Are you considering making Costa Rica home but wondering how to start learning Spanish? It’s something many of us ex-pats think about.
We don’t know Spanish other than pleasantries and essential communication, but getting better at it is an ongoing exercise.
The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish, which means that learning the language is essential if you want to immerse yourself in the local culture fully.
There are different methods to learn Spanish, and depending on where you live in Costa Rica and your lifestyle, any of the following ways can work for you.
1. Take Spanish Classes
The first and most obvious step to learning Spanish is to take classes. Many language schools in Costa Rica offer courses for people of all levels. These classes will help you understand the language and allow you to interact with locals and other students who are also learning Spanish.
Some of the top online Spanish classes for 2023 include:
• Baselang — This online platform has 450+ native teachers, helps you get conversational quickly, and is flexible to fit your schedule. You can start your first week for $1.00 and move to $149 monthly for unlimited one-on-one classes.
• Coursera — This program is low-cost and more formal in its instruction. You can audit the Spanish courses for free or sign up to work toward a fluency certificate.
• Lingoda — Live online classes with professional teachers and a schedule that you can make work. Suitable for private or group classes.
2. Practice Speaking Spanish
One of the most important things you can do to learn Spanish is to practice speaking it. Feel free to make mistakes and talk as much as possible with locals. They will appreciate your effort and be happy to help you improve your Spanish.
It has been our experience that practicing speaking Spanish is welcome and admired. Even when we stumble through, can’t understand what they’re saying, and feel embarrassed, the Costa Ricans are patient and even eager to teach us if we push through. It’s good to have a sense of humor about yourself.
3. Use Language Apps
Language learning apps can also be helpful when learning Spanish. These apps allow you to learn at your own pace and can be a great way to supplement your language classes or daily immersion in your community.
The top three Spanish language apps, according to letsspeakspanish.com, are as follows:
• Duolingo — With a user-friendly interface and engaging structure, it’s excellent for beginners.
• Memrise — This language vocabulary app helps you learn 15 words per lesson. Similar to Duolingo, they make learning a game.
• Busuu — With this app, you can receive grammar lessons for a solid foundation in speaking Spanish. You will also be able to interact with other users and native speakers.
4. Watch Spanish TV Shows and Movies
Watching Spanish TV shows and movies can also be a great way to improve your Spanish. This will help you learn new vocabulary and understand the language more naturally.
When watching TV and movies, you can learn the everyday language that Spanish speakers use. The language used in TV and movies is real, with common expressions, natural structure, and simple vocabulary.
Living in Costa Rica makes it easy to do this. Just turn on the TV or watch a streaming movie.
A few different ways to start learning Spanish with TV shows and movies include:
• Watch passively
Turn a Spanish TV show or movie on while doing other things. Your brain will hear the vocabulary and get used to the cadence of the language.
Turn a Spanish TV show or movie on while doing other things. Your brain will hear the vocabulary and get used to the cadence of the language.
Understand that repetition in learning is crucial, so make watching a show routine in your day. Watch shows on a daily schedule and stick to them.
• Listen, Repeat the Dialogue, and Record Yourself
It’s called “language shadowing” and is an excellent method of learning a new language. Play a TV or movie clip, pause it, and repeat the words out loud.
It’s called “language shadowing” and is an excellent method of learning a new language. Play a TV or movie clip, pause it, and repeat the words out loud.
This will help you improve your pronunciation and intonation and get faster with more practice.
• Watch in Spanish with Spanish Subtitles
As a beginner, watching Spanish with Spanish subtitles lets you associate the Spanish sound with letters and letter combinations. You can also watch Spanish with English subtitles as a more passive learning method. Learning this way will train your ear and help you begin to understand Spanish words.
As a beginner, watching Spanish with Spanish subtitles lets you associate the Spanish sound with letters and letter combinations. You can also watch Spanish with English subtitles as a more passive learning method. Learning this way will train your ear and help you begin to understand Spanish words.
5. Attend Cultural Events
Attending cultural events such as festivals, concerts, and fairs can be a great way to learn about the local culture and interact with locals. This will also allow you to practice your Spanish more informally.
6. Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and meet new people. It can also be an excellent opportunity to practice your Spanish and learn about the local culture.
A Final Thought
Learning Spanish and integrating into the local culture in Costa Rica is an excellent way to fully immerse yourself in your new home’s vibrant and welcoming culture.
By taking classes, practicing speaking, using language learning apps, watching Spanish TV shows and movies, attending cultural events, and volunteering, you can become fluent in Spanish and experience all that Costa Rica offers.
Pura Vida! 🌺
