What are fun ways to practice Spanish with a tutor?

Answer 1

Both Madison and Carmen highlighted two powerful truths backed by decades of language-acquisition research:

1. Exposure matters (hearing authentic input—like Madison’s suggestion of native audio).
2. Interaction matters (engaging activities—like Carmen’s role-playing and story-building).

Linguists such as Stephen Krashen have long argued through the Input Hypothesis that progress happens when learners are exposed to comprehensible input—language that stretches their ability just enough, but remains understandable. More recently, Merrill Swain’s Output Hypothesis shows that learners also grow when they must actively produce language in meaningful contexts, such as storytelling, games, or dialogue.

Studies of English speakers learning Spanish (for example, research by Lourdes Ortega, Bill VanPatten, and Tracy Terrell) consistently show that high-engagement, low-stakes conversation is one of the most effective—and enjoyable—conditions for language growth. Activities like music, immersion clips, cultural discussions, and interactive speaking give a learner not just vocabulary, but relevance and motivation.

On a personal note, I learned this firsthand. My first exposure to Spanish came very young because my African-American parents hired a Spanish-speaking babysitter who spoke to us often in Spanish. Oddly enough, my siblings and I learned some Spanish words before English ones. Once we no longer had that caregiver, we lost most of it—which aligns with research showing that language follows a “use it or lose it” pattern. Years later in high school, community college, and eventually a study abroad program in Spain before graduating UCLA, I rebuilt that knowledge and later taught Spanish 1 and 2 at the high school level—again seeing that sustained practice and meaningful interaction are key.

So what actually makes studying Spanish with a tutor fun?

1. It becomes personalized immersion—your tutor adapts topics around your humor, interests, and communication style.
2. You get instant feedback, which research calls corrective interaction—one of the fastest ways to build accuracy.
3. You can play with language without fear of judgment, which lowers the “affective filter” (Krashen again)—meaning your brain is literally more open to learning.
4. You share cultural exploration—music, food, expressions, stories—making learning feel less like memorization and more like connection.

In other words, Spanish with a tutor is fun because you aren’t just learning words—you’re participating in language. That participation, more than any worksheet or app, is what leads to fluency, confidence, and enjoyment.

If you want to explore some of the research mentioned, you might look up:

1. Stephen Krashen – “Input Hypothesis”
2. Merrill Swain – “Output Hypothesis”
3. Bill VanPatten – processing instruction for Spanish learners
4. Lourdes Ortega – research on second language acquisition

Together, Madison and Carmen’s suggestions are well-supported by the science: the more meaningful, interactive, and enjoyable the practice, the faster the growth. And that is exactly the advantage a tutor provides.

Answer 2

My personal favorite is to watch a show with English subtitles but native Spanish audio. This way, you're familiarizing yourself with the sounds of the language.

Conversely, you can watch shows with Spanish subtitles with English audio. I would challenge myself to find three- five new words per episode that I didn't already know, and look them up in WordReference for an accurate way to build your vocabulary!

Answer 3

Practicing Spanish with a tutor can be both effective and enjoyable with the right approach. Here are some fun ways to make your lessons more engaging:

1. Role-playing: Act out real-life scenarios like ordering food at a restaurant, going shopping, or having a conversation at a party. This helps you practice vocabulary and sentence structures in a practical context.
2. Games: Play word games like 20 Questions, charades, or bingo to practice vocabulary and speaking in a relaxed and fun way. You can also use apps or websites that generate flashcards and quizzes.
3. Storytelling: Take turns telling short stories or creating a collaborative story. You can add one sentence at a time in Spanish, focusing on using new words and grammar.
4. Music and Lyrics: Listen to a Spanish song together and discuss the lyrics. Try to translate parts of the song or sing along to improve pronunciation and fluency.
5. Cultural Exploration: Explore different aspects of Spanish-speaking cultures, like food, traditions, or holidays. You can discuss these topics in Spanish, practicing descriptive language and learning new vocabulary.
6. Watch a Movie or TV Show: Watch a short clip in Spanish, then discuss it with your tutor. This helps with listening comprehension and vocabulary while keeping the session fun.
7. Use Visuals: Show pictures, flashcards, or videos to prompt conversation. Ask your tutor to describe scenes, objects, or actions in Spanish, and then try to do the same.
8. Interactive Apps: Use apps that let you practice speaking, such as Speechling or HelloTalk. Many of these apps allow tutors to give feedback on your pronunciation and fluency.