How to learn Spanish in the car
In the fast-paced rhythm of daily life, finding efficient ways to incorporate language learning becomes crucial, and this article unveils the road to mastering Spanish while driving. Acknowledging the precious time spent behind the wheel, we delve into strategies and techniques that transform your commute into a language-learning adventure. Whether you’re navigating busy city streets or cruising down the open highway, the journey to learning Spanish becomes an integral part of your daily routine. From curated podcasts and audiobooks to interactive language apps, this guide explores a variety of resources designed to seamlessly integrate into your drive, allowing you to enhance your language skills without adding extra time to your day. Join us on this linguistic road trip as we navigate the lanes of efficient language learning, turning your commute into a valuable opportunity for mastering Spanish. ¡Vámonos! (Let’s go!)
Learning Spanish in the Car
10 ways to learn Spanish while you drive| Image | Product | Duration | Format | Good for | Publisher | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Learn in Your Car: Spanish, Level 1 | 3:42 | Audiobook | Driver | Penton Overseas, Inc. | Get it FREE |
 | Learn in Your Car: Spanish, Level 2 | 4:05 | Audiobook | Driver | Penton Overseas, Inc. | Get it FREE |
 | Learn in Your Car: Spanish, Level 3 | 4:17 | Audiobook | Driver | Penton Overseas, Inc. | Get it FREE |
| Drive Time Spanish: Beginner Level | 4:11 | Audiobook | Driver | Living Languages | Get it FREE |
 | Learn Spanish with Paul Noble | 4:41 | Audiobook | Driver | HarperCollins | Get it FREE |
 | Learn Beginner Spanish Bundle | 20:37 | Audiobook | Driver | Learning Like Crazy | Get it FREE |
 | Learn Intermediate Spanish Bundle | 19:35 | Audiobook | Driver | Learning Like Crazy | Get it FREE |
 | Babbel | N/A | App | Passenger | Babbel | Get a free trial |
 | Rocket Languages | N/A | App | Passenger | Rocket Languages | Get 25% off |
 | SpanishPod 101 | Various | Podcasts | Driver | SpanishPod 101 | Listen now |
Learning Spanish in the car is a great way to take advantage of an otherwise unproductive and boring drive. If the U.S. Census Bureau is any indication, the average American can spend 100 hours per year in the car just on their work commute. If you can put even a fraction of that time towards Spanish practice, think of the advantage that you will have. People today are busier than ever, and you have to find small pockets of time throughout your day where you can squeeze in some multitasking. Why not make the best use of that ‘windshield time’ by practicing a new language?
Can you really learn Spanish while driving?
Learning Spanish while driving is not only possible, but is a phenomenal time to use passive learning to reinforce the information that you are actively learning in the other aspects of your study. Keep in mind that it is not considered effective to [learn a language using solely passive learning techniques]. But listening and practicing Spanish while driving complements traditional methods perfectly. So, here’s how to learn Spanish while you commute!
Studies utilizing a sophisticated brain imaging technology called fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) at Cornell University determined that for many users, aural learning is incredibly effective for language acquisition. Regardless of the respondents’ usual preferred learning style, they were able to take huge leaps forward.
Whether you are looking to brush up on your Spanish or learn completely from scratch, why not take advantage of the time during your commute to do so? Listening to Spanish in the car can greatly improve your chances of success in speaking like a native. It also boosts the speed at which you acquire a new language.
More ways to learn Spanish while driving
There is no better time than a commute to and from work or school to pick up a new language! You can take advantage of this fact by exposing yourself to pronunciations and new grammar structures using these methods:
Listen to Spanish audiobooks during your commute
Similar to podcasts, audiobooks are better for intermediate to advanced Spanish language learners because they are a longer format and will usually utilize higher-level vocabulary. You can quickly and easily download audiobooks (in many languages including Spanish) HERE.
Here is the best place to start: Learn in Your Car: Spanish, Level 1, is available completely free HERE
Spanish language learning apps specifically designed for use in the car
Living Language Drive Time: Spanish, is a program that is optimized to make the most use of your idle driving time. The Drive Time series is an audio-based app perfected for commuters and anyone looking for language lessons while traveling.
If you’re willing to forego the free options and spend a little more on a comprehensive learning app, you may experience faster results. Some people find that apps are very useful for learning Spanish in the car. There are many different Spanish learning apps with many different teaching styles, and some are more suited for in-vehicle use than others.
Cost: approximately $20 for a basic package, $35 for the Deluxe Package, or FREE with an Audible trial.
The entire eight-disc series range from Beginner to Advanced levels and is one of the best-reviewed ways to learn Spanish while you drive. However, some people do not find that apps in general suit their learning style. These people may have better luck with the following methods for learning Spanish while driving:
Listen to Spanish talk radio during your commute
If you are looking for the best method of learning Spanish in the car, the simplest solution is Spanish talk radio! It’s free, readily available in your vehicle already with no alterations, and offers you a great way to simulate immersion by hearing conversational Spanish in natural use. BBC and CNN are available in Spanish and are great places to start.
The main drawback is that it can be overwhelming for beginner listeners to hear if they have no prior exposure to Spanish. After all, listening to completely new words that you do not understand with no context is not an effective way to learn.
#4 Listen to Spanish podcasts during your commute
Alternatively, you can download some Spanish podcasts before you get in the car to listen to during your drive. This has the advantage over the radio of letting you select programs ahead of time that are suitable to your current language level. You can even find podcasts specifically designed to help you learn Spanish in the car, like SpanishPod101. They’ve delivered over 500,000,000 lessons as of 2017.
“These podcasts offer a painless and FREE way to bone up on the language and culture in a relevant, real-world way that you won’t get in a classroom or on a CDROM.”
