Hey there! 🌎
So, you’ve just returned from an adventure in Spain—maybe an Erasmus experience or a longer stay—and you’re wondering how to continue practicing Spanish now that you’re back home. Well, you’re in the right place! I’ll share how I practice Spanish daily (post-Erasmus) with some easy, fun routines to keep my language skills alive. I hope it will inspire you to create your own daily practice too!
A bit of context!
Quick intro, since I haven’t officially introduced myself: I’m Chiara, born and raised in Italy, and for the past few months, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Nesh on her blog! Estoy muy agradecida con ella por haberme dado esta oportunidad, and I’m excited to share some tips with you all.
So, a bit of background: I consider Spanish my second language, and I spent ten amazing months in Valencia as part of my Erasmus experience in 2022/2023. During that time, I really improved my Spanish skills, and I didn’t want to lose all that progress once I got back to Italy! That’s when I started (without even realizing it) building a daily routine to practice Spanish. It’s not super strict or something I have to do, but rather a few activities I enjoy that help keep my Spanish skills alive.
5 Simple ways to keep practicing Spanish daily
#1 Listen to music or podcasts 🎧
Let’s be real—music’s with us all day: while working, cooking, walking, driving… you name it. So, why not practice Spanish with music? I’ve got a Spanish playlist I adore (and can’t stop listening to). It’s so fun because even if I’ve heard a song a million times, I sometimes go, “Madre mía, I finally get what X meant in that line!” The lyrics suddenly click, and it’s like a little victory every time! If you’re not into spanish music or you’re just too lazy to create your own playlist, luckily Nesh has already done the work for you! You can find her Spanish Reggaeton playlist right here. Enjoy It! 🤩
Podcasts are great, too! Spotify has tons of options—just search for something you like in the language you’re learning, and you’re set. The key is to search in the target language, not your native one. 😉 Recently I’ve started listening to Dani Schulz’s podcast called “Viene y Va con Dani G Schultz” where she focuses on personal growth, creativity and communication. If you want something light but at the same time interesting and stimulating this podcast is for you!🌟
#2 Watch movies, TV series, or even better, TV shows 📺
You’ve probably heard this one before, but it’s worth repeating because it works! Watching TV shows and movies keeps your ear trained for listening and comprehension. I know this blog already has a great list of Spanish TV series to watch, which you can check out here: Netflix series that boosted my spanish skills.
Personally, I find YouTube videos or reality TV especially helpful since they have more natural conversations. One of my go-tos was La Isla de las Tentaciones. Even when I was too tired to focus on something serious, watching a lighthearted reality show let me keep practicing without even trying. 🙃
#3 Read 📖
If you really want to master a language, reading is a must, even if it’s not your favorite activity (it’s not my cup of tea either!). You don’t have to read novels if that’s not your thing. You can follow news from countries where your target language is spoken or find interesting online articles.
Another easy option is social media! If you follow a few foreign newspapers or blogs on Instagram, you’ll see quick, digestible articles in your feed daily. It’s perfect if you’re like me and enjoy reading in short bursts. Plus, if you’re researching for work, school, or just out of curiosity, try searching in your target language. In this way you’ll find more info and get reading practice!
Spanish news pages on Instagram:
- El País
- El Mundo
- Levante
- Provincias (This and the previous one are newspapers from the Valencian region. Each area has its own publications, so if you’re curious about a different region, you’ll easily find options online.)
#4 Follow native-speaking creators on Instagram 📲
Let’s be honest, we’re all on social media all the time anyway, right? So why not make it part of your language learning? You can follow news pages, but also look for creators who share your interests. It’s even better if they’re from different regions—try a mix of accents! For Spanish, I’d suggest creators from Andalucía, Madrid or even Latin America… It’s like getting an accent tour!
Here are some great creators I follow, that can help to spice up your Spanish learning journey—check them out and thank me later! 😉
Creators you can entertain yourself with:
- Aitana Soriano – ig & tiktok: aitanaasoriano – (fashion and lifestyle)
- Paula Laguno – ig & tiktok: paulisls (memes, vlogs and lifestyle)
- Elena Gortari – ig: elenagortarii – tiktok: elenagortari (lifestyle and daily life)
- Alvaro Mateu – ig & tiktok: alvaromateut (books, lifestyle and travel)
- Pablo G Show – ig & tiktok: pablogshow (comedy)
- Dani Schulz – ig: danigschulz (fashion, lifestyle and personal growth)
#5 Talk to yourself 💬
Yes, it sounds a little silly, but hear me out! When I can’t find a conversation partner, I practice Spanish by talking to myself. If I’m alone in my room or doing something solo, I pretend to chat with myself about my day, my plans, or just random thoughts. This way, I keep those words and expressions fresh, and it actually helps a lot!
Little reminders…
What works for me might not work for you, so don’t stress if some of these suggestions don’t vibe with you. And don’t expect to feel as fluent as you did while you were abroad—it’s totally normal. Just focus on doing something regularly, even if it’s small.
And make it enjoyable! Find what makes you happy—whether that’s dancing to a new song, laughing at a reality show, or scrolling through Insta—don’t force it.
Bonus Tip!
If you’ve made it this far, here’s a little extra tip: while you’re out and about, try thinking of how to say the things around you in Spanish. It’s like a mini language game that keeps your vocabulary fresh without any extra effort.
Keeping a language alive is all about consistency, but the key is to have fun with it. Hopefully, these tips help you stay connected to the language and culture you love—without feeling overwhelmed. So, take it one step at a time, and enjoy the journey!
Mini Dictionary
Pumped – (adjective) very excited or enthusiastic about something. (emocionado)
Keeping my Spanish alive – (phrase) maintaining or continuing to practice and improve one’s Spanish language skills, especially after a period abroad. (mantener vivo mi español)
Practical tips – (noun) useful or actionable advice that can be easily applied in daily life. (consejos prácticos)
Background – (noun) personal history or circumstances that provide context to a situation or story. (antecedentes)
Building a daily routine – (phrase) creating or developing a set of regular activities to follow every day. (construir una rutina diaria)
Stimulating – (adjective) something that encourages active thinking, interest, or excitement. (estimulante)
Lighthearted – (adjective) cheerful, carefree, or not serious in tone. (ligero, desenfadado)
Master a language – (phrase) to become highly skilled or fluent in a particular language. (dominar un idioma)
Digestible – (adjective) easy to understand, absorb, or process. (digerible)
Spice up – (phrasal verb) to make something more interesting, exciting, or lively. (darle sabor, animar)
Entertain yourself – (phrase) to engage in activities that bring amusement or enjoyment. (entretenerse)
Fluency – (noun) the ability to speak or write smoothly, accurately, and with ease in a language. (fluidez)
Consistency – (noun) the quality of being steady and reliable over time, especially in maintaining habits or practices. (consistencia)
Overwhelmed – (adjective) feeling stressed, overburdened, or unable to cope with the volume of tasks or emotions. (abrumado)
Enjoy the journey – (phrase) to appreciate the process or experience of something, rather than just focusing on the outcome. (disfrutar del viaje)
