If you are thinking of beginning Spanish, you need to decide how you will learn the language. You could study in a local class, take an online program, use mp3 files, use a program on your computer, or even take an immersion course in a Spanish-speaking location. Each of these approaches has pros and cons for you to consider, depending on your own time, budget, and inclination. You may make use of more than one of these methods for learning to speak Spanish.

1. Beginning Spanish ‐ What Method is Best
For You to Start Learning Spanish?
By Rosana Hart
LearnSpanishRapidly.com
My friend Jason wanted to learn to
speak Spanish, but he was confused
about how to go about it. Should he
take a class? Maybe he should study
Spanish online, but there were so
My husband and I have had so many websites to choose from.
many friendly conversations all Since he worked and had a young
over Mexico because we
weren't afraid to use our far‐ family, he didn't have much time.
from‐perfect Spanish. When we Maybe he shouldn't begin Spanish
spent a month in Guanajuato,
we often bought coffee from
right now.
this university student.
If you have thought of starting to
learn Spanish, what approaches have you considered or
possibly tried? There are a variety of methods you can use to
learn to speak Spanish. Here are five of them:
• Beginning Spanish classes through a local continuing
education program
• Online Spanish courses
• Go to a Spanish‐speaking country for an immersion course
• Taking a Spanish course on mp3 files you can carry with
you or listen to in the car
Beginning Spanish Page 1

2. • Working with a multi‐media Spanish program on your
computer
Which Method of Beginning Spanish Would Be Best
for You?
Here is a quick description of the pros and cons of each
method. Really, there is no one method that will be right for
everyone. You have to consider your own situation, budget,
and reasons for wanting to begin Spanish.
(1) TAKING A LOCAL SPANISH CLASS
The routine of going to class may help you study, but if you
want to learn to speak Spanish, this is not usually a good
choice. Classes of this sort tend to be heavy on grammar and
weak on conversation. Also, they are quite time‐consuming
when you think of going to and from the class and that part of
the class time is wasted or spent on helping other students with
things that aren't a problem for you.
(2) ONLINE SPANISH COURSES
This is quite possible, and there are even some good free
courses.
(3) IMMERSION COURSE IN A SPANISH‐SPEAKING
COUNTRY
By far the most expensive approach, this also provides a
vacation. There are immersion classes in virtually every
Beginning Spanish Page 2

3. Spanish‐speaking country. These vary a lot in quality, so do your
research.
(4) MP3 COURSE
Probably the most convenient method, with a course like this
you can listen to it from your computer but more likely you will
listen via an Ipod or similar device, or through a car stereo. This
method can be very effective for learning to speak Spanish. If
you also want to learn to read and write Spanish, be sure to
select a program that also has books or workbooks.
(5) MULTI‐MEDIA COMPUTER PROGRAM
In this approach, you interact with a computer program. It's
nice that you can move at your own pace from one lesson to
the next, learning as you go. Some of the programs include
MP3 files you can use on an Ipod or similar device. These
programs are probably the very best way to begin Spanish on
your own. Pay close attention to the differences between the
programs, as some are based on current research into how
adults learn languages.
Once you decide what method you want to start with, you can
move on to the next step, of choosing which course or program
or whatever you will select. Jason chose a multi‐media
computer program with add‐on MP3 files. What will you
choose?
There's no reason you should give up on your dream of
beginning Spanish, even if you are very busy. Visit my website
Beginning Spanish Page 3

4. LearnSpanishRapidly.com to get the information you need to
start learning Spanish. To compare some of the top programs,
see my comparison chart for learning Spanish programs. –
Rosana Hart
Beginning Spanish Page 4