Man doesn’t just have to wrestle with grammar books and dictionaries in search for how to learn spanish on your own. Everyone absorbs new knowledge in different ways. Knowing how best to acquire something is half the battle for effective learning. Tourism is Mallorca’s largest sector, which means that English and German are widely spoken and taught in schools in Mallorca. Spanish and Catalan are the two official languages ​​of the island and are recommended for those who have moved to Mallorca and are planning a permanent stay. Many expats (due to tourism) spend most of their day-to-day lives speaking only English. But to really get in touch with the local culture, learning Spanish and Catalan is highly recommended.

1. FIND THE RIGHT LANGUAGE LESSONS

When learning a language, some people prefer to jump in at the deep end without dealing with grammar and sentence structure. But targeted language lessons contribute to a deeper understanding and help with doubts. Not surprisingly, Palma is home to some of the best language schools. From October to the end of May, the students receive a double lesson twice a week as well as extensive material.

If you need instruction in a specific field of work, the academy with individual instruction is a good starting point. For €35 per hour – or €30 if you book more than 20 hours – the student is introduced to the vocabulary of a specific industry. Snacks during breaks are included in the price. Last but not least, British Council supports English language learning and guides its students through the globally recognized Cambridge exams.

2. ENSURE MORE EXCHANGE

If you find it difficult to speak and feel like you have a knot in your tongue all the time, you should talk more. There are international groups for this purpose, which usually meet weekly to improve the language in a relaxed atmosphere in a bar or café. Meetings like the one at the Brick Hotel in Palma are diverse and offer many opportunities to improve the language and make friends. The group meets every Monday at 7:45 p.m. with a glass of wine, which creates a relaxed atmosphere and helps to overcome inhibitions. For a more private setting, you can also look for a tandem partner. Websites like openlanguageexchange.com make it easy to find people who search for how to learn spanish on your own and in turn help you with your target language.

3. LEARN VOCABULARY

Who does not know it? You’re sitting in a bar with a bunch of friends, the conversation gets rolling and it’s easy to follow. But as soon as it comes to contributing something oneself, one searches tensely for the right vocabulary. And when you remember, the conversation has progressed so far that your own comment no longer makes sense. A few minor changes to a bathroom mirror can solve this problem. Posting sticky notes with keywords and verb endings in high-traffic areas of the house can really help them finally stick in our brains. Learn new vocabulary while blow-drying your hair, brushing your teeth and doing the dishes – you will thank yourself in a few weeks.

4. OVERCOME FEARS

A certain nervousness at the first attempt to speak in a foreign language is quite normal. A sudden fear of making mistakes or mispronouncing a word causes us to become timid. The only way to become successful is by making mistakes! In order to overcome thoughts like “I can’t speak” or “I don’t know enough”, we have to accept that learning a language is not a cakewalk. The path is bumpy, some words come backwards, half or not at all. But bit by bit the nervousness subsides and the language begins to flow.

5. THE RIGHT EMPHASIS

As mentioned above, the nervousness is usually related to the fear of sounding stupid. Many are obsessed with mimicking stress perfectly. But in truth, traces of the mother tongue will always permeate. That being said, many accents are considered attractive and sexy. Who doesn’t get goosebumps from a French accent? Or the Italian, Irish or Spanish? Be proud of your accent no matter where you’re from. All of us would sound the same if we sounded like native speakers. Wouldn’t we all rather sound like native speakers?

 6. Watch movies with Spanish subtitles

You should watch Spanish films and television programs whenever possible. You should also watch German films with Spanish subtitles. It’s easy to grasp this point. You should watch Spanish films and TV shows whenever you can. In addition, we work with films in class and run a weekly movie club in our screening room. It is very helpful for understanding the language when spoken quickly.

7. Set up your environment with labels

This is a great tip. Buy post-its and put them all around your house. Each time you come near an item with a post-it, say the word out loud. You won’t forget.

8. Organize your studies with a friend

Finding friends who will support you when things get tough can be a great way to overcome Spanish learning frustration. In addition to practicing your speaking skills outside the classroom, learning Spanish with a friend gives you the opportunity to meet other people by participating in activities with them. Find your learning partner in Spanish classes, housing, or by participating in activities with them.