Spanish Speaking Practice: The Best Tools and Resources

Hola! My name’s Samuel and I've been teaching Spanish since 2013 - both online and in person. Today I’m going to talk you through some of what I believe to be the best tools and resources for Spanish conversation practice - including both free options and those that aren’t.

Experience tells me that mastering communication is the key to really understanding a language. And when it comes to learning Spanish, “La práctica hace al maestro” (the Spanish equivalent of ‘practice makes perfect’), as Spanish speaking practice is essential when looking to improve both your fluency in the language and your confidence.

Initiating and maintaining a conversation in another language can be scary, but the rewards can be vast. As the Spanish say, "Quien no arriesga, no gana!" (Nothing ventured, nothing gained!).

However, it’s worth noting that there’s not a one-size-fits-all strategy to getting effective Spanish speaking practice. The best option for you will depend on several factors: your current skill level, your budget, and your personal language learning preferences.

Below we’ll look at four common ways to practise Spanish conversation. These are: one-to-one lessons with a teacher, using AI conversation partners, attending language exchanges, and participating in group lessons. I'll examine the advantages and disadvantages of each option and advise you on how to get started.

At the end of this guide, I'll provide you with some useful conversation starters to help you initiate a conversation and keep the “charla trivial” (small talk) going.

So, with no further ado, let's get started and explore the best tools and resources to help you practise speaking Spanish!

#1: One-to-One Spanish Speaking Practice with a Teacher

Ideal for: Learners at any level looking to improve their Spanish conversation skills

Pros:

• Personalised lessons
• Strong focus on your specific interests and learning needs
• Focused guidance and error correction
• A tutor will help give you some accountability and motivate you to practice
  

Cons:

• Not always cheap (costs vary a lot by tutor)
• Requires a bit of planning
  

1-on-1 classes provide an unmatched degree of personalisation. You can choose to focus on whichever topics interest you, and you can progress at your own pace. Do you love el cine (the cinema)? Great, let’s talk about your favourite films. ¿Te apasiona viajar? (do you like travelling)? OK, let's do some travelling role plays or discuss your travels.

What’s more, one-to-one lessons also allow you to work on your specific weaknesses. For example, if you're having trouble with the subjunctive tense, your teacher can create activities for practising this tense. You’ll also receive nuanced feedback in real time.

Individual classes can be somewhat expensive; however, online language learning platforms like where I work (LanguaTalk) may provide some economical solutions. On LanguaTalk, for example, you can find experienced and qualified Spanish tutors at a range of competitive prices (averaging around $20/h but some tutors are cheaper).

Finding a good tutor for Spanish speaking practice

For in-person lessons, check out websites like Craigslist (USA) or Gumtree (UK & Australia). If you would prefer learning online, I strongly recommend LanguaTalk. Use the various filters on the site to find tutors within your budget and that fit your timetable. And, before booking, make sure you view the tutors’ introductory videos, check their availability, and read the student feedback to find the right person for you.

#2: Spanish Speaking Practice with an AI partner

Ideal for: learners with busy schedules looking for flexible speaking practice at a low cost.

Pros:

• 24/7 availability
• Comparatively low-cost
• Immediate feedback
• Anxiety-free learning
• Vast range of conversation topics

Cons:

• You won't feel the sense of connection or accountability you can get with a tutor
• AI partners can lack cultural awareness

Since AI started making headlines around the world, more and more apps have started offering AI Spanish speaking practice. Their popularity is growing. Here's why:

They're flexible: you can converse with them whenever you have a little free time as there is no need to arrange a time in advance - simply join whenever you can and start chatting! Plus, you can practise any aspect of your Spanish speaking - from everyday small talk to doing role-plays such as asking tourist information for things to do in Madrid.

AI can also give you instant corrections on your Spanish pronunciation and grammar. And if you're shy about speaking with other people, practising with an AI partner can really help become more confident: there’s no judgement, so you can make errors without getting embarrassed.

One of the biggest advantages, however, is their relatively low cost. One month of utilising the Unlimited version of Langua, one of the world's most advanced AI tools for Spanish conversation practice, costs about the same as one or two sessions with a tutor. For anyone on a tight budget, this can make a huge difference.

Do note, however, that AI conversation partners are not perfect. For example, they won't pick up on every single small error you make, and may fail to comprehend your humor. You won't feel the sense of connection you get with a tutor.

But, if you are looking for some quality Spanish speaking practice - ideally in combination with working with a tutor - they really are hard to beat.

Finding an AI Spanish Conversation Practice Partner

Langua is currently one of the most popular AI tools for language learning. There are several plans to choose from, each to suit different budgets, and all of them come with a money-back guarantee should you decide it's not working out for you.

