Learning a new language can be difficult, but immersing yourself in that language is one of the best ways to become fluent. Bringing Spanish into your home is an excellent way to surround yourself with the language and get some passive practice daily. With some small tweaks and additions around the house, you can create a Spanish-speaking environment that will help you gain proficiency much faster. Here are 15 great ways to make your home speak Spanish.
Listen to Spanish Music and Radio
One of the easiest ways to add Spanish to your home’s environment is to play Spanish music, podcasts, audiobooks, or radio stations. Even if you don’t actively listen or try to understand every word, constant exposure to the rhythm and sounds of Spanish will get your ear accustomed to the language.
Some great options include:
- Streaming Spanish pop, rock, or salsa music playlists through Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, etc. Look for well-known artists like Shakira, Juanes, and Maná.
- Playing Latin American radio stations through apps like TuneIn Radio or on website streams. Good stations include Radio Nacional de España (Spain), WRadio Colombia, and Radio Fórmula from Mexico.
- Listening to Spanish audiobooks or podcasts in the background while cooking, cleaning, commuting, or before bed. Some top picks are “SpanishPod101,” “News in Slow Spanish,” and the Duolingo Spanish podcast.
Passively listening to Spanish programming ensures regular contact with the language throughout your day. Over time, your comprehension abilities will improve from this immersion.
Watch Spanish TV and Movies
In addition to listening to Spanish audio content, watching Spanish-language films, shows, and news channels will further immerse you in the language. Try streaming:
- Popular Spanish TV shows like La Casa de Papel, Elite, Narcos, or Los Serrano on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or other platforms.
- Family-friendly animated movies or cartoons dubbed in Spanish like Coco, The Boss Baby, or SpongeBob SquarePants.
- News broadcasts from major Spanish networks like Univision, Telemundo, CNN en Español, etc.
- YouTube channels featuring Hispanic vloggers, comedy sketches, tours of Spanish-speaking countries, recipes, and more.
Use subtitles in Spanish at first to follow along if needed, then try watching without any subtitles. Hearing real native speakers conversing and the contextual cues of visual media make TV and movies excellent Spanish immersion resources.
Read Spanish Books, Newspapers, and Magazines
Surrounding yourself with Spanish print materials is another way to absorb more of the language. Reading exercises your comprehension abilities and exposes you to proper grammar and vocabulary in context.
Try keeping Spanish books, newspapers, and magazines around the house and read a little each day. Great options include:
- Bestselling Spanish novels and short stories by authors like Gabriel García Márquez, Isabel Allende, Julia Alvarez, Carlos Ruiz Zafón, and others.
- Kid’s books and comic books like the “Magic Treehouse,” “Captain Underpants,” and “Asterix” series translated into Spanish.
- Popular Spanish magazines that cover topics you enjoy like music, sports, fashion, news, business, crafts, decor, etc. “Cosmopolitan,” “Elle,” and “Vanidad” are top picks for women’s/fashion magazines.
- Major Spanish daily newspapers like El País (Spain), El Nacional (Venezuela), Reforma (Mexico), and La Nación (Argentina).
Even just 15-30 minutes of Spanish reading every day will greatly boost your vocabulary over time. You’ll also pick up new grammar structures and gain cultural knowledge.
Label Household Items with Sticky Notes
Here’s a fun and simple activity to try – stick sticky notes labeling everyday objects around your home in Spanish! For example:
- On appliances: la refrigeradora (refrigerator), la estufa (stove), el horno (oven)
- On furniture: el sofá (couch), la silla (chair), la mesa (table)
- On bathroom items: el cepillo de dientes (toothbrush), el jabón (soap), el espejo (mirror)
- On kitchen tools: el tenedor (fork), la cuchara (spoon), el cuchillo (knife)
- On food items: la manzana (apple), el plátano (banana), la leche (milk)
You can start with basic nouns then add adjectives like colors, numbers, sizes, etc. Checking the Spanish labels throughout the day will reinforce these common terms. Replace the sticky notes periodically with new words to continue building your vocabulary.
Cook Spanish Recipes
The kitchen is one place you likely spend a lot of time at home, so put that time to good use for your Spanish learning! Try cooking authentic Spanish meals and snacks while listening to Spanish music or podcasts.
