Here Are 10 Challenges You’ll Face When Learning Spanish

Learning a new language can be both fun and challenging. Spanish is a beautiful language that has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its broad influence on culture, music, and literature. But learning Spanish can be difficult if you don’t know what to expect. Here are 10 of the hardest things about learning Spanish.

1. Grammar Rules:

Spanish grammar is complex and has a lot of exceptions to the rules. It also uses certain verb tenses that English does not have, such as the subjunctive mood, which can make it even more difficult to master. Additionally, nouns in Spanish have gender-based endings that must be memorized in order to use them correctly.

2. Pronunciation:

Pronouncing words correctly in Spanish can be tricky because there are numerous sounds that don’t exist in English, such as ñ or the Spanish r. Mispronouncing these sounds can change the meaning of a word entirely and make it hard for native speakers to understand you.

3. Vocabulary:

The sheer number of vocabulary words needed to understand and speak Spanish fluently is daunting. There are thousands of words that need to be memorized in order for you to communicate effectively with other speakers of the language, so it helps if you find creative ways (such as mnemonics or flashcards) to study them.

4. Regional Variations:

Different regions throughout Latin America have their own dialects and slang terms, which means you may need to learn multiple versions of the language depending on where you plan on visiting or living. For example, some words might mean one thing in Mexico but something completely different in Argentina!

5. False Friends:

False friends are words that look similar but mean different things when translated from English into Spanish (and vice versa). These false cognates can lead you down the wrong path if you’re not careful and cause confusion when speaking with native speakers if used incorrectly.

6. Accents:

As mentioned earlier, different regions use different accents when speaking Spanish which can make it hard for learners who haven’t been exposed to all of them yet. It also makes understanding native speakers more difficult since they may use unfamiliar accents when speaking quickly or casually among friends or family members.

7. Writing System:

The writing system used for Spanish is phonetic (words are spelled the way they sound), which makes spelling mistakes incredibly common among those who are used to the way things are spelled in English. Additionally, different punctuation and accent marks used throughout written texts which must be taken into consideration when writing or reading aloud from a textbook or article written in Spanish.

8. Spelling Exceptions:

Although most words follow basic spelling rules, there are many exceptions that must be learned by heart for students to spell correctly without having to double check every single word they write down on paper or type out on a computer/phone screen.

9. Slang Terms & Idioms:

Slang terms vary greatly from region to region so it can take some time before learners start recognizing them without having someone explain their meaning firsthand. Additionally, idioms often contain cultural references that those who aren’t familiar with the culture may struggle with understanding.

10. Verb Conjugations:

Verbs must be conjugated according to tense, person, number, gender, etc. This means memorizing tons of verb forms, which can take quite a bit of time — especially for irregular verbs.  

Conclusion:

Learning any new language will come with its fair share of challenges, but mastering Spanish specifically comes with its own set of difficulties due to its phonetic writing system, regional dialects & slang terms, false cognates, etc. However, if you find creative ways (like mnemonics) to study & practice regularly then eventually these obstacles won’t seem so hard! With time & dedication anything is possible!  Good luck!

If you think learning Spanish is hard. LalTal offers an easy, 10-minutes-a-day system that lets you learn a new language with a real, native-speaking coach that will guide you through the difficult issues that we mention in this article.   If you have tried other systems before that haven’t helped you learn or haven’t helped you overcome the hard things that make it difficult to learn, you should try LalTal.  The results you will get with LalTal are much better than other programs or quick-learn apps.