Self-study resources and methodsArticle 1 of 5 · 8 min read
Building a self-study toolkit of books, apps and websites for Spanish
How to put together a small, low-cost Spanish toolkit for your level: one core course, one practice tool, one reference tool and some free listening and reading. For learners living in Spain who want to avoid paying twice for the same thing.
Key rules
- Toolkit size: Choose one core course, one practice tool, one reference tool and some free media, and no more.
- Spain Spanish apps: Of the major apps, only Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur and Memrise offer a clear Spain Spanish option.
- Overlap: Paying for several gamified apps is wasted money, because they drill the same beginner material.
- Apps by level: Apps help most at A1-A2 and add little from B2, when native media and conversation matter more.
The short version
Pick four things and stop: one core course, one practice tool, one reference tool and some free media. Choose materials that teach Spain Spanish where you can. Don't pay for two tools that do the same job.
1. One core course
Your core course gives you structure. Choose a course book or one app, not both at the start.
- Course book: For studying alone, Español en marcha, Nuevo Prisma and Aula Internacional are the most practical, because their workbooks have answer keys and audio. They cover A1 up to B2 or C1, depending on the series.
- Grammar companion: Uso de la gramática española (with keys) or Gramática básica del estudiante de español (A1-B1) helps you check your own work.
- Be careful with: Many Difusión and Edinumen books are written for classes. Gente Hoy leans on group tasks, so it suits solo study less well.
Editions change, so check the publisher's catalogue for the current edition and whether the key is included.
2. One practice tool
An app is best at A1 and A2. At B1 it only drills vocabulary. From B2 it adds little.
If you want Spain Spanish, the choice is narrow. Of the major apps, only Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur and Memrise offer a clear Spain Spanish option. Duolingo, Babbel and Busuu teach mostly Latin American Spanish.
Don't buy several gamified apps. Duolingo, Babbel, Busuu and Memrise cover the same beginner vocabulary with similar drills. A paid flashcard tool also usually repeats what your app, or the free flashcard program Anki, already does.
Most apps have a free tier or trial. Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone offer trials only. Annual plans are usually much cheaper per month than monthly ones. Prices vary by country and app store, so check the current price in the app before you pay.
3. One reference tool
Use one free dictionary as your main check.
- Spanish dictionary: The Real Academia Española's Diccionario de la lengua española is the standard. Definitions are in Spanish and brief, and its entries include conjugation tables.
- Spanish-English: WordReference is useful, with a conjugator and forums. Forum answers are written by users, so treat them as hints.
- Usage questions: The Diccionario panhispánico de dudas answers "which form is correct?"
- Use with care: Linguee and Reverso show real translated sentences, but quality is uneven. SpanishDict's examples are mostly Latin American.
4. Free media for your level
What works changes as you improve.
| Level | Good free input |
|---|---|
| A1 | Graded readers at level 0-1, podcasts made for absolute beginners. Native media is too hard. |
| A2 | Graded readers, slow learner podcasts, short native clips with subtitles. |
| B1 | Learner podcasts, subtitled series, news in slow Spanish. |
| B2 | Unsimplified novels, native podcasts, TV series and radio. |
| C1 | News, radio, films and novels. Add advanced grammar and style books. |
Public bodies offer free material too, such as the public broadcaster's programmes and your local classes. The resources list below covers them.
What to add as you progress
- A1-A2: Course book plus an app, with graded readers.
- B1: Keep the book. Drop the app unless you like the vocabulary drills. Add subtitled series.
- B2 and above: Use a grammar book and native media. Add a tutor or language exchange for conversation, since an app can't give you that.
The comparison table below sets out apps, books and podcasts side by side.
Apps, textbooks and podcasts compared by level and goal
Which tool fits you
| Tool | Best for | Spain Spanish | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosetta Stone | A1-A2, steady daily practice | Yes, a separate Spain course | Trial only, then paid |
| Pimsleur | A1-A2, speaking and listening | Yes, a separate Castilian course | Trial only, then paid |
| Memrise | A1-B1, vocabulary and real native-speaker video clips | Yes, courses for both Spain and Latin America | Free tier, paid upgrade |
| Duolingo | A1-A2, a free daily habit | Mostly Latin American, some Spain vocabulary | Free tier; paid tier is Super (or Max) |
| Babbel | A1-B1, structured lessons | Mainly neutral Latin American, some Spain notes | Free tier or trial, then paid |
| Busuu | A1-B1, general course | Mostly neutral or Latin American | Free tier or trial, then paid |
| Course books | A1-C1, grammar and a clear path | Written for Spain-based teaching | Bought per book |
| Podcasts | A2-C1, listening and accent | Many are Spain-based | Check each show |
Paid app plans are billed monthly or yearly, and the yearly plan is usually much cheaper per month. Prices change by country, app store and promotion, so check the app's pricing page before you subscribe.
