Learn About Spanish Language: All You Need to Know

1. Getting started with Spanish 

• About The Spanish alphabets and pronunciation 
• Basic Spanish grammar 
• Essential Spanish vocabulary 

 

2. Learning resources and strategies 

• Different learning styles 
• Online Spanish course
• Spanish podcasts and YouTube channels 
• Traditional textbooks & workbooks 

 

3. Spanish culture and beyond 

• The richness of Spanish culture 

• Travelling to Spanish-speaking countries 

 

4. Keeping yourself motivated 

• Challenges and roadblocks 

• Setting realistic goals 

 

5. Bonus section 

• Common Spanish mistakes and how to avoid them 

• Fun facts about Spanish language

• Famous Spanish personalities you might know  

 

But why take the headache of learning an entirely new language at all?  

Well, Here’s why- 

 

Learning a New Language is Good for Your Brain 

Learning a new language like Spanish is like exercise for your brain. It helps you think better, remember things better, and pay attention better. People who speak two languages are smarter and can focus better than people who only speak one. 

When you learn a language, your brain grows bigger and stronger. It’s like building new muscles! Your brain gets better at focusing and thinking hard. Even babies who learn two languages are smarter than babies who only learn one. 

Learning a new language also makes you more creative and good at thinking of new ideas. It helps you understand other people and feel connected to people from different places. 

Old people who learn new languages can keep their brains healthy and strong. It’s just like taking vitamins for your brain. 

And the next question that might be coming to your mind- 

 

Why Learn Spanish? 

Spanish is a very popular language to learn. Lots of people speak it! In fact, it’s the second most spoken language in the world. You can find Spanish speakers in many countries. 

Learning Spanish can be fun! You can enjoy Spanish books, movies, and music. It’s like discovering a whole new world! 

Spanish is not very hard to learn if you already speak English. Many words are similar! 

If you learn Spanish, you can get the benefits to find a better job. Many companies like to hire people who can speak Spanish. 

Here are some of the career opportunities that come with learning Spanish- 

• Translator 

• Tourism and hospitality 

• Spanish teacher 

• International business e.g. import export 

• Website content writer 

• Customer service representative 

• Journalism 

• Tour guide 

• Diplomatic agent 

• Freelancer 

• Research Scholar 

• Flight attendant 

• Jobs in embassies 

• Language education 

• Social services 

• Bilingual Recruiter 

• Healthcare 

• Sales Professional 

 

GETTING STARTED WITH SPANISH 

a.) → ABOUT SPANISH ALPHABETS AND PRONUNCIATION 

Spanish and English use the same basic letters, so it’s easy for English speakers to start learning Spanish. But Spanish words sound different, and there are some extra letters that can be tricky.  

 

Similarities: 

1. Both languages use the Latin alphabet. 
2. Many Spanish letters have similar sounds to English, such as:  

• Vowels: a, e, i, o, u 
• Consonants: b, c (before a, o, u), d, f, k, m, n, p, q, s, t, w, y 

 

Differences: 

1. Spanish has 27 letters which is called the “abecedario” or “alfabeto”. It has one more letter than English which is ñ, pronounced like “ny” in “canyon”.

2. While many letters have similar sounds, there are significant differences in pronunciation for others:  

• Vowels: Spanish vowels are generally pure and consistent, unlike English vowels which can have multiple sounds. 
• Consonants: Letters like g, j, r, and ll have distinct sounds in Spanish that differ from English. 

3. Spanish has fewer silent letters than English, making pronunciation more predictable. 

 

Key Pronunciation Points 

To help you get started, here are some key pronunciation points: 

1. Vowels: Spanish vowels are pronounced consistently. There are no silent vowels or diphthongs (vowel combinations) like in English. 
2. Consonants:  

• c: Sounds like “k” before a, o, u. Sounds like “s” before e, i. 
• g: Sounds like “g” before a, o, u. Sounds like the “j” in “judge” before e, i. 

• j: Sounds like the strong “h” in “huge.” 

• ll: Pronounced like “y” in “yellow.” 

• ñ: Pronounced like “ny” in “canyon.” 

• r: A strong, rolled “r” at the beginning of words or between vowels. A softer “r” elsewhere. 

• rr: A double “r” that is strongly rolled. 

• x: Can have different sounds depending on the word, but often sounds like “ks.” 

• z: Sounds like “s.” 

