With more than 470 million speakers, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world. It is the official language of 21 countries, including Spain, Colombia, and Argentina. Spanish is also a popular language for music and television. Shows like Narcos and Money Heist have become must-watch TV, and artists like Bad Bunny and Rosalia have taken the music world by storm. But Spanish isn't just a fun language to watch and listen to; it can also help your career. If you're looking to make yourself more marketable, learning Spanish is a great place to start.
Is it difficult to learn a new language?
It doesn’t have to be difficult! The secret to making learning a language easier (and fun!) is quite simple - don’t stress about the details, learn what interests you, and immerse yourself in the language.
Many traditional learning methods insist on teaching irrelevant words and focusing on grammar. It would take weeks before getting to learn things that you find interesting and useful in the real world. So why not learn phrases about travelling if you love to travel? Or phrases about food if you’re into that. Learning a language through what you already love keeps you motivated, helps you contextualise the language, and makes learning much easier and enjoyable.
Where do I start when learning a language?
Starting to learn a new language can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. The best way to start learning a new language is by finding something that you're interested in. If you love to travel, for example, start by learning about travel. There are plenty of resources out there, from online courses to apps like Memrise, that can help you get started. And once you start getting the hang of things, keep yourself engaged and immersed in the language by reading books, watching movies, or listening to music in the language you're trying to learn. With a little bit of effort, you'll be speaking like a native in no time.
Can you learn a language on an app?
Yes you can! Learning a language with an app is better than textbook learning for a number of reasons:
Learn on your phone wherever you are, whenever you want. This is convenient, especially if you have a busy schedule or are always on the go.
Smart algorithms know your learning levels and keep you challenged. This ensures that you are always making progress and not just repeating the same lessons.
Apps like Memrise are packed with videos of native speakers that show you what the language sounds like in real life. This is helpful for understanding the rhythm and flow of the language.
Memrise also lets you customise your learning journey - choose the phrases most important to you and learn those first. No one wants to be forced to learn to count to 1000 before getting what you really need.