How do I organise my study time?

Although these guidelines are useful in general, we will focus them on learning a language, for example Spanish as a foreign language (ELE). Here we need to distinguish whether we are absolute beginners, have an intermediate level, or already speak quite well and want to perfect our advanced level.

For absolute beginners, it is a good idea to prioritise basic grammar and the vocabulary needed to survive in your new linguistic reality. My suggestion, based on long experience, is to schedule learning a minimum of three and a maximum of ten new words and one conjugated verb every day. Remember that to speak a language you need vocabulary and structure. Take words from your surroundings and everyday topics such as home, family, routine, introductions, time and timetables. Choose practical topics that may be useful in your day-to-day life.

When you have a little more experience and begin to venture into the magical world of past tenses, you can incorporate new goals: more vocabulary, verb tenses and, why not, the subjunctive. You will then be at intermediate level. This is when you will really begin to talk about everything: everyday matters and more specific subjects. This is where your fieldwork begins: in the street, at parents' meetings, with friends, at the doctor's…

And once you reach an advanced level, it will be easier to integrate Spanish into your daily life: podcasts, series and films in Spanish, newspapers, magazines and books — and talk, talk, talk!!! Remember: you are not learning Spanish to become a grammar expert, but to communicate.