We all have different learning styles and preferences when learning something new. It is no different when you want to study Spanish. Some of us prefer one-to-one Spanish lessons and some prefer group Spanish classes. While some like to get into the details of grammar, others prefer just to listen, learn and chat. Is it best to have intensive Spanish lessons, occasional lessons, play games or just meet up with friends once a week? Only you know what you need and which will work best for you and perhaps it is a combination of them all!

There isn’t really a one size fits all way to learn Spanish. Rather, there’s a time and place to apply each and every tool available to us. When it comes time to study Spanish, try them all and see what you like.

Prior to arrival

We recommend someone new to learning Spanish (and new to the area), study a little Spanish online prior to your arrival.

Once you arrive

Once you arrive, just dive in with a few weeks of daily Spanish lessons at one of the local schools. This is just enough to get you going and feeling confident with ordering food, shopping and the day-to-day errands. It is also great idea to set up or join one of the existing intercambio sessions, so you can immediately reinforce your Spanish.

A little later

After a few weeks or a few months, it may be time to taper down and transition into a once or twice weekly resident course. You don’t want to burn out and lose interest in learning Spanish. It will depend on you if this lasts for weeks, months or years. At some point you will be functioning at a proficient level to “get by” around town and in the day-to-day life. This may be a good time to add in the specialized workshops to focus on certain aspects of your Spanish-speaking and really zoom in on one part at a time.

Attending Spanish lessons when you are new to town is a great way for you to meet other people and connect with someone going through a similar process to you. Just be careful that you don’t get stuck in the trap of only hanging out with your new expat friends and only speaking Spanish when you attend class. Mix it up a bit and get out there to start speaking!

Tools & Spanish Classes in Almuñécar & La Herradura

In Almuñécar and La Herradura there are several tools, courses, workshops and lessons available for learning Spanish locally or online. Many of the language schools in town offer several of the below options, but can also specialize in a given area. You may select one over another for the price, the proximity to your home, the time of day courses are available, or perhaps the type of Spanish lessons they offer. Either way there should be Spanish lessons near you!

1. Community Spanish Lessons

Free weekly group lessons for expats, offered by the municipality of Almuñécar (the Ayuntamiento or Town Hall). They usually offer a basic and intermediate class and each meet twice a week. This is a good way to get a feel for the Spanish language, but there isn’t much control on class size or levels of Spanish. More on adult Spanish classes by the Ayuntamiento.

2. Group Resident Spanish Lessons

Several of the Spanish schools in town offer some form or residence course. These are typically in a formal class setting with a group of 2 – 8 people, who may or may not know each other. You are typically grouped with a class of students at a similar level to you. The Spanish lessons are often 50 – 60 minutes twice a week. They’ve been designed to cater to someone staying her for several months or year round. The prices vary, but it is typically a monthly fee and offered during the standard school year, September through June.

View our business directory to see Spanish language school options.

3. Private Spanish Lessons

Private Spanish lessons are meant for you and the teacher. Most often these are one on one, but some of the Spanish language schools will offer private lessons for a family or group of friends. The added bonus for private sessions is you may request to cover specific areas, topics, grammar or help drive the agenda. The downside is your family or group may not all be at similar levels or learn in similar ways. If it is one to one, this tends to work out well, but can be a bit pricey.

4. Activities In Spanish

There are plenty of activities in the area to become involved with the community and learn just as you did when you were a child. You may join the chess club, play sports like padel or perhaps a local dance or music class? In Almuñécar & La Herradura there are so many to choose from for adults or children. For example: hiking groups, paddle, tennis, gymnastics, indoor rock climbing, fútbol, martial arts, ballet, flamenco, yoga, chess, ping-pong, basketball, theater, and much more. Many of these activities will cost from 10 -30 Euros a month and usually meet twice a week for 1-2 hours. Read more on social groups and sports here.

Take dance lessons from Juanfran.

5. Focused Spanish Workshops

These are usually focused sessions on a particular part of speaking Spanish. They can be from one to multiple days, but are specialized to cater to a particular area or need. For example a focused workshop on pronunciation, the use of the subjunctive, wine, Spanish Civil War and so on. Centro El Mar in La Herradura offers specialized workshops regularly. Read more about their Spanish workshops here.

6. Spanish Immersion

Live with a family for complete 24/7 immersion for a week or longer. Many of the local schools will have this option available for you. This is really a great way to jump in feet first and get to know the local culture, food, habits and use your Spanish as you learn. There are also specialized teen summer immersion weeks available with some of the schools. Of course, if you are determined you can create your own Spanish immersion program. We have all of the tips for you to do that in our post.

7. Intercambio Spanish Language Exchange

Intercambio means interchange or exchange. This is an ideal way to get to know Spanish speakers and immerse a bit more into the local life. Typically it is with 2 people who would like to learn the language of the other. You may structure how you like and meet as often as you like. Perhaps you meet once a week for an hour, with the first 30 minutes a conversation in Spanish and the next 30 minutes in English. If you aren’t confident with speaking, bring something with you to spark the conversation. A great idea is to bring a photo album or book with images and each of you can describe what you see in the photos, in the language you are learning.

There is also larger intercambio group in town, which meets each week, September – June at MasQTapas. These are great to meet many new people and be a bit more social. It is possible to have a one on one spin-off stem from one of the group sessions as well. The point is to just get out there and start speaking.

8. Online Learning Spanish

When it comes to learning Spanish, we think it is helpful to at least have your basic manners and counting under your belt before you arrive. There are very few locals in town who speak English fluently, so do your best to speak the local language when you can. Once you arrive, there will be local options for Spanish language classes, but the options below can be done before or after you arrive.

Read more about the tools available for learning Spanish online or in your home.

There is also a local teacher who provides online Spanish Classes, so you can practice before you arrive, while you are here and when you return.

9. Podcasts learning Spanish

Spanish podcasts are perfect if you want to learn Spanish, but don’t have a Spanish-speaking person who can chat with you 24/7 in their native tongue. They put the fun back into learning because you can listen to audio anywhere and choose what topic you want.

So, why not use podcasts for learning Spanish? Here are a few to get you started, but you can just do a search on the web as well

Audiria (Spanish workshops)

Audiria is fresh, fun and fabulous. This lively and engaging podcast series for all levels of Spanish language learners was conceived by two Malaga-based brothers as a non-profit enterprise.

Coffee Break Spanish (iTunes – website)

One of the big leaders of the Spanish language podcast field is Coffee Break Spanish.

Study Spanish.com (website)

The first thing that grabs you when you listen to these comprehensive Spanish podcasts is the lively music. After the intro it’s a full immersion into the language for beginners, intermediates and advanced speakers.

10. Read in Spanish

Go to the local Almuñécar library where you check out books for free and read in Spanish. Start with the children’s books or nursery rhymes to build your vocabulary.

Alternatively you may purchase books online which you are already familiar with in your native language. This way you already know the story line and can just focus on the language.

Alternatively you can just query the beginner books and see what you like.

11. Games for learning Spanish

Playing games is a fun way to pick up new Spanish vocabulary and have a great time in the process. Why not get a group of friends together and play some of these games!

Click here to see more games in Spanish Online puzzles and games.