Learning Spanish
Learning Spanish as a second language could well be the wave of the future in America. After all, Spanish is one of the most commonly spoken languages on the planet. Find the best online Spanish language resources available for those starting out, those in search of the next educational step and those who want a refresher before a jaunt to Buenos Aires or Sevilla. Spanish language teachers can find valuable tools for the classroom, too.
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Expand All Guide SectionsBasic Spanish
There are countless resources on basic Spanish via the Web. Use this section to dive in and get started.
Insights for Basic Spanish
- Far from universal, Spanish spellings and meanings vary from country to country and from region to region. Even if your Spanish is good, a quick look at some local vocabulary could help.
- There are many free translation sites on the Web but most should not be trusted for translating a full text—only for single words or very short phrases. A missing accent or “ñ” can change the meaning of a word or tense so it’s best to avoid using these sites for longer texts.
Top Sites for Basic Spanish
Getting started in Spanish …
Indo-European Languages
provides a quick reference sheet that’s useful as a refresher or when you’re in search of a useful phrase or verb conjugation.
SpanishTown
offers a small but useful selection of basic vocabulary PDFs and audio examples that can be played to accompany each list.
E-spanyol.hu
has a basic Spanish vocabulary reference guide for beginners. Vocabulary is broken down into subject sections, such as colors, numbers and food and drink. Use the “interactive practice tool” in each section to test your knowledge.
Loquella
provides a wide selection of audiovisual Spanish lessons that students can navigate by lesson and phrase. The audio components of each lesson can be downloaded as an MP3 for a fee (about $50 for 15 Spanish Level I lessons).
For Spanish vocabulary and verb conjugation …
WordReference.com
stands out from the countless Spanish-to-English dictionaries available online. You’ll also get audio pronunciations, compound word examples and message boards where you can ask additional language questions.
Elemadrid
hosts an easy Spanish verb conjugator that provides printable results organized in tables. Simply submit the verb you want and the site produces an expansive set of conjugations covering every tense and use of the verb.
For Spanish grammar …
Curso de español
is an extensive grammar lesson and exercise site that offers audio components as well as text. The site’s navigation bar changes from Spanish to English when you run your mouse over it.
Spanish Language and Culture with Barbara Kuczun Nelson
provides a wide array of grammar lessons with audio components and quizzes to test your knowledge, as well as study modules that include cultural and geographic information.
Conversational and Advanced Spanish
Once you have a base to work with, you can take your Spanish to the next level with conversational ... read more »
Teaching Spanish
As students can begin studying Spanish at any age, teachers must be prepared to address the needs ... read more »
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