Having foreign language skills is increasingly required in the labor market, and it comes as no surprise since globalization has broadened the territories and cultures in which business is done.
Spanish is one of the essential languages in the world. More than 500 million people speak it across the globe. It is the second most spoken native language, just after Mandarin Chinese; it is the official language globally of at least 20 countries.
Spanish is not a particularly hard language to learn. The fact that it is a phonetic language helps a lot because once you have grasped the sound of each letter, you can read aloud and probably be understood.
However, grammar and verb conjugation can be more complex since they are pretty different from English.
Learning Spanish abroad
The best way to learn Spanish for many people is through immersive experiences abroad. Nowadays, it is pretty common for people to relocate to a native-speaking country for a while in order to get fluent in Spanish.
In fact, you can take a Spanish course Buenos Aires while visiting the many attractions of the Argentinian capital. The popularity of linguistic tourism is explained by the fact that most people who choose to live abroad for a long time to learn a foreign language end up having a life-changing experience.
Learning through a Spanish language school in Buenos Aires means that you understand the language fully in a natural context. At the same time, you experience living like a local, visiting unique places, and making life-long friendships with people worldwide.
Currently, there is rising popularity of immersive learning since the growth of remote working has made it possible to live in any city in the world. So, why would anyone stay in their hometown while they can travel? The only requisite is to have a proper internet connection to secure a monthly income.
New ways of learning Spanish
There are other options to learn Spanish for those who just cannot travel to get an immersive learning experience.
The most traditional way is to take a local Spanish institute or school course. But technologies are providing a new way of learning that has many advantages. We are talking about Spanish learning apps.
If you are on a tight schedule, live in a rural area where there are no Spanish courses available, or can’t afford to take a course, Spanish learning apps are a great option.
Many people are using Spanish learning apps, and the reason is that they are very effective in acquiring or improving your skills. Most of them work through a syllabus-organized units. By going through each, you will get exercises to work on your grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary until you reach the highest level.
The only issue with Spanish learning apps is that there are so many available that it can take some time to find the best one or the one that fits your necessities better.
To narrow down the massive offer of apps, we made a list of the best Spanish learning apps according to users ranking. Any of the apps on the list will provide a great experience in learning Spanish.
1. Learn Spanish +
Developed by Vidalingua, Learn Spanish + is one of the best apps for learning spanish. Organized in 101 lessons, with 4027 exercises and 1190 phrases, this app promises to help users understand and speak spanish in a fun and easy way.
Learn Spanish + method is based on real-life learning. Instead of teaching vocabulary and grammar out of context, it provides tools to immediately start using Spanish by recreating real-life situations, such as taking a taxi, asking for directions, and making small talk.
Learn Spanish + is available for iPhone and iPad and can be downloaded on the Appstore; get 11 lessons for free.
2. Busuu
Called after an endangered African language, Busuu was developed by Bernhard Niesner y Adrian Hilti as a language learning platform that offered courses at an affordable cost.
Currently, Busuu is one of the largest language learning apps. Its courses are organized following the Common European Framework of Reference, through which six stages of knowledge are established: beginner, elementary, intermediate, and upper-intermediate.
After determining each student level, the proper lessons will be accessible through live classes with expert tutors and access to native speakers to get easily fluent.
Busuu can be downloaded through Google Play and AppStore and has a basic free plan through which you can learn one language. For more features, you can choose the premium and plus plans.
3. Duolingo
Launched in 2011 by Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker, Duolingo is the most popular language-learning platform and one of the most downloaded in the world.
It has a learning website and a mobile app that works through interactive gamification to provide the perfect challenge to improve language skills while having fun.
Each lesson provides the chance to earn points and unlock a new level, keeping students motivated while improving their skills. Every lesson is personalized, providing each user with the tools he or she needs to achieve a higher level.
Duolingo is available for iPhone users as well as for Android. The app can be downloaded for free from App Store and Google Play. Anyone can use Duolingo at no cost, even though a paid subscription, Duolingo Plus, provides an ad-free experience and has additional features, such as mistake reviews.
In a globalized world, learning Spanish is a way to broaden your chances in the labor market and your cultural background. Immersive learning experiences abroad are the most popular option for those who want to improve their language skills and have the chance to travel. Language learning apps are also a great alternative, proven effective, and can be accessed at no cost.
