My Journey of Learning Spanish (in India): Resources, Lessons, Insights, and the 80/20 Rule
In the last post, we talked about why learning a new language is so important. If you haven’t checked it, check it here. And I wouldn’t tell you to do it if I hadn’t done it myself. So, here I am sharing some of my personal insights, notes, and resources from my own journey of learning Spanish — right here in India.
The Levels of Spanish (and What You Really Need)
Spanish is divided into six proficiency levels according to the Instituto Cervantes (the official Spanish language institution):
A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2.
Now, here’s something most people don’t tell you — for general communication, B2 is more than enough. At this stage, you can talk comfortably, understand complex topics, and even travel or work using Spanish. But if you feel like going further and exploring literature, advanced media, or professional translation, by all means, go ahead! The higher levels are deeply rewarding.
The Pareto Principle and My 20% Strategy
My study plan was designed around the Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 Rule. If you haven’t heard of it before, it simply means: 80% of your results come from 20% of your actions. In other words, a small part of what you learn will give you the biggest results. When I was starting, I wish someone had told me this — it would’ve saved me months of confusion. So, what’s that 20% that matters most in learning Spanish?
Here are books PDF links that I have.
Here is are vocabulary PDF that I have.
Here is the main grammar structure PDF I have.
Let’s break it down –
The Secret Ingredient: Learning Vocabulary in Context
This one is absolutely non-negotiable. If you truly want to learn a language, focus on vocabulary — but in context. Don’t just memorize random words from a list. Instead, learn them through usage — from stories, songs, movies, and conversations. That’s how your brain remembers words naturally and emotionally.
Vocabulary is the foundation that connects every skill: why?
Listening – You recognize more words and catch meaning faster. Speaking – You can express thoughts clearly and confidently. Reading – You understand texts more deeply and intuitively.Writing – You form better sentences and develop flow.
And if you ever plan to take exams like DELE or SIELE, vocabulary is your best friend.
The Real Cost of Learning –
Everything has a price. You’ll either pay with time or money — sometimes both. There are countless free resources online, but they’ll demand your patience and consistency. Paid courses might fast-track you, but they don’t replace effort. So, choose your trade-off wisely — and remember, consistency beats intensity.
Use All Your Senses to Learn –
To truly absorb a language, you need to involve all your senses. Here’s how I did it:
Read → books, short stories, articles, or even memes in Spanish. Listen → to podcasts, songs, movies, or conversations. Write → essays, journals, or simple reflections. Speak → with friends, native speakers, or even ChatGPT in Spanish.
Each skill reinforces the other. Writing helps you think in the language. Reading strengthens your sentence structure. Listening trains your ear and pronunciation. And speaking — though scary at first — is the bridge to fluency. The key is to make mistakes. Because if you don’t make mistakes, you’ll never truly learn.
Choose Your Dialect Early–
Spanish is spoken in over 20 countries, and accents vary widely — from Spain to Mexico to Argentina. Choose your dialect early (for example, Latin American vs. European Spanish). It will save you from confusion later on with pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar differences.
The Only Person You Should Compete With –
Everyone learns differently. Don’t compare your first chapter to someone else’s final chapter. Language learning is not a race — it’s a relationship. Progress will come as long as you keep showing up daily. Remember: compare only with your yesterday self.
The Internet Is Not the Whole Picture –
Social media can make you feel like everyone is fluent, successful, and productive all the time. But remember — the internet is a highlight reel. Nobody posts their bad days, their struggles, or their confusion. And behind what you see, there’s often a whole industry called PR. So, don’t measure your reality by someone else’s illusion. My Rule to Escape the Internet Tra.p Here’s a simple question that changed how I consume content:
“Who is benefiting from me watching this?”
Ask yourself this before every video, reel, or podcast. If the answer doesn’t serve your growth or peace, it’s probably not worth your time. This small question has saved me from wasting hundreds of hours.
Conclusion
Learning Spanish has been one of the most rewarding journeys of my life. It taught me not just a new language — but also discipline, patience, and perspective. You’ll discover new music, new ways of thinking, and even a new version of yourself. Because every language opens a new window to see the world differently.
If you’re thinking of learning Spanish, start today. And remember — focus on the 20% that truly matters, stay consistent, and enjoy the process. The language will love you back.
