How long does it take to learn Spanish?

According to the Foreign Service Institute, it takes about 24 weeks or 750 hours to learn Spanish.  As with any language you want to learn, the more time you're willing to invest the faster you will learn. To make progress we recommend taking at least two Spanish lessons a week.

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Is Spanish hard to learn?

The Foreign Service Institute ranked Spanish as a language similar to English, and therefore, accessible to learn.  Spanish is a unique language, it belongs to the Romance language family and has seven dialects derived from their geography. However, there is no need to sound like a native speaker at all dialect. Pick the one that you like the most and stick with it. The rich vocaublary and speed of the Spanish language can be daunting at first, after you've had some lessons with a private Spanish instructor you will notice you're making steady progress.

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How Is Spanish from Spain Different From Mexican Spanish And Latin American Spanish?

You might already know that there are a few differences in Spanish vocabulary across the distinct varieties of Spanish spoken in Spain, Mexico and other parts of Latin America where Spanish is an official language. But just how significant are these differences? Does it matter whether you learn a form of Latin American Spanish or European Spanish?

The good news is that for the most part, each variety of Spanish can be considered mutually intelligible with the others. This means that a speaker of Argentinian Spanish would have little or no trouble communicating with a speaker of European Spanish from Spain and vice versa, for example.

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There are some differences worth highlighting, however, in Spanish pronunciation, Spanish grammar and Spanish vocabulary across different varieties. For example, regional varieties of Spanish have their own unique words for “bus.” In European Spanish, it’s el autobús. In Argentina, you’d call it el colectivo. Mexican Spanish speakers call it el camión, and Spanish speakers in the Dominican Republic would call it la guagua. This is just one instance of regional variation in vocabulary; there are plenty of localized slang expressions and terms for other everyday objects that are unique to specific zones of the Spanish-speaking world. Part of the joy of learning Spanish is discovering how speakers of the Spanish language add their own twists depending on where they are in the world!

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How can I learn Spanish?

There are many different ways to learn a new language, and it really depends on what works best for you. The key to learning a language is total immersion. With an online Spanish instructor, you can learn Spanish with a native speaker even though you are not in a Spanish speaking country.. There are many more ways you can have a bit of the spanish language in your own home. Test your comprehension skills when you watch great films like "Relatos Salvajes' (Wild Tales) or 'Los Lunes al Sol' (Mondays in the Sun), both nominated for Best Foreign Language films, or perhaps you prefer to watch Mexican or Colombian telenovelas.  Let's not forget about the music.  Use Pitbull, Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, CNCO and other popular Latin songs to practice your pronunciation as you enjoy some tunes. For something more low-key, get comfortable on a couch and dive into the literary world of Gabrile Garcia Marquez, Isabell Allende, Paulo Coelho or other Spanish- speaking authors. Make sure to ask your Spanish teacher for recommendations.