Spanish is a poetic and expressive language, and Spanish classes are the best way to get started if you would like to learn Spanish. Though as they say, do not limit your learning to your (Spanish course) classroom. We understand that speaking a new language can be quite intimidating, especially when it is with strangers. But don’t worry, we are here to help make the learning beyond the classroom a memorable and fun experience.
Here are our top 7 recommendations for you to learn Spanish outside the classroom. Read on to get one step closer to being a Spanish pro in no time!
Get a penpal
If you do not know what a pen pal is, we’re here to explain! A pen pal is someone, usually a stranger, with whom you regularly exchange letters and one of the few human relations not overtaken by social media! It is a fun way to practise the skills taught in the Spanish classes and make new friends across the globe, whether you are an intermediate or advanced Spanish speaker.
We recommend you check out Lang-8, which is a community of native speakers worldwide who are here to support your journey of learning a new language. It is like an intensive Spanish lesson and surely is a good way to improve on your skills while making new friends.
Conversation Groups
Not too keen on writing letters in Spanish to a bunch of strangers, fret not! Then look into the possibility of joining a conversation group. Conversation groups such as Meetup are a great way to meet new people, expand your network, and also a great way to learn Spanish. This is not limited to Spanish. There are conversation groups on almost anything and everything, so it is indeed time to get out of your comfort zone and get conversing, which is even more fun in another language.
Check out Meetup for upcoming Spanish classes or events in Melbourne, Sydney, or wherever in the world you are!
Binge on some Spanish shows
Want to pick up on the Spanish style and flair of speaking, and hopefully one day become an advanced Spanish speaker? Then give Spanish TV shows a shot! Find something engaging that has subtitles and you are good to go. It is also a way to get your dose of the culture.
A few we recommend are La Casa de Papel (Money Heist), Las Chicas del Cable (Cable Girls) and Club de Cuervos (Club of Crows). In fact, there are even more Spanish shows for you to check out! It is like a quick Spanish learning class, but instead of being in Spanish classes you can learn by following an interesting plot and seeing how the actors communicate together.
Read, read, and read more
Reading is an important part of language literacy and can play a key role in building your skills and confidence. It helps strengthen your vocabulary and fine-tune your grammar. But reading a book in a language you are new to can be intimidating, we understand! Start easy and maybe pick up some ‘Spanish for kids’ or ‘Spanish for beginner’ books to get going.
If you want to amp things up, you can even read some newspapers or blogs in Spanish!
Write a journal
Writing requires logical and careful thinking, especially for a language that you are not too familiar with; trust us, that is the best part! It will help you reinforce your skills and even track your progress over time. It is a great alternative to get writing, if you are not too keen on getting a pen pal.
Eat your heart out at Latin American or Spanish joints/ speciality shops
Learning a new language becomes an even more special journey when you try to immerse yourself into the culture. A good way to do that is to give Latin American or Spanish food joints a try. They sure have some delicious food! Also, check out speciality shops.
One we would definitely recommend that has also become quite popular here in Melbourne is Casa Iberica Deli, a family-run Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American Deli, that has been around since the 1970s.
Get grooving with some dancing lessons
Enjoy dancing? Then this is perfect for you and one of the most fun ways to learn Spanish. Wondering how? Energia Studios in Melbourne offers a variety of classes and Salsa and Bachata are part of that list and are quite popular dance forms in Melbourne right now. So ideally you are getting in that workout and also grooving to some Spanish tunes!
Have you been putting off learning a new language and reading this made you want to get started now? Then take a look at Farolito, Melbourne’s top rated language school. We are more than just a language school, we are here to provide you with a great cultural experience.
We offer all kinds of courses, be it Group Spanish lessons, Intensive Spanish lessons, Lunch special Spanish lessons, or Private Spanish lessons. Contact us for more information and we will be happy to help.
To find out more about the Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE) exams and certifications, click here. We recommend our Private Spanish lessons, designed to be tailored to your specific needs.