Next steps
You've completed this introductory guide to Spanish. You now have a foundation in pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and cultural context. Here's how to continue your learning journey.
Assess your level
The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) defines language levels:
| Level | Description | You can... |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Beginner | Introduce yourself, ask simple questions, understand basic phrases |
| A2 | Elementary | Handle routine tasks, describe your background, understand common expressions |
| B1 | Intermediate | Deal with most travel situations, describe experiences, explain opinions |
| B2 | Upper-intermediate | Interact fluently with native speakers, understand complex texts |
| C1 | Advanced | Express yourself fluently and spontaneously, use language flexibly |
| C2 | Proficiency | Understand virtually everything, express nuanced meaning |
This guide covers roughly A1 content. Your next goal should be reaching A2, then B1.
Daily practice
The minimum effective dose
Even 15–20 minutes daily beats hours of occasional study. Consistency matters more than intensity.
A simple daily routine:
- 5 minutes: Review vocabulary (flashcards)
- 5 minutes: Listen to Spanish (podcast, music)
- 5 minutes: Read Spanish (news, graded readers)
- 5 minutes: Practice speaking (shadowing, language partner)
Vocabulary building
- Anki or similar apps: Spaced repetition locks words in long-term memory
- Word lists: Learn the 1,000 most common words first; they cover ~85% of everyday speech
- Themed learning: Learn words in related groups (food, transport, emotions)
- Context over isolation: Learn words in sentences, not as isolated items
Grammar practice
- Work through a structured textbook or course
- Do exercises with answer keys for immediate feedback
- Focus on one grammar point at a time until it feels natural
- Notice patterns in authentic texts
Listening practice
Podcasts for learners
| Resource | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Break Spanish | A1–B1 | Scottish-produced course with clear explanations |
| Notes in Spanish | A2–C1 | Madrid-based couple; natural conversations |
| SpanishPod101 | A1–B2 | Structured lessons at various levels |
| News in Slow Spanish | B1–B2 | Current events at reduced speed |
| Radio Ambulante | B2+ | NPR-style storytelling (Latin America) |
Native content
| Type | Suggestions |
|---|---|
| News | RTVE (Spain), Televisa (Mexico), Telemundo |
| YouTube | Luisito Comunica, Jaime Altozano, Dross |
| Music | Shakira, Bad Bunny, Rosalía, Calle 13, Juanes |
| Audiobooks | Audible Spanish selection |
Reading practice
Graded readers
Start with books written for learners:
- Lecturas Graduadas (SGEL, Difusión)
- Spanish Easy Readers
- Olly Richards' short story series
Native texts (progressive difficulty)
- Children's books: Simple vocabulary, clear sentences
- News for learners: News in Slow Spanish, BBC Mundo
- Simple articles: Wikipedia in Spanish
- Native news: El País, El Mundo, La Nación
- Literature: Short stories before novels
Books in Spanish
Accessible titles for intermediate learners:
- El Principito (The Little Prince, translated) — Simple prose
- Como agua para chocolate (Laura Esquivel) — Magical realism
- Crónica de una muerte anunciada (García Márquez) — Short novel
- La sombra del viento (Carlos Ruiz Zafón) — Page-turner set in Barcelona
Speaking practice
Language exchange
Find native Spanish speakers learning English (or your native language):
- Tandem / HelloTalk: Apps for language exchange
- italki: Online tutoring and community tutors
- Conversation Exchange: Find partners by location
- Local Spanish meetups: Search on Meetup.com
Private tutors
Online platforms offer affordable one-on-one lessons:
- italki
- Preply
- Baselang (unlimited Spanish classes)
- Verbling
Even one hour per week with a native speaker accelerates progress.
Self-practice
- Shadowing: Listen and repeat native speakers in real-time
- Self-narration: Describe what you're doing in Spanish
- Role-play: Practice dialogues from this guide out loud
- Record yourself: Compare your pronunciation to natives
Writing practice
- Keep a Spanish journal (even a few sentences daily)
- Write messages to language partners
- Use Lang-8 or HiNative for corrections from native speakers
- Post on Spanish-language forums about topics you enjoy
Formal study options
Certificates
Official Spanish language certificates:
- DELE (Diploma de Español): Instituto Cervantes, A1–C2
- SIELE: Digital certificate, endorsed by major institutions
- CELU: Argentine Spanish certificate
Courses
- Instituto Cervantes: Offices worldwide, official Spanish courses
- Universities: Many offer Spanish courses
- Online: SpanishPod101, Babbel, Duolingo Plus, Busuu
- In-country: Intensive courses in Spain or Latin America
Immersion opportunities
Study abroad
- Spain: Madrid, Barcelona, Salamanca (famous for clear Spanish)
- Mexico: UNAM in Mexico City, Guanajuato
- Argentina: Buenos Aires (learn voseo!)
- Colombia: Medellín, Bogotá (neutral accent)
- Guatemala: Antigua (affordable, clear Spanish)
Virtual immersion
- Change your phone/computer language to Spanish
- Follow Spanish accounts on social media
- Watch Spanish Netflix with Spanish subtitles
- Join Spanish Discord servers or online communities
- Set up Spanish news alerts
Staying motivated
Set specific goals
| Vague goal | Specific goal |
|---|---|
| Get better at Spanish | Complete A2 textbook by June |
| Learn vocabulary | Learn 10 new words daily for 30 days |
| Improve listening | Watch one episode of Spanish TV per day |
| Practice speaking | Have two 30-minute conversations per week |
Track progress
- Keep a learning journal
- Record yourself every month to hear improvement
- Take practice tests periodically
- Celebrate milestones
Connect with the culture
- Cook Spanish/Latin American recipes (in Spanish!)
- Watch Spanish films and TV
- Listen to Spanish music and try to understand lyrics
- Follow Spanish news
- Plan a trip to a Spanish-speaking country
Recommended resources
Apps
| App | Best for |
|---|---|
| Anki | Vocabulary (spaced repetition) |
| Duolingo | Daily practice (gamified) |
| Babbel | Structured course |
| Tandem | Language exchange |
| WordReference | Dictionary with forums |
Websites
| Site | Content |
|---|---|
| SpanishDict.com | Dictionary, conjugation, lessons |
| StudySpanish.com | Grammar explanations |
| Conjuguemos.com | Verb practice |
| Notes in Spanish | Podcast and worksheets |
| reddit.com/r/Spanish | Community support |
YouTube channels
- Butterfly Spanish: Clear explanations for beginners
- SpanishPod101: Structured lessons
- Dreaming Spanish: Comprehensible input method
- Why Not Spanish: Colombian Spanish, real conversations
- Español con Juan: Spanish from Spain
A final word
Learning Spanish opens doors to 21 countries, 500 million speakers, and some of the world's greatest literature, music, and film. There will be plateaus and frustrations. The difference between those who succeed and those who quit is persistence.
Every mistake is a learning opportunity. Every conversation is practice. Every Spanish text you struggle through builds your ability.
You've taken the first step. Keep going.
¡Buena suerte! — Good luck!