Learning Spanish for beginners

Are you thinking of learning Spanish from scratch? If so, you've come to the right place. Learning Spanish will not only allow you to communicate with millions of people around the world, but it will also open the doors to the vibrant and diverse culture that Spanish-speaking countries enjoy.

That's why you'll need some basic tips for learning Spanish for beginners and don Quijote teaches you everything you need to know.

If you prefer to read this article in Spanish, click here.

Start with the alphabet and pronunciation

Before diving into advanced Spanish classes with grammar and vocabulary, it is crucial to master the alphabet and its pronunciation. Fortunately, the Spanish alphabet is quite similar to the English alphabet, with a few exceptions.

Make sure you know the basic letters and sounds, such as the vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and special letters like “ñ” and “ll”. Another advantage of Spanish over other languages is that it is read as it is written, so it will be easy to learn to pronounce the alphabet for beginners.

For example, the pronunciation of the vowels:

• The letter A sounds like “ah” as in “apple”. Example: casa (house).
• The letter E is pronounced like “eh” as in “pet”. Example: esperanza (hope).
• The vowel I sounds like “ee” as in “seen”, but shorter. Example: invierno (winter).
• The letter O is pronounced like “oh” as in “orange”. Example: orangután (orangutan).
• The vowel U is pronounced like “oo” as in “food”, but shorter. Example: universo (universe).

Continue with basic phrases and expressions

One of the best ways to learn Spanish is to start with everyday phrases and expressions. These will help you communicate in common, everyday situations, for example, if you go shopping in a supermarket or need to ask where the toilet is.

Here are some examples:

• ¡Hola! (Hello!)
• Buenos días (Good morning)
• ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?)
• Encantado/a de conocerte (Nice to meet you)
• ¿Qué hora es? (What time is it?)
• ¿Dónde está el baño? (Where is the bathroom?)
• ¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much does it cost?)

Immerse yourself in the culture

Without a doubt, an excellent way to learn Spanish is through culture. Music, for example, is a great tool for learning Spanish for beginners. You can listen to different accents and enjoy learning Spanish while learning new vocabulary.

Spain is known for its rich cultural heritage, from flamenco to Gaudi's architecture. Watch Spanish films and series, listen to Spanish music and immerse yourself in the culture. You will learn not only the language, but also the history and passion of a country like Spain.

You can listen to a popular Spanish song and read the lyrics. This way, you can see how the words are said, how they are pronounced and understand the meaning of the song. Singing is fun and will help you improve your pronunciation!

Take Spanish classes

Another more academic and common approach is face-to-face Spanish classes. A native teacher or tutor will help you internalise the main keys to learning Spanish from scratch and establish a foundation for speaking the language.

You can also look for language exchange groups in your area to practice your conversational skills with native speakers. Or even take online classes to lay the groundwork and practice your Spanish language skills.

Total immersion: travel to Spain

If you have the opportunity, there is nothing better than a total Spanish immersion in a country like Spain. The perfect destination to learn Spanish is Spain without a doubt. Imagine walking through the narrow streets of Barcelona, enjoying tapas in Madrid or relaxing on the beaches of Valencia, while practising your Spanish in real-life situations.

In addition, Spain offers a wide variety of accents and dialects, which will further enrich your experience. Sign up for an intensive Spanish course in Spain with don Quijote to improve your language skills.

Keep a positive attitude

Learning a new language can be challenging, but the key is to keep a positive attitude and persevere. A necessary factor in learning Spanish is to practice and not be afraid of making mistakes.

Don't be discouraged by the mistakes you may make; they are part of the learning process. Celebrate your achievements too and keep practising to improve your Spanish.

Live an enriching experience that will open many doors and allow you to connect with an exciting culture such as the Spanish one. Also consider the possibility of learning Spanish in Spain, where you can enjoy the culture, history and beauty of this wonderful country.

At don Quijote we offer you the possibility of learning Spanish for beginners in 11 different destinations in Spain. In our schools you can take courses adapted to your level and age to achieve an admirable level of Spanish.