Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Fluency in Spanish can open doors to job opportunities and boost earning potential in various careers. With all these benefits, you may wonder: “Is Spanish hard to learn?”
Keep reading as Thao & Co. explains the answer and suggests effective strategies that can facilitate your learning journey.
How hard is it to learn Spanish?
As of 2023, Spanish is the 4th most spoken language worldwide with over 559.1 million speakers (Ethnologue).
The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) classifies Spanish as a Category 1 language. This means it is a relatively easy language for English speaker as well as speakers of languages whose writing systems resemble Latin.
That said, it’s not easy to say whether English or Spanish is harder to learn. Your current knowledge, language learning ability, time for study, and individual efforts will all influence your learning speed.
Is Spanish grammar hard to learn?
Spanish grammar can be considered easy: it doesn’t have too many rules. Even Spanish verb conjugation seems similar to English, but beware—it is full of twists and complexity!
Similar to English, the verb changes depending on the subject and tenses, but there are plenty of tenses to work with in Spanish! Gendered nouns are also deeply embedded in the Spanish language. Here are the grammatical features that make Spanish stand out, compared to English:
+ Gendered nouns.
- • A noun can be masculine or feminine, which should go with a suitable article.
E.g.
- • el libro (book) –> a masculine noun goes with “el.”
- • la mesa (table) –> a feminine noun goes with “la”.
+ The adjective must agree with the gender and number of the noun.
The adjective changes depending on the noun.
E.g.
- • un coche rojo (red car) –> “coche” is masculine, so the adjective “rojo” remains unchanged.
- • unas casas rojas (red houses) –> “casas” is feminine and plural, so the adjective “rojo” becomes “rojas.”
+ More complicated verb conjugation patterns.
Like English, the subject and the verb must agree. However, it gets more complex in Spanish: There are 17 tenses to consider, which is quite a few more compared to the 12 tenses in English.
E.g.
- • In English: There are 4 variants of the verb “eat”, which are “eat”, “eats”, “ate”, and “eaten”.
- • In Spanish: The verb “comer” (eat) can be conjugated as “como”, “comes”, “come”, “comemos”, and “comen” in present tenses. There are various other forms in past and future tenses.
How long does it take to become fluent in Spanish?
The FSI estimates that it will take roughly 600 hours of study to reach proficiency in Spanish. Here is the estimated time it will take for each level of proficiency:
- • For A1 (Elementary): 1-2 months ➡︎ Use basic greetings, introduce yourself, and understand simple expressions.
- • For A2 (Pre-intermediate): 3-6 months ➡︎ Handle conversations in familiar topics.
- • For B1 (Intermediate): 300-400 hours ➡︎ Speak with confidence in common situations.
- • For B2 (Upper-intermediate): 450-600 hours ➡︎ Discuss a wider range of topics and manage more complicated conversations.
- • For C1 (Advanced): 600-750 hours ➡︎ Use Spanish fluently in both work and daily life.
- • For C2 (Proficiency): over 1000 hours ➡︎ Speak Spanish like a native in most situations.
How much does it cost to learn Spanish?
The cost of learning a new language is a shared concern among beginners, including new learners of Spanish. However, it’s difficult to provide pinpoint the exact number: The cost will depend on many factors, such as study strategies, mode and location, current proficiency, and learner’s goals.
Self-study at no cost
- • Learn through online apps such as Duolingo and Memrise.
- • Watch YouTube videos from channels like SpanishPod101, Butterfly Spanish, etc.
- • Explore other free websites and resources.
Study at a language center
- • Courses in basic communication, which typically last for 2 to 3 month.
- • Intensive training courses for the DELE exam.
Learn with a private tutor
- • Learn from a non-native speaker with high proficiency.
- • Learn with a native speaker.
Tips for learning Spanish effectively
If you’re learning Spanish on your own, here are some simple yet effective ways to get started:
- 👉 Start with proper pronunciation: Listen and imitate native speakers’ pronunciation on YouTube channels like SpanishPod101 and Butterfly Spanish. Additionally, use a pronunciation dictionary like Forvo.
- 👉 Learn vocabulary by topic: Try apps with flashcards or spaced repetition systems like Anki or Quizlet to review words by topic. Alternatively, write new words on sticky notes and put them where you can easily look at them.
- 👉 Grasp the basics of grammar: Understand how gendered nouns work and how important tenses are used in Spanish. Refer to online sources, including websites (e.g., SpanishDict.com, Studyspanish.com) and YouTube channels (e.g., Learn Spanish with Spanish), for concise explanations. For more structured practice, consider a guidebook like Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Grammar.
- 👉 Make listening part of your routine: Tune in to a podcast like Coffee Break Spanish or simply watch a movie with Spanish subtitles on.
- 👉 Speak as much as possible: Find a native speaker on apps like HelloTalk and Tandem. You can also record your own voice to fix pronunciation errors and see your progress daily.
- 👉 Practice reading through simple texts: Start with weekly news broadcasts from News in Slow Spanish or short stories for children. Don’t miss the “El Principito” (The Little Prince) novella—it’s also a great read!
- 👉 Make writing a habit: Keep a short journal, leave a comment on a social media post, or nicely ask native speakers on HiNative, Italki, or Tandem to correct your mistakes. The key is to write regularly!
Once you have developed a solid set of learning habits, stick to a clear study plan to help you stay on track and make steady progress. Just keep in mind:
- 👉 Consistency is key! Make time to study and practice daily.
- 👉 Set achievable goals so that the learning process does not feel overwhelming.
- 👉 Make learning enjoyable by using Spanish while engaging with your hobbies.
Key takeaways
“Is Spanish hard to learn?” The answer is yours to decide. However, one thing is certain: fluency in Spanish can be your gateway to new horizons. With about 600 million speakers worldwide, proficiency in the language can lead you to golden opportunities that you might not have had otherwise.
Spanish is somewhat similar to English, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Still, it’s important to know that nothing great comes easy. It will take dedication, patience, and perseverance to master a skill, and that goes the same for languages.
If you are looking to use Spanish in professional contexts, a competent Spanish translation and interpreting services will be your best bet. Whether for academic or business purposes, Thao & Co. Translation Company offers all-in-one solutions that are tailored to your specific needs.
Why choose us?
- ✅ Native linguists with high expertise across many fields.
- ✅ Transparent pricing and competitive rates.
- ✅ Guaranteed on-time delivery.
- ✅ Absolute privacy and confidentiality.
Contact Thao & Co. today for a complimentary quote!
