Learning a new language has always been a bit of a love-hate relationship for me. It’s one of the most enriching experiences you can have, but it also comes with its fair share of frustrations. I’ve been through the highs and lows of language learning first when learning English and later on when learning Spanish so I speak from experience when I tell you—it’s nothing short of a roller coaster.

But trust me, nothing beats the feeling of finally holding a conversation in a foreign language without stumbling over every other word.

When I moved to Spain six years ago, my Spanish was nonexistent. Fast forward to today, and I’m now fluent. I wish I could say it happened overnight, but the truth is that learning a language takes a lot of intention, determination, and patience.

The good news is, you don’t have to move to Spain to start learning Spanish. You can begin your journey from the comfort of your own home. If your goal is to learn Spanish in a year, which by the way is a realistic timeframe, let me share with you the steps that worked for me, plus some additional tips that I’ve picked up along the way. And yes, I’ll also tell you about some fantastic tools like Preply and Italki that can make your learning experience more personal and effective.

Months 1-2: Laying the Groundwork

Start with the Basics

When I first started learning Spanish, I knew I had to get the basics down. This meant becoming familiar with pronunciation, and simple grammar rules. It was crucial to understand how letters and sounds work in Spanish, especially because it’s quite different from English.

• Learn Basic Phrases: One of the first things I did was learn simple phrases that I could use in everyday situations, like introducing myself, asking for directions, or ordering food. Even though these phrases were basic, they gave me a much-needed confidence boost.

• Keeping a language journal was one of the most helpful strategies I adopted. I wrote down new words, phrases, and grammar rules every day. Revisiting my journal regularly reinforced my learning and helped me track my progress over time.

• Set Up Your Phone in Spanish: A small but powerful tip—change the language settings on your phone to Spanish. This daily exposure helped me get used to seeing and understanding Spanish in everyday contexts, like checking notifications or using apps. It’s a subtle way to immerse yourself in the language without even realizing it.

Focus on Pronunciation Early

Pronunciation was something I knew I needed to nail right from the start. If people couldn’t understand me, it didn’t matter how much vocabulary I knew.

• Start with the basics. You’re going to want to become familiar with how all of the letters in Spanish are pronounced. This includes vowels, which have multiple sounds (la/le, e/ye), consonants that can be pronounced differently depending on where they appear in a word (ll vs y), silent letters (c between vowels), etc.

• Use Language Apps: I started with language apps like Duolingo to practice pronunciation in bite-sized lessons. It was a great way to get comfortable with the sounds of Spanish.

• Watch Spanish YouTube Channels: I also found it incredibly helpful to watch YouTube channels in Spanish. This not only improved my pronunciation but also introduced me to colloquial expressions and everyday language. Just a tip—if you’re planning to live in Spain, stick to European Spanish content to avoid confusion with Latin American accents and vocabulary.

• Listen To Spanish Music: Incorporating Spanish music into my daily routine was not only enjoyable but incredibly helpful for improving my listening skills and pronunciation. I started with popular genres like reggaeton and pop, which have catchy rhythms and repetitive lyrics, making it easier to pick up new words and phrases. Listening to Spanish songs helped me get used to the natural flow and intonation of the language. I found that singing along, even if I didn’t get all the words right at first, really helped me practice pronunciation and made me more comfortable with the sounds of Spanish. Plus, it made learning feel less like studying and more like fun. Shakira’s diss track about Pique is a great one to start with!

Months 3-4: Immersing Myself in the Language

Immerse Yourself in Spanish

Once I had a basic understanding, I knew it was time to start immersing myself in the language as much as possible. I wanted to surround myself with Spanish, even if I was still living in an English-speaking environment.

• Listen to Spanish Radio: I discovered Radio Garden, an amazing platform that lets you listen to live radio stations from around the world. Tuning into Spanish radio stations helped me get accustomed to different accents and improved my listening skills.

