Apps I use to study Spanish from zero

When I started learning Spanish, I wanted apps that felt light, fun, and actually helpful. Here are the ones I use daily for both conversations and DELE prep:

Conversation – Chickytutor, HelloTalk

Speaking is always the scariest part when starting a new language. I use Chickytutor to practice speaking sentences whenever I feel like it. It's nice because I don't have to be shy or worry about mistakes. Then I go to HelloTalk when I want to talk with real people. Sometimes I exchange simple phrases about daily routines, sometimes we chat about music or travel experiences. Both apps make it easy to practice without too much pressure.

Foundation – SpanishDict

Learning Spanish basics felt scattered until I found SpanishDict. It's more than just a dictionary - it has complete lessons, quizzes, and conjugation drills all in one place. I usually spend 15 minutes daily working through their grammar explanations and practice exercises. What I love most is the conjugation tool: I can check any verb instantly and see all its forms. The video lessons are clear and the quizzes reinforce what I learn. It's become my go-to resource for understanding Spanish structure step by step.

Vocabulary – Anki Spanish Decks

Spanish vocabulary always seemed endless, but Anki made it manageable. I downloaded the "5000 Most Common Spanish Words" deck and work through it daily. What I love most is the spaced repetition system: cards appear just when I'm about to forget them. At first, memorizing felt tedious, but after a few months, I noticed these words popping up everywhere in real Spanish content. I review cards during my commute, and slowly my active vocabulary has grown tremendously. The ability to customize cards with personal examples makes abstract words stick better.

DELE Exam – AVE Global

When I wanted to get serious about DELE certification, I found AVE Global (from Instituto Cervantes) really helpful. It has complete preparation courses for all DELE levels with practice tests that mirror the actual exam format. I like how each section - reading, writing, listening, and speaking - has targeted exercises with clear evaluation criteria. The platform explains not just the right answers but the strategies for approaching each task type. Working through a few exercises daily keeps me on track without feeling overwhelmed.

Dictionary & Conjugations – Conjuguemos

A good reference tool is always needed, and for Spanish I use Conjuguemos. While it's known for games, the conjugation practice is what hooked me. It turns grammar drills into actually enjoyable activities. I can practice specific tenses or mixed reviews, and the immediate feedback helps correct my mistakes right away. The games make verb conjugations automatic rather than something I have to think about. It's perfect for those tricky irregular verbs that Spanish is famous for.

Reading – Newsela Spanish

To improve my reading, I use Newsela Spanish daily. What's brilliant is that each article comes in different difficulty levels - I can start at beginner level and work up to the original text. The topics are current events and interesting stories, so I learn vocabulary naturally while staying informed. I read one article each morning, starting at the easier level and then challenging myself with the harder version. After a few months, I noticed I could jump straight to intermediate level. It's a nice way to track my progress while building reading stamina.

YouTube – Listening & Review

I also use YouTube as part of my learning routine. There are so many channels where you can listen to natural Spanish conversations, learn grammar, or review pronunciation. I sometimes watch Spanish vloggers like Luisito Comunica or Yuya with Spanish subtitles, sometimes structured lessons from SpanishPod101 or Butterfly Spanish, depending on my mood. Spanish subtitles help me connect the sounds with the spelling (those rapid native speakers!), which improves both my listening and reading at the same time. It feels less like studying and more like hanging out online, but I still pick up colloquial phrases and real-world Spanish every time I watch.