Look up recipes online and familiarize yourself with key cooking vocabulary like ingredients, measurements, verbs (mix, chop, bake, etc.), and tools. Challenge yourself by reading the recipes completely in Spanish.
Some classic Spanish dishes to try cooking at home include:
- Paella – saffron rice dish with seafood and/or meat
- Gazpacho – chilled tomato soup
- Tortilla Española – potato and egg omelet
- Churros – fried dough fritters coated in sugar
- Tapas – small plates like stuffed peppers, meatballs, shrimp sautéed in garlic
Use cooking Spanish recipes as both a language and culture lesson! This hands-on immersion makes retaining the vocabulary much easier.
Speak Spanish with Voice Assistant Devices
Did you know you can set voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Siri to interact with you in Spanish? Go into your device’s settings and change the language.
You’ll be amazed by how natural the voice recognition and responses are in Spanish. Try asking questions, requesting information, controlling smart home functions, and more completely in Spanish.
Some examples are:
- Alexa/Google Home: “Alexa/Hey Google, ¿qué hora es?” (What time is it?)
- Siri: “Oye Siri, ¿cuál es el pronóstico del tiempo para este fin de semana?” (Hey Siri, what’s the weather forecast for this weekend?)
- Alexa/Google Home: “Pon música pop en español.” (Play Spanish pop music.)
- Siri: “Recuérdame sacar la basura mañana temprano.” (Remind me to take out the trash early tomorrow.)
The more conversational practice you get with voice assistants in Spanish, the more your comprehension and speaking abilities will improve through this immersion.
Watch YouTube Language Learning Channels
YouTube is a goldmine of Spanish learning content perfect for at-home immersion. Subscribe to some native Spanish speaker channels that offer lessons for all levels.
Great options include:
- Butterfly Spanish – explains grammar, verbs, and vocabulary with visuals
- Señor Jordan – high-energy lessons covering all basics
- Español con María – slow, clear lessons for beginners
- WhyNotSpanish? – funny sketches, songs, and stories in Spanish
- Speaking Latino – interviews with native speakers on pop culture
- Español Automatico – entertaining lessons mixed with comedy
YouTube combines visuals, dialogue, text, and humor to reinforce the concepts, making learning stick. Lessons range from 2-15 minutes, so you can pick up some Spanish any time.
Surf Spanish Websites
Browsing Spanish websites will greatly improve your reading comprehension and Internet vocabulary. Visit sites on topics you enjoy and try reading articles, watching videos, and exploring.
Some top Spanish websites include:
- News: BBC Mundo, El País, RTVE Noticias
- Sports: Marca, Sport, AS Mexico
- Technology: MuyComputer, MuyCelular, MuyInteresante
- Entertainment: SensaCine, E! Latino, MTV Latin America
- Fashion: Vogue España, Telva, Glamour México
- Food: Cocina Delirante, Sabores, Gastrolab
- Travel: Descubre España, Tripadvisor Mexico, Guía Viajar Chile
Looking up unfamiliar words and phrases will grow your digital vocabulary. You’ll also gain cultural knowledge and practice reading longer texts.
Change Phone and App Languages to Spanish
Since you likely use your smartphone every day, setting its interface language to Spanish is a seamless way to absorb more of the language. On both iPhone and Android, just go into your system Language & Region settings to switch.
Changing your keyboard language to Spanish is also helpful to become accustomed to special characters like inverted punctuation.
Some other easy switches include:
- Putting apps like Facebook, Twitter, Uber, and Netflix into Spanish mode.
- Downloading news apps from Spanish-speaking countries, like El Tiempo from Colombia or La Tercera from Chile.
- Adding a Spanish dictionary app to look up new vocabulary instantly.
- Making your voicemail greeting bilingual or entirely in Spanish.
With these smartphone tweaks, you’ll strengthen your digital fluency in Spanish and learn the specialized tech vocab.
Listen to Spanish Audiobooks and Podcasts During Chores
Transform boring chores like laundry, washing dishes, folding clothes, dusting, and vacuuming into chances to learn Spanish! Just play Spanish audiobooks or podcasts in the background.
