When I first arrived in Spain, my Spanish level was, to put it mildly, abysmal—basically limited to “Hola” and “Gracias.” I took a class for a while, but the progress felt slow, and my schedule was tight with work and school. So, I decided to start self-studying. I made a lot of mistakes along the way but also collected a ton of e-books. Today, I’m sharing the ones I found most useful with fellow forum members struggling with the language. Hope this helps!
Beginner & Foundation Stage
For absolute beginners or those with a weak foundation, my top recommendation is the classic textbook Modern Spanish (现代西班牙语). Its grammar system is explained very clearly and progressively, which is great for learners who appreciate a structured approach. Some might find it a bit dated, but it’s excellent for building a solid foundation. I have the complete PDF set for books 1-4 and the accompanying MP3s. It’s incredibly helpful for tackling tough topics like verb conjugations and tenses when self-studying Spanish.
Intermediate & Practical Stage
Once you have a grasp of basic grammar and vocabulary, you’ll need materials that are more relevant to daily life. I highly recommend Travel Across Spain (走遍西班牙) and Nuevo Prisma. Both are excellent textbooks published in Spain, with very practical dialogues covering various real-life scenarios like renting an apartment, shopping, visiting a doctor, and socializing. The audio, in particular, is fantastic—the pronunciation is authentic, and the speaking speed is close to real conversation, which is a huge help for improving listening and speaking skills. I used them while watching Spanish TV series, and it really brought my conversational skills to life.
DELE Exam Prep Sprint
If your goal is to earn a DELE certificate, specialized prep books are essential. When I was preparing for the B2 level, I primarily used Preparación al DELE and El Cronómetro. Both books are structured very similarly to the actual exam, providing tons of mock questions and test-taking strategies, which is key when you self-study Spanish. You can often find these as Spanish e-books. The writing and speaking sections are especially helpful, offering many high-scoring examples and templates that are perfect for last-minute cramming. Working through these two books thoroughly will definitely make you feel more confident on exam day.
I’ve organized the features of these textbooks into a simple table to help you choose based on your needs. Since uploading attachments on the forum is inconvenient, if you need any of these, feel free to leave a comment or send me a private message with your email, and I’ll send you the e-books when I see it. The key to learning a language is persistence. ¡Ánimo a todos!
| Textbook | Level | Key Features |
|---|
| Modern Spanish | Beginner - Upper Intermediate | Clear grammar system, ideal for structured learning |
| Travel Across Spain | Beginner - Advanced | Practical scenarios, focuses on listening and speaking |
| Nuevo Prisma | Beginner - Advanced | Modern content, relevant to contemporary life |
| Preparación al DELE | DELE Prep | Aligned with exam syllabus, targeted skill practice |
| El Cronómetro | DELE Prep | Numerous mock exams, strengthens test-taking skills |
