The Best Tools to Learn Spanish

¡Hola familia!  Are you ready to start a Spanish language learning journey, but you aren’t sure where to start?  Are you looking for apps to help you learn Spanish or free Spanish learning resources?  There are so many options that it can be pretty overwhelming.  In today’s post, we will talk about some of the best tools to learn Spanish.  These tools are designed to make your language learning journey both engaging and efficient.  Consider this your list of essentials for unlocking the beauty of the Spanish language.  ¿Estás ready?  Let’s dive in!

When it comes to exploring language learning apps and websites, it’s essential to take a closer look at their pros and cons.  The list below is not comprehensive, but it includes what I consider to be the best tools to learn Spanish.  These sites and apps all have strengths and weaknesses which we will cover to help you find just the right combination for your Spanish language goals.

Duolingo’s gamified approach and user-friendly interface make learning Spanish feel like a fun challenge, perfect for beginners.  The creators use solid learning science and international language learning proficiency standards and an AI interface to adapt the difficulty level based on progress.  Duolingo gets students reading, writing, listening, and speaking right from the start with bite sized lessons that can be done in 5-10 minutes.  Duolingo also has a website and an app, so you can learn whenever and wherever it is most convenient for you.

On the other hand, Duolingo does  not provide as much in-depth grammar explanation.  The program is also heavy on reading and writing activities and has comparatively few activities for speaking and listening practice.  The listening practice that it does provide uses sounds unnatural according to users.  Duolingo is seen as leaning heavily into vocabulary acquisition and not so much into immersion and real life experience, making it feel a bit like learning in a vacuum.  The feedback is also a bit limited – learners are simply given “correct” or “incorrect” without further explanation.  My students’ biggest complaint with Duolingo is the repetition, but I see this as a perk because repetition is so important in language acquisition.

Mango Languages is a video-based program that offers a rich array of interactive lessons that focus on conversational skills and cultural insights.  This program goes beyond basic vocabulary practice and gives realistic help with using Spanish language.  Mango Language services can be accessed from a variety of devices, making it easy to use it wherever you are.  Members also have access to Mango Premiere, a service where students can view 22 feature films with special captions and built-in support for language learning.  Also, in the United States and Canada, users with valid library cards may be able to access the service for free through their local library.  As a bonus for any teachers or homeschoolers out there, Mango has lesson plans for some languages as well (Spanish included!).

If a student is unable to access a free account, the subscription fee is a consideration.  Mango Languages services also does not offer much written Spanish language practice – it is much more geared towards speaking, listening, and reading practice.

I know what you are thinking – Netflix as a valuable language learning tool?  With a selection of Spanish-language shows and movies, it’s a fun way to practice your listening skills and immerse yourself in the language.  Watching movies can boost your vocabulary and allow you to learn the grammar in context.  It is also a great way to better understand Spanish culture.  Click here to see a list of my favorite Spanish movies and shows for Spanish learning.

Watching shows and movies in Spanish as a new student can be overwhelming.  There are so many options that it can be frustrating to know where to start.  It takes a lot of focus and dedication to actually learn from the shows instead of just passively watching and reading the subtitles.  Netflix is also not a solo solution for learning languages.  It is necessary to have guidance on what to watch to cover certain vocabulary and grammar concepts – a romantic comedy will have a very different array of language than a medical drama.  You should choose your target shows and vocabulary carefully, and subtitles are key!

Quizlet is a dream for students that love free flashcard practice.  The page and app offer a variety of user-generated flashcard decks and even allows you to create your own, so you can review almost any language objective.  Quizlet comes with study modes and games to make learning and practicing more enjoyable.  It can help students establish learning routines and prepare for tests or exams and has a free tier that is adequate for most learners.