Immerse yourself in an entertaining story, news show, or language lesson while your hands are busy. Great options include:
- Bestselling novels by famous Hispanic authors like Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Paulo Coelho, Isabel Allende, and more.
- Podcasts focused on improving Spanish skills like “Coffee Break Spanish,” “The Unlimited Spanish Podcast,” and “Spanish Land School.”
- News podcasts like “¿Qué está pasando en Venezuela?” and “Así Hablamos,” which discuss current events in different Latin countries.
- Bilingual podcasts on topics like sports, tech, feminism, gaming, relationships, finance, and more, that introduce vocabulary on those subjects.
Multitask through chores to maximize your Spanish exposure. Don’t worry if you miss some details – regular listening will still boost comprehension.
Join a Spanish Conversation Group
One of the best ways to practice conversing naturally in Spanish is through a real-time discussion group, either locally or online. Search sites like Meetup.com for an in-person group near you, or look on Facebook for regional Spanish speaking groups. You can also find conversation “language exchange” partners through apps like HelloTalk or websites like MyLanguageExchange.com.
In a Spanish conversation group:
- You’ll meet native speakers and other Spanish learners.
- The group provides a safe space to chat without judgment.
- You can gain speaking confidence and valuable feedback.
- It creates accountability to use the language regularly.
Having real conversations accelerates fluency faster than any textbook or audio course. Push your speaking skills in a supportive community environment.
Watch Spanish-Language Mass
Attending a Spanish Catholic mass, even occasionally, provides fantastic immersion through scripted listening practice. You’ll hear formal Spanish addressing a congregation as you follow along your own missal.
Key benefits include:
- Exposure to longer religious texts read aloud.
- Familiarity with classic prayers and call-and-response style.
- Hearing consistent Spanish from the lectors/priests.
- Singing traditional hymns together reinforces vocabulary.
You needn’t be religious to benefit linguistically. Spanish mass offers a unique chance to understand native spiritual language and oration. Check online for local churches that hold services in Spanish.
Video or Audio Chat with Native Speakers
Tools like Skype, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, etc. make it easy and free to video or voice chat with native speakers. Search sites like ConversationExchange.com, MyLanguageExchange.com or apps like Hellotalk to find language exchange partners.
Chatting in Spanish:
- Improves listening comprehension in real time.
- Allows you to practice speaking and respond verbally.
- Receives instant feedback on pronunciation and grammar.
- Builds a personal connection and cultural exchange.
- Is more interactive than TV shows or audio lessons.
Schedule 30-60 minute conversation sessions 1-2x a week. Prepare topics and questions in advance, then discuss!
Start a Spanish Journal or Diary
Writing in a journal or diary in Spanish offers many benefits for improvement:
- Lets you practice writing coherently in paragraphs and expressing your thoughts.
- Allows you to reference back to check your progress.
- Develops more formal Spanish writing skills.
- Reduces anxiety by writing privately just for you.
- Reinforces grammar structures and spelling through usage.
- Enables you to try more advanced vocabulary and expressions.
Aim to write 2-3 journal entries per week. Date each entry, then write 2-3 paragraphs on your daily activities, thoughts, future plans, etc. Maintaining a Spanish diary boosts skills quickly.
Study Spanish Flashcards During Free Moments
flashcards
With easily accessible tools like Anki, Quizlet, or actual physical cards, you can review Spanish vocabulary anywhere. Keep sets of digital flashcards on your phone, or stash paper cards around the house – in your purse, bedside drawer, bathroom magazine rack, etc.
Then flip through these flashcards during spare moments in your daily routine:
- Waiting in line at the store.
- TV commercial breaks.
- Before bedtime.
- On lunch breaks at work.
With quick 2-5 minute mini-sessions, you’ll master new Spanish terms exponentially faster. Flashcards are extremely flexible and effective for reinforcing vocabulary retention.
Conclusion
Implementing even a few of these tips will surround you with Spanish daily, rapidly accelerating your learning through organic immersion. Little tweaks like playing Spanish music, watching TV shows, cooking traditional cuisine, and reading can make a huge difference long-term. Combining these home techniques with more active practice like lessons, chat sessions, and groups will help you achieve Spanish fluency faster.
Immerse yourself in Spanish culture and language – your homespeaking Spanish will become a reality through fun activities like these!
