People often tell me or share on social media how many hours they’ve spent on language apps—only to follow that up with the same frustration: “I still can’t actually use Spanish in conversation.” While gamification can be motivating, it doesn’t always promote the kind of deep cognitive engagement that leads to a large bank of vocabulary that students can recall on their own and use readily to converse.

Passive vocabulary includes words you recognize when you see or hear them. Active vocabulary includes the words you can recall and use spontaneously in open conversation. Recognizing a word is relatively easy; producing it on the fly is much harder—and it requires a very different kind of practice than tapping multiple-choice answers on a screen. The strategies below focus on helping vocabulary move from passive recognition into active use.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn Spanish but felt held back, chances are it wasn’t because of a lack of interest—it was because of a belief.

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"Te amo" or "Te quiero"? "Me gustas" or "Te deseo"? 🌹 Learn the differences between these romantic Spanish phrases just in time for Valentine's Day! 💕✨ Express your love like a true romantic!

Feeling overwhelmed by learning Spanish? Start with the Super Seven Verbs—just seven essential verbs that unlock everyday conversation. Discover how to use them to speak Spanish with confidence from day one. Plus, grab a free guide and join our Spanish on the Patio community! Read more here.

New Year’s resolutions are exciting, but let’s be honest—how often do they last? This year, I’m challenging myself to step outside my comfort zone by expanding my Spanish teaching business online. It’s a big leap, but I’m embracing progress over perfection—just like I encourage my Spanish students to do!

If you want to move beyond apps and start really speaking Spanish, focus on small, daily habits instead of chasing fluency. In this post, I share my journey, the mindset shifts that help, and how you can apply them to your own Spanish learning. Let’s make 2024 the year of imperfect but real conversations!