When I first arrived in Spain, my Spanish was basically limited to ‘Hola’ and ‘Gracias’ to get by. I had to point and gesture just to order food—it was incredibly awkward. Later, I became determined to master Spanish, treating it like my own ‘Spanish university entrance exam’. Today, I want to share this journey of leveling up through self-study, hoping to offer some inspiration to others on the same path.
Create Your ‘University Entrance Exam’ Study Plan
Every beginning is hard, but a good plan is half the battle. Don’t try to achieve everything at once; break your main goal into smaller, manageable steps. I divided my learning into several stages: mastering pronunciation, tackling grammar, building vocabulary, practical listening and speaking, and a final pre-exam sprint. Each stage had clear tasks and deadlines, just like a high school exam revision schedule—structured and focused. This is especially crucial for working professionals; setting aside a fixed 1-2 hours every day is a non-negotiable commitment.
My ‘Arsenal’ of Study Resources
There’s an overwhelming number of textbooks and apps out there, so the key is to find what works for you. I mainly relied on a few ‘weapons’:
- Textbooks: I started with the ‘Modern Spanish’ series to build a solid foundation, as its grammar explanations are very thorough. For DELE prep, I used ‘Preparación al DELE’ and ‘El Cronómetro’, which are essential for practice tests.
- Apps: I used Duolingo and Memrise for vocabulary drills—perfect for using during spare moments. For listening practice, I used RTVE Noticias, which was great for both practicing my listening and keeping up with local events—essential for anyone who is self-studying Spanish.
- Other: I highly recommend finding a language exchange partner. Chatting once or twice a week will give your speaking skills a huge boost. Or, you could do what I did: frequently visit the local bar downstairs and chat with the owner. They are usually super friendly and serve as great free conversation teachers!
Here is a simplified table I created to track learning stages, which you can use as a reference for your own progress:
| Learning Stage | Key Focus | Recommended Resources |
|---|
| A1-A2 | Pronunciation, basic grammar, everyday vocabulary | ‘Modern Spanish’ Books 1-2, Duolingo |
| B1 | Grammar consolidation, verb tense distinction, listening & speaking practice | ‘Nuevo Prisma B1’, language exchange |
| B2 | DELE preparation, intensive writing & speaking | ‘Preparación al DELE’, RTVE News |
| C1 & Above | Reading original books, in-depth topic discussions | Novels, articles in specialized fields |
Finally, I want to say that there are no shortcuts in language learning. The idea of becoming fluent in a week is impossible when you’re self-studying Spanish. Treat it as a fun challenge, just like how we once faced our university entrance exams, and prepare with the same determination and strategy, including using effective Spanish learning apps. The sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you can joke with locals in fluent Spanish and understand the inside jokes on TV is truly irreplaceable. ¡Mucho ánimo a todos! I hope everyone finds joy in the world of Spanish!
