When people learn that I speak Spanish, one of their first questions is always “How did you learn?”
My Spanish journey has been a mix of curiosity, trial and error, and persistence–from translating song lyrics, to dating, to volunteering in Latin America and traveling. In this post, I’ll walk you through what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d recommend if you’re starting your own Spanish adventure.
Start With What You Know
Everyone’s learning journey is different. When I started learning Spanish, unlike most people, I didn’t start from the ground up. I had an advantage over other learners because my native language is Filipino.
Unlike other learners, who started with just ‘hola’ and ‘no bueno’ in their arsenal, I already have A1- 2 level of vocabulary (take note, I said VOCABULARY. Language is more than just learning words, but tying the words together, which is GRAMMAR) prior to beginning formal Spanish lessons. This is because Filipino has many Spanish loan words. For me, it was just a matter of adding a few more words and tying them together. For example, in telling time, in Filipino we use numbers in Spanish: A las siete ng umaga = 7 o’clock in the morning. Siete = Seven in Spanish.
However, knowing words isn’t the same as knowing a language.
To move forward, I needed structure and grammar.
Try this: Identify similar words in your language and Spanish. Shared roots can make memorization and familiarization easier, and can boost confidence later on.
How Curiosity (and Pop Culture) Sparked My Spanish Journey
My first spark came from Gabriel García Márquez’s Love in the Time of Cholera and, oddly enough, the song Despacito.
Curiosity turned into action: I opened Google Translate and attempted to learn Spanish. When that didn’t help, I tried Duolingo and began learning words. But soon, I realized that translation apps only teach vocabulary, not understanding.
Lesson learned: Apps are great for learning words, not grammar. Use sparingly.
Finding the Right Teacher Changed Everything
As you can tell so far, all I’ve been doing was pretty much self-study, which obviously didn’t end up useful for me.
Wanting more in-depth study, I decided to look for real, human teachers.
This time, I was more intentional with what I want. I want to learn the language for academic purposes and to travel to Spanish-speaking countries so I can interact with the locals. Also, I wanted to be able to help my Spanish-speaking patients more.
And in order for me to do that, I need to truly learn the language, not just the words. I needed a proper teacher.
I scoured the internet until I found Preply— an online platform for tutors.
With proper guidance and instruction, I got from level A1 to eventually A2. That means I was confident enough to travel to Spain solo, get sick, buy medications from the local pharmacy, and get tested for Covid. Don’t believe me? Read about my adventure in Spain here.
Tip: A good teacher keeps you accountable. Even one session per week can make a huge difference.
Group Classes: Fun, but Not My Perfect Fit
From the time I started formally studying Spanish up to 2024, I was shuffling between A2 and B1, with no solid footing on either. I then decided to challenge myself.
All throughout my language journey, I’ve only spent with private tutors. It was definitely great for me, but I read that learning a language with other people, other students, yield positive results, because you can learn from each other’s mistakes. So, I tried attending a small class with Instituto Cervantes, in New Mexico.
It was a virtual, 3 hour class with 6 students including myself. I was placed in level A2. We were of varying ages, 2 were retirees even. It was fun, and the instructor was very knowledgeable and patient. She used a textbook and had various exercises for us to complete. We had homework and speaking practice, and listening and reading exercises. It was a proper class.
As much as it the group environment was lively, unfortunately, it was not my perfect fit. My problem was I felt pressured to match the learning speed of my classmates. Also, I’d get impatient with a classmate whose on a “lower” level of proficiency than I am. Worse, I’d “absorb” their mistakes!
For example, I had a classmate who kept saying no sabes for “I don’t know”. The correct way to say it is No sé.
I’d end up saying No sabes too even though I already knew the correct form! It messed up my inner peace, no lie!
I learned that my pace and preferences matter more than the method itself.
Lesson learned: Different strokes for different folks. Test different learning formats. What works for others might not work for you — and that’s okay!
Using Spanish in Real Life: The True Test of Learning
All those lessons and classes eventually brought me to level B1, where I’ve learned more complex grammar structures and improved comprehension skills.
At B1 level, I volunteered as a healthcare worker in Central and South America, and went on excursions alone in these regions.
I was able to join tours in Spanish and converse with the locals, although still with some difficulty especially with regional differences in the language.
At work, I’m able to converse and assist my Spanish-speaking patients better. I can read books, though still with some difficulty, and watch movies. To an extent, I can even understand jokes.
Tip: Travel if you can — but if you can’t, simulate immersion. Listen to Spanish podcasts and music, practice with your teacher (or a friend), and this will sound weird, but practice Spanish phrases aloud.
Staying Consistent When the Excitement Fades
Unfortunately, after these excursions, I had to go back to the States and my brain reverted to what I call “gringa Spanish”.
To mitigate that, I continue to attend my private classes with my Preply tutor, Wolfgang and practice every week. I also listen to Spanish songs and watch series with the Spanish audio dub on and English subtitles for assistance.
Y Despues? What I’ve Learned So Far
Will I ever get to native-level fluency in Spanish, the same way I am in English? Honestly, I don’t know. I still make tons of mistakes in English even after decades of speaking it. On top of learning Spanish, I’m also studying Italian so that’s another factor that affects my Spanish-speaking skills– the influence of other languages.
Language learning is deeply personal. There’s no single “best” method– only what keeps you curious and consistent.
For me, Spanish isn’t just a hobby; it’s a bridge to cultures, friendships and stories I might never have known otherwise. It’s a helping hand to my patients who may not seek help otherwise.
Now, if all this blabbling fails — at least you’ll understand the gossip at the next café in Madrid!
Adios! Hasta luego!