#3: Language exchanges

Ideal for: intermediate to advanced students who want to meet new people and help others in learning a language

Pros:

• usually free or low-cost
• very social and active
• practise with different partners

Cons:

• time split between different languages
• partners often lack knowledge and/or tutoring skills
• beginners may feel too intimidated to speak
• scheduling meetings can be difficult
  

Language exchanges are an excellent opportunity to practise speaking Spanish and meet new people. Many consider them a mutually beneficial arrangement: you help someone with your language, they help you with Spanish. "Hoy por ti, mañana por mí" (You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours).

Such exchanges let you practise speaking with multiple partners, which is good because it exposes you to different dialects, accents and conversational styles. Furthermore, they are often free or inexpensive.

Do be prepared to spend up to half of your time speaking in your mother tongue, however, which renders the approach less effective than pure Spanish conversation practice. And, if you get stuck, your speaking partner may be unable to explain any language accuracy concerns you may have. You can also sometimes get stuck with people you don't really have anything in common with!

Language exchanges can also sometimes be somewhat intimidating events, especially for beginners. And, scheduling events in separate time zones, such as may be required for online meetings, might be tricky.

There is one other thing to keep in mind, too - some people use these meetings in the hope of finding romance, so it’s good to know this in advance of attending!

Overall, though, language exchanges do provide an excellent opportunity to practise speaking Spanish while getting to meet some new people.

Finding Spanish Language Exchanges

The Meetup app is an excellent tool for discovering local language exchanges. Simply search for "Spanish conversation practice." Another good option to consider is Polyglot Club.

#4:Group Classes

Ideal for: language students who like well-structured learning environments and socialising

Pros:

• Tend to be interactive and enjoyable
• May provide opportunities to make new friends
• Generally offer well-structured courses
• Typically a lot cheaper than one-to-one classes
  

Cons:

• Less personal attention than in one-to-one classes
• May have to cover uninteresting topics
• Extroverted students can dominate activities
• Finding classes at the right level can be hard

Group classes are a popular way to practise Spanish language and meet other students, which can be both encouraging and pleasant.

These programmes often adhere to a prescribed curriculum that contains a number of predetermined themes. They are also typically less expensive than private classes, making them accessible to a broader spectrum of students.

However, in a group class, you may receive less personalised attention and may be expected to discuss topics that are uninteresting or irrelevant to you. At times, more extroverted students can dominate speaking activities.

What’s more, it’s often difficult to find a class that matches your current level and availability. This is especially true if you don't live in a large city. However, if you discover the right group, attending can significantly accelerate your language skills - and perhaps even result in making some new friends!

How to Find Group Classes?

Search Google Maps for "Spanish conversation classes near me." If you're in a city, you should have a number of options. The pricing will differ depending on your region and the size of the group, so do spend some time looking for the best offer.

Spanish Conversation Practice Starters

Irrespective of the kind of speaking practice you opt for, you will need to be able to start conversations as well as keep them going. When interacting with strangers in another language, however, this can be more challenging than it sounds.

But don’t fret - I'm here to help you. Below you’ll find some topic-based conversation starters to initiate conversations or develop them further:

Topic 1: Viajar (Travel)

- ¿Cuál es el lugar más hermoso que has visitado? (What’s the most beautiful place you've visited?)

- Si pudieras ir a cualquier parte, ¿adónde irías? (If you could go anywhere, where would you go?)

Topic 2: Alimento (Food)

- ¿Cuál es tu plato español favorito? (What’s your favourite Spanish dish?)

- ¿Sabes cocinar algún plato español? (Can you cook any Spanish dishes?)

Topic 3: Pasatiempos y tiempo libre (Hobbies and free time)

- ¿Cómo gastas tu tiempo libre? (How do you spend your free time?)

- ¿Tienes algún pasatiempo interesante? (Do you have any interesting hobbies?)

Topic 4: Cultura española (Spanish culture)

- ¿Conoces algún actor o artista español? (Do you know any Spanish actors or artists?)

- ¿Qué es lo que más te interesa de la cultura española? (What interests you most about Spanish culture?)

Topic 5: Sueños y aspiraciones (Dreams and aspirations)

- ¿Qué te gustaría estar haciendo dentro de diez años? (What would you like to be doing ten years from now?)

- Si pudieras cambiar una cosa de ti, ¿qué sería? (If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?)

In Summary...

Each of the ways to practise speaking Spanish that we’ve covered has benefits: one-to-one classes provide for personal attention; AI partners allow for flexible, low-cost practice; language exchanges can offer cultural immersion; group courses create a social learning environment.

The aim is to choose the approach most appropriate for your needs, schedule, and preferred learning style. Here in Spain, we say "cada uno a lo suyo" (each to their own).

I suggest experimenting with several methods. Nevertheless, the most important thing is to practise regularly whichever approach you choose. Even a few minutes of daily Spanish conversation practice will make a big difference.

¡Buena suerte y diviertete! (Good luck, and have fun!)