If you are moving to Spain, learning Spanish is probably high on your list. Even if you are going abroad to teach English, improving your Spanish can make daily life easier, help you feel more confident, and deepen your experience while you live there.
At the same time, learning Spanish in Spain is not always as effortless as people expect. Many locals may want to practice their English with you. If you are working as a language assistant, you may spend much of your school day using English instead of Spanish. You may also find yourself surrounded by other native English speakers, which can make it harder to stay consistent.
That does not mean it is impossible. It just means you need to be intentional. If you want to make real progress, here are some of the best ways to learn Spanish while living in Spain.
1. Take a Spanish Course at an Academy
If you want structure, a Spanish academy can be a great place to start. Classes give you a set schedule, clear lessons, and regular practice. That kind of routine can make it much easier to stay motivated, especially in the beginning.
Academies can also help you build confidence step by step. Instead of trying to figure everything out on your own, you get guided support, level-appropriate lessons, and the chance to practice with other learners.
This can be a strong option if you like having homework, accountability, and a more traditional learning environment.
2. Work With a Private Tutor
If you want a more personalized approach, a private tutor can work really well.
A tutor can focus on your specific goals, whether you want to improve conversation, grammar, pronunciation, or listening skills. Private lessons also give you more flexibility, which helps if your school schedule changes or you prefer one-on-one support over group learning.
This option can be especially helpful if you want faster progress or need targeted help in certain areas.
3. Learn Spanish on Your Own
If you are more independent, self-study can also be a good path. The key is to stay consistent and make your learning practical.
If you choose this route, start by setting clear goals. Think about what you actually want to do in Spanish. Do you want to order food more confidently, have everyday conversations, navigate appointments, or make local friends? Specific goals make it much easier to stay focused.
It also helps to balance study with real use. Learn grammar, vocabulary, reading, and listening, but do not stop there. You also need to speak. A lot of learners understand much more Spanish than they can actually use out loud, which is why regular speaking practice matters so much.
4. Build Spanish into Daily Life
One of the best ways to improve is to stop treating Spanish as something you only study and start making it part of your routine.
Try ordering in Spanish at cafés. Go to local shops instead of switching to English right away. Watch Spanish TV shows. Listen to Spanish music or podcasts. Change your phone settings to Spanish. Read simple menus, signs, and social posts in Spanish whenever you can.
These small habits add up. They also help Spanish feel more natural because you are learning it in real situations, not just in a notebook.
5. Put Yourself in Situations Where you Have to Speak
If you really want to improve, you need regular speaking practice.
That might mean joining a local class, making friends outside the expat bubble, attending conversation exchanges, or finding a language partner who wants to trade Spanish for English. It could also mean joining a club, fitness class, volunteer activity, or hobby group where Spanish is the main language.
The more often you put yourself in situations where Spanish is necessary, the faster your confidence usually grows
6. Be Intentional About Your Environment
A lot of people move to Spain and still spend most of their time speaking English. That is easy to do, especially if your work and your social circle revolve around other English speakers.
If learning Spanish matters to you, be intentional about your environment. Try not to rely only on English-speaking friendships. Spend time with locals when you can. Choose activities that push you to use Spanish. Let people know you are trying to learn and would appreciate their help.
You do not need to avoid English completely. You just need to create enough Spanish exposure for progress to happen.
7. Be Patient with Yourself
Learning a language takes time, even when you live in the country where it is spoken.
Some weeks you may feel like you are improving quickly. Other weeks you may feel stuck. That is normal. Progress usually happens through repetition, consistency, and small daily wins more than one big breakthrough.
Give yourself permission to make mistakes. Speak even when you feel awkward. Keep showing up. The more you use Spanish, the more natural it will start to feel.
What Is the Best Way to Learn Spanish in Spain?
The best way to learn Spanish in Spain depends on how you learn best.
If you need structure, an academy may be the best fit. If you want personalized support, a tutor can be a great investment. If you are disciplined and independent, self-study can work too. For most people, the strongest approach is a mix of structured learning and real-life immersion.
No matter which path you choose, the most important thing is consistency. The people who improve the most are usually the ones who keep showing up, keep practicing, and keep putting themselves in situations where Spanish becomes part of everyday life.
Learn More While Living Abroad with RVF International
Living in Spain gives you the chance to grow in more ways than one. Along with teaching experience, travel, and cultural immersion, it can also be the perfect time to build your Spanish skills.
If you are planning to teach English in Spain, learning Spanish can make the experience even more rewarding and help you feel more connected to everyday life around you.
