Los Angeles is one of the best cities in the United States to learn Spanish. With such a strong cultural and linguistic presence in everyday life, Angelinos have a unique advantage: Spanish isn’t just something you learn in the classroom; it's all around us.
If you’re a busy professional looking to add Spanish to your skill set for work, travel, or as a hobby, here are some tips to expedite your progression.
1. Imitate Immersion
It’s true—you may not be able to move to Spain or Mexico tomorrow, but you can recreate immersion in your daily life. Fill your environment with Spanish using the resources you enjoy most:
Stream Spanish-language shows or movies on Netflix. Personally my favorite would be Disney+ because in kids content they tend to speak more slowly and the vocabulary is more basic.
Listen to Latin music playlists or Spanish podcasts during your commute. There is also an abundance of Spanish speaking radio stations in Los Angeles.
Read bilingual books or use Spanish language workbooks to build structure into your learning. It is also advised to pick up a back that you’ve already read in English as it will make the story easier to follow. If you’re at the beginner level perhaps try a kid’s book.
Having this consistent exposure helps your brain acclimate to the language.
2. Take Advantage of Los Angeles’ Vibrant Spanish Speaking Cultural Presence
One of the best things about learning Spanish in LA is that you don’t have to look far for ways to practice. You can experience the language and culture everywhere you go. Regardless of if you’re in Southbay, Burbank, El Segundo, North Hollywood, Pasadena, Manhattan Beach etc. there is Spanish everywhere you go.
Stroll through Olvera Street and soak in its history and Mexican heritage. Their taquitos aren’t famous for no reason. They are extremely delicious and come highly recommended.
Stop by Grand Central Market and practice ordering in Spanish. There is a plethora of different options when it comes to latin american cuisine. Explore the different flavors of central america from the pupusas, mole or even cemitas.
Visit your favorite local Mexican restaurant and challenge yourself to order entirely in Spanish. Practice different expressions in Spanish that are used to order food and put them to use at your local spot. You can always tell your waiter that you’re learning the language as a good opener.
Visiting different parts of the city and exploring the various flavors of Los Angeles help in the language acquisition journey
3. Hire a Private Spanish Teacher
While group classes have their benefits, research shows that private lessons are far more efficient. In fact, one hour of private instruction is equivalent to about ten hours of group learning. With a private teacher, you get:
Personalized curriculum tailored to your goals, needs, and interests. With a private instructor all curriculum is personalized to each specific student. That means whatever you’re looking to learn Spanish for, the course will be built around that focus.
A pace that matches your learning speed. In a group setting if the pace is too slow it feels like you’re not progressing at all while when it’s too fast it feels like you’re falling behind. Private instruction allows you to move at the most comfortable and effective pace optimizing your learning speed.
Focused speaking practice, which is the most efficient way to learn. We always say that you don’t learn to ride a bike by reading about it; you learn by riding the bike. This is the same with language learning. You learn to speak by speaking and this is why it’s essential to get a private instructor.
For a busy professional in the field, hiring a private instructor is the most efficient and really the only viable option when it comes to learning the language.
4. Accept Failure as Part of the Process
This may be the most frustrating, but essential tip: you have to fail in order to succeed. Every mistake you make is an opportunity to learn, grow and put you one step closer to fluency. Instead of worrying about making errors, push yourself to speak and accept that errors will inevitably be made.
Think of failure as the most essential step in growth: you try, you stumble, you learn from it, and then you improve. The more comfortable you get with making mistakes, the faster your Spanish will progress.
Our TakeAway
For professionals in Los Angeles, learning Spanish isn’t just about adding a line to your résumé—it’s about connecting with your friends + neighbors, broadening your global perspective, and opening new opportunities both personally and professionally.
By combining personalized immersion strategies, engaging with LA’s rich Spanish-speaking cultures, investing in private instruction, and accepting failure as an essential step, you’ll be on track to learn the language as quickly as possible.
Our private Spanish tutoring is designed for busy professionals who want to learn efficiently and effectively. Contact Art of Language today to book your first lesson and start speaking immediately with more confidence.