From Nebrija to your cell phone
Follow the evolution of Spanish teaching and how social media is a creative tool for learning Spanish.
Where is Spanish studied (2023) by Aina Arbona GelabertFundación Antonio de Nebrija
Spanish is the fourth most studied foreign language in the world.
Where do people study Spanish?
81% of the world's Spanish students are found in the US, the European Union, and Brazil. Its teaching is also very important in countries such as the UK and in areas such as sub-Saharan Africa.
Studying Spanish in the library (2023) by Aina Arbona GelabertFundación Antonio de Nebrija
How is it taught?
Books have been our major allies for centuries when it comes to learning and teaching any subject, including languages.
From school to specialized academies, when learning a language it's common to use textbooks divided into levels, with theoretical information and practical complements (in the form of exercise books) to practice grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.
Instituto Cervantes building (2023) by Aina Arbona GelabertFundación Antonio de Nebrija
There are official institutions, such as the Cervantes Institute, which teach and disseminate Spanish and its culture in countries where it is a foreign language, while also offering cultural content (talks, exhibitions, music or film festivals, etc.).
Taking Spanish notes (2023) by Aina Arbona GelabertFundación Antonio de Nebrija
The way in which we come into contact with new languages and cultures has evolved over time, and the advent of new technologies has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for language learning.
Learn Spanish from your cell phone
We live in the age of apps, the age of speed, and the age of mobile technology. Language learning is essential in a globalized world, as well as being an excellent exercise for the brain.
Apps & gamification (2023) by Aina Arbona GelabertFundación Antonio de Nebrija
"What if we brought together the best of both worlds?"
This is what the creators of some of the most important language learning apps (probably) asked themselves, including Babbel, Busuu, Duolingo, Mondly, etc.
These apps use gamification strategies in grammar, spelling, and vocabulary exercises to make learning a new language fun, agile, and accessible from the palm of your hand.
Antonio de Nebrija & Duolingo (2023) by Aina Arbona GelabertFundación Antonio de Nebrija
According to a study by Duolingo in 2021, Spanish is the most studied language in 31 of the 194 countries where the app operates, only behind English.
The latest place for learning Spanish
There are millions of social media users who constantly post content on all kinds of topics. Why not use them to teach languages? Hundreds of users have found their niche to dedicate their profile to teaching Spanish to foreigners.
In an educational way and thanks to the platform's audiovisual resources, they teach useful expressions and practical everyday words. We can see how in this video from @SpeakSpanishFaster, which teaches us useful verbs in Spanish and their translation into English.
Spanish is the official language in 21 countries, and in each of them we can find formal dialects and living variations. Knowing them is also important for making contact with the culture of a language. Here, @Spanishacks teaches us the differences between words in Mexico and Spain.
Using trends and humor, they manage to bring our language closer to the world. This video by @ZackJaq recreates a Spanish class in which the teacher shows how the word 'sobre' has multiple meanings and uses in our language.
Languages never stop learning. That's why social networks are becoming a fundamental ally for Spanish speakers to improve our Spanish. Here @Linguriosa explains the diacritical accents in the word "que".
An original way to share our culture
Linguistic content isn't the only thing taught on social media, as cultural content is also shared among users. Here, the American creator @Morganinspain uses a fun and entertaining approach to highlight some aspects of Spanish culture that surprised her when she moved to Spain.
Social media is an exceptional platform for the dissemination of language and culture capable of conveying all the details that make us unique. Here, @PatryRuiz interprets a conversation in which she literally translates expressions from Spanish to English.
Where is Spanish studied (2023) by Aina Arbona GelabertFundación Antonio de Nebrija
The reach of these platforms allows a gigantic audience to come into direct contact with the language and its culture, generating new interest among potential speakers.
Antonio de Nebrija on TikTok (2023) by Aina Arbona GelabertFundación Antonio de Nebrija
Creativity and innovation are the most strategic approaches for teaching Spanish, bringing it to new generations in an enjoyable way.
This article contains data published in the Instituto Cervantes' Anual Report 2022, as well as in the book: Alonso, J. A., Jiménez, J. C. y García Delgado, J. L. (2023). Los futuros del español. Alianza Editorial.
Content curation and script: Aina Arbona
Graphic Editor: Carmen García
Consulting and review: Lola Pons (Universidad de Sevilla)
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