 

Pronunciation in Spanish

 

Tips on mastering the trickier sounds 

Mastering the tricky Spanish sounds like R’s and double Ls can take some practice, but with these tips, you’ll be pronouncing them like a native speaker in no time:

 

R’s (Rolling R’s) 

• Position Your Tongue Correctly- Put your tongue behind your lower teeth. Then, push the back of your tongue up towards the top of your mouth. 

• Practice with “R” Words- Begin with easy words like “perro” (dog), “perros” (dogs), and “perroso” (doggy). Slowly learn harder words. 

• Listen to Native Speakers- Listen to how real Spanish speakers say words with the letter R. This will help you learn the right sound. 

• Practice with Different Vowels- The letter R can sound different depending on the vowel that comes after it. To practice this, try saying these Spanish words: 

perro (pay-row), pera (pay-rah), pero (pay-ro). 

 

Double L’s 

• Place Your Tongue Correctly- Put your tongue behind your bottom teeth and touch the top of your mouth. 

• Practice with “LL” Words- Begin with easy words like lleno” (full), “llave” (key), and “llamar” (to call). Slowly learn harder words. 

• Use the “L” Sound- When you see two L’s together in a Spanish word, say it like a “y” sound, not like two L’s. For example, the word “lleno” sounds like “yeno” in English, but in Spanish, it’s said “yeh-noh.” 

• Practice with Different Vowels- The double L letters (ll) can sound different in Spanish words. To practice this, try saying these Spanish words: 

lleno (yeh-no), llave (yah-veh), llamar (yah-mar). 

 

b.) → BASIC SPANISH GRAMMAR

These concepts provide a solid foundation for understanding and using Spanish grammar effectively. 

 

c.) → ESSENTIAL SPANISH VOCABULARY 

Learning a new language can be tricky, right? But don’t worry! Taking small steps is the best way to start. Imagine you’re planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country. To make your journey smoother, it would be helpful to know some basic words and phrases. 

Here is a curated list of commonly used Spanish words and phrases categorized into sections such as greetings, introductions, numbers, basic needs, and common verbs.

 

A. Greetings

– ¡Hola! — Hello e.g.- ¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás? (Hello! How are you?) 

– Buenos días — Good morning e.g.- Buenos días, ¿cómo te va hoy? (Good morning, how is it going today?) 

– Buenas tardes — Good afternoon e.g.- Buenas tardes, espero que hayas tenido un buen día. (Good afternoon, I hope you had a good day.) 

– Buenas noches — Good evening / Good night e.g.- Buenas noches, que descanses bien. (Good evening, sleep well.) 

– ¿Cómo estás? — How are you? (Informal) e.g.- ¿Cómo estás? Hace tiempo que no te veo. (How are you? It’s been a while since I saw you.) 

– ¿Cómo está? — How are you? (Formal) e.g.- ¿Cómo está usted? Espero que todo esté bien. (How are you? I hope everything is well.) 

– ¿Qué tal? — How’s it going? e.g.- ¿Qué tal? ¿Listo para el examen? (How’s it going? Ready for the exam?) 

– Mucho gusto — Nice to meet you e.g.- Mucho gusto, soy Ana. (Nice to meet you, I am Ana.) 

– Bienvenidos — Welcome e.g.- Bienvenidos a nuestra casa. (Welcome to our home.) 

– ¿De dónde eres? — Where are you from? e.g.- ¿De dónde eres? Yo soy de México. (Where are you from? I am from Mexico.) 

 

And if you want to learn more ways to say bye in Spanish, here’s a video-

 

B. Introductions

– Me llamo… — My name is… e.g.- Me llamo Carlos, y soy estudiante. (My name is Carlos, and I am a student.) 

– ¿Cómo te llamas? — What’s your name? e.g.- ¿Cómo te llamas? Me gustaría conocerte. (What’s your name? I would like to meet you.) 

– Soy de… — I am from… e.g.- Soy de España, pero vivo en Argentina. (I am from Spain, but I live in Argentina.) 

– Encantado/a — Nice to meet you (masculine/feminine) e.g.- Encantado de conocerte, María. (Nice to meet you, María.) 

– Este es… — This is… (introducing someone) e.g.- Este es mi amigo, Pablo. (This is my friend, Pablo.) 

– ¿Cuál es tu nombre? — What is your name? e.g.- ¿Cuál es tu nombre? No lo escuché bien. (What is your name? I didn’t hear it well.) 

