![three young adults chatting in spanish over a coffee](https://www.spanishexamples.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/3-people-chatting-editorial-illustration.jpg)
It’s no secret that one of the best ways to learn Spanish is to immerse yourself in the language and culture. That means speaking Spanish as much as possible, and avoiding English as much as you can. While it’s tempting to rely on your native language when you’re struggling with a new one, this will actually make it harder to learn Spanish. When you force yourself to speak only Spanish, you’ll start to pick up the grammar and vocabulary more quickly. You’ll also get better at understanding native speakers.
Of course, this can be difficult if you’re surrounded by people who only speak English. But it’s important to remember that every time you use Spanish, you’re helping yourself become more proficient in the language.
There are many reasons why it’s vital to avoid speaking English when you’re trying to learn Spanish. First and foremost, speaking English will hinder your ability to progress in your Spanish studies. You’ll find yourself understanding less and less if you rely on English too much. Eventually you’ll end up stuck at a low level of proficiency. Speaking English all the time will also make it harder for you to pick up on the rhythms and sounds of the Spanish language.
A tip when meeting Spanish speakers for the first time.
When you meet Spanish speaking people for the first time, I really recommend that you start off in Spanish and stick to it for all of your future conversations. It is really hard to change the habitual language of communication that you use with a certain person, even if you both speak the two languages equally well.
Finally, by Immersing yourself in the language and culture, you’ll have a much richer and more rewarding experience learning Spanish. So next time you’re tempted to switch back to English, remember these reasons why it’s best to stick with Spanish!
Of course one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the language is to live in a Spanish-speaking country for a while. This way, you’ll be forced to communicate in Spanish and you’ll pick up the language much more quickly.