Resources for Beginners
These are my favorite resources for getting started with Spanish from scratch. You can also listen to episode 23 of the podcast where I talk about the pros and cons of these resources.
Pimsleur Audio Course
(Paid Course, Free at Public Library) This course was developed by linguist Paul Pimsleur. You can learn basic conversational Spanish with 30-minute audio lessons, great for learning during your commute. Listening and responding to conversational prompts is what makes this course valuable for speaking practice. I recommend the Latin American Spanish Course. Here's my full review of Pimsleur. (Click Here for a 7-day Free Trial)
Mango Languages
(Paid App, Free at Public Library) Mango teaches conversational Spanish with interactive lessons via its website and mobile app. The Latin American Spanish course is available for free if you have a library card at your local public library. Here's my full review of Mango.
Study Spanish
(Free Website) StudySpanish.com is a website that includes explanations of basic Spanish grammar and pronunciation. I'd skip the paid course they offer called Camino del Exito (it's pretty outdated). You can sign up for a free account to track your progress and take quizzes.
Spanish Pod 101
(Free Lifetime Account, Upgrade Available for Premium Subscription) Spanish Pod 101 is a podcast with a membership site that includes PDF downloads of grammar and conversational Spanish lessons. It's newbie and beginner seasons have plenty of repetition and slow-paced speech ideal for beginners. Here's my full review of Spanish Pod 101.
Use the discount code SPANISHCONSALSA for 25% off basic, premium, and premium plus subscriptions. Click here for your discount.
Resources for Intermediate Spanish Learners
These are my favorite resources for taking your Spanish to the next level and getting beyond the beginner stage. You can also listen to episode 24 of the podcast where I talk about the best way to use these resources.
WordReference.com
(Free Website) This website is a good online dictionary that gives definitions of words with example sentences. There is also audio available so you can hear the word, and some words have the country of origin.
Reverso.net
(Free Website and App) This is a great resource for learning how words and phrases are used in context. The Context tab provides hundreds of examples showing how words are used from authentic sources.
Audible.com
(Paid Subscription) Audible.com and Audible Latino are a great resource for finding audio books and audio programs in Spanish. Get your first audiobook free.
Related: How to 10X Your Spanish Vocabulary with Audiobooks
123 Teach Me
(Free Website) This site has one of the best verb conjugation charts. You can look up any verb and find every tense in an easy-to-read format.
Spanish Pod 101
(Free Lifetime Account, Upgrade Available for Premium Subscription) For intermediate learners, the Upper Intermediate and Advanced Series are great for learning more advanced grammar concepts and continuing to practice your listening skills. You can start with a free account to test out the lessons. Click here for 25% off all subscriptions.
iTalki
(Pay per lesson) This is one of the best sites for finding affordable private lessons with Spanish Tutors. I encourage you to filter your results by country of origin so you can focus on the particular type of Spanish you're learning. Get a $10 credit for your first lesson with this link.
Resources for Dialects by Country
View episodes of the podcast by country/region
🌴 Caribbean Spanish
Colombia
- Colombian Spanish Course (Español en 3000
- Colombian Spanish Resources
Costa Rica
- Costa Rican Spanish Course (Spanish Pod 101)
Cuba
Peru
- Peruvian Spanish Course (Spanish Pod 101)
Dominican Republic (República Dominicana)
Puerto Rico
Spain
- Spain Regional Spanish Course (Spanish Pod 101)
Mexico
- Mexican Spanish Course (Spanish Pod 101)
Resources for Vocabulary
WordReference.com
(Free Website) This website is a good online dictionary that gives definitions of words with example sentences. There is also audio available so you can hear the word, and some words have the country of origin.
Quizlet
(Free App and Website, Low-Cost Premium Version) Quizlet is a flashcard app and website that gives you the ability to easily create your own virtual flash card decks with a simple word list. You can add audio and images to your flash cards, and review new vocabulary with built-in quizzes and games. The premium version also has the ability to program spaced repetition into your study sessions.
Related: Quizlet vs. Anki Review
Resources for Writing Practice
Lang-8
(Free Website) Lang-8 is an online community where you can practice your Spanish writing skills. Post your writing samples and get feedback and corrections from a native Spanish speaker.
Spanish Keyboard
(Free Website) Do you ever get frustrated trying to type Spanish letters like n or accents over letters? Use this online Spanish keyboard.
Resources for Conversation Practice
Meetup.com
(Free Website and App) Meetup is a site where groups of people informally get together around different interests. There are many language groups with native speakers and learners that want to practice speaking. These groups are often informal and friendly. Find Spanish Language Meetups in your area.
iTalki
(3 Low-Cost Trial Lessons, Pay per lesson) This is one of the best sites for finding affordable private lessons with Spanish Tutors. I encourage you to filter your results by country of origin so you can focus on the particular type of Spanish you're learning. Get a $10 credit for your first lesson with this link.
Language Coaching (Spanish con Salsa)
(Pay per lesson) Book a lesson with one of our friendly Spanish language coaches. Talk about Latin music, your burning questions about grammar, and practice conversation with a native Spanish speaker.
Resources for Grammar
Study Spanish
(Free Website) StudySpanish.com is a website that includes explanations of basic Spanish grammar and pronunciation. I'd skip the paid course they offer called Camino del Exito (it's pretty outdated). You can sign up for a free account to track your progress and take quizzes.
Resources for Listening Comprehension
Spanish Listening
(Free Website) SpanishListening.org is a video library of native Spanish speakers from different countries answering questions about a variety of topics. The site provides transcripts and some basic vocabulary quizzes.
Rhinospike
Rhinospike is an audio library of native Spanish speakers reading user-submitted requests. You can request to have your own content read to create custom listening practice files, in exchange for doing the same in your native language for other community members.
Audible.com
(Paid Subscription) Audible.com and Audible Latino are a great resource for finding audio books and audio programs in Spanish. A great way to improve your listening comprehension is to listen and read along with the e-book or paperback version.