 

C. Numbers

– Uno — One  

– Dos — Two  

– Tres — Three  

– Cuatro — Four  

– Cinco — Five  

– Seis — Six  

– Siete — Seven  

– Ocho — Eight  

– Nueve — Nine 

– Diez — Ten  

 

D. Basic Needs

– Por favor — Please e.g.- ¿Me pasas la sal, por favor? (Can you pass me the salt, please?) 

– Gracias — Thank you e.g.- Gracias por tu ayuda. (Thank you for your help.) 

– Lo siento — I’m sorry e.g.- Lo siento, no quise ofenderte. (I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.) 

– ¿Puede ayudarme? — Can you help me? e.g.- ¿Puede ayudarme a encontrar mi camino? (Can you help me find my way?) 

– Necesito… — I need… e.g.- Necesito un poco de tiempo para pensar. (I need a little time to think.) 

– ¿Dónde está…? — Where is…? e.g.- ¿Dónde está el baño? (Where is the bathroom?) 

– Baño — Bathroom e.g.- El baño está al final del pasillo. (The bathroom is at the end of the hallway.) 

– Comida — Food e.g.- ¿Dónde puedo comprar comida? (Where can I buy food?) 

– Agua — Water e.g.- ¿Puedo tener un poco de agua, por favor? (Can I have some water, please?) 

– Dinero — Money e.g.- Necesito dinero para comprar un regalo. (I need money to buy a gift.) 

 

E. Common Verbs

– Ser — To be (essential/permanent quality) e.g.- Yo soy estudiante, pero también soy artista. (I am a student, but I am also an artist.) 

– Estar — To be (state/condition) e.g.- Ella está en casa ahora mismo. (She is at home right now.) 

– Tener — To have e.g.- Tengo un coche nuevo. (I have a new car.) 

– Hacer — To do/make e.g.- Voy a hacer la tarea después de cenar. (I am going to do the homework after dinner.) 

– Ir — To go e.g.- Vamos a ir al cine esta noche. (We are going to the movies tonight.) 

– Poder — To be able to/can e.g.- ¿Puedes ayudarme con esto? (Can you help me with this?) 

– Querer — To want e.g.- Quiero aprender a tocar la guitarra. (I want to learn to play the guitar.) 

– Gustar — To like e.g.- Me gusta mucho la música clásica. (I really like classical music.) 

– Jugar — To play e.g.- Los niños quieren jugar en el parque. (The children want to play in the park.) 

– Llamar — To call e.g.- Voy a llamar a mi madre más tarde. (I am going to call my mother later.) 

 

Here’s a video that shows how to compliment people- 

This list has important words and phrases to help you talk to people in Spanish. Learning these will be a good start to learning more about Spanish language. 

 

Let’s play a little game to find out how much you’ve retained- 

 

1. What is this fruit called in Spanish? 

• La manzana 
• La fresa 
• El mango 
• La sandia 

 

2. Which time of the day is it? 

• Día  
• Noche 
• Tarde 
• Mañana 

 

3. How many fingers is this person holding up? 

• Dos  
• Cinco 
• Cuatro 
• Tres   

 

4. What is this called? 

• Agua 
• mesa  
• Papel 
• Comida 

 

5. How will you speak “Can you help me with this?” in Spanish? 

• ¿Puedes ayudarme con esto? 
• Tengo un coche nuevo. 
• ¿Me pasas la sal, por favor? 
• ¿Dónde puedo comprar comida? 

 

LEARNING RESOURCES AND STRATEGIES 

A. DIFFERENT LEARNING STYLES 

So once there was this girl named Maya. She loved learning new things. She tried to pick up Russian, but it was hard. Then she started learning Spanish. It was fun, but she felt like she wasn’t getting better fast. One day, her friend said, “Maya, everyone learns in a different way. Find out how you learn best, and Spanish will be much easier!”. She then discovered she is a visual learner. She started watching more movies, videos, pictures to learn about Spanish language and saw that she could catch up and retain faster. Knowing how you learn best can make learning Spanish much easier. Here are a few points to show you different ways to study Spanish based on your learning style. 

 

1. Visual Learners 

People who learn best by seeing things understand information better when it’s shown in a clear and interesting way. Here are some helpful things and ways to do that.  

Textbooks with Visual Aids: Pick Spanish books that have lots of pictures, diagrams, and word lists. Books like “Spanish for Dummies” often have good pictures to help you learn. 

