A new member of La Tribu told me this in her first week:
“I haven’t ever had the chance to actually converse with someone.”
Courses, apps, podcasts… and never one real conversation. (I wrote about her first day here.) It’s the simplest reason people don’t speak Spanish, and the most common: they don’t have anywhere to speak.
- I understand Spanish but can’t speak it: the 5 blocks
- Block 1 — How to practice speaking Spanish by yourself
- Block 2 — How to stop translating in your head
- Block 3 — Studied for years and still can’t speak
- Block 4 — How to stop freezing when speaking Spanish
- Block 5 — Where to practice speaking Spanish (you are here)
Why “not speaking enough” is a block on its own
You can’t learn to swim by reading about swimming. You can understand a lot of Spanish and still freeze, simply because your brain has never had to answer in real time. It’s not an intelligence problem. It’s an opportunity problem.
Where to practice speaking Spanish: options compared
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Language exchange (apps or local meetups) | Free, meeting people, cultural curiosity | Irregular, half the time in English, nobody guides or corrects you |
| Online tutor (one-to-one) | Flexible hours, lots of speaking time | Quality varies a lot; many tutors just follow a textbook |
| Small-group conversation class | Real conversation with several people, structure, less pressure than one-to-one | Fixed schedule; groups that are too big leave you little time to speak |
| Conversation clubs / intercambios in person | Real life, if you live in a city with a Spanish community | Can be intimidating at first; levels are very mixed |
| Your Spanish-speaking partner or family | Daily contact, real motivation | Relationships fall back into English very quickly (see how to speak Spanish) |
How to choose (3 questions)
- Can I do it every week at the same time? If not, it won’t work, however good it is.
- Will I actually speak, or mostly listen? Count your minutes speaking, not the minutes of the class.
- Do I feel safe making mistakes there? If you’re afraid, you’ll stay quiet. Fear is a block on its own (how to stop freezing).
Make it a habit, not a heroic effort
- One fixed slot per week. Same day, same time. Non-negotiable, like the gym (but more fun).
- Count minutes speaking, not hours studying.
- Talk about your real life: your week, your work, your plans. That’s the Spanish you’ll actually use.
- Prepare 3 things to tell before each conversation. You’ll freeze less.
- Between sessions, practise alone (10 minutes a day, out loud).
What we do in La Tribu
That’s exactly what La Tribu is: a small online group that meets live every Thursday at 15:00 Madrid time for 12 weeks. We talk about real life, with real stories, and nobody laughs at your mistakes (well, we laugh, but together). If you prefer one-to-one, there’s also a private program.
Not sure which option fits you? That’s what the Roadmap call is for.
Find your place to speak
A 30-minute Roadmap call (symbolic price: $20): we look at your level, your time and your goals, and choose the best way for you to practise. You leave with a plan, whatever you decide afterwards.
Book my Roadmap ($20) →FAQ
Where can I practice speaking Spanish online?
The main options are language exchange apps, online tutors, small-group conversation classes and conversation clubs. The best one is the one you can do every week at a fixed time.
How can I practice Spanish if I have no one to talk to?
Start with solo speaking (narrating, shadowing, recording yourself), then add one weekly live conversation: a tutor, an exchange partner or a small group.
Are language exchanges good for practising Spanish?
They are free and can be great, but they are irregular: partners cancel, half the time is in English and nobody guides you. They work best as an extra.
How often should I practice speaking Spanish?
At least once a week with a real person, plus a few minutes of solo speaking most days. Regularity beats intensity.
Are group classes better than private classes for speaking?
Private classes give you more speaking time and a plan made for you. Small groups give you real conversation with several people and the confidence of seeing others make mistakes. Both work if they are regular.
Keep reading: the 5 reasons you understand Spanish but can’t speak and why learning Spanish alone doesn’t work.
— Monica Bernabe Perez
$20 symbolic price · 30 minutes · with Mónica
Want to speak Spanish like this, not just read it?
Book your Spanish Speaking Roadmap call (symbolic price: $20). We find what is blocking you and the fastest way to start speaking real Spanish.
Book my call ($20) →