When I first arrived in Spain, besides the classes at my school, I also explored many online resources for learning Spanish on my own. I made my share of mistakes but also discovered some hidden gems. Recently, I’ve seen many people on the forum asking about how to self-study, so I decided to compile a list of the free courses and websites that I’ve used and genuinely recommend. Hope this helps everyone!
Most of these resources are YouTube channels or dedicated language learning websites. They are completely free; all you need is an internet connection. I personally find them much more engaging and fun than just memorizing vocabulary from a book, especially for practicing listening skills and getting a feel for the language. The benefits are huge.
Recommended Free Resources List
Video Courses
Español con Juan: The creator of this channel, Juan, is a super friendly Spanish guy. He speaks at a moderate pace with clear pronunciation, and his content mainly involves telling stories and talking about culture in relatively simple Spanish. It’s especially great for B1-B2 level students to practice their listening skills. You’ll be surprised at how much you can actually understand! His videos are very entertaining and never boring.
Why Not Spanish?: The host, María, is from Colombia, so by learning Spanish on your own with her content, you can get accustomed to some features of the Latin American accent. Her videos are well-produced and packed with content on daily conversations, slang, and practical phrases. It’s very helpful for those who want to understand the differences in Spanish across various regions. I particularly love her street interview series; it’s very authentic.
Websites and Tools
I mainly use the two below—one for grammar practice and one for checking conjugations. They’re a perfect match.
| Website Name | Main Function | Why I Recommend It |
|---|
| Loecsen | Multi-language learning for beginners | Provides basic phrases with audio and illustrations, perfect for absolute beginners to get started quickly. |
| SpanishDict | Dictionary, Verb Conjugations, Grammar | Super convenient for looking up words and verb conjugations. The definitions are comprehensive, and it includes example sentences. |
| Rockalingua | Spanish songs and games for kids | Although it’s designed for children, the songs have simple melodies and repetitive lyrics, making it suitable for beginners to memorize vocabulary. |
Of course, free resources are just supplementary; the most important thing is consistency. Spending half an hour a day watching videos for learning Spanish on your own, and practicing grammar, will lead to significant progress over time. If you have any other great free resources to share, feel free to add them below! Let’s keep it up!
