As a Hispanic, when I first moved to the US, I realized that even as the biggest minority, a lot of Latinos don’t speak Spanish.
Sounds unreal, right?
Well, most of the people around me would sneak a few Spanish words here and there, but it was more like Spanglish than Spanish. In most cases, it felt forced – as if they were trying to impress me.
After spending three years in the US, I realized I was doing the same. My Spanish accent was fading, my vocabulary was becoming poor, and I was left with broken Spanish and bad English.
Now, I feel stupid in two languages.
If you have moved to the US or any non-Hispanic country but still want to hold on to your Latino roots, here are some of the best apps that every Spanish-speaking person needs to try out.
Before we get straight to our list, it is very important to know that most of the apps on our list are free.
However, you will need a decent smart device, i.e., your phone, TV, or tablet, as well as a good internet connection like Xfinity. The ISP also offers Xfinity Servicio al Cliente en Español, so Hispanic customers can communicate easily.
Now, let’s get straight into the apps.
ChatGPT
- Available On: Android, iOS, and Web
- Recommended For: Learning New Words, Translation, Cultural Guidance, and Practicing Accent
If I had to pick just one app for learning, perfecting, and practicing any language, my top pick would be ChatGPT.
Now, I know you might be thinking, ChatGPT can be used for asking questions. However, there is so much more you can do with ChatGPT. For instance, my favorite thing to do is use its conversational features and practice my Spanish. Moreover, it can be used for real-time translation, which means I can ask something in Spanish and ChatGPT can reply in English.
Duolingo
- Available On: Android, iOS, and Web
- Recommended For: Learning Vocabulary, Expressions, and Practicing Accent
When I moved to the US, Duolingo was my savior, at least for the first few months.
Now, I know most people think that its free version isn’t that useful and can only help with the basic vocabulary. However, Duolingo is the best app for a beginner who wants to start their learning journey without spending any money.
Moreover, this app is built with gamification features, keeping the learner motivated.
Google Translate
- Available On: Android, iOS, and Web
- Recommended For: Translation of Words, Sentences, and Expressions
Who doesn’t like trusty ol’ Google Translate?
As an OG app, you know that Google Translate will have you back when other apps fail to deliver. This app is perfect for short sentences or for getting the gist of a sentence. However, keep in mind that Google Translate is not very accurate and does not support different variations, dialects, and accents used within the same languages.
So, make sure to double-check the phrases and sentences before using them.
Radios Mexico
- Available On: Android and iOS
- Recommended For: staying informed about the latest trends, current affairs, listening to new music, and entertainment
As a Hispanic, I can say this with full confidence that entertainment in Spanish just hits different. The words, pronunciation, music, and fun expressions, everything just makes you feel connected.
So, if you are a Hispanic living in the US, don’t forget to tune into Radio Mexico.
As an immigrant, if there is one thing that has helped me stay connected to my roots and made me feel at home, I would definitely say it is listening to Radio Mexico. In fact, I have imagined myself driving through the roads of my homeland multiple times while listening to the radio.
Spanish Crossword
- Available On: Android and iOS
- Recommended For: Practicing Words and Entertainment
Whenever I feel like I am slowly forgetting Spanish, the Spanish Crossword is my favorite game to play.
The best thing about this app is that you can use it anywhere for entertainment, and you will be able to polish your vocabulary while having fun.
Keep in mind that this app assumes that you are a Spanish speaker, so all the words are chosen accordingly. Moreover, if you are just getting started, you can always adjust the difficulty level and start at a beginner level.
Lirica
- Available On: Android and iOS
- Recommended For: Music, Entertainment, and Learning
As a proud Hispanic, I can assure you that Latino tunes can never disappoint you.
Now, I know you might think I am biased, but some of the biggest Latino musicians have made it global just because of their music.
If you also want to polish your Spanish or just want to enjoy music while learning, Lirica is the perfect app for you. This app comes with a seven-day free trial, which means you have to upgrade to a paid option after that.
This app aims to help beginners practice their Spanish with the help of Latino tunes. It breaks down the vocab and each lyric so the learner can get a detailed answer for every step and every word.
PrendeTV
- Available On: Android and iOS
- Recommended For: Hispanic Content Streaming
If you enjoy Spanish content, dramas, movies, and shows, this app will be the perfect pick for you.
PrendeTV offers access to a plethora of Hispanic content that you can otherwise enjoy on cable channels. The best thing is that this app is free and can offer you access to Hispanic content on the go. The only issue is that the app has ads, so user experience might be affected a little.
As a viewer, I love this app mainly because it keeps you entertained even when you are away from home.
While there is a plethora of apps that are useful for Spanish-speaking users, the above-mentioned are some of my favorites. If you have more suggestions, do not forget to mention them in the comments.