Brian Heater, PC Magazine
If you are a bit further along in your Spanish language learning, but want to continue to learn Spanish while driving, you may want to opt for some more advanced podcasts. Serialized podcasts will immerse you in contextualized Spanish while building your language skills. “Coffee Break Spanish” is a podcast series with episodes typically lasting 15 to 30 minutes, which are specifically designed to help you learn Spanish during your commute.
More tips for learning Spanish in the car
Learning a new language is largely about repetition. Your brain needs to forge new connections by repeating again and again. Long car rides give you plenty of time to do this, but commutes are even better! Spreading this learning over shorter, but consistent and frequent blocks of time, will help you remember your Spanish vocab better and for longer.
How can I safely learn Spanish in the car?
Listening to Spanish in the car is only one part of the equation. For maximum results, try to mix in the verbal element. But, only if you feel that you can do it safely while driving – multitasking is not for everyone!
Eyes on the road! Many of the Spanish courses that we’ve linked to herein are specially designed for use in the car. Don’t try to use a run-of-the-mill Spanish learning app while driving. If you have to look at a screen, it’s not suitable for use while operating a motor vehicle. Always put safety first, for you and others on the road.
See it through! It will take time to learn Spanish while driving, but you will notice yourself starting to understand more and speak better and better. Be realistic about your expectations, don’t get impatient, and you’ll surprise yourself.
Learn Spanish while commuting
Do you commute by train, subway, bus, or carpool? Instead, try out these great Spanish language learning apps. When you were a young child first obtaining language, listening was the primary method by which you learned new words and phrases. As an adult, you can learn faster by implementing audio-visual techniques in your practice.
All of the methods listed above are GREAT for learning Spanish in the car. But, if you are a passenger or commute on public transportation, apps may be a better method of learning for you. Since you do not have to worry about being hands-free, you can take advantage of a combination of auditory and visual learning, which will help you learn faster and retain more information.
We have selected options that are especially useful for hands-free use, so you can make use of that previously wasted commute time to learn a new language! You can practice new vocabulary, complete grammar drills, and even watch videos in Spanish that will help you learn more quickly.
Best apps for learning Spanish while commuting
Babbel
Babbel has been around since 2007 and specializes in language learning; it lets you learn anytime, anywhere – on your desktop, smartphone, or tablet.
Benefits:
- You’ll learn to speak confidently and clearly, with their patented speech recognition technology that helps get your pronunciation on point.
- Select topics and areas that are most important to you, so learn vocabulary that’s relevant to your interests.
- 10-15 minute lessons will fit conveniently into your schedule, so they are perfect for commuters.
- open yourself up to a world that’s bigger, richer, and more inspiring.
There are over 1 million active Babbel users in the world, and 97% of users would recommend Babbel to a friend!
Use this link for 25% off Babbel’s premium language learning app. Results are guaranteed, or your money back, and you can cancel anytime.
Rocket Languages
Rocket Languages knows more about learning a new language than anyone on the planet. They offer multiple award-winning language learning courses.
Benefits:
- It’s simple for customers to select the right course for their specific needs.
- The language learning techniques are based on practical success strategies that polyglots (people who speak 5 or more languages fluently) use.
- Every course has more than 100 hours of repeatable tuition.
- The best part is – it’s optimized to teach you quickly in only minutes a day
Used by 1,200,000 people, just like you, to master a new language. They boast more than 1,400 5-star reviews!
Test Rocket Language Spanish out for FREE with this link, no obligation.
The final way that you can practice Spanish in the car is by simply talking to yourself. If you are generally too self-conscious to practice your Spanish accent in front of others, solo time in the car can be a perfect time to exercise your skills without judgment. Work on your pronunciation, stringing together basic sentences with the vocabulary that you’ve been absorbing. This will permit you to mix in some active practice along with your passive learning in the car.
If you carpool, and you do feel comfortable doing so, ask some of your passengers if you can dedicate 10-15 minutes of the ride to only speaking in Spanish. This can help you stretch your conversational skills.
As an adult, it can be frustrating to struggle with learning a new language while your kids obtain fluency quickly. It is true that it is easier to learn a new language when you are younger, but let this be your motivation to start immediately – there is no better time for you than now!
Why not turn your language learning into a fun family activity? Family car rides can be turned into interactive Spanish learning experiences. You can get the kids involved, practice together, and talk about what you’re learning. Just remember that road safety should always be your number one priority. Never drive distracted or take your eyes off of the road while operating the vehicle for any reason. Be sure that you can pay proper attention to the act of driving while learning passively.
Remember, learning a new language can be difficult, but do not get overwhelmed. It is completely possible to learn a new language at any age. Furthermore, it’s easy to make the most of your commute with these tools to learn Spanish in the car. You will be speaking Spanish in no time.
Up Next: Best FREE Spanish Audiobooks for beginners
As we conclude our exploration of learning Spanish while driving, the road to language mastery reveals itself as a dynamic and accessible journey. Harnessing the time spent behind the wheel as an opportunity for language learning adds a layer of efficiency to our daily routines. From engaging podcasts to interactive language apps, the strategies discussed in this guide transform mundane commutes into valuable language-learning experiences. The journey to mastering Spanish becomes not just a destination but a seamless part of our everyday lives. As we drive forward, may the linguistic road trip continue to inspire and empower, demonstrating that the path to learning a new language is not only about finding time but also about embracing every moment as an opportunity to expand our horizons. ¡Hasta la próxima lección en el camino! (Until the next lesson on the road!)
More articles you may enjoy:
Hardest Spanish words
Best Spanish compliments
Driving in Spain
Best Spanish language apps