Flashcards: You can use a website called Quizlet to make flashcards with Spanish words and pictures. This helps you learn new words better because you see the word and a picture at the same time. 

Videos and YouTube Channels: Websites like “Butterfly Spanish” and “SpanishPod101” have fun videos that can help you learn new Spanish words and how to put them together correctly. You can also follow Kochiva on Youtube and Instagram, where you can learn a lot more about Spanish. 

Infographics and Charts: Try to find pictures that explain grammar rules or word lists in a simple way. Websites like Pinterest have lots of helpful images for people learning languages. 

 

2. Auditory Learners 

People who learn best by listening do well when they can hear and talk about things. Here are some good ways to help them learn: 

Podcast: You can listen to podcasts like “Coffee Break Spanish” and “Notes in Spanish” to learn Spanish. These shows help you understand spoken Spanish and learn how to say words correctly. 

Conversation Practice: Kochiva provides practice sessions slots where the learner can converse with C1 certified trainer, helping them speak better. 

Language Learning Apps: Apps like Duolingo and Babbel help you learn how to say words and phrases correctly by letting you listen to them. 

Music and Songs: Listen to Spanish songs to learn new words and how to say them right. You can find Spanish music on apps like Spotify. 

 

3. Kinesthetics Learners 

People who learn best by doing things, not just listening or reading, are called kinesthetic learners. They love to try things out and be active. Here are some helpful ideas and tools for them: 

Interactive Language Apps: Try using apps like Rosetta Stone or Busuu. These apps have fun games where you talk and answer questions to learn a new language. 

Role-Playing: Pretend to be someone else with a friend or teacher. Act out real situations like ordering food or asking for directions to make learning fun and helpful. 

Flashcard Games: Make some cards with words on them. Play games like finding matching pairs or guessing what the word is to learn the words in a fun way. 

Cultural Immersion: If possible, participate in Spanish-speaking community events, cooking classes, or dance lessons (like salsa) to immerse yourself in the language and culture. 

 

B. ONLINE SPANISH COURSE 

Kochiva is an online upskilling company which provides one of the best online Spanish classes. We are known for the quality of education we provide for our learners. We have trained over 80,000 learners and have 15 years of experience upskilling individuals. Our online Spanish courses are designed in a way where we cover all the basic foundations of a language, like vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and conversational skills.   

Our trainers are C1/C2 certified with extensive experience of more than five years, teaching people from all walks of life. Along with catering to working professionals, students and hobby seekers, we also provide online Spanish classes for kids.  

Our in-house Learning Management System ensures you stay updated with the assignments and track your progress simultaneously. We understand that taking time off at regular hours in today’s busy schedule is challenging. Hence, we allow our learners to choose a convenient time for them. We adhere to the CEFR system, an international language proficiency standard. The levels start from A1 and A2 for beginners, B1 and B2 for intermediate learners, and C1 and C2 for advanced and native-level speakers.    

 

Here are some of our additional features-  

• Recorded sessions  

• Certificate after each level

• Corporate training  

• One-on-one and group classes  

• Small batch size (8-12)  

• Live consultations 

 

Kochiva can be an excellent choice if you are looking for online Spanish language classes.   

 

C. SPANISH PODCASTS AND YOUTUBE 

Learning about Spanish doesn’t always have to be tough; it’s can also be fun! Listening to music, watching movies, and talking to people can help a lot. But sometimes you need extra practice. That’s where podcasts and YouTube channels come in! 

Here are some engaging Spanish podcasts and YouTube channels suitable for learners of all levels.  

 

Podcasts  

 

1. Coffee Break Spanish:This podcast is perfect for people who are busy. It has short lessons that get harder as you learn more. Each lesson is about 30 minutes long and talks about different things. You can easily find time to listen, no matter how busy you are.
2. Easy Spanish: This podcast is for people who are just starting to learn a language. It uses everyday conversations to help learners understand the basics and learn about the culture at the same time.
3. Españolistos: Two people, a teacher from Colombia and her fiancé from America, make this podcast. They only speak Spanish and talk about lots of different things. It’s good for people who are learning about Spanish language and want to improve their vocabulary and understanding.
4. Radio Ambulante: This podcast shares amazing stories from all over Latin America. It’s for people who are good at Spanish and want to learn more about the culture and problems in these countries.
5. Duolingo Spanish Podcast: This podcast tells fun stories about real people and things that happened to them. It’s easy to understand, no matter how good your Spanish is. Each story is about 20 minutes long.
6. Learn Spanish con Salsa: This podcast is a fun way to learn a new language. It mixes Latin music with language lessons, so it’s easy to understand for beginners and people who are already learning. You’ll also learn about the culture and pick up helpful phrases for conversations.

