Using Flashcards to Learn Spanish – Bonus #1

What are flashcards?

This is a short bonus video, not an official lesson. I want to share one of my favorite ways to learn new Spanish words: flashcards.

Flashcards are basically small cards with two sides. On one side you write the Spanish word or phrase you want to learn. On the other side, you write the English translation. Then you test yourself: look at one side, say the other out loud, and flip the card to check.

I mainly use flashcards to learn vocabulary: words and short phrases. But you can also use them for grammar, like verb conjugations.

Paper flashcards or an app?

There are two kinds of flashcards:

• Paper flashcards: the original ones. You can buy ready-made flashcards, or simply grab a piece of paper, cut it into small cards with some scissors, and make your own.
• Flashcard apps and websites: they work the same way, but on your phone or computer. Handy when you’re on the go.

I personally prefer physical cards. Writing the words down yourself already helps you remember them. But use whatever works best for you!

How to use flashcards with this course

Here’s what I recommend:

1. After every vocabulary lesson (the blue lessons) or verb lesson (the yellow lessons, we’ll get to those later), pick the words and phrases you want to learn.
2. Write them on flashcards: Spanish on one side, English on the other. The reference sheet of each lesson makes this easy, because all the words are already listed.
3. Go through your cards a couple of times a day, until you notice you know them all by heart.
4. Test yourself both ways: from Spanish to English, and from English to Spanish. The second one is harder, and that’s exactly what you need for speaking.

Why flashcards work so well

• They’re active. Instead of just reading a list, you have to come up with the answer yourself. That makes words stick much better.
• They’re quick. A few minutes a day is enough. Perfect for waiting in line or riding the bus.
• You choose what to learn. Only make cards for the words you’ll actually use.

Want to get started right away? You can get my free flashcard deck with the most useful Spanish words and phrases: just fill in your name and email at the bottom of this page.

Next: the Spanish alphabet

That’s it for this short bonus video! In the next lesson, lesson 3, we’ll go over the Spanish alphabet. Got a question? Leave it in the comments on YouTube. See you in the next one!