• Re-Read Books in Spanish: One tip that really helped me was re-reading books I had already read in my native language, but in Spanish. Because I was already familiar with the plot and characters, it was easier to focus on the language and understand how the sentences were constructed. This method boosted my comprehension and made learning feel less overwhelming.

• Watch Spanish TV Shows: Watching TV shows that I already knew and loved, but in Spanish, was another game-changer. Shows like "First Dates" were perfect because they feature casual, everyday conversations. It was fun, and I learned a lot of colloquial words and phrases that are actually used in real life.

Practice Speaking with Native Speakers

Speaking with native speakers was something I knew I needed to do if I was going to achieve fluency.

• One of the most effective things I did was start speaking Spanish from the very beginning, even when I was just learning the basics. I found language exchange partners online and joined local conversation groups.

• Use Italki and Preply: Platforms like Italki and Preply were lifesavers. They allowed me to connect with native Spanish speakers for one-on-one lessons. I could schedule lessons whenever it suited me, and the personal feedback was invaluable. These sessions made a huge difference in my confidence and fluency.

• Embrace mistakes as part of the learning process: I made plenty of mistakes along the way, but I embraced them as learning opportunities. Don’t be discouraged by errors—they’re a sign that you’re pushing your boundaries and learning. The more you practice, the fewer mistakes you’ll make.

Months 5-6: Expanding My Skills

Dive Deeper into Spanish Content

By this point, I was starting to feel more comfortable with the basics, so it was time to challenge myself.

• Label your environment: I labeled common items around my home in Spanish, which helped me constantly reinforce my vocabulary. For example, I’d label the “door” as “la puerta.” Seeing these labels daily helped cement the words in my memory.

• Watch Spanish Movies and Series: I started watching more Spanish films and TV series, challenging myself to do so without subtitles, or with Spanish subtitles when I needed them. This helped me understand the context in which the language was used.

• Focus on the Right Type of Spanish: One thing that’s really important—know the difference between European Spanish and Latin American Spanish. The accents, pronunciation, and even some vocabulary can be different. For me, it was crucial to focus on European Spanish because that’s what I needed for my life in Spain.

• Stick to One Variety: I made a conscious decision to avoid telenovelas, which are typically in Latin American Spanish. While they’re great for learning, I didn’t want to confuse myself with different pronunciations and words. Instead, I focused on content that aligned with the type of Spanish I wanted to learn.

Months 7-9: Immersing Myself Even Further

Practice Every Day

By this stage, I was trying to incorporate Spanish into my daily life as much as possible.

• Listen to Podcasts and Radio Shows: I kept up with Spanish podcasts like "Entiende tu Mente" and continued listening to Spanish radio. This constant exposure helped me internalize the language and get used to its natural rhythm. As opposed to watching movies, not seeing images forces you to concentrate more and rely on your listening skills only.

• Speak Spanish Daily: Whether it was with my tutor on Italki or Preply, a language partner, or even just talking to myself, I made sure to speak Spanish every day.

• Join Spanish-Language Communities: I also joined online forums and social media groups where Spanish was spoken. It was a great way to practice writing and reading in Spanish, and I learned a lot about the culture, too.

Months 10-12: Fine-Tuning My Skills

Review and Practice Advanced Concepts

As I neared the end of my one-year journey, I focused on reviewing everything I had learned and filling in any gaps.

• Take Advanced Lessons: I continued with advanced lessons on Italki and Preply, focusing on areas where I still felt less confident, like advanced grammar or specific vocabulary for work.

• Engage in Complex Conversations: I pushed myself to have more complex conversations, whether with my tutor or in discussion groups. This helped me refine my skills and prepare for real-life situations.

Celebrate Your Progress

By the end of the year, I could hold conversations, understand Spanish media, and navigate daily life in Spain with confidence. It was such a rewarding feeling to look back and see how far I’d come.

Learning Spanish in a year was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. By following this timeline and using the tools that worked for me as well as immersing myself in Spanish media—you can achieve fluency, too. Remember, consistency is key, and immersing yourself in the language and culture is crucial.