 

YouTube Channels 

1. Easy Spanish: This channel shows videos of people talking on the street in Spanish. You can learn about Spanish language words and how they are used in everyday life. It’s good for everyone learning about Spanish language, but especially for beginners.
2. SpanishPod101: This channel teaches different things like words and grammar. It’s for people who are just starting to learn Spanish langauage and those who know a little bit already. The lessons are fun and easy to follow.
3. Butterfly Spanish: This channel helps people learn about Spanish language, no matter how much they already know. It teaches grammar, words, and about different cultures in a fun and easy way. The teacher explains things clearly and gives real-life examples.
4. Dreaming Spanish: This channel teaches Spanish using stories. It’s designed for people who are just starting to learn about Spanish langauge and those who know a little bit. The focus is on helping you understand the language, not just memorizing words.

Here’s a video of shows that you can see to improve your Spanish- 

 

 

D. TRADITIONAL TEXTBOOKS AND WORKBOOKS 

Using textbooks, workbooks, and other materials together is good for learning. Each type of material has its own strengths and using them all together can help students learn more effectively. 

 

 

SPANISH CULTURE AND BEYOND 

1. THE RICHNESS OF SPANISH CULTURE 

Spanish-speaking countries are woven by a rich tapestry of diverse cultures, known by their unique histories, traditions, and customs. This cultural diversity is obvious in different aspects like language, cuisine, art, and social practices.

 

A. LANGUAGE VARIATIONS

Even though everyone speaks Spanish, it sounds different from place to place. People in Colombia have a melodic way of talking, while people in Chile are known for their fast and choppy delivery of words. Each country has its own dialects and accents, which make the language rich in culture. 

Spanish is an official language in 21 countries and is widely spoken in others. Here’s a list of those countries: 

1. Spain
2. Mexico
3. Argentina
4. Colombia
5. Peru
6. Venezuela
7. Chile
8. Ecuador
9. Guatemala
10. Cuba
11. Dominican Republic
12. Honduras
13. Paraguay
14. Nicaragua
15. El Salvador
16. Costa Rica
17. Panama
18. Uruguay
19. Bolivia (Spanish is one of several official languages)
20. Equatorial Guinea
21. Puerto Rico (a territory of the United States)

 

While Puerto Rico is not an independent country, it is included due to its unique Spanish-speaking culture and status.  

While Spanish is not an official language in the United States, Belize, Andorra, or Gibraltar, it is spoken by significant populations in some of these places:  

 

The Reach of Spanish Beyond Its Official Borders

• United States- Spanish is the most widely spoken minority language in the United States, with over 42 million native speakers as of 2022. It is spoken by 13% of the total U.S. population, making the U.S. the second largest Spanish-speaking country in the world after Mexico. Spanish is particularly prevalent in the Southwest, West, and Florida, as well as in major cities like New York and Chicago. 

• Belize- While English is the official language of Belize, Spanish is spoken by about 46% of the population. Spanish is most spoken in the western and northern regions of the country. 

• Andorra- Catalan is the sole official language of Andorra. However, Spanish is spoken by about 22% of the population as a second language. 

• Gibraltar- English is the official language of Gibraltar. However, Spanish is spoken by about 88.2% of the population as a second language.  

 

This is how they express their emotions- 

 

 

B. CULINARY DIVERSITY

Spanish cuisine is another important aspect of cultural diversity that make these countries special. E.g.- 

–Mexico is famous for its yummy food like tacos and mole. These dishes are special because they show a mix of old Mexican and Spanish tastes. 

–Argentina is known for its delicious meat, especially when it’s cooked on a grill called an asado. People also love the tango, a kind of dance, from Argentina. 

–Peru is famous for its tasty seafood and fusion cuisines. This is because Peru is by the ocean and has lots of special ingredients from the land. 

 

C. ARTISTIC EXPRESSION

Art and music are important parts of cultural identity. Spanish-speaking countries have given birth to a lot of artistic movements and musical genres: 

– Flamenco from Spain, is a mix of singing, guitar playing, and dance, It’s the heart and soul of a place called Andalusia in Spain. 

– Salsa and reggaeton are popular in places like the Caribbean. These kinds of music show how African and native people influenced music there.   

