our Spanish Language Kit will give you all the key expressions (with the pronunciation) for any short trip to a Spanish speaking country.
Why Learn Spanish?
There are many reasons to start learning Spanish. As a global language it is spoken in more than 20 countries and by over 500 million people. Having a good command of Spanish is:
✅ Useful for trade and business with Spanish speaking countries
✅ An opportunity to strengthen your CV and improve your career prospects
✅ The gateway to experience and immerse yourself in the culture of these countries
✅ Easier to learn for English speakers than many other languages
Where can I study Spanish?
There are plenty of ways to learn Spanish, from apps to classroom tuition. However, learning it where it’s spoken makes for a far easier experience. With full immersion courses you can improve your language learning skills in many different countries across the world. Choose from over 15 wonderful Spanish cities or take a look at the 10 countries in Central and South America where we offer courses:
✅ Spain
✅ Colombia
✅ Cuba
✅ Panama
How do I learn Spanish quickly?
The best way to learn Spanish quickly is by taking a full immersion course. You will study Spanish in a classroom environment and at the same time have the opportunity to practise everything you learn in the real world through all your interactions and experiences outside of the classroom. Taking a Spanish course in a Spanish speaking country is by far the best way to improve your knowledge. You will listen to Spanish radio, watch Spanish TV and listen to locals speaking, as well as using your Spanish on a daily basis in everyday situations.
You can start learn from home by taking online classes and when you feel more confident, travel to one of the many Spanish speaking countries and discover the benefits of full immersion.
Can I learn Spanish in 6 months?
Yes, you can learn Spanish in 6 months. It’s not an easy process and you need to make a strong commitment to achieving this goal.
Firstly, it depends on your current level. If you are an absolute beginner (A1), with zero knowledge, by the end of the 6 months, taking 20 hours per week, you can achieve an intermediate (B1) to upper intermediate (B2) level, which means you can converse confidently about most everyday topics. You will be able to understand main ideas of complex texts and defend your point of view on general topics. If you have some knowledge of Spanish or start at a higher level, then in 6 months you should be able to reach advanced (C1) or proficiency (C2) levels.
Secondly, it depends on your level commitment. You will need to take a course of at least 20 lessons per week and make sure you dedicate some time to learn something new everyday. Hence, the importance of a full immersion.
To conclude, you will need to set clear goals, practise Spanish everyday and use the right learning tools. With this in mind, learning Spanish in 6 months is not an impossible task.
How do I become fluent in Spanish?
Learning a language takes time and patience. You will need to commit yourself to learning Spanish, don’t be afraid to make mistakes and get out of your comfort zone. For instance, start watching TV, YouTube videos and listening to music in Spanish. There are many options out there to familiarise yourself with the language.
On the other hand, this won’t be enough for you to become fluent in Spanish. You will need to take a Spanish course, spend some time in a Spanish speaking country and start speaking Spanish with the locals. If you do this, you can expect to be relatively fluent in Spanish within 6 months to a year. Your chances of becoming fluent will greatly improve if you have Spanish speaking friends that are happy to speak only in Spanish with you.
Am I too old to start learning Spanish?
No, you are never too old to learn a language! Studies might show that learning a language is a great way of keeping your brain active and staving off dementia. You can learn something new, meet other like-minded learners and inspire yourself to study and learn Spanish.
You can control when and how to learn. Set your own goals and enjoy the process. You know why you want to study Spanish (and it’s not an obligation), so you will be able to appreciate and enjoy the process.
Age is just a number and with the right attitude learning Spanish can be fun and a new adventure. Take a look at our many 50 plus courses dedicated to language learners over the age of 50.
Which Spanish course should I take?
It all depends on how much time you have to commit to learning Spanish. If you only have a few hours, a face-to-face course in your city or an online course is a good option. These are part-time and budget friendly options that will set you on the right path to learning Spanish.
If you can commit more time, then a full immersion course is an ideal option. You can choose from 15 lessons per week, up to 35 lessons per week. With a standard course of 20 lessons you have more free time to interact with locals and discover the city, whilst with the 35 lessons per week you will progress faster and reach the next level in a shorter period of time.
Another option is taking a language and activities course (or Language Plus). Spanish language plus courses include:
These courses help you discover more about something that you enjoy and give you more opportunities to use Spanish outside of the classroom. Whichever course you choose, your commitment is key.
Can I learn Spanish online?
Yes, you can start learning Spanish online but you will miss out on meeting new local people and native speakers as you would do with a full immersion. You can download one of the many apps to start learning Spanish, join a virtual classroom or one-to-one online tuition. With the apps there is a limit on how much you can learn.
However, the virtual classrooms and one-to-one online tuition create a classroom environment online. You can take these classes at your own convenience whilst experiencing all the benefits of classroom tuition. You will still need to set your goals, embrace the language and practise everyday but this will give you a good start to learning Spanish if a full immersion is not an option.
How to Book a Spanish course and start learning Spanish?
Please check our How to Book page for more information on the simple secure and easy online booking process. Check the link to find more information about any of our Spanish courses – 9 Things to Know About Learning Spanish.
For information on the 9 things to know about learning Spanish or Spanish courses, please call us on +44 (0) 1273 830 960 or contact us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any question you may have before you start a summer adventure.
Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:
Evening language courses: 19 different languages in 15 UK locations
Language holidays: worldwide immersion courses in the country of the language
Private tuition: tailor-made and corporate language training solutions throughout the world
TEFL: teacher training courses for both English and other languages all over the world
Online courses: for teacher training, English and French