Online language lessons in Spanish proceed in an orderly fashion, starting you off with the basics you need and moving steadily into more complex vocabulary and grammar. Programs are typically all-inclusive, with written and spoken components as well as practice exercises, quizzes and fun Spanish word games to help you remember everything you just learned.
Podcasts are short downloadable Spanish lessons that focus mainly on day-to-day situations. Most podcasts feature a short dialogue followed by an explanation of the words and phrases used in the conversation. You can listen to podcasts in any order, choosing the ones that are best suited for the things you want to learn right now. Podcasts might include conversations about the weather, taking a taxi, grocery shopping or eating at a restaurant. Most podcasts are divided into three or four levels from beginner to advanced, so you can start off wherever you are most comfortable. Podcasts also offer the advantage of being downloadable to your mobile phone, so you can learn on the go, not just when you are at your computer.
For visual learners, video Spanish lessons online might be the way to go. Videos teaching Spanish might be part of an online language lesson program or operated more like a podcast, with independent mini-lessons in each video. A Spanish language video series might also include discussions about cultural aspects of Spain and Latin America, complete with a visual tour of interesting cultural sights or demonstrations of music, dance or handicrafts.
If you can't make it to a Spanish-speaking country to practice with native speakers, one-on-one Spanish language lessons online might be the next best thing. These services work by hooking up native speakers in Latin America or Spain with American or Canadian language learners who need to practice their one-on-one language skills. Lessons take place over an online voice service, such as Skype, and you can schedule them at your convenience. The practice of actually speaking Spanish regularly with a native speaker can raise your Spanish language level faster than almost any other learning method.