Spanish is the fourth most studied target language in the world, only behind English, French, and Mandarin.
It's no wonder, then, that there are endless resources to help Spanish learners keep making progress! The challenge is sifting through these materials to find tools worth using.
Here's the good news: we've done the hard work for you!
Our team has found the best Spanish resources for a variety of study methods and styles. By combining tools from each of these categories, you'll progress to fluency at an exciting rate. Read on to find out which ones will work best for you!
Table of Contents
- Spanish Learning Apps
- Spanish Textbooks
- Online Communities
- Spanish Podcasts
- Best Online Tools for Learning Spanish
Spanish Learning Apps
Most beginners turn to language learning apps as the first step on their journey. These tools are incredibly powerful at getting your Spanish off the ground. Many use an effective combination of recall, reconsolidation, and gamification to help you maintain your language learning routine.
Due to their multi-media design, they can also help users improve all four language skills, including speaking! Several leading apps use your device's microphone to check your pronunciation, testing how accurate your speech is.
As we said, most beginners start with these tools. Generally speaking, they are therefore limited to that target audience. While they're great for starting from scratch, very few quality apps exist for intermediate or advanced learning.
But if you're still in the beginner stages, check out our list of recommended Spanish-learning apps!
Spanish Textbooks
Once learners have passed the beginner stages, many turn to textbooks next.
Textbook study is a traditional method of language learning that takes learners from beginner to advanced stages step by step. While some textbooks come with audio tools, they usually focus heavily on reading and writing. In particular, the books are often designed to improve your vocabulary and understanding of grammar rules.
Though the answers to exercises are usually included, studying solo means there's no one to explain how you went wrong or how to correct your work. This is because these tools are usually designed to be used with a teacher or tutor.
Therefore, if you enjoy learning from textbooks, try using them alongside other methods:
- Find a Spanish tutor
- Meet with Spanish speakers in person or online
- Join online Spanish learning communities
- Use interactive speaking and listening tools
If you can combine these techniques, then textbook learning will be a great way to support your progress. To get started, check out our list of Spanish learning textbooks.
Online Communities
We just mentioned that online communities are a great way to support your textbook studies, but what are they?
Online Spanish learning communities usually fall into one of two categories:
- 1-1 conversation
- Q&A forums
Conversation communities connect language learners around the world, usually for free! By joining their website or app, you can reach out to Spanish speakers from different regions to talk. You can chat over text, phone, video call, or even voice message. Many services even allow users to create profiles so they can find people with similar interests!
Some communities encourage language users to be both teachers and learners. For example, you can help someone with their English while they help you with your Spanish. Others encourage users to converse entirely in Spanish. Either way, it's a practical method for improving speaking and listening.
The other type of community is a Q&A forum. Here, native or fluent speakers answer learners' questions about the language. You can post questions yourself or search for others' questions and their answers. Some even allow you to post longer pieces of text and ask for corrections.
To find the best websites for your study style, check out our full list of online communities.
Spanish Podcasts
What if you want to improve your listening skills without having to chat with someone? Then try Spanish podcasts!
Rather than the radio, which discusses limited topics, podcasts offer more choice. They let you choose the exact subject you want to learn about at a specific difficulty level. Many even let you set the playback speed. And the vast majority are free!
For beginners and intermediate learners, try podcasts specifically designed for learning Spanish. Some speak in English as well as Spanish to explain words as they go. Others put your listening skills to the test by speaking exclusively in Spanish.
If you're beyond these intermediate learning tools, there are even more options available. Several news sites upload regular podcasts with transcripts attached. This allows you to listen to content fit for native speakers with the aid of a written reference for complex vocabulary.
To find beginner, intermediate, and advanced Spanish podcasts, see our list of Spanish podcasts for learners.
Best Online Tools for Learning Spanish
91% of our users say our tools have sped up their language learning. So we're not biased when we say Progress with Lawless Spanish offers some of the best resources out there!
The process uses our AI language coach, Kwizbot, to measure, track, and plan your Spanish studies. Rather than working through an app's or textbook's generic plan, Progress with Lawless Spanish's study plans are custom for your own level. Kwizbot identifies your strengths and weaknesses, then decides what you need to study next to progress.
Best of all, you can start using Progress with Lawless Spanish for free!
To access our Spanish learning resources, all you need is a free account. Why not sign up now?
After all - it's free!
