How to Choose a Spanish Learning Program

By Kyle W Bumpus

With so many costly Spanish language programs out there, how do you know which are the real deal and which are a waste of cash? That's an excellent question. The Spanish program you choose has a direct impact on how well you eventually learn the language. Choose wisely and it's smooth sailing. Choose unwisely, however, and you've just wasted a nice chunk of change. Here are a few things to look out for in a good Spanish audio program.

1. Primarily Audio-Based - The best Spanish programs are predominantly audio-based. Some of them, such as Pimsleur, go further still and don't include a book at all. The point is, you absolutely cannot learn Spanish, or any language for that matter, without hearing it spoken. Thirty hours of audio would be an absolute minimum but the more the merrier. Programs like Pimsleur and FSI fit the bill in this arena.


2. Plenty Of Drills - There are no shortage of claims about magical products that can supposedly teach you the language without work, memorization, or grammar drills. If you don't want to waste your hard-earned money, ignore those claims. When learning a language, there is simply no substitute for repetitive drilling. Yes, drills can be boring but the best programs, like Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone, cleverly structure the drills to minimize the pain. A program without drills may be a lot less work, but it will inevitably be a lot less effective, as well.


3. Keeps Grammar In Its Place - Grammar is extremely important to eventually mastering the Spanish language, but it's not the most important thing by a long shot. The ideal Spanish learning program would teach you to speak a certain way because it just sounds correct, not by following complex grammar rules. Introducing too many grammar rules too soon has a nasty way over over-complicating things, impeding the learning process.

My two favorite Spanish learning programs share all these characteristics. The Pimsleur Spanish and FSI Spanish programs focus on drills, repetition, and oral skills more than grammar rules or written translation. If you're serious about learning the language, you won't go too far wrong with either of those fine programs.

Want to learn to speak spanish? Check out my Spanish Pimsleur and Spanish FSI reviews and make an informed decision.