Returning home after a rewarding language course in Spain or Latin America can feel a bit daunting. Without the daily immersion, the tapas bars or the fabulous Spanish teachers, it’s easy to lose confidence or slip out of practice.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to keep your Spanish active – both online and in your daily life. Here are some simple, effective ways to help you maintain (and even improve) your hard-earned language skills after your course is over.
Watch Spanish-language films and TV shows
"Educational purposes" is a great excuse to binge-watch a TV show - and Netflix offers a wide range or excellent shows that will help you to maintain your new language skills. These shows are perfect for picking up some natural phrases, but also for getting to grips with different accents, slang or even cultural references. For recommendations, check out our guide to the best Spanish shows on Netflix.
Use language apps (but don't rely on them)
Apps such as Duolingo or Babbel can be useful for keeping your Spanish fresh. However, I don't believe that they are the solution for achieving fluency. Just look back on your language course in Spain: what you learned in a week in person would have taken months using Duolingo. That's not to say that these apps don't serve a purpose: they are great for quick daily practice, especially when you don't have a lot of time to spare. But try and combine them with real-world exposure to make sure your Spanish remains natural.
Use Migaku to create personal flashcards
Migaku is probably my favourite language-learning app. It is a fantastic tool that turns anything you see or hear into a flashcard deck. Whether you’re watching videos, reading news articles, or browsing social media, you can easily save unfamiliar words and phrases along with their context (and audio if it's from Netflix or Youtube) as flashcards. The app is slick and easily customisable, making it a great personal assistant to keep up with your language learning.
Listen to Spanish music or read the news
Keep Spanish in your daily life by listening to Spanish music, reading online newspapers like El País or BBC Mundo, and following Spanish-language YouTube channels or podcasts. The more you hear and read the language, the more natural it will feel to you.
Find a language exchange partner (or an expat hangout)
Practising with native speakers is one of the best ways to keep your skills active, so why not find a tandem partner? You can find a language exchange partner through platforms like ConversationExchange or HelloTalk. These exchanges are a relaxed way to practise Spanish while helping someone improve their skills in your native language.
Also, check if your city hosts Spanish meet-ups, expat gatherings, or language exchanges. These informal events are perfect for practising your conversation skills and meeting other language learners or native speakers.
Join online courses or communities
Even if you’re back home, online learning is always an option. Platforms like iTalki, Baselang, or Preply connect you with native tutors for lessons tailored to your needs. You can also join online forums like r/Spanish to get advice, language tips, and cultural insights from other learners.
Plan your next trip
You're o doubt already missing the hot weather, the beautiful beaches, the incredible locals, the delicious tapas, ... so why not start preparing your next language holiday? Having another visit to Spain or Latin America on the horizon is a great motivator to keep practising. Knowing you’ll soon be using your Spanish in real situations can help you stay focused and consistent.
Common Spanish phrases to practise
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿Qué tal? | How’s it going? |
| Hace tiempo que no practico. | It’s been a while since I practised. |
| Me encanta esta canción. | I love this song. |
| ¿Conoces alguna serie buena? | Do you know any good series? |
| Estoy intentando mejorar mi español. | I’m trying to improve my Spanish. |
| ¿Quieres hacer un intercambio de idiomas? | Do you want to do a language exchange? |
| ¿Te apetece un café? | Fancy a coffee? |
| No me acuerdo de esa palabra. | I can’t remember that word. |
FAQs: keeping up with Spanish after a course
How much time should I spend practising Spanish each day?
At least 15 to 30 minutes daily is ideal. Short, regular practice sessions are more effective than occasional long ones.
Are Spanish TV shows with subtitles helpful?
Yes! Start with English subtitles if you are a beginner or lower intermediate learner. This helps you to get more exposure to the language. Spanish audio + Spanish subtitles is the next level, where you can help bridge the gap between hearing and understanding. When you feel ready, try switching them off to test your listening skills.
Does speaking to myself in Spanish actually help?
It really does. Practising out loud helps you gain confidence and spot gaps in your vocabulary. It’s like preparing for a conversation in advance.
I live in a small town without many Spanish speakers – what should I do?
Use online resources. Apps like HelloTalk, online tutors, podcasts, and online communities can help you stay engaged with the language.
How can I avoid mixing up Spanish with other languages I’m learning?
Separate your practice time. Dedicate specific times or days to each language so your brain has a clear structure. Consistent context helps avoid confusion.
About Estudia-España
At Estudia-España, we help language learners find the perfect Spanish course at carefully selected schools across Spain and Latin America. Whether you’re looking for an intensive course in Madrid, a beachside classroom in Costa Rica, or a cultural immersion experience in Mexico, we work with trusted schools to offer high-quality programmes for all levels. We also believe learning Spanish should be accessible, so we offer discounts on almost all our courses to help you make the most of your language-learning journey. Find out more at estudia-espana.eu.
