46 Ways to Learn Spanish Without a Boring Textbook

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One of the hardest things about learning to speak Spanish fluently, or any language for that matter, is keeping the motivation and passion alive. It can be quite easy to quit when you struggle to grasp new language and a different way to express yourself, especially if the methods you are using are boring.

In the past I tried to learn Spanish at school using the old, out-of-date, and straight up boring text books. When I struggled to learn I figured it was all my fault and maybe I just wasn’t smart enough to learn a new language.

Luckily for you, I’ve spent a lot of time researching methods for learning Spanish and have come across so many new, exciting and original ways to speak Spanish fluently. To save you the trouble of figuring this out on your own, I’ll give you 101 practical ways to learn Spanish quickly without ever having to touch a boring old textbook again.

46 Ways to Learn Spanish

1. Ask for help! If you have a Spanish speaker to practice with, you can say ¿Cómo se dice (English Word) en español? which means how do you say (English Word) in Spanish.
2. Pay for private tuition.
3. Find a local group of Spanish learners on Meet Up.
4. Listen to Spanish podcasts and/or radio shows on the bus to work or school.
5. Listen to Spanish lessons, radio shows, music, podcasts or any other form of audio while you sleep. Many people have had great success with sleep learning!
6. Find and chat with Spanish friends on Skype.
7. Play Scrabble in Spanish with your friends and family. Don’t play with Spanish speakers unless you wanna get beat!
8. If you’re feeling brave and think you can keep up, listen to Spanish rap music!
9. Listen to learn Spanish podcasts in iTunes. Coffee Break Spanish being one of the better podcasts that is fun, enjoyable and actually teaches you the basics. Nice little jingle too!
10. Listen to Spanish radio online and just try to keep up!
11. Move to Mexico on a whim and fully immerse yourself.
12. Guess words. If you’re wrong, it can be a conversation starter with locals!
13. Learn Spanish while actually in Spain or Mexico to really get a feel for the culture.
14. Learn Spanish structure quickly with the master of languages, Michel Thomas. I did a Michel Thomas Spanish review to give you a taste of what to expect.
15. Follow along with the BBC’s Interactive Spanish Soap, Mi Vida Loca.
16. For learners who already have a basic grasp of Spanish, you can have fun learning on Childtopia’s learn Spanish site.
17. Join an online language exchange site like Shared Talk or Busuu
18. Listen to (and dance to) Spanish music.
19. Keep a journal of Spanish words or phrases you don’t understand.
20. Take a no-risk 60 day trial of Rocket Spanish Premium. Check out my Rocket Spanish review to see what I really think of it.
21. Learn Spanish while watching TV on LoMásTV.
22. Read your favorite book in Spanish. Nothing like Harry Potter en español!
23. Read Spanish websites online (without Google Translate). Hint: focus on topics you enjoy in your own language. I read about soccer news in Spanish on ElPais.com.
24. Take a Spanish class in your local city or town.
25. Try to complete crosswords in Spanish.
26. Write Spanish translations for as many things as you can in the home. Label the fridge, the TV, the wall, the door, the window and so on with the Spanish word written on a Post-It note.
27. Pick up basic Spanish while entertaining a young child with Dora the Explorer or Diego.
28. Buy a good Spanish Dictionary.
29. Sign up for free video lessons on SpanishDict.
30. Visit the famous Ramblas in Barçelona.
31. Play a game of Comprendo.
32. Eavesdrop. That’s right. If you travel to a Spanish speaking country, get used to listening in on conversations and try to understand what’s going on.
33. Play any of the games at Digital Dialects.
34. Download Spanish-dubbed versions of Lost/The Simpson or whatever your favorite show is.
35. Challenge your friends to a game of Spanish Monopoly.
36. Speak Spanish out loud every day!
37. Start eating at Spanish or Mexican restaurants. Read menus, speak to waiters, listen to other diners!
38. Listen to audio soaps. My favorite is Buenos Entonces which is like Rosetta Stone meets Grand Theft Auto! Awesome.
39. Watch your favorite movies with Spanish subtitles on.
40. Watch your favorite sport with Spanish commentary on. Nothing like watching Lionel Messi score the winner for Barçelona against Real Madrid to the backdrop of a commentator saying, ¡Gol!
41. Get a translation app for your iPhone, Android or Blackberry.
42. Use image association to remember more words and phrases.
43. Have fun. You’ll learn more when you enjoy what you’re doing.
44. Find a Spanish Pen Pal to write, email and speak to on Notes from Spain, Pen Pal Party or My Language Exchange.
45. Yet another great board game that will make Spanish learning fun is Spanish Guess Who? Also known as ¿Adivina Quien?
46. Use a learn Spanish game for your handheld console. You can get My Spanish Coach for Nintendo DS at Amazon.

Of course there are countless variations of each of these learning methods you could use to speak Spanish fluently so I encourage you to have fun, experiment, and find new and exciting ways to learn Spanish.

Now it’s over to you. I really wanted to get this list to 101 fun, interesting and non-textbook ways of learning Spanish and for that I’ll need your help. If you have an interesting or unusual way of learning Spanish that isn’t mentioned here then please leave a comment below with your method.

I’ll add all new learning methods to the original list until we eventually have 101 ways to learn Spanish with a boring textbook!

Leave your comment below now!

¡Adiós amigos!