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 exercises and study programs in Spanish-speaking countries. Continue studying conversational and advanced Spanish to gain a full and fluent understanding of the language.
Insights for Conversational and Advanced Spanish
- Many argue that the best way to learn any language is full immersion in a country that speaks it. Spanish offers at least a dozen countries to choose from, and organized programs to visit and study can be found on many of the sites listed in this Web guide.
Top Sites for Conversational and Advanced Spanish
For conversational Spanish …
123TeachMe.com
provides short, basic conversational lessons for Spanish learners. Find games and activities to test your skills, as well as a quick reference verb conjugation tool and a directory of language schools organized by country.
BBC Languages
offers resources for all levels. The site’s activities combine the BBC’s news archives with language and grammar practices, simultaneously providing a glimpse of history and culture.
Notes in Spanish
is a series of podcasts that you can download or listen to on your computer. Download PDF versions of practical worksheets to test your skills, and learn important vocabulary from the podcasts. Lessons are available for beginner, intermediate and advanced speakers.
To study conversational and advanced Spanish abroad …
StudySpanish.com
provides a directory of Spanish language programs and schools, broken down by country. A school or organization’s location can help indicate the specific vocabulary and accent that’s taught there.
StudyAbroad.com
allows users to search for language and academic programs by country, subject and city.
For contemporary Spanish practice …
El País
is one of Spain’s largest and most-read daily newspapers. Their Web site provides a glimpse of Spanish politics and culture, and an opportunity to practice your Spanish language skills while reading current events.
Teaching Spanish
As students can begin studying Spanish at any age, teachers must be prepared to address the needs of children and adults alike. This section includes resources and tools for teaching Spanish to students from age 9 to 90.
Insights for Teaching Spanish
- Many large universities host offices dedicated to study-abroad programs—an approach to learning a language that many feel is most beneficial and effective for students. These offices can be helpful when exploring possible study-abroad options for college-bound students as well as teachers and professional educators.
- The Web is full of Spanish reference resources you can point students to when they need extra help. Grammar, vocabulary and simple translation sites can be found in the first section of this guide.
Top Sites for Teaching Spanish
ABCTeach
contains a directory of Spanish learning resources that you can download as PDFs and use either in class or as the basis for your own assignments.
Home Education Resources
offers a selection of downloadable Spanish worksheets for beginners, covering a number of subjects. The site provides these at no cost and offers a package of 900 more worksheets for a charge of $15.
Trinity University
has Spanish exercises that can be completed online or used as a structure for written work. The exercises cover vocabulary and grammar rules, and the site provides answers immediately.
California Foreign Language Project,
a project of the California Language Teachers' Association, provides a collection of Spanish language activities for teachers to download. Printables are available for Spanish levels I–IV.
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