How to Speak Spanish: Conversation Skills That Work

You can read Spanish, understand grammar, even ace quizzes. But speaking? That's different. Here's how to bridge the gap and start talking with confidence.

Start Speaking from Day One

Don't wait for "perfect" grammar. Talk early, make mistakes, and learn from them. Fluency comes from practice, not perfection.

Essential Speaking Basics

Pronunciation Must-Knows

• RR: Roll your tongue (perro, carro)
• J: Like English "h" (juego, jamón)
• LL: Often like "y" (llama, ella)
• Ñ: Unique to Spanish (año, mañana)

Common Conversation Starters

• ¿Cómo estás? — How are you?
• ¿Qué tal? — What's up?
• ¿Cómo te llamas? — What's your name?
• ¿De dónde eres? — Where are you from?
• ¿Hablas inglés? — Do you speak English?

Practice Framework

1) Shadow Native Speakers

Listen and repeat immediately—like a parrot. This trains your mouth muscles.

2) Speak Daily (Even Short Sessions)

10 minutes > 70 minutes weekly. Consistency beats intensity.

3) Use High-Frequency Phrases

Start with "Quiero..." (I want), "Tengo que..." (I have to), "Me gusta..." (I like).

4) Don't Translate—Think in Patterns

Instead of "I am hungry" → "I have hunger" (Tengo hambre), learn the Spanish frame directly.

Overcoming Speaking Anxiety

• Mistakes are required reps—everyone makes them
• Native speakers appreciate your effort
• Practice with AI first if you're nervous (zero judgment zone)

Real-Time Feedback Helps

Speaking without corrections builds bad habits. Get instant feedback on pronunciation and grammar while you chat. Immediate correction = faster improvement.

Quick Daily Routine (15 Minutes)

1. 5 min: Shadow a podcast or video (repeat what you hear)
2. 5 min: Practice 3 conversation starters out loud
3. 5 min: Have a short conversation (AI or partner)

Make Speaking Automatic

The fastest path to speaking Spanish isn't studying—it's talking. Practice daily conversations on topics you care about, get corrections as you speak, and watch fluency build. Try Parlai and start speaking today, not "someday when I'm ready."