08/26/2026
IB Spanish students: a few things I wish more students figured out earlier.
Many students put in a tremendous amount of effort into IB Spanish, however, much of that time is spent simply memorizing vocabulary and reviewing notes.
While both of these methods are helpful, neither typically results in the greatest improvement. Here's what I believe students should be focusing on instead.
1. Develop phrases which can be used everywhere.
As obvious as it may seem, there is a significant amount of vocabulary related to topics such as health, technology, environmental issues, identities, etc. However, you cannot just rely on using vocabulary for communication; you also need language to assist you in being able to communicate.
Examples include:
- Introducing an opinion
- Disagreeing
- Providing an example
- Explaining why something is important
- Comparing two concepts
- Discussing the implications of an action
- Creating time while speaking
A phrase like "Esto se debe principalmente a..." can be utilized in dozens of different contexts. This is significantly more valuable than spending hours upon hours memorizing another large number of vocabulary terms and then forgetting half of them within two weeks.
2. Become proficient at discussing items you do not know.
There will be times you will forget words. There is no student who has never forgotten a word. What truly matters is what you do after you realize you have forgotten a term. If you do not know the term for something, describe it. Explain what it does. Give an example. Use less complicated Spanish. Do anything other than quit.
Some of the top performing students I have worked with were not the ones with the largest number of vocabulary terms; they were the ones who could continue to express themselves even when they got stuck.
3. Record yourself speaking. Then actually listen to it.
Recording yourself speaking and listening to what you said is probably one of the most effective strategies available to improve your skills, yet it appears nearly everyone dislikes doing so.
Choose a subject and speak for 2 minutes. No script. Listen to what you recorded.
The moment you begin listening, you will notice numerous areas where you can instantly apply improvements. Perhaps each sentence begins with yo. Maybe you say 'como' far too frequently. Maybe you rarely use the past tense. Or maybe you are constantly labeling things as bueno, malo, interesante, y importante.
This provides you with some concrete targets to pursue.
4. Document the errors you consistently repeat.
Many students read through corrections, nod their head in agreement and move forward. The next week, however, they commit the exact same error. Create a minimal error log.
Examples:
❌ La gente son...
✅ La gente es...
You do not need to document every single error you have ever committed.
Only note the ones that continually appear.
These are the ones losing you points.
5. Prior to attempting to write Paper 1, determine whom you are writing to.
Prior to concentrating on having impressive vocabulary, consider:
Who am I?
To whom am I writing?
Why am I writing this?
This entirely alters everything.
You ought not to sound identical writing to your buddies as you would to a school administrator or local government official.
Many students have a great deal of knowledge of Spanish, but ultimately lose control of the assignment since they rarely if ever seriously contemplate the target and function audiences.
6. Avoid memorizing a variety of random cultural facts.
Possessing a large quantity of culturally-related information concerning Spain or Latin America does not directly result in greater ability to comprehend and utilize language.
Instead, try knowing fewer examples and utilizing those examples more effectively.
Understand the following:
What occurred?
Why was it important?
What does it illustrate regarding that culture/society?
In what manner can I relate it to an IB theme?
This method is considerably superior to merely retaining lists of dates and names with no comprehension of how you might use them.
7. Refrain from freaking out when you fail to hear a word in listening.
You aren't expected to comprehend every single term spoken by someone else during an audio clip. If you miss one word and focus on trying to figure it out, you'll likely miss the subsequent three sentences too.
Continue listening. Focus on the larger context.
Who is speaking?
What took place?
What beliefs/feelings/opinions does he/she possess?
What has altered?
What proof did you hear?
You can learn a substantial amount without learning everything.
8. Improve your everyday Spanish prior to pursuing "fancy" Spanish.
Students occasionally assume they require hundreds of advanced vocabulary terms.
Typically they would gain more from developing their current regular Spanish usage.
Rather than continuously expressing:
Es importante,
begin providing alternatives:
Es fundamental,
Tiene un impacto importante en…
No se puede ignorar...
Desempeña un papel importante en...
Utilize this approach with the phrases you utilize daily.
Your Spanish will rapidly become stronger.
9. Speak while a timer runs.
If you provide yourself limitless time to ponder during speaking practice sessions, then technically you're not practicing speaking.
Provide yourself 30 seconds. Then start speaking.
At first it will likely seem disorganized and sloppy. That is okay.
You are instructing yourself to locate your existing Spanish more quickly.
This is essential.
10. Cease waiting until you have mastered "the perfect" Spanish before sharing an original thought.
One aspect is crucial here.
Several students maintain their thoughts very straightforwardly due to fear of producing errors.
I would prefer hearing an engaging and well-thought-out idea presented with a couple of errors over hearing a perfectly recited sentence with virtually little content.
Employ the Spanish you currently have.
Stretch it!
Discuss something meaningful! Good luck this year!
