I just passed the DELE A1 and thought I could relax a bit, but I was so naive… As soon as I started self-studying for A2, the difficulty level shot up, especially with all the past tenses, which are making my head spin. I’m sure many of you on this forum are also stuck at the A2 level. That’s why I wanted to start this thread about Spanish A2 to share some online courses and resources I’ve found quite helpful recently. I hope this can get the ball rolling, and we can all discuss effective study methods together.
My A2 Online Course Choices
At first, I tried to learn just from textbooks, but it was too inefficient. Many grammar points are really hard to grasp without a teacher’s explanation. So, I started looking for paid online courses, tried a few demos, and finally chose one that suits me. I prioritize clear explanations and a teacher’s ability to simplify complex grammar. My current teacher is a native Chinese speaker who has lived in Spain for many years. Her pronunciation is authentic, and because she understands our learning perspective, her examples for explaining the difference between the Preterite and Imperfect tenses are incredibly easy to follow. I’ve found her classes much more effective than some I took with native Spanish teachers.
Supplementary Resources Beyond Online Courses
Of course, online classes alone aren’t enough; you need a lot of input and practice. Here are a few supplementary tools I use daily that have been a great help for my listening and vocabulary:
- Podcast: Hoy Hablamos. This podcast releases a new episode daily, each about ten minutes long. The speaking pace is moderate, and the topics are very practical and related to daily life, making it perfect for listening practice.
- App: Duolingo and Memrise. Many of you probably already know these. I mainly use them to memorize vocabulary and reinforce miscellaneous grammar points. They are very convenient for a quick session during my commute.
- YouTube Channel: Español con Juan. Juan is a very humorous teacher, and his video content is down-to-earth. He intentionally speaks at a slower pace and uses basic vocabulary, which is perfect for A2 level students. Watching his videos, you can not only learn Spanish but also find out a lot about Spanish culture and get tips for DELE A2 preparation.
The only downside is that he doesn’t upload new videos very often.
To give you a clearer idea of my current Spanish self-study plan, I’ve made a simple table for reference:
| Activity | Schedule | Main Tools/Platforms |
|---|
| Grammar Study | 3 times a week, 1.5 hours each | Paid online course + “Uso” grammar book |
| Listening Practice | 20-30 minutes daily | Podcast: Hoy Hablamos |
| Vocabulary Building | 15 minutes daily | App: Memrise |
| Speaking Practice | Once a week, 1 hour | Online chat with a language partner |
A2 is definitely a tough hurdle in Spanish learning, but as long as you find the right methods and resources for you and stick with it, you can definitely overcome it. I hope what I’ve shared gives you some inspiration. Please feel free to leave a comment below to share your own A2 learning experiences or recommend useful resources. Let’s cheer each other on and break through this plateau soon!