– Literature- There are also many great writers. People like Gabriel García Márquez from Colombia and Pablo Neruda from Chile wrote about who we are, politics, and life.  

 

2. TRAVELING TO SPANISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIE

You’re wandering around a colorful market in Mexico City, soaking up the atmosphere. You see something you love, but when you try to ask about it, you draw a blank. Kinda frustrating, right? Learning even a little Spanish can be a total game-changer. You’ll be able to connect with locals, try new foods without fear, and have way more fun. Don’t worry if you’re not fluent – a few basic phrases can go a long way. Plus, there are tons of awesome apps and guides to help you out. So, ready to up your travel game? Let’s go-

 

A. TRAVEL GUIDES

– Lonely Planet:  

Known for its broad travel guides, Lonely Planet helps travelers with various destinations in Spanish. It also provides cultural insights, practical tips, and local recommendations.  

 

-Rough Guides:  

Like Lonely Planet, Rough Guides provides in-depth travel information in Spanish, offering something for everyone’s travel plans. 

-National Geographic Travel: Their travel guides often come in Spanish and provide stunning photography. They also tell you a lot about the history and culture of different places.

 

-Easy Spanish for Travel: This resource has lists of words and phrases specifically designed for travelers. It contains essential vocabulary that helps you learn what to say when you are at the airport, hotel, or visiting fun places.
 

 

1. TRAVEL APPS

– Kochiva:  

If you want to take a quick fast-track course before your trip to any of the Spanish-speaking countries or brush up on your Spanish-speaking skills, consider enrolling with Kochiva.

We provide 1-to-1 or group classes to cater to your specific needs. We also provide practice sessions where you can book slots, talk to our C1/C2 certified Spanish trainers, and enhance your conversational skills.

 

– Duolingo:  

Duolingo is an app for learning languages. It can also help people who are traveling to learn useful Spanish words and phrases before and during their trip.  

 

– Google Translate: 

This app helps translate words and what people say right away. This makes it easy to talk to people in countries where people speak Spanish.

 

– TripAdvisor:  

This app is available in Spanish and helps travelers. It provides information and opinions about hotels, restaurants, and fun things to do, helping travelers choose the best places to go.   

 

– Waze: 

This app helps people find their way around. It’s in Spanish and is suitable for people in a place they don’t know.

 

– SpanishDict:  

This app helps you find the meaning of words and translate them into other languages. It also shows you how to say words correctly and gives examples of using them in sentences. This is helpful for people traveling and needing to understand other languages quickly.   

 

– Memrise:

 

This app helps you learn new words. It shows you short videos of real people speaking so you can learn how to say words correctly. It’s a fun way to pick up useful phrases for your next trip.  

These tools can help you have a much better trip by teaching you useful Spanish words and giving you helpful information about places where people speak Spanish.

 

KEEPING YOURSELF MOTIVATED 

1. CHALLENGES AND ROADBLOCKS 

Learning a new language is exciting but challenging. Common hurdles include: 

–Pronunciation: Mastering new sounds and rhythms. 

–Vocabulary: Remembering and using words correctly. 

–Grammar: Understanding complex rules and idioms. 

–Listening: Comprehending fast speech and accents. 

–Speaking: Overcoming fear of mistakes and building confidence. 

–Culture: Grasping cultural nuances and body language. 

–Practice: Finding opportunities to speak and immerse oneself. 

–Motivation: Staying focused and persistent. 

Despite these challenges, effective methods, tools, and a positive mindset can lead to language success. Here are some tips for overcoming language learning hurdles- 

Remember: Learning takes time so be gentle with yourself. Keep trying and you will improve! 

Read more: How long does it take to learn Spanish Language

2. SETTING REALISTIC GOALS 

Goals Help You Learn Better 

-Goals help you know exactly what you want to achieve. For example, instead of saying “I want to be good at Spanish,” you say “I want to talk about my hobbies in Spanish for 5 minutes.” This makes it easier to focus and work towards something specific. 

-Goals you can reach keep you interested and excited about learning. Big, impossible goals can make you feel bad, but small, doable ones make you feel good when you succeed. 

-Goals you can measure help you see how far you’ve come. For example, saying “I will learn 20 new Spanish words every week” is better than saying “I want to improve my Spanish.” This way, you can see your progress and make changes if needed. 

 

Measurable Goals Are Even Better 

-When you can measure your goals, it’s easier to stick to your learning plan. You can see if you’re falling behind and adjust. 

