English Courses for Spanish Speakers: Free and Paid Options to Master the Language
For millions of Spanish speakers, learning English is not just an extra skill — it’s the key to unlocking better jobs, study opportunities, and smoother travel.
Anúncios
Whether you live in Spain or Latin America, mastering English can expand your horizons and connect you with the world.
But how can Spanish speakers learn English in the most effective way? Should you rely on free resources, or is it worth investing in a paid course?
In this guide, we’ll explore the best free and paid options, with special attention to tools designed for native Spanish speakers.
Why English Is Essential for Spanish Speakers
English is the global language of communication. In business, education, and entertainment, English dominates. For Spanish speakers, the benefits of learning English include:
Anúncios
- Career growth: Many international companies expect candidates to speak English.
- Education abroad: Scholarships and universities often require English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS).
- Travel and culture: From airports to apps, English is the universal language.
- Personal growth: Access to books, movies, and media without translation.
However, Spanish speakers face common challenges such as pronunciation (especially sounds like th), confusing false friends (actual vs actualmente), and differences in verb tenses.
That’s why choosing the right resources is so important.
Free Options to Learn English
1. Free Online Platforms
- BBC Learning English – Grammar, vocabulary, listening, and pronunciation lessons.
- British Council – LearnEnglish – Structured free lessons with quizzes and practice.
- Coursera (Free courses) – Universities like Arizona State offer introductory English classes.
👉 For Spanish speakers:
- Cambridge English – Recursos en español– Explains English concepts using Spanish.
- Duolingo (Free tier)– Very popular in Latin America and Spain, with Spanish-to-English lessons.
2. YouTube Channels for Spanish Speakers
YouTube is a powerful free tool for English learning. Here are some top channels for Spanish speakers:
- Amigos Ingleses – A Spanish-English couple explaining grammar, idioms, and pronunciation.
- BBC Learning English (YouTube) – Bite-sized lessons with subtitles.
- English Addict with Steve – Vocabulary and listening practice.
- Anglo Link – Clear grammar explanations for beginners and intermediates.
👉 For Spanish speakers:
- Kari Angloparlante – Bilingual lessons in Spanish and English.
- Aprende Inglés con Paul – Explanations directly in Spanish for beginners.
3. Language Exchange Platforms
Spanish speakers can benefit from language exchange apps, since Spanish is highly demanded by learners worldwide.
- Tandem – Exchange English for Spanish via text or calls.
- HelloTalk – Chat with native speakers globally.
Paid Options for Spanish Speakers
While free tools are excellent for starting, paid options often offer structure, accountability, and faster results.
1. Language Schools
- British Council Online Courses – Flexible online classes with certified teachers.
- Wall Street English – Popular in Spain and Latin America.
- Cambridge English Exam Preparation – Essential for those preparing for IELTS, FCE, or CAE.
2. Online Platforms
- Preply (link) – Private tutoring, including teachers who explain in Spanish.
- italki – Huge network of English tutors, many bilingual.
- Lingoda – Structured lessons with native teachers, flexible hours.
3. Paid Apps
- Babbel – Tailored for Spanish speakers, with explanations in their native language.
- Busuu – Community feedback and structured plans.
- Duolingo Plus – Removes ads and offers progress tracking.
Common Challenges for Spanish Speakers
- False friends: Words like actually (en realidad) and library (biblioteca, not librería).
- Pronunciation: Sounds like th in think or this are often replaced by t or d.
- Verb tenses: English has continuous tenses that don’t exist in Spanish.
- Word order: Questions and negative sentences differ in structure.
👉 The solution: combine Spanish-based explanations (to clarify tricky concepts) with daily exposure to English-only content.
Tips to Learn Faster
- Practice daily: Even 15 minutes per day works better than long weekly sessions.
- Use bilingual content: Start with channels that explain in Spanish, then transition to full-English material.
- Speak early: Don’t wait until you “know enough.” Try to practice speaking from day one.
- Set milestones: For example, “Reach B1 in 6 months.”
- Consume culture: Watch movies in English with Spanish subtitles, then switch to English subtitles.
Free or Paid: Which One Is Best?
The best approach is to combine both:
- Free tools are excellent for beginners and for daily exposure.
- Paid courses accelerate progress, especially when you need certification (IELTS/TOEFL) or career-level fluency.
For Spanish speakers, starting with Spanish-language explanations builds confidence. But the ultimate goal should be immersion in English content.
FAQ — English Courses for Spanish Speakers
Can I learn English for free as a Spanish speaker?
Yes. Start with British Council – LearnEnglish and BBC Learning English. Use Duolingo (ES) for daily drills and complement with YouTube channels like Amigos Ingleses and Aprende Inglés con Paul.
What are the best paid options for faster progress?
Best YouTube channels if I prefer explanations in Spanish?
- Amigos Ingleses — pronunciation, idioms, ES-friendly.
- Kari Angloparlante — bilingual tips ES/EN.
- Aprende Inglés con Paul — beginner to intermediate in Spanish.
- BBC Learning English — short daily lessons with captions.
Which apps work best for Spanish speakers?
Duolingo (ES) for daily habit, Babbel for Spanish-based explanations, and Busuu for structured paths + community feedback.
How should I fix common Spanish-speaker mistakes (false friends, “th”, tenses)?
Use targeted drills: a false friends list (e.g., actually = “en realidad”; library = “biblioteca”), daily /θ/ and /ð/ pronunciation practice (Amigos Ingleses has videos), and a tense roadmap (present simple/continuous → past simple → present perfect). Combine with weekly speaking on Tandem or HelloTalk.
What’s the fastest study plan to reach B1?
- Mon–Thu (25–30 min/day): App (vocab/grammar) + one short video (BBC/YouTube).
- Fri (45–60 min): Live class or tutor (Lingoda/Preply/italki).
- Sat (30–45 min): Listening + shadowing + 10 min speaking exchange.
- Sun (20 min): Review + mini test. Target: B1 in ~4–8 months.
How do I prepare for IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge from Spanish?
Follow exam-specific courses: British Council – English Online and Cambridge English (ES). Add weekly mock tests and hire a tutor specialized in your exam on Preply or italki.
Should I choose free or paid courses?
Combine both: free tools create daily exposure, while paid lessons add structure, feedback, and accountability—crucial for faster progress or certification.
What are typical costs?
Apps: €6–€15/month (Babbel/Busuu). 1-to-1 tutors: €10–€30/h (Preply/italki). Live classes: €10–€18 per class (Lingoda). Prices vary by plan/teacher.
Conclusion
Learning English as a Spanish speaker has never been easier. From free YouTube lessons and apps like Duolingo, to structured paid programs such as Lingoda, Preply, and British Council, there are options for every budget and goal.
The key is consistency: practice every day, combine different tools, and push yourself to use English in real situations. With the right mix of free and paid resources, fluency is within reach.