Best Exercises for Spanish Beginners at Home

Learning a new language can be daunting, but with the right resources and exercises, you can start speaking Spanish in no time. In this article I put together strategies and resources for beginner students that want to practise Spanishh at home. My hope is that you find these tips useful for getting started with Spanish:

1. Start with the basics

Before diving into complex grammar rules and vocabulary, it’s important to master the basics. This includes learning the Spanish alphabet, numbers, and common phrases. There are many online resources available that can help you with this, such as YouTube videos and language learning apps.

• Learn the days of the week here! It includes phrases and words related to express dates!

Exercise about writing numbers in Spanish

Practise Basic Phrases

2. Practice speaking

One of the best ways to improve your Spanish skills is by practicing speaking. Even if you don’t have anyone to practice with, you can still improve by speaking to yourself or recording yourself speaking. This will help you become more comfortable with the language and improve your pronunciation.

Find a language exchange partner or join a Spanish language group to practice speaking with others. This will give you the opportunity to use the words and phrases you have learned in a real-life context.

There are also online learning platforms, where I used to teach, such as Italki and Preply where you can take online lessons with native teachers from around the world. Other platforms, like Lingoda, offer group lessons if you prefer to practise with a group of students of your same level. These are great options to really practise conversation in Spanish.

As a student, I took lessons to practise Portuguese, Italian and Bulgarian, and I always found it very useful and it helped me learn words in context and connect with native speakers. It is also a good and interesting way to learn about the culture of the language!

Practise saying the alphabet in Spanish

Use these dialogues to practise conversation!

3. Use flashcards

Flashcards are a great way to learn and memorize new vocabulary. You can create your own flashcards or use online resources like Quizlet. Make sure to review your flashcards regularly to reinforce your knowledge.

In the Spanish with Flor blog archive you’ll find Vocabulary worksheets about different topics and downloadable material and online exercises, here are a few:

• Christmas vocabulary in Spanish
• Spring Vocabulary
• Summer Vocabulary
• Winter Vocabulary
• Airport Words and Conversations in Spanish
• List of the Most Common Spanish Words for Beginners
• Vocabulary about food
• The time in Spanish
• Talking about the weather in Spanish

Use these flashcards to practise how many daily activities you can guess in Spanish!

4. Watch Spanish TV shows and movies

Watching Spanish TV shows and movies is a fun way to improve your listening skills and learn new vocabulary. Start with shows or movies that have English subtitles and gradually switch to Spanish subtitles or no subtitles at all.

Here’s a playlist I made with tv series trailers to get inspired and motivated to watch series in Spanish!

Lingopie offers a unique approach to learning Spanish by using real TV shows and movies with interactive learning features. Users can watch Spanish TV shows with Spanish and English subtitles and get instant translations of any word by clicking on the subtitles. This immersive method aims to enhance language acquisition through authentic cultural content. Make sure you choose the right level when you sing up!

I learned about this website through a student that found it really helpful and it motivated him to practise Spanish during his free time. During the lesson I would ask questions about the tv series or we would talk about the episode he had watched, this helped him to put what he learned into practise in a fun and relevant way. Use this idea to implement in your Spanish classes!

5. How to use Spanish online resources

There are many online resources available that can help you learn Spanish, such as Duolingo, Babbel, and Rosetta Stone. These resources offer a variety of exercises and lessons that can help you improve your skills at your own pace.

Do you want to know more about Spanish resources? I put together a list that my students have been using to practise Spanish, you can check it here!

Spanish Language Audio Resources

There are many audio resources available online that can help you practice your listening skills in Spanish. Some of the best resources include:

• News in Slow Spanish: This website offers news stories in Spanish that are read at a slower pace, making it easier for beginners to understand. The stories are also accompanied by transcripts and translations in English, which can be helpful for learners who are just starting out.
• Spanish Listening: This website provides over 400 free listening activities for different skill levels. The audio clips relate to topics like health, animals, sports, jobs, hobbies, and more. You can make your selections by speaker, as the site lists each speaker’s name and country of origin.
• Radio Ambulante: This podcast features stories from all over Latin America, told by native speakers. The stories are often accompanied by transcripts and translations in English, which can be helpful for learners who are just starting out.

Practice with Spanish Songs

Another great way to practice your listening skills in Spanish is to listen to Spanish songs. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Choose songs with simple lyrics: Look for songs with simple lyrics that are easy to understand. You can find many Spanish songs with lyrics online.
• Listen to the song first: Listen to the song first without looking at the lyrics. Try to pick out as many words as you can.
• Read the lyrics: After you have listened to the song a few times, read the lyrics while listening to the song. This will help you understand the words and phrases that you might have missed.
• Sing along: Once you are comfortable with the lyrics, try singing along with the song. This will help you practice your pronunciation and intonation.

If you are looking for songs, here’s a playlist I made on Youtube to share with my students! The videos include the lyrics too!

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If you are looking to start your Spanish learning, I can help you!

Join the Spanish with Flor Basic Spanish Course where I will teach you all the basics to kickstart your Spanish!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective daily activities for beginners to practice Spanish at home?

There are many effective daily activities that beginners can practice to improve their Spanish skills at home. Some of these activities include listening to Spanish music, watching Spanish movies or TV shows with subtitles, reading Spanish books or articles, practicing vocabulary and grammar exercises, and speaking with native Spanish speakers. These activities can help you to improve your listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills in Spanish.

Which online resources are recommended for Spanish grammar exercises suitable for beginners?

There are many online resources that offer Spanish grammar exercises suitable for beginners. Some of the most popular resources include Duolingo, SpanishDict, and FluentU. These resources offer a variety of exercises, including fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice, and translation exercises, that can help you to improve your grammar skills in Spanish.

How can beginners structure their Spanish learning schedule for rapid progress?

To structure your Spanish learning schedule for rapid progress, it is important to set specific goals and create a daily or weekly study plan. You should also focus on practicing the four key skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking, and try to incorporate a variety of activities into your study plan, such as grammar exercises, vocabulary drills, and conversation practice.

If you want to start learning Spanish by yourself, I created a self study guide with resources, downloadable pdfs and strategies to help you get started!

What beginner-friendly Spanish exercise books can enhance at-home learning?

There are many beginner-friendly Spanish exercise books that can enhance at-home learning. Some of the best books include “Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Spanish Grammar,” and “Spanish Short Stories for Beginners.” These books offer a variety of exercises and activities that can help you to improve your Spanish skills at home.

• Find books to learn Spanish for beginners here! I put together a list of different resources to practise reading.

In what order should a beginner tackle Spanish lessons to ensure a solid foundation?

To ensure a solid foundation in Spanish, it is important to start with the basics, such as the Spanish alphabet, and basic vocabulary. From there, you can move on to grammar concepts, such as verb conjugation and sentence structure, and practice using these concepts in conversation. It is also important to practice reading and listening comprehension skills throughout your studies.

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