-Reaching goals feels great! Every little win, like finishing a book chapter or using new words, motivates you to keep going. 

-Setting a time limit for your goal, like “finish my Spanish course in 3 months,” helps you plan your study time and do what’s most important first. KOCHIVA can help you achieve your goals, whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or pro. We help you work on your reading, writing, listening, and speaking. We cater to people of all age groups and professions. 

Read more: Levels of Spanish Language – A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2

The SMART method is a great way to setting clear goals can help you learn about Spanish language faster and enjoy it more. 

By following these steps, you’ll stay motivated and see how much you’re improving. 

 

BONUS SECTION 

1. COMMON SPANISH MISTAKES AND HOW TO AVOID THEM 

Learning Spanish can be tough, especially if you speak English. There are lots of things that can trip you up. Here are some common mistakes people make and how to avoid them: 

Common Mistakes 

–Pronunciation: Some letters in Spanish don’t make any sound. For example, the ‘h’ in ‘hambre’ (hunger) is silent. 

Spanish vowels have clearer sounds than English vowels. For example, the ‘e’ and ‘o’ sounds are always the same, and don’t change like they do in English. 

Making the ‘r’ sound like a rolling sound is tricky for many people learning Spanish, but it’s important to get it right.  

–Words that look the same: Many Spanish words look like English words, but they mean different things. For example, “embarazada” means “pregnant” in Spanish, not “embarrassed.” And “actual” means “current” in Spanish, not the same as “actual” in English. It’s important to learn about these tricky words to avoid misunderstandings.  

– Gender: Spanish nouns have gender (masculine or feminine), and learners often forget to match adjectives and articles accordingly. For example, “el libro” (the book) is masculine, so it should be “el” and “bonito” (the beautiful) should match in gender.  

–Too many pronouns: In Spanish, you don’t always need to say “I”, “you”, “he”, “she”, etc. because the verb already tells us who is doing the action. For example, instead of saying “ Yo hablo” (I speak), you can just say “hablo” (Speak), and people will understand that you are talking about yourself.  

 

Other Mistakes

• Prepositions: Prepositions can be confusing. For example, using “por” or “para” can completely change what a sentence means. It’s important to understand how each preposition is used in different situations. 

• Word order: In Spanish, we usually put the describing word (adjective) after the thing it describes (noun), which is different from English. For example, “the red car” becomes “the car red” in Spanish. Getting used to this way of talking can help you speak Spanish better.  

• Verbs: Spanish verbs change form depending on who is doing the action and when it happens. This is called conjugation. Many people find it hard to learn how to change verbs, especially the tricky ones. It’s helpful to practice changing verbs a lot to get better at it. 

• Wrong stress: Saying a word with emphasis on the wrong part can change its meaning. For example, the words “ público” vs. “publico” sound similar, but the emphasis is different. Saying “PUH-blick-oh” means “public,” while saying “pub-LEE-coh” means “I publish.” 

By knowing these common mistakes, you can learn to avoid them and speak Spanish better. 

 

How to Avoid Mistakes When Learning Spanish 

• Copy the sounds: Listen to how native speakers talk and try to sound like them. 

• Watch out for tricky words: Some Spanish words look like English words but mean different things. Learn these. 

• Get the genders right: In Spanish, nouns are either male or female. Make sure your words match. 

• Don’t always use “I,” “you,” “he,” etc.: Sometimes you can leave these words out and still be understood. 

• Understand how to use “in,” “on,” “at,” etc.: These little words can be tricky, so learn how to use them correctly. 

• Learn the right word order: Spanish sentence structure is different from English. 

• Practice verb endings: Verbs change form a lot in Spanish. Practice changing them correctly. 

• Don’t translate word for word: Learn whole phrases to sound more natural. 

If you pay attention to these things, your Spanish will improve quickly. 

Let’s play a game quickly. Match these following columns-
 

 

2. FUN FACTS ABOUT THE SPANISH LANGUAGE 

Spanish is a lively language with a fascinating history and many interesting features. Here are some fun facts and historical details about this language! 

 

HISTORICAL ORIGINS 

– Spanish came from Latin- A long time ago, around 2300 years back, Romans brought their language, Latin, to Spain. Over many years, this Latin language changed because of the people who already lived there and other cultures, especially after the Moors came to live in parts of Spain. So, Spanish is a mix of Latin and Arabic languages. 