In the end, flashcard practice just helps with rote memorization.  It is not super effective for language usage, speaking, listening, or writing.  Quizlet also relies on user-generated content, which means that it may contain spelling or grammatical errors, misleading information, or may be outdated.  There are also ads in Quizlet which may be distracting to some learners.  I don’t encourage my students to make accounts because Quizlet does not comply with best practices regarding account privacy.

If a student is looking to expand their vocabulary without diving deep into grammar, Drops is a fantastic app to try.  A free app with engaging visuals and quick games, it’s a colorful and fun way to learn new words. Being an app, it is with you wherever you go and available whenever you have time.  Plus, short lessons help keep students from getting overwhelmed.

You will need to complement Drops with other resources to cover grammar.  The app also has a five minute time limit, so it is nice for quick, bite-sized lessons but it would be hard to learn Spanish completely in five minute time blocks.

Babbel is seen as teaching useful language with lots of good explanations for grammar and usage.  The app has clear recordings and the lessons progress in a logical order for most learners.  The fee for usage is seen as affordable by most people, and the streak feature is highly motivating to many users.  The app can be installed on many devices, so it is always available when you are ready to learn.

Babbel does charge a fee, so that can be a consideration.  Babbel does not have as many different activities, so it can seem pretty repetitive (but remember repetition is important for language acquisition!).  However, that can make it hard to maintain motivation over a long period of time.

The Memrise platform uses mnemonics and spaced repetition to practice Spanish vocabulary.  There is content to match many interests, such as vocabulary from a book you are reading or from a Spanish show or movie.  Then the service uses a variety of matching, spelling, and listening activities in daily lessons. There is a  free version of the service which allows you to try the tool before committing to a subscription.  The program is comprehensive, allowing for beginner, intermediate, and possibly even advanced learning.

Not all features and content are available on the app, so you have to be at a computer for best user experience.  The exercises can get repetitive, which is both a blessing and curse for language learning.  The user-created content can vary and may not be complete or correct.  Memrise can be hard to navigate and a bit confusing for users, and it is, in the end, meant solely for vocabulary practice.

Bosuu has a lot of great features incorporating video clips of native Spanish speakers and helpful grammar instruction woven throughout the lessons.  You can also get feedback from actual native Spanish speakers in their community and the service has AI powered review so that it is personalized to each student.  The Bosuu app can be installed on a variety of devices putting Spanish learning at your fingertips on your schedule.  The paid version is robust and affordable, and the app is very user friendly.  This app uses reading, writing, listening, and speaking and a variety of activity types to keep the short lessons new and exciting.

The free version of the program is very limited, so the subscription cost can be a consideration.  The app also lacks robust conversation practice and doesn’t have speech recognition technology, so it relies on the Bosuu community for feedback.  Thus, feedback can vary.

These are just a few of the resources available for Spanish language learning.  As you can see, each has its own unique features and learning methods along with strengths and weaknesses. There really isn’t one best tool to learn Spanish – it really takes a toolbox of language learning options to suit your individual preferences and learning style. ¡Fantástico!

We have talked about a wide variety of apps and resources to help you learn Spanish, but I must remind you that classes are the ultimate learning tool.  Online Spanish classes, such as those offered here at Virtual Spanish Class, are the best tool to learn Spanish!  Online classes provide structured guidance, feedback, and opportunities for interaction with instructors and fellow learners.  Our classes provide connection with an instructor and other students and are the best way to learn about Spanish culture.  They are an excellent way to learn input skills like listening and reading, and also output skills like speaking and writing in a natural and cooperative way.  Not only that, but we focus on building learner confidence so our students are ready to speak and use Spanish.  If you are interested in classes for your teen, be sure to fill out the sign-up form below!

So, there you have it, amigos. Your personal combination of the best tools to learn Spanish awaits. Remember, each learner’s journey is unique, and finding the perfect combination of tools is the key to success.  Experiment, have fun, and immerse yourself in the language and culture.  And always know that you’re not alone in this adventure.  Whether you’re a beginning student or a passionate learner, I’m here to support you every step of the way.