How do I improve? Learning Spanish is an adventure full of triumphs, mistakes, and the occasional “Wait, did I just say I’m pregnant?” moment. If you’ve been stuck in the same spot or feel like your progress has hit a siesta, it might be time to rethink your approach. Here are five things you need to stop doing in 2025 if you want to level up your Spanish once and for all!
Stop Obsessing Over Grammar and Translating Everything
Perfect grammar? Forget it. Even native speakers mix up le and lo. If you’re freezing every time you can’t decide between sería or será, you’re slowing yourself down. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s communication. Make mistakes, laugh about them, and learn as you go.
Another trap to avoid: translating everything in your head. Spanish isn’t just English in a sombrero! Translating word-for-word will leave you sounding like Google Translate circa 2010. Instead, train your brain to think in Spanish. Start simple: when you see a cat, think “gato.” Hungry? Think “¡Tengo hambre!” This small shift will help you speak more naturally over time.
Stop Speaking Like a Textbook and Relying on Apps Alone
If your go-to response is still “Estoy bien, gracias,” it’s time to spice things up. Real-life Spanish doesn’t sound like a language exam. Instead of the basics, try colloquial phrases like “¿Qué tal?” or “Todo bien.” Bonus points for learning regional slang! Just double-check the meaning before you casually throw out “chulo” in conversation. (It doesn’t always mean “cool” depending on where you are!)
And yes, apps like Duolingo and Memrise are fantastic tools, but they’re not the whole answer. You won’t become fluent by swiping through vocabulary quizzes or feeding an animated owl. True learning happens in real conversations, where you can practice, stumble, and grow. Join a language exchange, chat with native speakers, or even ask for directions to places you already know (“¿Dónde está el baño?”).
Mistakes Are Your Best Teacher
The biggest thing to stop? Being afraid to make mistakes. Whether you accidentally order po-yo instead of pollo or mix up me gusta and me gustan, it’s all part of the process. Most people will admire your effort and happily correct you.
So, ditch the perfectionism, embrace the mess, and keep practicing. Spanish is meant to be lived, laughed through, and occasionally stumbled over. By letting go of these bad habits, 2025 could be your breakthrough year.
What’s your funniest Spanish mistake? Share it in the comments below!