– First written records- The first time Spanish was written down was in the year 964 AD. It was found in notes added to a Latin book called Las Glosas Emilianenses. These notes were in both Spanish and Basque. The first book that was written completely in Spanish is called El Cantar del Mio Cid. It’s a famous story poem from around the 12th-century. 

– Making Spanish standard- A long time ago, in 1713, people in Spain wanted to make sure everyone spoke Spanish the same way. So, they started a special group called the Spanish Royal Academy. This group still works today, writing books about how to speak and write Spanish correctly. Their work has helped shape the Spanish language we know today. 

 

UNIQUE FEATURES 

– Inverted Punctuation- Spanish is different because it uses special marks at the start of questions and shouts. These marks look upside down compared to English (¿ and ¡). They help us understand if someone is asking something or shouting even before we finish reading the sentence. 

– Romance Language- Romance languages are like a big family of languages. They all come from the same “parent” language called Latin. Imagine Latin as the grandma, and Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese as her grandkids. Because of this, Spanish has a lot of similar words and grammar rules to French, Italian etc. 

– Unique Spanish Words- Spanish is full of special words that don’t have exact matches in English. For example, “sobremesa” is a fun word for the time you spend talking with others after finishing a meal. Another interesting word is “vergüenza ajena,” which describes the feeling of embarrassment for someone else’s actions. 

FUN FACTS 

• The longest word in Spanish is *hipopotomonstrosesquipedaliofobia*, which humorously refers to the fear of long words. It contains 33 letters. 

• Miguel de Cervantes wrote a famous book called Don Quixote in the year 1605. Many people think this book was the first modern novel ever written.  

• Spanish has a fun way to make words sweet and small! They add little bits like “-ito” or “-ita” to words to show love or that something is tiny. For example, “casita” means “little house” and “abuelita” means “grandma” in a cute way. 

 

Here’s a video about more facts-

 

 

3. FAMOUS SPANISH PERSONALITIES YOU MIGHT KNOW 

Many famous people from Spanish-speaking countries are known for their work in art, books, music, and sports. Here are some well-known examples. 

 

ARTISTS AND WRITERS 

• Pablo Picasso –  

A revolutionary painter and sculptor, Picasso is known for co-founding a new kind of art called Cubism and for masterpieces like *Guernica* and *Les Demoiselles d’Avignon*. 

 

• Salvador Dali –  

Dalí was a famous artist who painted strange and dreamlike pictures. His most famous painting is called “The Persistence of Memory“. People all over the world love his weird art. 

 

• Miguel de Cervantes –  

 

Often regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language, Cervantes is best known for his novel *Don Quixote*, a cornerstone of Western literature.

 

MUSICIANS 

• Julio Iglesias –  

Father of Enrique Iglesias is one of the best-selling artists in music history. Iglesias has sold over 300 million records globally, known for his romantic ballads. 

 

• Rosalía –  

Rosalía is a famous singer who sings flamenco music. She has become very popular around the world for mixing traditional Spanish flamenco with modern pop and urban music styles. 

 

ACTORS 

• Penélope Cruz –  

A celebrated actress, Cruz has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for her role in *Vicky Cristina Barcelona*. 

 

• Antonio Banderas – 

Known for his roles in films like *The Mask of Zorro* and *Desperado*, Banderas is a prominent figure in both Spanish and Hollywood cinema. 

 

ATHLETES 

• Fernando Alonso –  

A two-time Formula 1 World Champion, Alonso is celebrated for his skill in racing and has made a significant impact in motorsports. 

 

• Pau Gasol –  

A prominent basketball player, Gasol has achieved great success in the NBA, including two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and has been a key player for the Spanish national team. 

These people are not only good at what they do, but they also show the best parts of the Spanish-speaking world’s culture. 

 

WRAPPING UP 

Learning Spanish is like planting a seed. With a little care and time, it will grow into a beautiful, flourishing tree. Take the first step and watch your language skills blossom. Don’t be scared to start learning. Every little bit helps. Soon, you’ll be amazed at how much you can do in Spanish.  

On this journey of learning Spanish, we would like to help and guide you to reach your goals. If you wish to speak Spanish fluently or just starting out, Kochiva is here to help you every step of the way.  

If you liked what’s written and want to take a course with us. Reach out to us on  

Email – Info@kochiva.com                                       

Call us at 9872334466 

and we’ll reach out to you soon. Thank you for taking the time to read.  

Until next time, 

Adiós!