Course books for self-study
Pick a book with an answer key, or you cannot check your own work.
- Español en marcha (A1-B2): the workbook has answer keys.
- Nuevo Prisma (A1-C1): workbooks with answer keys and audio.
- Aula Internacional Nueva Edición (A1-C1): student book plus exercise book, with answer keys for the exercises in the student edition.
- Gente Hoy (A1-B2): built around group tasks, so it suits self-study less well.
Several of these books are written for classrooms. If you study alone, get the exercise book and add a grammar companion such as Uso de la gramática española (with keys) or Gramática básica del estudiante de español (A1-B1).
Podcasts with a Spain accent
- Notes in Spanish: Spain and Latin mix, beginner to advanced.
- Coffee Break Spanish: Spain-based teacher, A1-B2.
- Españolistos: Spain, intermediate.
- Hoy Hablamos: Spain, short daily news, intermediate.
- Learn Spanish with Cuéntame: Spain.
- Spanish Obsessed: Spain and Latin mix.
- Dreaming Spanish: mostly not Spain-based, but includes Spain-based teachers.
- Spanish Language Coach: lessons and conversations.
Check that a show is still publishing before you commit to it.
What to use at your level
- A1: A course book with an answer key (or a teacher), plus an app. Graded readers at level 0-1 help. Use podcasts made for absolute beginners only. Native media is too hard.
- A2: Course book, app and graded readers all work. Add slow learner podcasts and short subtitled clips. Children's TV such as Clan is a good step.
- B1: Course book and graded readers are strongest. Apps now help mainly for vocabulary drills. Add learner podcasts, news in simple Spanish, documentaries with Spanish subtitles and series with clear speech.
- B2: Use books for grammar. Move to unsimplified novels, native podcasts, the Telediario, RNE radio news, and series and films with Spanish subtitles. Apps add little.
- C1: Native media is your main tool: fast radio debates, talk shows, humour, regional accents, long podcasts and TV without subtitles. Add advanced grammar and style books. Apps and graded readers are mostly unnecessary.
Quick picks
- You arrive in Spain as a beginner and want to speak: Pimsleur or Rosetta Stone with Spain Spanish, plus a course book.
- You want the cheapest start: a free app tier plus a podcast, then buy one course book with a key.
- You already hold a conversation but struggle with locals: drop the apps and listen to Spain-based podcasts and RNE radio.
Free Spanish learning resources from public bodies
-
Instituto Cervantes (Centro Virtual Cervantes): Use the free level descriptions, teaching materials, multilingual proverb collection and forums on the Centro Virtual Cervantes site, and download the free sample exams for the DELE diploma. The paid Aula Virtual de Español courses are not free.
-
RTVE, Spain's public broadcaster: Watch RTVE Play (free, with registration for some content, subtitles on many programmes), listen to Radio Nacional de España on-demand audio and podcasts, and try Clan children's content for simple language. Much video is blocked outside Spain, but RNE audio and podcasts work worldwide.
-
Ministry of Education and Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration: Look for free Spanish-as-a-foreign-language materials, Aulas Mentor courses and integration materials for newcomers.
-
Your town hall or regional government: Ask about free Spanish classes for immigrants and regional adult education. Availability varies by region and town.
-
Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (official language school): Ask about cheap Spanish courses. The Red Cross and other charities also run free classes in many places.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth paying for several language apps at once?
No, paying for several gamified apps is wasteful, because Duolingo, Babbel, Busuu and Memrise cover the same beginner vocabulary and phrases with similar drills. Pick one app at most, then spend the rest on different things: a grammar reference, listening input such as podcasts or TV, and conversation practice with a tutor or language exchange.
Which course book works best if I study alone?
Español en marcha, Nuevo Prisma and Aula Internacional are the most practical for studying alone, because their workbooks include answer keys and audio. Gente Hoy suits self-study less well, since it leans on classroom tasks. Add a grammar companion with keys, such as Uso de la gramática española, and check the publisher's catalogue for the current edition.
Do I still need an app once I reach B1 or B2?
No, apps are much less useful from B1, where they mostly offer vocabulary drills. At B2, use a course book for grammar plus unsimplified novels and native podcasts, TV series and radio. At C1, native media and advanced grammar books are your main tools.
Which free dictionary should I trust for Spanish?
The Real Academia Española's dictionary (DLE) is the standard free reference, but its definitions are in Spanish and quite terse. For Spanish-English lookups and verb conjugation, WordReference is a handy free choice, though its forum answers come from users. The RAE's Diccionario del estudiante is a simpler option written for learners.
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