When I first arrived in Spain, my Spanish was basically limited to the “Hola, Gracias, Adiós” basics, and even ordering food was a struggle. Later, besides attending a language school, I also explored many online courses. I found online learning to be very flexible, allowing me to rewatch lessons, which greatly helped in systematically improving my skills. Today, I’m sharing some excellent online Spanish courses that I’ve personally used and highly recommend, hoping to help fellow self-learners on their journey.
For Absolute Beginners and Novices
For those just starting with Spanish, building a strong foundation is crucial. I highly recommend some of the university courses on Coursera. For example, I took the “Learn Spanish: Basic Spanish for English Speakers” specialization from the University of California, Davis. The instructor’s pronunciation is clear, and the course structure is exceptionally well-organized, guiding you step-by-step from the very basics like alphabet sounds and greetings to simple verb conjugations and tenses. Plus, it has plenty of exercises and quizzes to keep it engaging. The only drawback is that it requires a basic understanding of English, as the instruction is in English.
DELE Exam Prep Sprint
If your goal is to obtain a DELE certificate, targeted preparation is essential. When I was preparing for the B2 exam, I enrolled in the official online prep course from Instituto Cervantes, AVE Global. It’s not cheap, but it’s absolutely worth the investment. The course perfectly simulates the exam format, with specialized exercises and mock tests for all four sections: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The instructors’ corrections and feedback are extremely professional and pinpoint your weaknesses accurately. For instance, in my writing, I used to make basic mistakes with articles and prepositions, which I couldn’t even spot myself, but the teachers pointed them all out. For anyone aiming to pass the exam on their first try, this is highly recommended!
Comprehensive Platforms & Supplementary Resources
Besides the two mentioned above, there are other platforms that are great for daily supplementary learning. For example, Babbel and Duolingo, with their gamified approach, are perfect for memorizing vocabulary and practicing simple sentences during your spare moments. Additionally, if you want to improve your listening and speaking skills, give Lingoda a try. It offers live, small-group classes with native-speaking teachers. You can book these online Spanish lessons anytime, allowing for direct interaction with native speakers, and the results are immediately noticeable.
Here’s a simple comparison table to help you choose based on your needs:
| Platform | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Coursera University Courses | Beginners, Novices | Systematic, Academic, Valuable Certificate | Requires basic English, Some courses are paid |
| Cervantes AVE Global | DELE Exam Candidates | Official, Highly Targeted, Professional Feedback | Pricey |
| Babbel/Duolingo | All Levels | Gamified learning, Good for vocabulary in spare time | Lacks in-depth grammar explanations, unlike more structured online Spanish courses |
| Lingoda | Learners focused on speaking | Live native tutors, Flexible schedule, Good speaking environment | Pay per class, High long-term cost |
I hope my sharing has been helpful! Feel free to leave a comment below to share your favorite resources. Let’s learn and grow together!
